Casablanca Inn on the Bay  - St. Augustine, Florida
By Stacy Lytwyn Maxwell  (October 2007)

The “Best of St. Augustine” ....the inn has won the award for eight consecutive years. “Out of 27 inns, it’s really something to win – they’re all fabulous,” exclaims Leigh Cort.

Never mind the blushing sunsets, plush bedding that is an oxymoron—the sink/float variety—a bay front that stirs the senses and gives rise to new sensations, and a veranda and property that exudes nothing less than “oh, wow!”; never mind all that, the point is: Casablanca Inn on the Bay is ranked numero uno by the numero uno area newspaper, the St. Augustine Record.

The “Best of St. Augustine” title happens to be out of a total of 27 inns in the oldest, continuously occupied European established city located south of Jacksonville, in the United States. One more impressive fact: the inn has won the award for eight consecutive years. “Out of 27 inns, it’s really something to win – they’re all fabulous,” exclaims Leigh Cort, the inn’s publicist.

“It’s in the number one location in historic St. Augustine. It is on the bay front (Matanzas Bay) and the bay feeds into the Atlantic Ocean. It has the panoramic view of the bay with the famous Bridge of Lions. So when you get to the Casablanca Inn, there’s nothing between you and the bay front ...” says Leigh.

Each uniquely styled guestroom and suite features decorative fireplaces, Jacuzzis, sitting areas and private outdoor porch or deck sitting areas. In the Coach House, guests have the most up-to-date furnishings that include flat screen televisions with DVD players and sound machines.

“One of the ten great inns of the Southeast,” the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported, echoing another accolade from an overflowing repertoire. Guests, too, weave endless yarns of praise.

Leigh attributes the inn’s award-winning characteristics to location, saying “It’s in the number one location in historic St. Augustine. It is on the bay front (Matanzas Bay) and the bay feeds into the Atlantic Ocean. It has the panoramic view of the bay with the famous Bridge of Lions. So when you get to the Casablanca Inn, there’s nothing between you and the bay front except the beautiful horse and carriages that all line up in the street.”

Beyond the location, everything from outside to inside at the 1914 Mediterranean Revival-style home, classified among some of the most distinguished associations, including a listing on the National Register of Historic Places, is about esthetics. Situated on historic Avenida Menendez, beneath the ornate gold-topped columns, imagine promenading into a dazzling house and garden-style magazine spread—that is the overall feel. Inside, common rooms brim with antiques, and 23 unique guestrooms and suites are aglow, mirroring the brilliant-hued outdoors of sea and sky.

Luxury and romance in a friendly atmosphere are bestowed upon couples who sojourn at the main house, nearby Coach House or any one of the three secret garden suites. No matter where they stay, guests are assured of full, modern amenities and private entrances. Michael Miles and Nancy Cloud, proprietors of the Casablanca Inn since 2004, have been innkeepers for decades (prior owners of the Ledgelawn Inn and current owners of Balance Rock Inn, both in Bar Harbor, Maine). Their desire is nothing less than the best. The custom-designed beds, “a mountain of plush,” as Leigh refers to them, have been handpicked by the couple.

Each uniquely styled guestroom and suite features decorative fireplaces, Jacuzzis, sitting areas and private outdoor porch or deck sitting areas. In the Coach House, guests have the most up-to-date furnishings that include flat screen televisions with DVD players and sound machines. Throw in ceiling fan and plantation shutters and the living is as breezy as the surrounding palm trees. The Secret Garden suites, across from the Coach House, nestled behind lush tropics are the lap of privacy. Each pet-friendly suite comes complete with kitchenette. Inviting benches and chairs scattered in the garden are additional opportunities for Casablanca guests to spend intimate moments.

Intimate is the word to describe the two-course fresh and scrumptious breakfast served to guests on one of the most popular spots at the inn, the veranda. No coerced “co-mingling” on these premises; table for two, thank you very much. “Guests love to sit outside and enjoy a romantic breakfast. Four seasons of the year, people can dine breakfast outside. In the cold winter, which doesn’t really get too cold here, the sun comes up on the east facing the inn, so even if it’s a chilly morning, you have the sunshine to warm you,” Leigh explains.

Steps away from the Casablanca Inn, in the heart of St. Augustine, a four-season Mecca of culture and special events abounds. Patrons have miles of brick-paved streets that lead to an array of shops, galleries, eateries, museums and attractions to meet every curiosity level. Yet, despite the city’s allure, Leigh says, Casablanca is “one of the most photographed buildings in St. Augustine.” She continues, stating, “It’s bright white. It has beautiful awnings and red and white furniture. It’s a magnet; people walk by and they just want to sit up on the veranda because of the view.”

As if this doesn’t tickle your fancy enough, the inn is the only historic inn in the city to possess a liquor license. Over-21 crowds (inn guests and the public) can take full advantage of the sweeping veranda, which doubles as the Tini Martini Bar. Wine lovers can choose from 32 vintages by the glass while beer aficionados have from 23 brews to select. Have a martini, dessert; relax to live jazz or blues Wednesday through Saturday evenings. The living is, yes, so easy in this, the place, to be on the bay front in St. Augustine, especially when in anticipation of the heaps of soft bedding so close by.

Casablanca Inn on the Bay
24 Avenida Menendez,
St. Augustine, FL 32084.
Phone: 904 829-0928, 800 826-2626.
Web: www.casablancainn.com
Email: barhbrinns@aol.com