Ocean Sands Beach Boutique Inn - 1 Acre Private Beach

Bait and switch. Before booking, I specifically asked whether pets were allowed and was told yes. I then asked for the total price for a one-week stay, was quoted around $700 after taxes, and they charged my credit card immediately. When I arrived, there was no front desk — only a kiosk with a remote operator from India. At that point, I was suddenly told there was an additional $525 “pet fee” that was never disclosed during the phone call and not included in the price I was charged. I refused to pay an extra $525 for a fee that was never mentioned and asked for a refund since they changed the terms after charging my card. They refused to refund my money and would only give me the room if I paid the additional fee. This is a classic bait-and-switch tactic: quote a price, take your money, then hold it hostage unless you pay hundreds more at check-in. Completely unethical and likely illegal. If you’re traveling with a pet — or frankly, even if you’re not — get everything in writing and be prepared to dispute charges. I will be pursuing a chargeback and filing complaints. Save yourself the stress and stay somewhere honest.

Unfortunately we only stayed for one night to see the St Augustine lights. There were so many fun amenities that we did not get to use: Fun outdoor seating and hammocks Fire pit Checkers and other games Foosball Corn hole Connect 5 Sauna Ping pong And directly across from the beach. In addition they had free popcorn (with over 15 toppings) free cookies. Breakfast was wonderful with many options and even cappuccino. They even had a place to shine your shoes and many toiletries!

I wanted to stay a bit outside of St. Augustine as I planned on attending and knew that the city was going to be mobbed. It is about 7 minutes from the city. It was clean and good location for the beach. It has a small pool which I could not see more than one family using it at one time. The hotel was clean and appointed. I stayed on the first floor, which is a mistake. I could hear the people walking across the floor until 10:30 pm and beginning at 6:30 am which woke me up. During my sleep, I could hear someone snoring in the other room. I would not stay there again. Not that it matters, but there was a knob missing on a wardrobe cabinet making it difficult to open. I didn't have to open it as I only stayed there overnight.

This was one of the most unusual hotel experiences we have had: some good, some bad, and some just plain odd. LOBBY & CHECK-IN: (1) When I entered the lobby to sign in, there was a line and long wait with no employees behind the desk. Instead, there was an impersonal computer (with a person on screen) talking to each visitor and asking several questions. Sometimes it was difficult to understand him due to the accent. 2) The lobby/breakfast area was extremely small; yet, it had some unique breakfast items which appeal to kids (such as gogurts, many sweet toppings for waffles, pudding cups, etc.) as well as a good selection of coffee creamers and additives, and biscuits and sausage gravy (which makes us southerners feel at home--lol). (3) The hotel decor was eclectic with bubble glass/beach theme in different areas mixed with traditional wood furniture and metal furnishings also. HOTEL LOCATION & AMENITIES: (1) We could see ocean waves from our balcony, but unfortunately you have to run across a very busy highway to reach the beach. (2) A Pac-man game machine plus board games are on 1st floor, and an assortment of outdoor seating was crowded together behind the hotel parking lot. (3) A variety of items were available in the hotel room, but they are costly and we did not touch them. (4) The sauna is surrounded by glass and located in a nook at the end of the hallway next to the microwave and ice machine. How awkward is it to go get ice and see someone next to you sitting half naked in a heated glass box? OUR ROOM: (1) It was difficult to lock our hotel room door from the hallway so I worried someone might enter the room while we were away. (2) The bathroom door/sliding barndoor did not close well and there was no lock. (3) A sunscreen dispenser was on the bathroom wall (nice surprise). (4) The central H/A unit in our room would sometimes randomly click on/off very quickly, and the temperature felt colder than the temperature on the digital display. (5) The smell of the room was pleasant although it seemed like too much cleaner or aerosol had been used (an attempt to mask an odor?), the bedding was comfortable, and the room was small but clean. (6) Inside the nightstand drawer was an expected copy of a Gideon Bible. Two other books which were unexpected were also in the drawer: Bhagavad Gita and The Teaching of Buddha UNDISCLOSED FEE: The hotel charged our credit card before we arrived, and the charge was more than the "total amount to pay" (which included taxes and fees) on the email quote they sent. Upon inquiry, we were told it was for a parking fee. (No parking fee was disclosed on the website or at check-in, but they claimed it was on the website when I inquired about it. The only fee published in regards to the parking lot is an EV charge if applicable, but we do NOT own an electric vehicle.) As if that extra charge wasn't enough, I just noticed there is an additional pending $50 charge on our card! We did not use any phone in the hotel or any of the toiletries or extras (except soap) in the room so we fully expect the hotel to refund this additional charge. If you do not mind crossing a busy highway to the beach and do not mind a somewhat quirky experience, you might find this place amusing--just beware of extra fees.

I would give them a 12 out of 10. This place is fabulous. Great breakfast. Super clean. Comfortable beds and pillows. Quiet. There's nothing bad about it and right on the ocean. Its was a great experience. Thanks to them.

We had a strange experience with the management. We were in town visiting family for Christmas. We checked into our room, then went to dinner. While we were out, they sent us a text asking us to rate our room. My wife noted that there was trash left in the bathroom from the previous occupants. We were then contacted by management telling us to leave and that the police have been called. The management was very hostile and tried to refuse us a refund. Overall can’t say it was a good experience at all.

Bad business. do not book with them. I booked two rooms - stayed on 12/10 and 12/11 at the Ocean Sands Hotel for the Saint Augustine light festivities. I was charged an extra $458. I've spoken with three different people to get my security deposit back as well. First person couldn't find my reservation because of a language barrier, second person found the reservation but said one of our rooms had an undisclosed pet (we did not have a pet - nor do I own a pet). I asked for the manager both times and was told they would call me back. No call back. Sent an email - no response. Called again for the 3rd time and was told that the $458 was a charge for the undisclosed pet - the maid said there was a pet in the room and poop on the bed. WTH. what kind of establishment is this. I asked for my folio several times for the breakdown of all the costs - no luck. I asked for the manager again and his name and number. they would not disclose this and said manager would call when he comes in. Of course no call back. they should be ashamed of themselves they way they handled their guests. I would never every recommend this place. they have no live person at their front desk to talk to. they use a call center in India - which is fine - but how do you reach a manager?

The advertisement, the photos, are misleading. It is a clean kitschy, heavy on the oddness property this is true. There is no person at reception to welcome you. Instead there is a giant like ATM machine thing, that operates like a huge Facebook call. So weird. This machine has some guy in India on the large screen who takes all your information just to check-in. It's bizarre and off putting and the few employees I spoke to made clear they cannot assist. The decor is kind of beachy, yes, but in the rooms there are oddities like toiletries of soaps, shampoo with brand names from other hotels, and even the TV is low resolution. There is no elevator to the second story. The hotel boosts there are 40 different free breakfast items but most are the 6 bottle of coffee syrups, and a Cappuccino machine that had been out of service for some time, as well as the soda machine, some other snack machine, and the washers & dryers that the hotel guests could use, all out of service. The salt water pool was very nice if your by yourself, but way too small when several groups of 5 people or more took over. To access the beach you cross the A1A, pretty dangerous. Traffic constantly and at over the speed limit. And bring your ear plugs we experienced a drunken argument right about 3:00 in the morning that went on for hours, as well as the paper thin walls between the rooms. Don't stay here.

Stayed for two nights for a little getaway to see St. Augustine. Pretty windy, and a little chilly so we didn’t spend a ton of time on the private beach but we didn’t spend walk over and walk the beach a few times. Very nice and super convenient. Hotel is nice, a little dated-except for the virtual checkin which is new to me, but very friendly service. Nice rooms with great toiletries, really good breaky spread. Coffee all day, cookies and popcorn in the afternoon is a nice touch. So many options, I feel good about our choice. About 8-10 mins to town, but a few shops and a Publix close by. I’d stay again

Friendly and helpful staff. Check in was a bit unusual for me because the person was on a monitor, and it looked like an atm machine with an ad on it. Then the person waved and spoke, and that's when I realized it was a live person on the screen,..welcome to the future! Other tan that initial awkwardness, the check in ran smoothly. The room was comfortable and spacious. It was very clean and stocked with sop, shower gel, shampoo, etc. There was a very nice self serve breakfast in the morning, great selection of coffee and tasty food. There's a cute out door area, with games and lounge chairs. I didn't go in the pool, noy my thing. But the beach and sand dunes were beautiful. Its close to historic St Augustine, like a 5-10 minute drive. I love that its on a beach that is not over developed, very natural and peaceful stay.