The Good:
I want to start by acknowledging the on-property staff who were genuinely pleasant and stellar. A special shout-out to Anna and Ivar at the front desk, as well as Jesse on the valet team. The property itself, layout-designed like an apartment complex with multiple buildings in a gated open space, is unique and beautiful.
The Serious Issues:
Unfortunately, the property's management, basic service, and billing practices fell completely short of basic hospitality and ethical standards for a Category 6 or Michelin Key Property. My girlfriend and I booked this trip six months in advance for the FIFA World Cup, only to be met with a shocking lack of service. The hotel seems constantly understaffed. The front desk is often not attended, and wait time for a staff can often take 10 minutes+.
Our room was entirely neglected. We did not receive standard room service or a towel refresh during our entire stay. When we inquired, we were dismissed and told rooms are skipped if staff are busy unless a sign is hung. This lack of basic upkeep was proven by a dead cockroach that remained directly in front of our door for the duration of our stay--undeniable proof that the floors were never monitored or cleaned.
Unacceptable Billing Practices:
Most alarmingly, we encountered a severe billing issue that borders on theft. As World Cup guests utilizing Guest of Honor privileges, we used our Food & Breakfast credits. On both mornings, our bill totals were identical at $108. However, on the first night, we were charged an extra $40 beyond our $85 credit, while the second night reflected an extra $20.
When questioning this, I was told the first morning's bill was actually $128. Because we explicitly did not leave an additional tip on either day, a member of the restaurant staff fraudulently added a $20 tip to our bill. We were forced to waste valuable time during our long-awaited vacation confronting staff to resolve this unauthorized charge.
The hotel manager also continuously insisted that the $20 tip is the result of an automatic tip. However, the automatic tips for both days were about $15, and already included in the pre-signature total so it does not explain the difference. The manger also tried to say that the charges were taken care-off prior to departure, yet the truth is it was not taken care of until I followed--up a few hours after I checked-out from the property.
Hotel St. Augustine fell completely short. I have filed a formal complaint with Hyatt Customer Care and expect a thorough investigation into this unauthorized billing. Future guests, watch your folios very closely. read more