The circle drive and white stucco building of Casa Marina Hotel in Jacksonville, Florida reminded me of the art deco hotels that dot Miami’s famous South Beach. Only the Casa Marina appeared cleaner and better loved.
I parked my car in front of the black awning that covered the brick steps that lead to the hotel’s heavy, wooden doors. As I pushed the creaky front door open, my association quickly switched from South Beach to The Goonies.
Strange. I know. Let me explain…
The hotel didn’t remind me of The Goonies in the dust and cobweb covered scary way with a man-monster living in the basement wearing a Super Man shirt. Instead, the nostalgic nature of the historic hotel transported me back to the vacations of yester year much the way the restaurant in The Goonies did. Only at the Casa Marina Hotel, you’re greeted by a smiling face and can immediately feel the warmth of Southern hospitality.
At Casa Marina Hotel, you’re staying in a piece of history.
As you can already tell, the Casa Marina Hotel in Jacksonville Beach, Florida is not your typical Florida resort. Terrible Goonies reference aside, the Historic Hotels of America hotel is quite special as it’s one of the few remaining relics of its era on Jacksonville Beach. To stay in the 90-year-old building, knowing that celebrities like Humphrey Bogart, Charlie Chaplin, and Katherine Hepburn also vacationed at the hotel, is quite special.
While there are reminders of the hotel’s history throughout the building, Casa Marina Hotel was fully restored in 1991 for those looking for modern amenities. Photos of both the hotel and Jacksonville Beach’s past hang along the brightly lit halls. It’s easy to waste away an hour taking in classic photos of fishing, surfing, and lazy days at the beach. There’s even a few of early automobile races that were held on the beach.
The 23 rooms themselves deliver touches from the past with darker wood-tones and retro furnishings that weave in elements of Florida design. I found them to be quite charming and the perfect place to relax after a long day of exploring Jacksonville Beach. I also enjoyed the modern luxuries like a flat-screen TV, mini-fridge, Wi-Fi, coffee maker, and Paul Mitchel Tea Tree products in the bathroom.
This is prime real estate, people!!!
Probably the best part of Casa Marina Hotel is its prime real estate on Jacksonville Beach. The beach is right out the back door, the Jacksonville Fishing Pier is less than a five-minute walk away, and some of the beach’s best restaurants and nightlife are only a few blocks from the hotel. For those craft beer fans out there, that includes Green Room Brewing and Zeta Brewing.
It’s one of the most centrally located hotels on the beach, which is a good thing since the hotel does not have a swimming pool. While some may find this off-putting, it forces you to explore the area and experience the unique culture of Jacksonville Beach where southern charm meets cool beach vibe.
If you don’t stay at the hotel, at least dine in Casa Marina Hotels Penthouse Restaurant and Martini Bar.
It’s not often that I actually recommend eating at a hotel restaurant since must suck. Casa Marina Hotel is one of the few exceptions to the rule. In fact, I’ll even go as far as to recommend dining there even if you aren’t staying at the Casa Marina Hotel. After all, locals do. The rooftop bar is the best-kept secret that they don’t want spilled.
The best time to visit The Penthouse Restaurant is during happy hour, but not just for their generous food and drink specials. The sunset views are spectacular. Sip on handcrafted, half-priced specialty cocktails and martinis with a bite or two of tapas while you watch the ocean and sky transform from one watercolor painting into another. I recommend the Purple Rain – Bullet Rye, lemon syrup, and a splash of cabernet sauvignon. I’ll soon be replicating it at home.
Of course, the dinner menu is worth sticking around for after the sun goes down. The limited menu features a handful of tapas and large plates. The house specialty is the Flat-Iron Steak. I know what you’re thinking, steak at the beach? Follow me though. The steak is cooked to perfection and seared with a crust many chefs can’t quite achieve. It’s served over a sweet potato and Idaho hash. The combination of the two potatoes along with mushrooms and onions produces a bed for the steak that isn’t quite sweet, but isn’t quite your typical hash. The smoky bacon adds the finishing touch.
Other highlights I sampled include the Blue Chips and the Spicy Shrimp Sauté with Fruit Salsa and Buerre Blanc. The Blue Chips were a good idea in theory, but the balsamic glaze was a bit overpowering for my taste. The Spicy Shrimp, on the other hand, was an outstanding tropical display of sweet and spicy. I considered ordering a second plate.
Resort Highlights
- The number one highlight of the hotel is bar none the Penthouse Restaurant and Martini Bar. The views of the beach are stunning, especially at sunset.
- The hotel is within walking distance of almost everywhere you want to be on Jacksonville Beach. And did I mention it’s beachfront property?
- It’s a chance to relive travel of yesteryear, as the hotel is a Historic Hotels of America hotel. You get to stay where Humphrey Bogart, Charlie Chaplin, and Katherine Hepburn once lay their heads!
Special Considerations
- There’s no pool. While this might sound like a deal breaker, the ocean is right outside the back door of the hotel.
- Other modern amenities its lacking is a gym. Once again, this may sound like a deal breaker, but you’re in Florida. Exercise outside on the beach like all the locals do!
- The hotel is a popular wedding venue. Thus, it might get loud during weekend evening hours. Way around it? Check out the Jacksonville Beach nightlife, ask for a room on the south wing of the hotel, or become a wedding crasher.
- There’s no cool tunnel under the hotel that leads to a pirate ship like in Goonies. Then again, there isn’t a group of psycho mafia killers chasing you, either. Although, it’s rumored that Al Capone once stayed at Casa Marina Hotel…
What historic hotel have you stayed at?
Disclosure – Muchas gracias to Casa Marina Hotel for hosting me. Regardless of Casa Marina’s generosity, readers receive my honest feedback as my opinions are not for sale.