Not many tourists think about history when planning a trip to Florida. Visions of beaches, sunshine, and amusement parks fill their travel planning daydreams. It’s easy to understand why as most of the sunshine state’s history has been erased. Developers buy up classic, Americana-style resorts and replace them with modern, behemoth resorts. Those Americana-style resorts once did the same-bulldozing of historic hotels.
The buildings where the likes of Humphrey Bogart, Charlie Chaplin, and Katherine Hepburn stayed have almost all disappeared as progress continues to move forward. Thankfully, Casa Marina Hotel & Restaurant, a Historic Hotels of America hotel, in Jacksonville Beach, Florida stands as a proud relic of the past.
A piece of history
Casa Marina was built in 1925 during those dark days of Prohibition that most Americans wish to forget about. Not much is known about the hotel from its early days. Given the fame of the guests mentioned above, and the rumor that Al Capone also frequented the hotel, one can only guess what went on in Casa Marina’s grand ballroom.
While most similar hotels in Jacksonville Beach did not survive, Casa Marina has kept its beachfront seat for over 90 years. During its history, the building has also been used as military housing, a private residence, apartments, and a business complex. The last round of conversion took place when the building was renovated back into a hotel in 1991. Today, it is a popular destination for weddings as well as a unique spot to enjoy a beach vacation.
A reminder of what travel used to be like
The halls of the hotel are adorned with photos from Jacksonville Beach’s early days when driving and racing on the beach was commonplace. There are also classic photos of fishing, surfing, and lazy days at the beach. The hotel also maintains many of the touches of the past with darker wood-tones and furnishings that weave in elements of Florida design. Guests find similar décor throughout the rest of the hotel minus the modern Penthouse restaurant mentioned below.
Some of the modern amenities are missing though given the historic nature and boutique size of the hotel. For example, there is no pool. At first, I found this rather off-putting. I want a pool when I’m at a beachfront hotel. However, not having access to a pool forced me to enjoy the beach more and explore the city. At the end of the stay, I was actually glad there wasn’t a pool to limit my stay in Jacksonville Beach. Oh, and modern touches like in-room Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, TVs, and coffee makers are there for your convenience.
Modern dinner in the penthouse
Of course, not everything about the hotel lives in the past. Casa Marina boasts a rooftop restaurant, The Penthouse, which is popular among locals for its sunset happy hours. The wide menu of martinis is filled with craft cocktails infusing local ingredients with house made mixers. I recommend the Purple Rain – Bullet Rye, lemon syrup, and a splash of cabernet sauvignon.
While the hotel itself may be a throwback, the dinner menu is not. The small menu is a perfect example of modern, Florida cuisine. Most of the offerings are small plates meant to be shared. The hotel also hosts one of the most sought after brunches on Jacksonville Beach. Regular hotel guests enjoy complimentary breakfast with their room rate, which starts at 90 USD a night.
A unique beach vacation
While I enjoy historic hotels, I can’t say that I would normally pick one for a beach vacation. I, like many other beach bums, am hung up on the modern amenities found at a mega-resort. I thought I couldn’t live without an infinity pool. As I sadly packed my room to go home, my outlook on a beach hotel had changed. The quaintness of the hotel, prime location on the beach, and connection to history helped me experience Jacksonville Beach in a way I never thought possible.
History
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