St. Francis Inn – Haunted Hotel in St. Augustine, Florida
City:
State:
Full Address: 279 St George St, St. Augustine, FL 32084, United States
Check In Google Map
Have you visited this place? Rate Your Experience!
Nestled in the heart of America’s oldest city, the St. Francis Inn has been welcoming guests since 1791, making it one of the most historically rich accommodations in Florida. But along with its colonial charm and Southern hospitality, visitors often get more than they bargained for—unexplained footsteps, ghostly apparitions, and an eerie presence that lingers in certain rooms.
Historical Background
Year Built: 1791
Original Purpose: The building served as a private residence before becoming an inn in the mid-1800s. Over its 230+ years, it has witnessed wars, yellow fever epidemics, and countless personal tragedies that have left their mark on the property.
Significant Events: The inn’s most infamous tale involves a slave girl named Lily, who allegedly fell in love with a soldier and died tragically on the property. During the Civil War era, the building also served as a makeshift hospital, where many soldiers drew their last breaths.
Paranormal Activity Summary
Guests frequently report hearing phantom footsteps pacing the hallways late at night, even when no one else is staying on their floor. Cold spots appear suddenly in certain rooms, and many have witnessed objects moving on their own—from swinging lamps to doors that open and close without explanation.
The scent of fresh flowers or pipe tobacco often wafts through empty corridors with no logical source. Several spirits are believed to haunt the property, with the most active being a young woman in period clothing and a uniformed soldier who appears near the windows.
By the way, have you visited this haunted place in Florida State? Casa de la Paz – Haunted Former Bed and Breakfast in St. Augustine, Florida
Ghost Stories & Reports
The most famous spirit is Lily, the enslaved girl who reportedly haunts Room 3A after her tragic death (some accounts say she jumped from the balcony, while others claim she was murdered). Guests in this room frequently report feeling an unseen presence sitting on their bed, gentle touches on their shoulders, and the overwhelming sensation of being watched.
Another recurring ghost is that of a Confederate soldier who appears at the window, seemingly keeping watch as he might have done during the Civil War. Visitors also report encounters with a friendly male spirit who smells of tobacco and seems to check on guests during their stay.
A heartbreaking tale involves the ghost of a young boy who plays in the courtyard and occasionally appears in guest rooms. Local folklore suggests he died during one of the city’s yellow fever outbreaks and never left the property where he once lived.
Speaking of haunted places, don’t forget to also check this place in Florida State? The Devil’s Chair – Haunted Cemetery Bench in Cassadaga, Florida
Most Haunted Spot Inside
Room 3A is undoubtedly the most haunted location in the inn, where Lily’s presence is strongest and paranormal activity peaks. Guests staying here have reported waking up to see a young woman in old-fashioned clothing standing at the foot of their bed, only to watch her fade away into nothingness.
The paranormal doesn’t stop here—this haunted place might also interest you in Florida State? Key West Cemetery – Haunted Historic Burial Ground in Key West, Florida
Can You Visit?
Open to the Public? Yes
Entry Fee: Room rates vary depending on the season, typically ranging from $200-$400 per night. Non-guests can sometimes arrange brief tours by contacting the inn directly, though this is primarily a functioning bed and breakfast.
Tour Availability: The inn does not offer regular ghost tours, but guests are encouraged to explore the property and learn about its haunted history from the friendly staff. St. Augustine ghost tour companies often include the inn as a stop on their walking tours of the historic district.
Photography Allowed? Yes, guests are welcome to take photos throughout the property.
Visiting Hours: Check-in is typically at 3 PM and check-out at 11 AM, though the inn’s common areas and courtyard are accessible to guests 24/7.
Best Time to Visit
October through December is considered the most active period for paranormal experiences, particularly around Halloween when the veil between worlds is said to be thinnest. Many guests also report heightened activity during the anniversary of the yellow fever epidemic in late summer.
First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports
A guest named Sarah from Ohio reported waking at 3 AM to find her bathroom light turning on and off repeatedly, despite no electrical issues being found. Another visitor claimed to have captured an unexplained misty figure on camera near the staircase, which appeared in none of the other photos taken seconds before or after.
The Travel Channel’s “Haunted Hotels” featured the St. Francis Inn, interviewing multiple guests who shared their spine-chilling experiences. Staff members have also gone on record stating they’ve heard their names called when alone in the building and witnessed doors locking themselves from the inside.
Paranormal Investigations & Findings
The inn has been investigated by numerous paranormal research teams, including TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society). During their investigation, they recorded unexplained temperature drops, EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) recordings of what sounded like a woman saying “help me,” and equipment malfunctions that couldn’t be explained.
The Ghost Adventures crew also visited the location, capturing compelling footage of shadow figures and experiencing what they described as “intelligent responses” during their spirit box sessions. Their investigation in Room 3A produced some of their most compelling evidence, including a full-body apparition caught on thermal camera.