St. Augustine's 1888 Casa Monica Becomes the Grand Bohemian Casa Monica: 137 Rooms, 14 New Artworks and a Refreshed Pool Lounge and Spa

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - The historic Casa Monica Resort & Spa in downtown St. Augustine has been renamed the Grand Bohemian Casa Monica after a refresh of its guest rooms, public spaces, pool lounge and spa, the hotel's owner announced Nov. 6. The 137-room hotel at 95 Cordova St. is owned by the Kessler Collection, and it is taking reservations under the new name online, according to the Jacksonville Daily Record. The building opened in 1888 and keeps its Spanish and Moorish Revival architecture.

The announcement did not give a renovation cost or say when the work began or finished, according to the Daily Record's report. It did describe a new design direction that draws on Morocco and southern Spain, plus new original artwork in the guest rooms. This report covers what is confirmed about the change and the hotel's long history.

What changed

The renovation refreshed the hotel's interiors, artwork and spa, and improved the Soltana pool lounge with a new poolside bar and a Mediterranean-inspired menu, the Daily Record reported. Guest rooms and public spaces now take cues from Morocco and southern Spain, according to the Kessler Collection announcement. The announcement described peacock blues, jewel-toned greens, warm woods, antique brass, marquetry and custom textiles.

Sculptural headboards, embroidered sheers and corridor carpets with Spanish tile motifs appear throughout the hotel, the announcement said. Earlier work in the public spaces added Moroccan tile, lighting and woodwork, plus gold-leaf art by Sarah Pelfrey and Tina Davis, according to the same announcement. French-Canadian artist Jean-Claude Roy created 14 original works for the guest rooms, inspired by Moroccan landscapes and culture.

Pool lounge and spa

The Soltana Pool Lounge has a new poolside bar with emerald Zellige tile and Moroccan brass fixtures, according to the announcement. The menu blends Mediterranean dishes with Florida ingredients, and the cocktails include the Marrakesh Limonana and the Mandarin Mirage. The adjoining Soltana Pavilion hosts weddings and events.

The spa has been rebranded as The Spa at Grand Bohemian and offers a refreshed wellness menu, the announcement said. The hotel's boilerplate also lists the Cordova Coastal Chophouse & Bar, the Grand Bohemian Art Gallery, beach concierge services and access to Palencia Golf Club. Historic Hotels of America has repeatedly listed Casa Monica among its Top 25 hotels, according to the announcement.

Who runs the hotel

The Kessler Collection owns the hotel, and Highgate operates it under an alliance announced in November 2025 that put several Kessler hotels under Highgate's management, the Daily Record reported. Kessler Hospitality oversees operations, according to the same report. Other Kessler hotels named in the article include the JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District in Georgia and the Grand Bohemian Lodge Greenville in South Carolina.

Mark Kessler, president and chief operating officer of the Kessler Collection, said the hotel's history and architecture were the starting point for the transformation, and that the goal was a more immersive experience through art, design, music and cuisine, according to the Daily Record. Diana Kessler, the company's creative director, is also quoted in the announcement on the design approach. The reports reviewed did not say whether staffing or room rates are changing.

A hotel with a long history

Source: Jacksonville Daily Record and the Kessler Collection announcement.

The hotel stands within walking distance of the Lightner Museum, Flagler College, the Castillo de San Marcos, the waterfront and local shops and galleries, according to the announcement. The building has stood in the city's historic district since 1888. It has carried at least three names in that time, including the Cordova Hotel and the Casa Monica, and now Grand Bohemian Casa Monica.

What is not yet clear

The reports reviewed did not say whether the hotel remains part of Marriott's Autograph Collection after the rebrand. Some online booking listings may still show the older name, so travelers who have reservations may want to confirm details directly with the hotel. The reports also did not give room rates or the number of rooms updated.

• Address: 95 Cordova St., St. Augustine
• Rooms: 137
• Owner: Kessler Collection
• Operator: Highgate, under an alliance announced in November 2025
• Renovation cost and dates: Not disclosed