The Ponce de Leon Hotel is known to locals simply as The Ponce. An exclusive luxury hotel in St. Augustine belonged to Henry M. Flagler, a millionaire developer and co-founder of the Standard Oil Company. It was designed in Spanish Renaissance style by the architecture firm Carrère & Hastings and completed in 1888.
The hotel was constructed entirely of poured concrete and local coquina stone. It was one of the first buildings in the U.S. which were wired for electricity from the onset. Direct current generators at the hotel were installed by Thomas Edison.
This luxury hotel was visited by people such as Frederick Vanderbilt, William R. Rockefeller, Theodore Roosevelt, Mark Twain, Somerset Maugham and Ernest Hemingway. Flagler College’s acquired the hotel in 1968, and now it mostly sees college students. The other guests are...ghosts of Flagler, his wife, mistress, and other phantoms. Ponce de Leon Hotel Tours are offered daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. from inside the lobby.
The hotel boasts a beautiful courtyard fountain with 12 fish sculptures and also serves as a sundial. The Rotunda has a large mural symbolizing Earth, Wind, Air and Fire. The golden ceiling has artwork by George W. Maynard. The windows bear the largest private collection of Tiffany stained glass. The Ladies Parlor has the largest piece of white onyx in the Western Hemisphere.
Practical info
When was the Ponce de Leon Hotel constructed?
In 1888, the Ponce de Leon Hotel was built in the Spanish Renaissance style by Carrère & Hastings architecture firm, featuring local coquina stone and poured concrete. The building was wired with electricity, powered by direct current generators installed by Thomas Edison. The current Flagler College campus houses the ghosts of the hotel's past inhabitants and now serves as a college for students. Show more
What is the architectural style of the hotel?
Found in St. Augustine, FL, the Ponce de Leon Hotel was designed using the Spanish Renaissance style by Carrère & Hastings, who also worked on other famous buildings like the Frick Collection and the New York Public Library. The hotel was constructed using locally sourced coquina stone and poured concrete to withstand the severe Florida weather, which is why it remains a popular destination for visitors today. Show more
Where is the largest private collection of Tiffany stained glass located inside the hotel?
The Ponce de Leon Hotel houses a remarkable private collection on the second floor, featuring over 70 Tiffany stained glass artworks commissioned by Mrs. Flagler. The hotel enforced a no-name display policy, which eventually led to an unsung group of artists. Tiffany Studios created art compositions that added color to the interior by brightening the often-bland rooms, delivering a magnificent look and feel to the visitors. Show more
What are the highlights of the Rotunda the guests must see during the Ponce de Leon Hotel tour?
A must-see during the tour is the Ponce de Leon Hotel Rotunda, which includes the largest collection of Italian paintings in America and an imposing mural symbolizing Earth, Wind, Air, and Fire. The gifted artist George W. Maynard painted the ceiling artwork highlighting the zodiac signs decorating the massive space. The beautiful facade is completed by intricately designed fish sculptures and a sundial that adorn the courtyard. Show more
Who are some notable guests that stayed in the Ponce de Leon Hotel aside from Ernest Hemingway and Mark Twain?
The luxurious and technologically advanced Ponce de Leon Hotel welcomed numerous visitors in its heyday, including Somerset Maugham, William R. Rockefeller, and Frederick Vanderbilt. When it's no longer accommodating guests, the hotel becomes a college for students, who, along with the ghosts of Flagler, his wife, mistress, and other phantoms, move around the hallways and corridors of Flagler College today. Show more
