TL;DR

Youthful design: Renovated 1947 motel with artsy flair.
Creative decor: Murals and hipster patterns throughout.
Locally owned: A cheerful alternative to typical Florida resorts.
North Florida: Explore Atlantic Beach and nearby coast.
Check prices here

The Hotel Palms, right off Atlantic Avenue in Atlantic Beach, is a youthful, artsy way to experience the North Florida coast.

It’s a seriously renovated motel that has given a 1947 build a life it never dreamed of.

This isn’t a 2020s take on the motel concept; this is a complete transformation.

Design is paramount, with multiple walls sporting cute murals that add plenty of personality.

It looks a bit like it was lifted from Emma Stone’s interior designer’s Pinterest board after a couple of cosmos, a combination of classic minimalism and hipster patterning.

It feels a bit out of place, in a way, so different from the typical Floridian architecture and design that you might think you accidentally hopped off the plane in San Diego.

However, as a locally owned space, it’s more a testament to the area’s diversity.

More of a cheerful rebuttal to the many stereotypes we like to attribute to the Sunshine State.

We mean, if you want the stereotypical Florida mall-and-resort experience, we’ve got some cute spots for you.

But if you want to broaden your mind a bit, this will be such a nice spot to do it.

What are the rooms like?

Number of rooms: 11 total.
Room style: Laid-back, artistic minimalism.
Room types: King Singles, Queen Doubles, Junior Queen bunk, King Suite.
Amenities: Minibar, fridge, coffee machine, smart TV, rainfall shower.
See each room in detail here at Expedia

Rooms are laid back but creative at Hotel Palms. It’s got its own take on minimalism.

Each room starts with clean white walls and wood finishes. They’ve then added some excellent works of art that define the rest of the decor.

One graffiti-esque piece results in a black-and-white scheme that sits beautifully next to a pale wood bedstand.

Another sets sultry photography next to plush throw pillows and lush houseplants.

You can take your pick, with rooms starting at just over 200 square feet. They range from King Singles through Queen Doubles to a 475 square foot King Suite with a sleeper sofa.

The Junior Queen is a bunk room featuring a full and twin bed, with a charming post-industrial vibe.

Obviously, rooms aren’t super spacious, but the bright, simple decor helps them feel open.

Many of them have plush, spa-like bathrooms as well.

Every room includes a small minibar with a fridge and coffee machine, smart TV, and a rainfall shower, even if you don’t book one of the fancy bathrooms.

What are prices like?

Check prices here

And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?

Onsite space: Small lounge and courtyard with chairs and fireplace.
Social vibe: Promotes mingling and local/tourist exchange.
Limited activities: No major onsite facilities beyond lounge and courtyard.

A somewhat vibe-defining hipster café used to sit next to the lobby at Hotel Palms, which unfortunately closed just a few weeks before writing.

We’re excited to see what the hotel decides to put in, but for now, it’s a small, cute lounge where you can enjoy a bit of shade.

If you thrive in full sun, you’ll find an outdoor courtyard kind of space with chairs and a fireplace.

Otherwise, there’s not much to actively do onsite, but that doesn’t stop the socializing.

The café fostered a local/tourist exchange that we suspect the hotel will continue to promote, making it a nice place just to hang out.

How is the neighborhood? Anything interesting nearby?

Beaches: 5-minute walk to Atlantic & Neptune Beaches.
Nearby amenities: Bars, restaurants, and some shopping within walking distance.
Biking: 20-minute ride to Jacksonville Beach and other attractions.
Art & culture: Beaches Museum, outdoor venues, art events, breweries.
Nature: State parks and nature preserves north along the coast.

For anyone who wants a full-on beach vacation, you can’t do better than Hotel Palms.

The meeting point of Atlantic and Neptune Beaches is a 5-minute walk away.

Right by the seaside, you’ll find a collection of the area’s most enjoyable bars, restaurants, and just a bit of shopping.

There are plenty of breweries that match the hotel’s vibe quite well.

We suggest two wheels for everything on the coast, with the slightly more populated Jacksonville Beach, just a 20-minute bike ride away.

They’ve got a Beaches Museum there, some outdoor venues, and a good bit more shopping than by the hotel.

Of course, the city is nice too, but you’ll want a car to get to Jacksonville proper.

Downtown generally has a lot of construction going on, which can be exciting, but the seaside will definitely be more relaxing.

It is a pretty simple 25-minute drive if you’re curious about art museums, events, and a brewery-heavy food and drink scene.

And, some of the best tourism will require a car. If you can hop on the highway heading north, you’ll hit a whole collection of state parks and nature preserves.

It’s a good reminder that the sea is far from the only source of beauty in the area.

And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?

Some things guests liked:

“The hotel was an older hotel. it had been updated, but still had an oldish vibe.Our room was very small. The space was maximized by having bunkbeds. With that being said, I would still highly recommend it. It was close to the beach within walking distance. It had many restaurants that were also within walking distance. The staff was very friendly….”

“The hotel is beautiful, with big rooms and comfortable beds. Everyone is friendly , front desk staff is perfect. Thank you, we will stay with you again!….”

Some things guests didn’t like:

”Receptionist was nice. Room smelled like cleaning solution, which she offered to clean but the smell remained. No management on property after 5PM but a 24 hour texting line is available….”

”Limited space to store things….”

Read all the reviews right here