The Conch House Marina Resort is a unique St. Augustine establishment. It’s located on the water on Anastasia Island. The interesting architecture alone is worth a walk around and it’s a fun place to spend the day or evening.
The lounge and restaurant have good food, drinks and service. Seafood is their speciality. Like a lot of St Augustine restaurants, they make their own datil pepper sauce. It’s a locally grown pepper that’s famous to the area. Kind of tastes like a spicy ketchup. Most of the seating is outside and that’s especially good in the age of Covid 19. Usually a nice breeze on the water too.
The Ponce family has been in St Augustine over 400 years and in the hospitality business for over 150 years. The location alone would bring in people but the friendly staff and food bring people back.
In 1946, Jimmy Sr. and Jacqueline Ponce bought a former Coast Guard Gunnery Station and opened a 4 unit motel. The Ponces lived in one of the units and the other three were for their guests.
Throughout the years, it’s expanded to a motel, lounge, restaurant on a marina. The family sold the place in 2005 and reaquired it the next year. The recession hit business hard and so did Hurricane Matthew. Based on the crowd and number of boats, it appears to be doing great business now.
It’s popular with tourists, locals and boaters. You can also get boat rides and fishing charters from the Marina.
