Renaissance Resort At World Golf Village

Golf, history, food and fun defined our stay at this resort in St. Augustine

When thinking about Florida, the first place that probably comes to mind is Miami. When thinking about anything related to golf, Tiger Woods probably tops the list. Well, we weren’t in Miami, and Tiger was nowhere to be found, but we did have a pleasant sojourn when we spent a weekend in St. Augustine. This somewhat sleepy city—in comparison to its South Florida counterparts—exudes a sense of southern hospitality and grace. This was evident the moment we arrived at The Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village, a 40-minute drive from the Jacksonville airport.

Guest rooms at Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village are accented with rich colors.

What to Expect
Resting in World Golf Village, minutes from the popular World Golf Hall of Fame and PGA Tour Golf Academy, the resort is in the thick of a $10 million renovation that is scheduled for completion next month. The project will transform the hotel with a remodeled, 10-story atrium lobby (we were impressed by the lobby’s seven-story hanging sculpture—a mix of shimmering aureoles, which bounce fragments of light and color off of the walls) and revamp the 301 guest rooms. In addition, a new American grill, 500 South, will be completed this month.

Besides a light-filled lobby and remodeled accommodations, expect an attentive staff that will always start the morning with a smile. As one might gather, the resort’s location is a playground for golf enthusiasts, and Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village does its part to incorporate the sport into a guest’s experience. A golf simulator right off of the lobby beckons novices and pros alike to take a stab at perfecting their swing with a few rounds of virtual golf (it’s the same concept as a Nintendo Wii, but you’re hitting balls at a screen with a golf club).

Here’s where the aforementioned grace and civility kicked in: Several people in our party were golf neophytes, and the more-seasoned players on staff offered words of advice to improve their game instead of jeers when, inevitably, a “banana ball” or two would hit the screen.

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