Enter the Prince of Wales, a regal inn where British colonial ghosts and Spanish spirits coexist in supernatural splendor.

Where Royalty Never Checked Out

Standing proudly in the heart of St. Augustine's historic district, the Prince of Wales represents one of Florida's most elegant and spiritually active historical inns. Originally constructed in 1760 as a private mansion for wealthy Spanish colonial merchant Don Diego Espinosa, the building was transformed into a British officers' club during the British colonial period (1763-1783) and named in honor of the future King George IV. The inn's regal atmosphere and luxurious accommodations attracted the most distinguished guests throughout its history, from British colonial governors to wealthy American industrialists seeking the ultimate in refined hospitality. Yet beneath its polished veneer of aristocratic elegance lies a more unsettling truth—many of the inn's most distinguished guests have never truly departed. The Prince of Wales hosts an ongoing supernatural soirée where British colonial officers continue their eternal diplomatic missions, Spanish nobles maintain their claim to social supremacy, and Civil War generals plan strategies that will never be implemented. From the grand ballroom where phantom waltzes echo through the night to the private suites where ghostly dignitaries conduct meetings that span centuries, the Prince of Wales offers guests the opportunity to mingle with the supernatural elite of St. Augustine's complex colonial heritage.

From Spanish Palace to British Crown Jewel

The Prince of Wales began its existence as Casa de Espinosa, the palatial residence of Don Diego Espinosa, one of the wealthiest Spanish merchants in colonial Florida. Don Diego spared no expense in creating a mansion that would reflect his elevated status in Spanish colonial society, importing marble from Spain, mahogany from Cuba, and crystal chandeliers from Venice to create an atmosphere of European sophistication in the New World wilderness. When Britain gained control of Florida in 1763, the mansion was requisitioned by the British colonial government and converted into the Officers' Club of the Royal Regiment of Foot, serving as both residence and social center for British military and civilian officials. The building was renamed the Prince of Wales Club in 1771 to honor the heir to the British throne, and its grand ballroom became the setting for elaborate entertainments that established British social customs in former Spanish territory. During the American Revolution, the club served as headquarters for British intelligence operations throughout the Southeast, with coded messages and military strategies discussed in its elegant parlors while Spanish colonial families watched their former social center transformed into the enemy's command post. Spain's return to power in 1783 brought a complex period when Spanish officials reclaimed the building while maintaining many of the British social customs that had been established during the twenty-year occupation. The building's conversion to a luxury inn in the early 19th century preserved its aristocratic atmosphere while creating new opportunities for supernatural encounters as the spirits of both Spanish and British colonial elite found common ground in their shared love of refined hospitality and social prominence.

The Supernatural Aristocracy

The most distinguished spirit at the Prince of Wales is Colonel Reginald Worthington, the British officer who served as the club's commandant from 1773 until his death in 1782 during a duel with a Spanish nobleman over matters of colonial protocol. Colonel Worthington appears in full British military dress uniform, complete with polished brass buttons and ceremonial sword, most often encountered in the inn's main parlor where he continues to hold court as if still entertaining distinguished guests. His spirit maintains the rigid etiquette and formal bearing that characterized British colonial society, and modern guests report feeling compelled to observe proper social protocols in his presence. The Colonel's manifestations are accompanied by the distinctive aroma of British tobacco and the sound of crystal glasses being raised in invisible toasts to the Crown. The inn's most tragic spirit is Doña Isabella Espinosa, Don Diego's daughter, who died of heartbreak in 1784 when her British officer lover was killed during the transition back to Spanish rule. She appears as an elegant woman in Spanish colonial dress, wandering the inn's corridors and ballroom as if searching for her lost love or perhaps seeking reconciliation between the Spanish and British spirits who continue their eternal cultural rivalry within the building's walls. Isabella's presence is marked by the scent of Spanish jasmine and the faint sound of a Spanish guitar playing melancholy love songs that echo through the inn during the pre-dawn hours. The inn also houses the collective spirits of the British Officers' Council, a group of military officials who died during a yellow fever outbreak in 1778 while conducting secret meetings about American colonial rebellion. These phantom officers manifest as the sound of military planning sessions, complete with the rustle of maps, the scratch of quill pens, and heated discussions about military strategy conducted in proper British accents that seem to emanate from empty rooms during evening hours.

Aristocratic Apparitions

Paranormal activity at the Prince of Wales reflects the refined sensibilities of its ghostly aristocratic residents, with supernatural phenomena that emphasize elegance and social protocol rather than dramatic or frightening manifestations. The inn's grand ballroom serves as the epicenter of supernatural activity, particularly during evening hours when phantom waltzes can be heard echoing through the space, complete with the sound of period orchestral music and the rustle of elaborate colonial-era ball gowns. Guests consistently report encountering well-dressed figures in 18th-century formal attire who appear solid enough to cast shadows and reflections, only to vanish when approached directly. The inn's crystal chandeliers move independently during supernatural activity, swaying gently as if responding to phantom dancers, while the building's antique mirrors often reflect ballroom scenes from centuries past, complete with colonial-era guests engaged in elaborate social rituals. Temperature fluctuations throughout the inn are subtle but consistent, with certain areas maintaining the cool, crisp atmosphere preferred by British colonial society, while other spaces radiate the warm, languid air associated with Spanish colonial lifestyle. Electronic equipment responds to the supernatural presence with unusual behavior—digital cameras produce photographs of empty rooms that show elegant figures in period dress, while audio recordings capture the sounds of refined conversation, classical music, and the gentle clink of fine china and crystal. During full moons and on dates significant to British colonial history—particularly the anniversary of British acquisition of Florida on July 10th—the inn becomes extraordinarily active, with witnesses reporting entire phantom social events complete with ghostly receiving lines, formal dinners served by invisible staff, and elaborate entertainment that recreates the sophisticated colonial society that once flourished within these walls.

Lodging with the Colonial Elite

The Prince of Wales offers guests the extraordinary opportunity to experience authentic colonial luxury while encountering the supernatural aristocracy that has maintained residence here for over two centuries. The inn's commitment to preserving its historical atmosphere enhances rather than competes with its paranormal activity, creating an environment where supernatural encounters feel natural and appropriate rather than intrusive or alarming. Evening stays provide the most comprehensive supernatural experiences, as the inn's ghostly residents seem most active during traditional social hours when colonial entertainment would have been conducted. Guests should come prepared to observe proper social etiquette, as the spirits maintain the formal behavioral standards of their respective colonial periods and respond favorably to visitors who demonstrate appropriate respect and courtesy. The inn's grand ballroom is available for private events and provides an excellent venue for experiencing the phantom entertainment that occurs regularly during evening hours, though guests should be prepared for the possibility that their celebrations may be joined by invisible participants from previous centuries. Photography throughout the inn produces exceptional paranormal evidence, particularly in the mirrored surfaces and crystal fixtures that seem to serve as portals between the physical and spiritual realms occupied by the building's aristocratic residents. The inn's elegant accommodations include period furnishings and décor that create an authentic colonial atmosphere while providing modern comfort, allowing guests to experience 18th-century luxury without sacrificing contemporary amenities. Dining at the inn often includes unexpected supernatural seasoning, as the ghostly staff from various colonial periods seems eager to contribute to guests' culinary experiences by ensuring that meals meet the high standards established during the building's aristocratic heyday.