Walking into guest apartments of St. Augustine’s Three Stories Inn feels like entering a healing sanctuary. The ornate wallpaper featuring sprawling trees and flying birds creates a feeling of strolling through a fantasy forest. Colorful couches and comfy throws usher in a sense of peace, a home away from home. Books are everywhere, on shelves, cocktails tables and kitchen counters, each telling a story. So do the three guest apartments, aptly named the Forward, the Prologue and the Epilogue. Inside them, the time slows down and sometimes even stands still, which is the exact effect owner Marie Milton aimed to create with her unique design.

Milton too, has a story to tell. A nurse of 20 years, she came to create her B&B after her mother passed away. When first diagnosed with stomach cancer, she was given only a few months to live, yet she proved her doctors wrong, beating the odds for eight more years. While seeking treatment and participating in clinical trials, Milton and her mother traveled to hospitals for treatments, staying in simple, no-frills hotels where her mother learned to envision things differently. She would get settled and imagine being on a great journey. She also had taught Milton to slow down and savor the moment with those you love.

In her mother’s memory, Milton wanted to preserve the moments they had spent together and give others the joy of doing the same—slowing down, sharing a beautiful space and making memories to last for the rest of their lives. That’s why she started the Inn, choosing the beautifully preserved Jefferson House on the corner of Bridge Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard in Lincolnville, just minutes away from St. Augustine’s historic center. She worked hard to create the sanctuary-like feeling—peaceful, warm, comfortable and inclusive, attentive to all the little touches.

Milton has created a whimsical setup, the birds, the forest, and the books, and complemented with other thoughtful touches. Each of the apartments offers a feeling of walking into a book where one can create a story and many memories. Each has fully equipped kitchens, bars, snacks and even bird-feeders, the rooms remain in high demand.

The final “word” in the Inn’s story came a few months later when Milton spoke to Michael Lugo, a very popular St. Augustine chef and restaurateur. Lugo, who owns Michael’s Restaurant and Pesca Vilano, was interested in opening a restaurant on the building’s ground floor. Milton loved Lugo’s French fine dining concept and when he suggested the name La Nouvelle Bistro, she gave him an immediate yes. Lugo loved the spot, too. “It’s really a wonderful opportunity to be a part of this elegant setup,” Lugo says. “The city was ready for the next chapter in its culinary journey—a classic French restaurant. And this was just the right place to open it.” Michael’s exquisite menu does not disappoint: it includes all the beloved French favorites—onion soup, duck confit, and the decadent l’orange dessert made with orange-colored chocolate shell.

Since Three Stories Inn opened its doors, it hosted girlfriend getaways, couples on romantic escapes, bridal parties and mother-daughter duos. The Inn’s central location and the gourmet restaurant complete the narrative. Whether you’re gifting a beautiful getaway to your mother or coming along, one thing is for sure: those memories will last for a lifetime.

Mother-Daughter Travels Inspire a Beautiful St. Augustine Inn

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