Join the Bayfront Marin House for a six-day celebration dedicated to everyone’s favorite flavor—chocolate!
From February 2 through February 7, our St. Augustine bed and breakfast will host Chocolate Week at our main downtown location.
Owner Sandy Wieber promises a delightful experience, featuring homemade desserts, pastries, and cocoa-inspired drinks, along with locally crafted chocolate-scented candles. “We wanted to make it a true sensory celebration—tantalizing our guests’ sight, taste, touch, and smell!” Wieber shares, hinting at the many cocoa-themed treats and events planned for the week.
Every Day Begins and Ends with Chocolate
Start your mornings with a touch of sweetness as our talented bakers whip up chocolate-inspired breakfast pastries. Indulge in delights like Nutella Pastry Pinwheels (shown above), Tropicrazy Muffins (a tropical blend of chocolate, banana, and coconut)—and moist, decadent Chocolate Zucchini Bread.
But the chocolate celebrations don’t stop there! The taste of chocolate will be celebrated daily with homemade desserts served at our complimentary happy hour. Guests will enjoy homemade chocolate ice cream, made by inn owner Mike Wieber, and Mike’s Winning Chocolate Chip Cookies. The latter is the result of extensive testing and tasting in 2020. “We had some free time during the shutdown, and we made lots and lots of cookies,” remembers Sandy Wieber. “Mike kept notes on each recipe, as well as feedback and favorites from our entire staff. He took the best elements from different recipes and made it his signature cookie. Everyone on our staff is always excited when he makes them—because they helped him choose the winner!”
All recipes will be available on-site to bed and breakfast guests and will be featured on the Bayfront Marin House blog in the future.
Exploring Chocolate in New Ways
The enchanting smell of chocolate won’t just come from the Bayfront Marin House’s kitchen during Chocolate Week. To tantalize the sense of smell, Wieber partnered with St. Augustine Bath and Candle, a local company that makes hand-poured spa items (think body butter, artisanal soap, body scrub) as well as the candles the inn uses in their popular romance packages. Company owners Carl and Melissa Hochreiter created a limited-edition cocoa-scented candle available exclusively through the Bayfront Marin House. Candles can be purchased in the inn’s lobby while supplies last.
Guests can also immerse themselves in the art of chocolate-making with a hands-on experience crafting decadent chocolate-covered treats. This interactive workshop offers the perfect opportunity to master the techniques behind creating these delightful confections—just in time to surprise someone special on Valentine’s Day!
Chocolate Week Event Schedule
- Monday, February 3: Indulge in homemade chocolate ice cream during happy hour! Guests of the inn can enjoy this sweet treat, and a limited amount will be available after 6:00 PM for residents and visitors. Call (904) 824-4301 for details and pricing.
- Tuesday, February 4: Cozy up with our evening hot cocoa bar in the downtown lobby. Don’t miss Sandy’s grown-up favorite—hot cocoa with butterscotch schnapps and whipped cream! This event is exclusively for inn guests.
- Thursday, February 6: Join us for a chocolate-covered strawberry demonstration, exclusively for inn guests. Discover how to create these beautiful treats, then savor them with a glass of champagne! $20 participation fee–must book 48 hours in advance.
- Friday, February 7: Warm up with Mexican Hot Chocolate, served in the main dining room downtown. After 6:00 PM, this spicy-sweet delight will also be available for purchase by visitors and locals. Contact the inn for pricing and availability.
“We think that every week should be chocolate week,” laughs Sandy Wieber. “Our chocolate goodies are always a guest favorite, and we can’t wait to share some of our best recipes with our guests in February.”
For St. Augustine visitors looking for even more chocolate, St. Augustine’s Governor’s House is hosting a free exhibit titled “Sweet Beginnings: Unwrapping St. Augustine’s Chocolate Legacy.” The exhibit runs through the end of March at the Governor’s House in the Historic District. The Governor’s House is a short walk from the waterfront Bayfront Marin House.
Treat Yourself to Chocolate Week—and Beyond!
Celebrate Chocolate Week in style at the Bayfront Marin House, where indulgence meets comfort in the heart of St. Augustine. From chocolatey treats to hands-on workshops, this six-day event is the perfect way to sweeten your February getaway.
Can’t make it for Chocolate Week? Our charming waterfront inn offers exceptional hospitality, homemade treats, and year-round relaxation. Book your stay today for an unforgettable vacation!
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