DoubleTree St. Augustine earns autism certification

DoubleTree by Hilton St. Augustine Historic District has become a Certified Autism Center after staff completed autism-specific training, aiming to better serve guests with sensory needs and help advance St. Johns County’s goal of becoming a Certified Autism Destination. The hotel is also now listed on IBCCES accessibility resources for travelers seeking certified options.

Why it matters: - The certification is designed to make the hotel more accessible for autistic and sensory-sensitive guests and their families. - The designation also supports St. Johns County’s effort to become a Certified Autism Destination, which would give visitors more certified options across lodging, entertainment and recreation. - The hotel’s inclusion on IBCCES accessibility tools can help travelers find sensory-aware accommodations more easily.

What happened: - DoubleTree by Hilton St. Augustine Historic District received Certified Autism Center™ status from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards. - All required guest-facing staff and management completed autism-specific training. - The hotel is located at 116 San Marco Avenue in St. Augustine, Florida. - The property announced that more information is available on its website or by phone at +1 904-825-1923.

The details: - Training gives staff standardized protocols for interacting with guests with autism and other invisible disabilities. - The hotel lists accommodations that may include trained team members, flexible communication approaches, quiet spaces upon request, sensory-conscious guest assistance, advance planning support, clear wayfinding, help coordinating accessible local experiences and guest room placement requests based on sensory preferences, subject to availability. - The hotel says it will continue evaluating ways to improve accessibility, inclusivity and comfort. - IBCCES said its certification programs are backed by subject matter experts and autistic self-advocates, with long-term support, continuous learning, onsite reviews and renewal requirements. - IBCCES also points travelers to AccessibilityCertified.com and AutismTravel.com as free resources for certified locations and professionals. - The hotel is featured on the free IBCCES Accessibility App, which offers real-time guidance on certified destinations, sensory-friendly spaces and tailored recommendations.

Between the lines: - The certification is part of a broader tourism strategy, not just a standalone hotel upgrade. - For hospitality brands, autism training can reduce uncertainty for staff and make service more consistent for guests with hidden disabilities. - The move signals that accessibility is becoming a competitive feature in destination marketing, especially for families planning travel around sensory needs.

What’s next: - St. Johns County will need more trained and certified businesses to reach Certified Autism Destination status. - IBCCES said it will continue supporting organizations through its certification and renewal process. - The hotel is expected to keep refining guest services as it evaluates additional accessibility improvements.

The bottom line: - DoubleTree by Hilton St. Augustine Historic District is now positioned as a more autism-aware lodging option, and the certification strengthens a larger push to make St. Augustine easier to visit for sensory-sensitive travelers.