Edward Waters College was founded in 1866 by the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) for the education of newly freed slaves. Located near downtown Jacksonville, Florida, the college currently sits on 23 acres and houses Centennial Hall (a nationally registered historic structure), the school’s oldest building which was constructed in 1916. A historically black college, Edward Waters College is currently a private, Christian, liberal arts college, is the oldest black college in Florida. It is a member of the United Negro College Fund.

Edward Waters College initially opened its doors as Brown Theological Institute. The school was forced to close for most of the 1870s due to financial difficulties, but re-opened in 1883 with an extended educational program. It also adopted its current name which honors the third bishop of the AME church. The college was destroyed in Great (Jacksonville) Fire of 1901, the largest urban fire in southeast United States. Three years later in 1904 the AME church began rebuilding the college. For the majority of the College’s years of operation, the AME Church also raised money to clear the school’s debt and construct most of the buildings on the College’s campus.

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Our top choices for Edward Waters College hotels

55-inch LED TV with cable channels, TV, Netflix

Residence Inn by Marriott Jacksonville Downtown

2.6 km from Edward Waters College

Brenda

฿4,583 total

includes taxes & fees

22 Dec - 23 Dec

Home2 Suites By Hilton Jacksonville Downtown

2.9 km from Edward Waters College

Patrick

฿4,268 total

includes taxes & fees

15 Jan - 16 Jan 2026

Outdoor pool, open 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, pool loungers

Marriott Jacksonville Downtown

Downtown Jacksonville, 3 km from Edward Waters College

Bertelmy

฿4,375 total

includes taxes & fees

25 Dec - 26 Dec

Basic Double Room | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Metro Inn & Suites

Northwest, 2.8 km from Edward Waters College

Nydede

Daily buffet breakfast (USD 26.95 per person)

Hyatt Regency Jacksonville

Downtown Jacksonville, 3.7 km from Edward Waters College

April

฿5,208 total

includes taxes & fees

23 Dec - 24 Dec

Riverdale Inn

3.7 km from Edward Waters College

Marcelo

฿5,550 total

includes taxes & fees

17 Dec - 18 Dec

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jacksonville W - I295 and I10 by IHG

Northwest, 7.2 km from Edward Waters College

Igor

฿4,082 total

includes taxes & fees

21 Dec - 22 Dec

Homewood Suites by Hilton Jacksonville Downtown-Southbank

San Marco, 4.7 km from Edward Waters College

Cameron

฿3,982 total

includes taxes & fees

22 Dec - 23 Dec

Tru by Hilton Jacksonville West I 295

Northwest, 7.8 km from Edward Waters College

Otto

฿3,409 total

includes taxes & fees

28 Dec - 29 Dec

Daily cooked-to-order breakfast for a fee

Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville Downtown Southbank

San Marco, 4.7 km from Edward Waters College

Julio

฿3,419 total

includes taxes & fees

21 Dec - 22 Dec

Southbank Hotel by Marriott Jacksonville Riverwalk

Southbank, 4.3 km from Edward Waters College

Lorie

฿3,513 total

includes taxes & fees

2 Jan - 3 Jan 2026

TownePlace Suites Jacksonville Airport

Northside, 15.8 km from Edward Waters College

Patricia

฿4,619 total

includes taxes & fees

22 Dec - 23 Dec

Hampton Inn Jacksonville-Downtown-I-95

Southbank, 4.1 km from Edward Waters College

Angela

฿3,465 total

includes taxes & fees

19 Dec - 20 Dec

Standard Double Room, 2 Double Beds, Smoking | Premium bedding, down duvets, in-room safe, blackout curtains

San Marco Inn East

7.8 km from Edward Waters College

Parry J

Desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains, iron/ironing board

Candlewood Suites Jacksonville Southpoint by IHG

Southpoint, 13.5 km from Edward Waters College

Martiyanna

฿3,318 total

includes taxes & fees

18 Dec - 19 Dec

Hotel Indigo Jacksonville-Deerwood Park by IHG

Southside, 16 km from Edward Waters College

Timmothy

฿4,225 total

includes taxes & fees

21 Dec - 22 Dec

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Jacksonville Butler Blvd

Southpoint, 13.5 km from Edward Waters College

DeeAnna

฿3,996 total

includes taxes & fees

21 Dec - 22 Dec

Courtyard by Marriott Jacksonville Butler Boulevard

Southpoint, 13.5 km from Edward Waters College

Christopher

฿3,760 total

includes taxes & fees

19 Dec - 20 Dec

Tru by Hilton Jacksonville Airport I-95

Northside, 15.7 km from Edward Waters College

Trinka

฿3,261 total

includes taxes & fees

28 Dec - 29 Dec

Outdoor pool, open 7 AM to 8:30 PM, pool loungers

Hampton Inn Jacksonville South/I-95 at JTB

Southpoint, 13.5 km from Edward Waters College

Frank

฿3,409 total

includes taxes & fees

2 Jan - 3 Jan 2026

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Top Edward Waters College Hotel Reviews

Hyatt Regency Jacksonville

10/10 Excellent

"This is a lovely hotel. The location is beautiful on the water, the restaurants and staff were awesome, the front desk was helpful and friendly and the rooms are comfortable and clean. The pet situation is great too. There is easy access to a nice grass area for the dogs too. I don’t know how we have missed this on our Jacksonville trips but we will be back! Thank you"

Hotels near other Edward Waters College attractions

Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum

You can spend an afternoon studying the exhibits at Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum during your travels in Jacksonville. Amble around this vibrant area's riverfront or experience its lively festivals.

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Centennial Hall

You can spend an afternoon studying the exhibits at Centennial Hall during your travels in Jacksonville. Amble around this vibrant area's riverfront or experience its acclaimed theatre scene.

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Frequently asked questions

What's the area like around Edward Waters College?

Edward Waters College is located in a vibrant area of Jacksonville known for its stunning river views and great live music scene. If you're looking for a convenient place to stay, take a look at the 8 hotels and other accommodation options you'll find within a mile.

What's the best hotel to stay near Edward Waters College?

Hyatt Regency Jacksonville is one of the top choices for your stay based on our traveller data, and this hotel offers 3 restaurants and an outdoor pool. It's located 2.3 mi (3.7 km) from Edward Waters College. Other good choices within a few miles include DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Jacksonville Riverfront and Marriott Jacksonville Downtown.

How many hotels should I expect to find close to Edward Waters College?

Expedia has 8 hotels and other accommodation options within a mile from Edward Waters College.

If I need to cancel the hotel reservation for my stay near Edward Waters College, will I receive a refund?

Yes! You'll find that most hotel reservations are fully refundable if you cancel prior to the accommodation's cancellation deadline, which in most cases is within 24 or 48 hours of check in. If your reservation is non-refundable, you might be able to still cancel and receive a refund within a 24-hour period of your booking. Enter your dates, click on "Search", then filter by "fully refundable" to view the best deals near Edward Waters College.

What can I see and do near Edward Waters College?

Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art, Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens and Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum feature captivating exhibits. Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center, Florida Theatre and Centennial Hall are well-known local landmarks worth a visit. You can watch performances at Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts and Daily's Place if you're interested in local theatre.

How can I get to Edward Waters College?

You can access metro transport at Rosa Parks Station, James Weldon Johnson Park Station and Jacksonville Central Station. If you'd like to explore farther outside of the area, you may want a car rental for your journey.

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Our top choices for Edward Waters College hotels

Residence Inn by Marriott Jacksonville Downtown

Home2 Suites By Hilton Jacksonville Downtown

Marriott Jacksonville Downtown

Metro Inn & Suites

Hyatt Regency Jacksonville

Riverdale Inn

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jacksonville W - I295 and I10 by IHG

Homewood Suites by Hilton Jacksonville Downtown-Southbank

Tru by Hilton Jacksonville West I 295

Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville Downtown Southbank

Southbank Hotel by Marriott Jacksonville Riverwalk

TownePlace Suites Jacksonville Airport

Hampton Inn Jacksonville-Downtown-I-95

San Marco Inn East

Candlewood Suites Jacksonville Southpoint by IHG

Hotel Indigo Jacksonville-Deerwood Park by IHG

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Jacksonville Butler Blvd

Courtyard by Marriott Jacksonville Butler Boulevard

Tru by Hilton Jacksonville Airport I-95

Hampton Inn Jacksonville South/I-95 at JTB

Top Edward Waters College Hotel Reviews

Hyatt Regency Jacksonville

Hotels near other Edward Waters College attractions

Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum

Centennial Hall

Frequently asked questions

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