The Don Cesar

St Pete Beach, Tampa and Clearwater/St Pete

Virgin rating

Luxury Room
Luxury Room
Maritana
Maritana
Maritana
Uncle Andy's Ice Cream Parlour
Sea Porch Restaurant
Rowe Bar
Rowe Bar
Society Table
Deluxe Junior Suite
Grand King
Rowe Bar
Luxury Junior Suite
Luxury Room
Luxury Room
Maritana
Maritana
Maritana
Uncle Andy's Ice Cream Parlour
Sea Porch Restaurant
Rowe Bar
Rowe Bar
Society Table
Deluxe Junior Suite
Grand King
Rowe Bar
Luxury Junior Suite

The hotel

The stomping ground of celebrities past and present (think F Scott Fitzgerald in earlier years and Justin Timberlake more recently), The Don CeSar Hotel is regarded as Florida’s legendary Pink Palace. Registered with the Historic Hotels of America, it effortlessly blends the Great Gatsby era of pampering with modern European grandeur. Picture-perfect in every way, the beach is a wonderful place to relax or indulge in a variety of exciting water sports – kite surfing anyone? There are also 2 beautifully furnished, recently renovated, beachfront swimming pools to take advantage of, so grab a good book and some sun cream and enjoy! Whilst you’re busy, chilling out or enjoying a pampering session at the spa perhaps. Dine around The Don at one of our many restaurants or lounges. Enjoy dining al fresco for Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner at Sea Porch, experience an exquisite evening at Maritana Grille, or take in the stunning sunset views with coastal cuisine and cool cocktails at Rowe Bar.

Amenities

  • Golf
  • Sailing
  • Tennis
  • Wheelchair access
  • Families
  • Bar
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Restaurant
  • Room Service
  • Spa
  • Beachfront location

Where is it

Facing the Gulf of Mexico and overlooking the white sand dunes of St Pete Beach. Distance from Tampa International Airport: 28 miles. 

Hotel information

277 fully renovated rooms and suites. All with air-conditioning, satellite TV with pay-per-view films, telephone, WiFi, mini-bar*, tea/coffee maker, hairdryer, radio alarm clock, iron and board. Luxury Rooms are 250 sq ft and have 1 king-size bed or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

Grand Rooms are 250 sq ft and have views of the beach and Gulf of Mexico, with 1 king-size bed or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

Deluxe Junior Suites are 400 sq ft and have city views, with spacious living area with sofa bed and 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 3 adults.

Luxury Junior Suites are 400 sq ft and have partial views of the Gulf of Mexico, with spacious living area with sofa bed and 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 3 adults.

  • Special offer - Stay between 1st May 2024 to 31st Dec 2025 and receive the 4th and 8th night free. Black out dates apply. Discount included in price displayed. Offer subject to change. 

Close by attractions include Busch Gardens®, the Dali Museum and downtown St Petersburg – just 15 minutes away. Self-parking $24 plus tax per day, and valet parking from $31 plus tax per day (payable locally, subject to change).

Maritana (fresh seafood dishes with an extensive wine list, dinner), Society Table (Florida Gulf cuisine), Beacon Pool Bar & Lookout (poolside bites), Rowe Bar, Uncle Andy's Market (ice creams, shakes, pastries and coffee), Lobby Bar.

2 recently renovated, beachfront swimming pools, whirlpool. 24-hour fitness centre. Spa Oceana* with salon and rooftop lounge. Water sports* including kayak and paddleboard rental. Beach yoga, beach track, water yoga, restorative yoga and zumba. 

Room service*. Concierge service*. Shoppes at the Don (sundries to swim-wear). Complimentary WiFi throughout. Laundry/dry-cleaning service*.

This hotel has a resort fee of $38 plus tax per room, per day (payable locally, subject to change).

Resort fee includes use of the following amenities - Premium Plus WiFi Plan - Complimentary bicycle rental - Daily rental of up to 3 beach loungers and one umbrella per day - Fitness Center access - Family and children activities. ** Subject to change, adhering to COVID safety protocols** - Yoga and aerobic classes daily - Non-motorised watersport rentals (between 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM) - Two bottled waters daily - In-room coffee - Pool & beach games - Airline boarding pass printing - please see hotel check-in for current inclusions available to you upon arrival.

Wheelchair accessible rooms available on request. Please note that these rooms are subject to availability and may be restricted to specific room categories and bedding arrangements. Rooms and facilities vary between hotels so please check at the time of booking. To discover all the special assistance services we offer please see additional information below.

*Denotes local charge

Special assistance

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (4142)
  • Very good (1301)
  • Average (745)
  • Poor (441)
  • Terrible (423)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating The End of an Era

Sep 10, 2024 joanns123 Clearwater, Florida

There was a time the Don Cesar was considered a luxury hotel and experience. That is no longer the case The only thing Luxury left are the prices and the history of the place Clearly, the new owner is not pouring into it in terms of resources, training aesthetics as previous owners The rooms and public spaces, including the pool and the beach… Read more
There was a time the Don Cesar was considered a luxury hotel and experience. That is no longer the case The only thing Luxury left are the prices and the history of the place Clearly, the new owner is not pouring into it in terms of resources, training aesthetics as previous owners The rooms and public spaces, including the pool and the beach area are just meh. The treatment by the staff varies the The more established staff still provides white glove service, but more than 80% of the people we encountered serving us were new and I would say poorly trained. If you have choices, a luxury resort consider another place My 35 year experience with the Don has ended. I’m sorry to say. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Amazing Hotel for our Anniversary

Sep 9, 2024 marquisej2022

My wife and I traveled to the Don for our 4th year anniversary and it was amazing. Prior to arriving, I called the concierge, Heidi S. and brainstormed ways to make the room special for my wife upon arrival. Heidi suggested a beautiful flower arrangement from a local flower shop, chocolates and a handwritten note. It was perfect and my wife loved… Read more
My wife and I traveled to the Don for our 4th year anniversary and it was amazing. Prior to arriving, I called the concierge, Heidi S. and brainstormed ways to make the room special for my wife upon arrival. Heidi suggested a beautiful flower arrangement from a local flower shop, chocolates and a handwritten note. It was perfect and my wife loved it. The property was beautiful and the staff was super nice and helpful. They even helped me get tickets to the Bucs game. It was just a great trip and we will definitely be back. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Pink Palace Perfection

Sep 2, 2024 morrisjenn Dallas, Texas

The pink palace on the beach doesn’t disappoint. I stayed there more than 30 years ago when I graduated from high school and wondered if it would live up to those special memories. It did and then some. It is pretty special to stay some place with such a sense of history, perfectly nestled on powder white sand. But, what makes the Don so special… Read more
The pink palace on the beach doesn’t disappoint. I stayed there more than 30 years ago when I graduated from high school and wondered if it would live up to those special memories. It did and then some. It is pretty special to stay some place with such a sense of history, perfectly nestled on powder white sand. But, what makes the Don so special is the people working there. From check-in to the incredible team working the beach on a very busy Labor Day weekend (thank you Paul, Mac, Quinn, and Trace), to the upbeat and positive group serving up breakfast at Society, everyone had a terrific, guest-focused attitude. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Not always accessible in a wheelchair

Aug 31, 2024 Yuri P Columbus, Ohio

Very nice place. Beautiful beach. Great bars. Not very friendly to disabled people. It’s a challenge to use elevators if you are in a wheelchair. There was nobody to help with the suitcases. There was no one to assist a person in a wheelchair to get down the stairs. Bathroom sliding door is very hard to move.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great time at the beach

Aug 29, 2024 smitchel87 St. Petersburg, Florida

Review My wife and I were on St Pete beach and decided to rent chairs at The Don Cesar Friday 23rd. What great customer service we received from Trace Johnny and Quinn. They were extremely knowledgeable about the beach and they told us the history of the hotel and went above and beyond with taking care of us. Then it got very dark so we… Read more
Review My wife and I were on St Pete beach and decided to rent chairs at The Don Cesar Friday 23rd. What great customer service we received from Trace Johnny and Quinn. They were extremely knowledgeable about the beach and they told us the history of the hotel and went above and beyond with taking care of us. Then it got very dark so we started walking towards the hotel Paxton and Andrea was closing up the bar but stayed open and served us a cocktail. Your staff is impeccable and we look forward to staying at the hotel and visiting your beach as well. Thank you for a lovely time. Scott and Lynn Read less