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 (4088)
  • Very good (1296)
  • Average (734)
  • Poor (434)
  • Terrible (415)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Not worth it

Apr 22, 2024 bzbeemommy St. Petersburg, Florida

We are local and have stayed many times of the years, we've also frequented the restaurants and pools/beach. It has really gone downhill with time. It is very dated and rooms are small. Beds are comfortable and the beach area is gorgeous, however service is very sparse. Pool and bar areas are very crowded. We purchased a one night stay that was… Read more
We are local and have stayed many times of the years, we've also frequented the restaurants and pools/beach. It has really gone downhill with time. It is very dated and rooms are small. Beds are comfortable and the beach area is gorgeous, however service is very sparse. Pool and bar areas are very crowded. We purchased a one night stay that was "donated" to our school and when we tried many times to redeem it over the last few months, were told it was only valid on weekdays and that they had no availability until it finally expired and then we were told we couldn't use it because it was expired. I don't know what happened with management there over the last few years but I'm not fighting to go back. Luckily the Vinoy is closer and is gorgeous since the remodel! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Disappointing.

Apr 21, 2024 SylviaGladys West Chester, Pennsylvania

We arrived for a wedding on a Friday. The room was clean and spacious, but the bathroom was small. Not impressed with the food and drinks from the pool bar based on the value (we've stayed in similarly rated hotels that were much better). Later in the day, we received a text message asking us to rate our stay so far. I gave 3.5 out of 5, a fair… Read more
We arrived for a wedding on a Friday. The room was clean and spacious, but the bathroom was small. Not impressed with the food and drinks from the pool bar based on the value (we've stayed in similarly rated hotels that were much better). Later in the day, we received a text message asking us to rate our stay so far. I gave 3.5 out of 5, a fair rating based on our limited experience. When asked what could have improved the rating, I mentioned the value compared to other places we'd stayed, and I was promptly reminded that we had received a discounted rate (wedding guest). Saturday we were out of the room most of the morning & afternoon, returning to shower and get ready for the wedding. Housekeeping had not come to clean the room all day. When they arrived just as we were getting ready to shower, we asked them to return anytime after 5 pm when we would be gone for the evening. We had to use the linens we'd used that morning to get ready. When we arrived back to our room after the reception around 11 pm, the room had still not been cleaned, and we had no towels. Called guest services to complain & they offered to bring us fresh towels, of which they brought only bath towels, no hand towels or wash cloths. When we checked out, we weren't asked how our stay was, so I told them of our experience. The clerk offered no apology, instead offered a measly $50 credit (which he didn't apply). Having a clean room with fresh towels I consider to be a significant part of a hotel stay, and the management's attitude/rudeness was a shocking disappointment. On top of that, since the hotel allows pets, there was a small dog in the room adjacent to ours that proceeded to yap constantly when the owners were out of the room. If a hotel allows pets, I suggest there be a considerable additional fee to discourage owners from bringing poorly managed pets. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A wonderful place to vacation

Apr 21, 2024 Simonizzze New Jersey

My wife and I stayed here for ten nights in the beginning of April. One of the best vacations we had. The staff were friendly and efficient. The concierge Julian Vasquez was outstanding. Before our arrival he made dinner reservations and arranged private roundtrip transportation between the resort and Tampa Airport with Galaxy Black Car service,… Read more
My wife and I stayed here for ten nights in the beginning of April. One of the best vacations we had. The staff were friendly and efficient. The concierge Julian Vasquez was outstanding. Before our arrival he made dinner reservations and arranged private roundtrip transportation between the resort and Tampa Airport with Galaxy Black Car service, which was terrific. After we arrived he put us in touch with Captain Joe, who gave us both daytime and sunset private boat tours that were outstanding. We stayed in a Bayside Suite with king bed overlooking the front of the hotel. Not much of a view (which we knew in advance) but we loved the room--very quiet, comfortable bed, nice bathroom with two sinks, and a spacious living room. There was a minuscule balcony with two chairs where I briefly sat some mornings to see sunrise. The room was expensive because of all the taxes (two sets of taxes on the room, a daily $40 resort fee, and two additional sets of taxes on that), but we enjoyed staying there and would book it again. The resort charges $40 a day for parking, so we skipped renting a car and just used Uber, which was very easy and more economical than renting a car and paying a daily parking fee. The resort is very well maintained and was a pleasure to walk around. The gym is modern and has plenty of workout and cardio equipment. The two pools are beautiful, and the white sand beach stretches beyond the resort for miles. Very nice to take a morning walk or run. Tevin and Ryan at the pool helped set up our chairs with towels and positioned umbrellas to keep us out of the sun. Jackie came around during the week taking our drink and lunch orders. We felt very pampered. Every morning we ate breakfast outdoors at Society Table. It was a very pleasant way to start the day. For snacks, Uncle Andy's had just about everything imaginable. The gift shops had some nice selections for us to browse, and we bought a few items. This is definitely a high end resort. We had an amazing time and plan to return. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Treat yourself… book it!

Apr 21, 2024 mbkalascott Boston

Perfection! First time traveling with just my daughter. The Don Cesar is a special place and we truly loved our stay! The beach is OUTSTANDING… sand as soft as powder, water a beautiful turquoise. Julian, the concierge was AWESOME!!!! He helped me plan our excursions… gave incredible recommendations… and was so excited for us!!! Honestly best… Read more
Perfection! First time traveling with just my daughter. The Don Cesar is a special place and we truly loved our stay! The beach is OUTSTANDING… sand as soft as powder, water a beautiful turquoise. Julian, the concierge was AWESOME!!!! He helped me plan our excursions… gave incredible recommendations… and was so excited for us!!! Honestly best concierge I’ve encountered… and we travel ALOT. Try a cruise with Captain Joe if you’re lucky… amazing!!!! Food was delicious. Millie, our housekeeper, took extra special care of us… even setting up my daughter’s stuffed animals in cute poses. The room felt so welcoming after she had been there❤️. Thank you Don Cesar… can’t wait to go back! What a special place💖💖💖💖💖 Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Anniversary Bliss

Apr 17, 2024 Safari15027040579

We just celebrated our 30th Anniversary at the Pink Palace. We absolutely loved the oceanfront king balcony room. It truly made our trip so memorable. We have alway loved the Don and all the little details in service that set them apart. The staff are exceptional and go above and beyond. I feel one of their biggest advantages is seeing how they… Read more
We just celebrated our 30th Anniversary at the Pink Palace. We absolutely loved the oceanfront king balcony room. It truly made our trip so memorable. We have alway loved the Don and all the little details in service that set them apart. The staff are exceptional and go above and beyond. I feel one of their biggest advantages is seeing how they employ individuals with special needs. This is truly remarkable and makes me more inclined to recommend them to friends and family. Well, done Don Cesar!! Read less