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 (4123)
  • Very good (1299)
  • Average (742)
  • Poor (438)
  • Terrible (420)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Vacation July 2024

Jul 13, 2024 utkvol utkvol

My family has visited more than 10 times in the last 20 years. We were excited once again to return to “our” vacation spot. We had a very restful stay but for the first time noticed disrepair at the Don Cesar. We first were in room 608. The temp was never really cool but not bad enough to complain about. However, during night 3 of our stay the… Read more
My family has visited more than 10 times in the last 20 years. We were excited once again to return to “our” vacation spot. We had a very restful stay but for the first time noticed disrepair at the Don Cesar. We first were in room 608. The temp was never really cool but not bad enough to complain about. However, during night 3 of our stay the air conditioning went out. A fan was sent that night because we didn’t want to pack up and move during the night. However, when we returned to our room the next evening around 2 the temp was 87 degrees. No repair had been done. We then moved to room 368. (See photos ) This room was smaller and cost more but it was cooler. This room had rust, worn furniture, broken tray in the refrigerator, peeling piece in the shower. We’ve never seen disrepair in our previous Don Cesar rooms. Hopefully, this isn’t a sign of things to come in future stays. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Probably not coming back

Jul 13, 2024 Joseph B Lutz, Florida

Beach and pool towels are old and frayed. For $700/night you should include breakfast. Elevators are super slow. No water pressure in shower and way too small. Hotel needs a hot tub. Beach chairs are on top of each other. People are nice though.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Lovely stay at the Don CeSar

Jul 12, 2024 atljs Atlanta, Georgia

This was my 2nd time staying at the Don CeSar, but I've been coming to St Pete Beach for a long time. My stay at the Don was lovely! The hotel is, of course, gorgeous. I was in a room with a Gulf view for several nights, and the room looks recently renovated, I love the style. Everything was very clean. I loved having the beach chairs with… Read more
This was my 2nd time staying at the Don CeSar, but I've been coming to St Pete Beach for a long time. My stay at the Don was lovely! The hotel is, of course, gorgeous. I was in a room with a Gulf view for several nights, and the room looks recently renovated, I love the style. Everything was very clean. I loved having the beach chairs with umbrella, as well as the food and drink service on the beach. The guys who set up the chairs in the morning, and the servers throughout the afternoon, were all great. The food and drink options are exactly what I'd want to have at the beach, nothing too fancy but all were good and everything came out quickly. My room was on a higher floor, and I didn't have to wait for an elevator once. I was pleasantly surprised. Loved the wrist band system for your room key. I like how it looked and it was nice and lightweight, one less thing to worry about when you're on the beach! I really loved my stay at the Don CeSar and I can't wait to come back! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Easy, fun, beautiful resort

Jul 12, 2024 Melinda S W Golden

Beautiful resort. Have visited Don many times. It is a go to every summer. Great pilates class with instructor, Eric. Love the renovation and room remodels. Friendly front desk and valet staff. Pool attendants are great. Love the Don!!!!!!
Image of the Tripadvisor rating First day.

Jul 10, 2024 Sandy F Redwood City, California

The room looked nice and clean upon entering. However, the refrigerator wasn’t working and seems sticky inside. The front desk was quick to take care of things. Send up engineering. Replaced with a new larger refrigerator. All within an hour. The bathroom is nice and clean, however the water pressure from the main, top spout is weak. But… Read more
The room looked nice and clean upon entering. However, the refrigerator wasn’t working and seems sticky inside. The front desk was quick to take care of things. Send up engineering. Replaced with a new larger refrigerator. All within an hour. The bathroom is nice and clean, however the water pressure from the main, top spout is weak. But everything is nice and clean, and the staff are very friendly Read less