Rooms and rates:
Historic and colorful pink “sand castle” amid modern condo developments on a beautiful stretch of St. Pete Beach.
Dining options:
275 rooms, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico or Boca Ciega Bay. The
Rates range from $ 209 / night for an indirect gulf view to $ 377 for a King Deluxe gulf view bed.
Junior suites, suites, and penthouses are also available for up to $ 1653 per night.
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Recreation:
Three restaurants and three lounges include the award-winning Maritana Grille, plus Uncle Andy’s Ice Cream Shop
Spa:
Includes water toy rentals (including catamarans, kayaks, and water bikes), beach volleyball, shopping, golf, tennis, fishing, tropical gardens, and ghost story tours, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
Weddings and Meetings:
The full-service spa offers massages, sauna, whirlpool, and exercise equipment.
To update:
The Don organizes more than 300 weddings each year. Custom weddings are available. Ballrooms, conference rooms and business services available.
Don CeSar Resort Location:
On December 5, 2003, the Don CeSar Resort became a Loews Hotel. He now participates in all Loews corporate programs such as Loews Loves Pets, Loews Loves Kids and the Loews First frequent guest program.
Contact Don CeSar Resort:
The Don CeSar Resort is 30 minutes from Tampa International Airport and an hour and a half from Walt Disney World. Compare flights
3400 Gulf Blvd., st. Pete Beach, Florida 33706
phone: 727.360.1881, 866.728.2206; email: [email protected]
website: Don CeSar Resort
Description:
If you’re heading down to soak up the Florida sun, you’re not short of options for where to stay. In recent years, much of the coastline has been built up with high-rise condominiums. They stretch forward along the road as far as the eye can see, rising above the waves with generic names like “Windjammer” and “Sea Breeze.”
It was along an overgrown stretch of road in St. Pete’s Beach, outside of Tampa, that I found myself in an oasis. The Don CeSar Beach Resort stretches across a small bridge, within walking distance but a world away from its surroundings.
The Don’s colorful history began in 1928, when real estate developer Thomas Rowe, inspired by the Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki Beach, built the property. In his heyday, he was a favorite of such notables as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Clarence Darrow, and Al Capone. Since then, the hotel property has served as a convalescent center for WWII airmen, housed offices for the Veterans Administration, and remained abandoned and abandoned for years. In 1973, it was reclaimed as a hotel, and in 1994 it underwent a complete renovation, restoring its former glory.
The only property on St. Pete Beach designated a National Historic Landmark, the Don is also the only resort in the state of Florida to receive a AAA Four Diamond rating for 22 consecutive years.
The complex itself is flamingo pink in color and resembles a fairy tale sand castle, which has earned the nickname “The Pink Palace.” It is surrounded by the distinctive sugary white sands of Florida beaches. Right after the pool area, the complex’s private beach is equipped with free beach chairs and umbrellas. A focal point outside is the clock tower, which can be seen for a fair distance from leisurely walks along the beach.
My only real complaint was the size of the standard room; mine was smaller than I prefer. Request a corner room for more space and panoramic views of the waves.
