The Don CeSar

We had a great birthday vacation. We celebrated ourselves all week long. We lounged by the pool and we were catered to every single day. Katie, our pool attendant and server, was outstanding and made sure we always had what we needed as we relaxed by the pool. Quinn made sure we had the best chairs possible each day with towels all perfectly arranged! The staff were wonderful and always had a smile and positive attitudes! If you haven't stayed at the Don Cesar you are missing out! Best.Vacation.Ever!!

We always have such a great experience at the Don! We stayed for 5 nights in mid-October and it was perfect. Arriving on a Tuesday meant for first two days the place was empty, which was great! It got busier closer to weekend. ||We experienced some great customer service from Marisa at the bar and Jackie at the pool! Jackie went as far as bringing stuffed animals to our 7 month old daughter! Jackie is truly a gem! ||No it’s not cheap but it’s well worth it! We will be getting married there in the Spring so can’t wait to come back!

It was such a pleasure to stay at the Don. My fiancé and I are planning our wedding there next year in 2026 and we wanted to stay there a night to experience it before the wedding so we booked a stay and it was such a memorable experience. The gift shop is amazing, the food is great. The hospitality is wonderful. The rooms are so beautiful and clean. Really, no complaints at all. The keys to get into the hotel rooms are so cool too, they are pretty wristbands. I think we made the right choice to have our wedding here next year and I can’t wait for our guests to experience such an amazing stay like we did!

A trip to the Pink Palace is pure magic, and The Don CeSar delivers on every promise. From the moment we arrived, we knew we were in a special place. The staff's warmth and hospitality were evident in every interaction, making us feel genuinely welcome from check-in to check-out. We especially enjoyed our delightful experience with Kim & Claire at the front counter; they were friendly, helpful, and kind. We were immediately greeted by the hotel's signature, aromatic scent the moment we walked in, which set a relaxing and elegant tone for our stay. Our room was not only beautiful and immaculately clean but also offered a breathtaking ocean view. Every detail was perfect, adding to the atmosphere of pure relaxation. I also have to mention their outstanding rosé—it was truly the best!

⭐️ 1 Star (if I could give 0, I would) This hotel, Don César, was a complete disappointment. From the moment we arrived, the check-in staff was friendly, but everything went downhill after that. The room was extremely small — it barely fits two people — and the bathroom was even worse. The carpet in the hallways had a strange smell, the doors looked dirty, and we had to use force just to open ours. For the price of this “five-star” hotel, I expected much more. The worst part of our stay was the restaurant Maritana. It was honestly one of the worst dining experiences of my life. As soon as we sat down, we could feel how unwelcome we were. We asked the waiter if he spoke Spanish, and from that moment, his whole attitude changed — cold, rude, and clearly uncomfortable serving us. They even brought someone from the kitchen who spoke Spanish, but in a very disrespectful way. I can defend myself in English, but that moment was humiliating. The food was terrible, overpriced, and the portions were ridiculously small. I understand that fine dining means smaller portions, but what truly ruined it was the lack of respect and professionalism from the staff. They didn’t offer us bread, dessert, or even ask if everything was okay. Later, when we went to the main lobby, we felt the same — the staff looked at us differently, as if we didn’t belong there. At the beach lobby, service was slightly better, but still far from what you would expect at such an expensive hotel. However, I do want to highlight one positive experience that truly saved our night: the restaurant Society Table. The people there were incredibly kind and professional. Celeste, Diana, and Julio gave us an exceptional service — friendly, warm, and welcoming. The food was delicious, and their attention was 10 out of 10. It was the best part of our entire stay and the only reason I didn’t leave the hotel even more upset. Unfortunately, in the hotel stores — especially the clothing and shoe shops — we again experienced that same uncomfortable attitude. The staff looked at us with indifference and didn’t even ask if we needed help, while treating other guests very differently. It’s sad to see that kind of behavior still happening today. Overall, this hotel felt tense, lifeless, and far from what a true five-star experience should be. It’s a shame, because it could be a beautiful place, but the lack of respect, warmth, and consistency completely ruined it. If I could give this hotel zero stars, I would. Definitely not worth the price, and I would never return.

My husband and I recently stayed at the Don CeSar in St. Petersburg, Florida, from Thursday to Sunday to celebrate our fourth wedding anniversary. Overall, we found the hotel to be a beautiful and refreshing place to stay, with exceptional service from many of the staff members we encountered. From the moment we arrived, we felt warmly welcomed. The valet parking attendants were extremely courteous, and the front desk staff, particularly an employee named Jen, went out of her way to help us secure a room with an ocean view for our special occasion. Similarly, the concierge provided us with excellent recommendations for local excursions and dining. However, we did experience a deeply concerning incident during our visit to the spa area. While most of the spa staff were terrific, we unfortunately encountered a staff member named Drew who was quite rude and dismissive, and whose behavior we perceived as discriminatory. When we sought assistance to enjoy the spa amenities together for our anniversary, we were met with hostility and ultimately had security called on us for reasons that seemed unwarranted. For requesting information from the legal department. It was only after we clarified that my husband is an attorney that the staff's demeanor changed, and we were treated with more respect. The front desk manager, Nick, listened to our complaint, and his initial response was that the reason for the complaint was that we needed a discount. We made it clear to him that we don't care about his discount and are instead going to give it to those who need it the most. We are not seeking any discounts or special treatment. We advocate for fair and respectful treatment of all guests, regardless of their race. We hope that the management will take this opportunity to provide additional diversity and sensitivity training for their staff, especially in the spa area. In conclusion, while we enjoyed many aspects of our stay, it's essential to share this experience in the hope that all guests will be treated equitably in the future.

I booked this hotel for a local staycation, hoping for a relaxing experience at what was advertised as a “luxury” property. Unfortunately, the stay was far from that. The only real highlight was the beachfront location and a comfortable bed. Beyond that, everything else was disappointing. I had specifically booked a standard room with a balcony, but upon arrival, I was surprised to find that our room had no balcony at all. When I brought this up with the front desk, I was told I could “upgrade” for an additional $180 per night—a frustrating upsell tactic for something I had already booked. The room itself was small, and the bathroom was even smaller, comparable to a cruise ship bathroom. The bathtub was in poor condition, and the shower curtain had visible rust stains. For over $350 a night, plus resort and parking fees, this level of quality was unacceptable. To make matters worse, the room was very dusty, and the AC unit was so loud it made it hard to relax or sleep peacefully. All in all, this hotel relies heavily on its prime location, but neglects the details and comfort you’d expect at this price point. I would not stay here again, nor would I recommend it to others looking for a truly comfortable or luxurious experience.

I was genuinely impressed by how beautifully this hotel has recaptured its original splendor through its recent renovations. While the guest rooms remain modest in size, they have done an nice job maximizing space and enhancing comfort without compromising style. The overall aesthetic of the property is both elegant and nostalgic, evoking a timeless charm. The pool and spa facilities are outstanding. My spa treatment was exceptional, easily ranking as one of the most memorable I've ever had. However, the true highlight of this property is its beachfront. The serene atmosphere, coupled with attentive service, creates a tranquil escape that sets this hotel apart. I’m genuinely looking forward to returning and experiencing it all over again.

I stay at The Don CeSar for a girls weekend almost every year. We love it! There are usually four of us and we get a virtual suite which fits us nicely. The beach is awesome, the hotel is so nice in every way. It is old so you have to realize that you are staying somewhere that was built over 100 years ago but it is nice considering this. The staff is amazing, you get welcome drinks at check in. The parking situation is a little annoying but we like to take the free beach ride anyway. I love my girls weekends here!

I had an incredible experience staying at The Don Cesar for my sister's bachelorette. My sister and I found our stay to be very relaxing with all of the amenities offered at the pink palace! There are two pool areas that were beautifully decorated with lush greenery. From the poolside options, we walked over to the beach. The hotel offered many beach activities including paddle boarding and kayaking. The beach staff were excellent and made sure you had a prime spot! The decor at the Don Cesar was absolutely perfect and matched the pink palace theme. Touches of pink everywhere! The first floor of the pink palace has an ice cream shop, marketplace for grab and go options, and a gift shop. The concierge staff also went out of their way to make sure my sister had a great trip. They helped me surprise her with chocolate covered strawberries and a selection of their Don Cesar rose wine. We also got a chance to visit the salon and spa services in the hotel, which were ultra relaxing. The Don Cesar is in a prime location where you can venture out and see the downtown area. The hotel also has options for golf cart transportation to local spots in the area. I will definitely come back to visit the pink palace and all it has to offer!

Hands down BEST EXPERIENCE! 5+ stars all around!! The level of excellence and service here just surprised me. It surpasses anywhere I've ever stayed and this was just a daycation!! I got a resort pass for a day here for me and my daughter. Resort pass gets you access to the property and its amenities. Inclusive of pool access, indoor jacuzzi, fitness center, locker room and showed, and the beach. We opted for valet parking - $38 for valet or $28 for self parking. For valet, drive up to the front of the hotel entrance and you'll be immediately greeted. For resort passes, you'll head down to the Lower level, when off the elevator A or B you'll head slightly forward down a long hallway until you reach the Don Club. This is where you check in and get your wristbands. Rodney greeted us today and was extremely helpful with the details and direction around the property. If doing the beach, you can head down to the beach and there is a shack right at the entrance where you can rent chairs, umbrellas and day beds. We got 2 loungers with an umbrella. Quinn was extremely helpful with getting us to our seats and placing the towels out on our chairs as well as getting that umbrella up so that we were comfy from the moment we sat down. Even service on the beach for food and beverage was outstanding. Attentive, walked around several times checking on people and taking orders. Made for an outstanding day! My day was so relaxing--I didn't have to worry about anything. From the moment we arrived to the moment we left, staff was friendly and attentive, you can clearly see the commitment to excellence here. They strive to make the experience enjoyable and memorable! The level of service really made you feel appreciated. They have shops, dining and bar onsite. Even a coffee and bakery place. Also, the resort is cashless.

Love the Don Cesar! I came with a resort pass and did not stay overnight nor did I interact with the front desk. I had a great experience interacting with the concierge, the Don Club, beach waitress, and beach attendants. The hotel is stately and prominent but the service and vibes are very down to earth as was fitting with St. Pete Beach. The resort pass was wonderful with full locker room, towel service and toiletries all inclusive. The beachfront is optimal and the pools and outdoor bars were nice. I enjoyed a lovely pina colada and dinner service on the beach. Loved it!

Absolutely love the elegance and history of this hotel.....it's incredible and captivating! The Don CeSar Hotel, also known as The Pink Palace, is a historic hotel located in St. Petersburg Beach, Florida. It was built in 1928 by Thomas Rowe and is named after Don Caesar de Bazan, the hero of a romantic opera. The hotel quickly became a popular destination for wealthy patrons and celebrities, known for its luxurious accommodations and stunning beachfront location. During World War II, the Don CeSar was used as a military hospital before being returned to its original purpose as a hotel. In the following decades, the hotel faced financial difficulties and underwent several changes in ownership. However, it has since been restored to its former glory and remains a popular landmark on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Today, The Don CeSar Hotel is known for its elegant architecture, upscale amenities, and exceptional service. It continues to attract visitors from around the world who come to experience its historic charm and beautiful surroundings. You need to definitely check this incredible hotel out, you won't regret it!

This wasn't what we expected ... as crowded as a Carnival Cruise ship, there were lots of weddings/events going on and anyone who was staying at the hotel and was NOT part of the weddings was made to feel like a second class, or third-class passenger. Normally at hotels, which charge $650 - $1000 per night (and don't even get me started on all the resort fees!) you have a somewhat relaxed and quiet vibe. Here, every nook and cranny was swarming with drunk wedding guests. The lounge chairs at the pool were elbow to elbow ... both pools were full of children (you'd think one would be for adults ... one would be for children ... although a lot of the adults were acting like children after 3 or 4 mixed drinks, it seemed). The beach chairs were similarly crowded ... with only 6 inches between you and strangers. How about a little personal space? If you pay for one of the sunbeds with the retractable canopy (a hundred bucks+) you get a little more privacy. If you don't you are right next to your neighbors and the paid lounge canopies are right in front of you obstructing the view of the ocean. The rooms are small, but I will say that the actual bedroom area is laid out very well. There is minimal furniture because the small rooms would feel cluttered, otherwise, so there aren't a lot of storage areas. However, the bed was incredibly comfortable with high end sheets and pillows. The bathroom was terrible ... there was less than 12 inches clearance between the toilet and the shower wall. You had to sit sideways on the toilet. The sink was similar ... I had to stand to the side of the sink when brushing my teeth because I barely fit in between the sink edge and the shower. I had to go outside of the room because there wasn't enough space to dry off in the bathroom with a towel. Add very weak water pressure and this was one of the worst bathrooms out of ANY hotel I stayed in. The room lighting is not dimmable ... so the bathroom is bright fluorescent light. If you want to take a relaxing shower before bed, you'll be blasted with white light. The blackout curtains do work very well ... and we had an ocean view room, which had a nice side view of the shoreline. No real complaints there, although there are few direct facing ocean view rooms. The location of the hotel is nice, if you like the beach and don't plan to leave and go to dinner elsewhere. The host staff at the restaurant (on the bottom level) was so rude to me, I refused to eat there ... which is hard because it's several miles of a walk to get to anywhere that serves food. Unless you uber or drive, don't expect to be in a downtown type of area. While it is rather quiet, there isn't much to do right around the hotel ... other than eat/drink at the hotel, which can get really pricey for average/mediocre food. ($9 - $11 for a beer ... $23 for a mixed drink ... and a flatbread pizza was $30.) I don't think we'll return to the Don Cesar, unless it's mid-week when there is a chance for less people and crowds. We were there on a weekend, so the weddings were the hotel's priority. (20 minutes wait for an elevator due to wedding guests/catering people) It was just far too packed for us ... if there were less people, it might be a pretty cool old spot. As it is, it seemed like they just had too many guests, not enough staff and the staff that they did have wasn't trained in customer service at all. For the price, this was a complete letdown.

My girlfriend and I went to the Don Cesar for lunch. What a beautiful hotel. We decided to go out on the tiki bar to have lunch since it was such a beautiful day. The food was delicious. We had piña coladas and you can't go wrong with that they were wonderful. I gave this review for stars because the valet parking was $40 and there were many stairs to get wherever you wanted to go to dine. But we were treated like royalty from the minute we got there until the valet brought us our car. It was a wonderful experience and we had a blast.

The Don CeSar, also known as the Pink Palace, is nothing short of spectacular. Every time I drive over the bridge and spot it, I can't help but get excited. It's like stepping into a posh, beachfront dream. I've been to a bunch of special events and weddings at this spot, and it never disappoints. They've recently given the place a fresh new look, managing to keep the charm while adding some sleek modern touches. The Grand Ballroom on the main floor is all about class and elegance - it's a showstopper. But if heights are your thing, head to the fifth floor. They've got an assortment of ballrooms of different sizes, all serving up killer views that add a magical touch to any wedding vibe. And, let's not forget the super friendly and attentive staff. They're not just about making sure things look great on the day, but also making sure the journey getting there is smooth and fun. If you're looking for a wedding venue that's both luxurious and chill, has a rich history and modern perks, The Don CeSar should be your go-to. This place isn't just a hotel, it's a slice of Florida's heritage with a side of fun and elegance.

It started out a little disappointing. Checkin is at 4:00 pm. We showed up at 6:00 pm and our room wasn't ready. By the time we finished at the desk, walked back through the hotel to the only entrance we found, parked our car across the street in the lot, and walked back over....the room was ready. It looked nothing like the website picture of a king, bayside view, with a balcony. The balcony is large enough to hold the 2 chairs and small round table. Ours looked at the tile roof of the main entrance and the valets. No bay insight and the room desperately needs updated. We headed back to the registration desk. Paxton was great. He heard our issues and immediately gave us some options. All the available rooms were a downgrade without balconies - but frankly the balconies are so small and cramped, I don't think I'd ever get that room type again. Not only did Paxton switch us into a better room, higher up on the gulf side, he gave us some drink and appetizer vouchers, offered reservations at their fine dining restaurant, but, since the bellmen were slammed with valet - he went with us and moved our luggage to the new room! The customer service he offered was fantastic. We were able to get to the beach for sunset, and grabbed a late dinner onsite at Society Table - which was excellent! There are some frustrations with the hotel. The parking signage is either non-existent or extremely well hidden. The registration desk is on the 1st floor, which is not clearly marked from the south entrance. Once you find things, navigation is easy - it's just harder to find things the first time then it should be. Our bed was rock hard! And the air conditioning made all our clothes damp. The place is the nicest and most expensive on St Pete Beach, but feels lacking compared to other luxury resorts. Nice spot for a vacation, but as a local does not feel worth the money so only 4 stars

Updated to add: The hotel texted us to ask how our visit is. I said "3" out of 5 They asked, how can we make this better? I wrote, "Reimburse the $100/night upgrade fee . That was ridiculous The original room (220) is so subpar. It's extortion to charge to change rooms" They wrote, I apologize for any misunderstanding. However, the $100 upgrade fee per night was not to move rooms but rather as you chose to upgrade to a direct ocean view as these are more expensive rooms. So I wrote: "Okay well then that was a misunderstanding Change our room to not $100 extra l for tonight And not a room that's facing the intersection with construction, I didn't realize that I had an option to change to a room that wasn't an extra $100" This property is not worth the hype although Original review: The service is incredible. They're all working so hard. Don't forget to tip everyone. That being said, I booked our reservation on hoteltonight app, so we were treated like 2nd class citizens. When we checked in, the front desk offered an "upgrade" for gulf view for $100/night. Cough. So I said. Nah we will go to the original room. Well, we schleped our kids up to the 2nd floor And the room was awful. Just awful. The view was of the traffic intersection! And to make matters worse, there was loud construction! It was like a comedy skit! Terrible. So we had to go back down to the front desk and change our keys and pay &100/night for a partial gulf view. The furnishing and light fixtures are very authentic. The resort is packed. I doubt this place pays their workers well, they outsource the cleaning. So please tip housekeeping and all the staff

Best Experience ever the hotel was amazing. I was there in spring break and I very much enjoyed the activities they did. One of my fav hotels in Florida

Stayed for Christmas and although the weather wasn't ideal we still enjoyed our stay. They gave us a slightly upgraded room to a corner room which had beautiful views from both sides. The room while smallish was very comfortable. The bed/bedding was excellent nice large tv and while the bathroom was a bit cramped it was modern with a nice shower and toiletries. The room was serviced twice daily, routine daily cleaning and then turndown service. The gym here is seriously the best hotel I've ever experienced. We did the complimentary beach yoga one day which was very basic but I enjoyed it because I've not done much yoga. The pools are nice and well heated. Pool bar and servers were outstanding although the food was a little hit or miss. The on-site restaurants are all very nice. And the location right on the beach was amazing. I will say it was quiet over Christmas which we quite preferred. I'm not sure if we would have enjoyed it as much at full capacity I'm guessing it could feel a bit cramped at that point. Be sure to download the Freebee app so you can take advantage of free golfcart rides anywhere in the area. While it comes with a price, The Don lived up to and perhaps exceeded expectations.

The pink castle lives up to its name once again. This is my first time staying at the Don CeSar & it was nothing short of magical. I've always wanted to stay here & my boyfriend & I spontaneously decided to make a reservation after a nice dinner in St. Pete. There was still availability at a late hour which was great. The room was pretty upgraded & felt luxurious. The outside pool/ bar / restaurant area was so gorgeous. The beach access was clutch & made for a beautiful sunset at the end of the night. Around sunset the outside bar patio area gives out free champagne & it was so perfect. Definitely going back!

The hotel is beautiful. The front door staff and bell captains are amazing. Scott is the best!! The front desk was very helpful and friendly. The food and beverage department was amazing!! The pool food was incredible and fresh! The bars were well stocked and bartenders were excellent. The maintenance and housekeeping was not great, we were moved from one room because it wasn't cleaned. The 7th floor seemed to have a plumbing issue and there were fans and blowers set up all weekend, it was noisy and unsightly. There was no ac on the 7th floor, we called down and they basically said, the ac unit is on the 1st floor, so it doesn't cool the top floors very well. For the price they charge, maybe install some units? The housekeeping was not good, the iron was broken, we called down for room cleaning and they never showed up. Overall it was a beautiful weekend and the grounds are amazing, but it's an old hotel and it needs some help.

I did reach out to you many times and I wasn't even reimbursed for the meal I got sick on.

I highly recommend the Don CeSar!!! Starting off with the location - it is perfect! It was easy to find and is situated on a pristine white sand beach. The facilities were very well maintained. There are two large heated pools only steps away from the beach. My only complaint with the facilities was the lack of a hot tub - please put one in!! The sunsets here are phenomenal. There is also a rooftop terrace on the pool deck that is a perfect place to watch the sunset if you don't want to get sandy. The Maritana restaurant onsite is INCREDIBLE!! The food was unbelievable and our server Rocco was fantastic. It is definitely a must-visit if you enjoy luxury dining. Our room looked like it was recently renovated and we loved all the details. The beds and pillows were very comfortable. The only downside to the room was the bathroom was on the small side - not an issue for me but could pose a problem for others. We also required maintenance on our bathroom during our stay and they were able to resolve the issue very quickly. Again, I highly recommend staying here!

I made a reservation for November 8-11. Unfortunately, the hurricane Milton damaged the hotel. I received a cancellation notice which I understand. I was promised a deposit refund. It has not been received. They do not answer the phone. Are they now in bankruptcy? Do I need to file a claim?

Stayed here over the weekend for my birthday with friends. The service is impeccable, the resort is gorgeous, and amenities are lovely. It's very expensive, which is to be expected, but overall a treat to stay at. I will say that for the price of $600+/night, the rooms are lacking. They're pretty clean but the room was small, and the bathroom was uncomfortably tiny. I'm 5'10" and sitting on the toilet meant that my knees were touching the shower door. The breakfast buffet at the Rowe bar was $32 and the food was just fine. No omelette or fresh pancakes/waffles station and only one mimosa for $32? I won't do that again. Your best bet is to door dash in food, stop at Publix for some drinks, and spend money tipping the absolutely wonderful employees. Special thanks to Scott in bell services/valet for being the best!

A must see site on your next visit out. We started at the pool/lounge are, enjoying some late afternoon drinks. No fee for poolside access, if you are not a guest. We then transitioned to the inside bar/lounge to close out the evening. Beautiful hotel, with lots of romance and nostalgia. Look forward to our return visit.

PLEASE READ --DISSATISFIED We had a vacation booked the end of June coming from Pittsburgh. I booked two rooms for our family. One was luxury junior suite and it was small but nice. The other room is the one we had the issue with as it was the 4th floor balcony 442. The room was a bit musty smelling from time to time. After two days of overnight stay there were bites marks on my son's fiancés, then later on him as well. They also had an unwanted visitor found in the room the last night of their stay. A palmetto roach. At first mentioning to the front staff of the problem we were treated as liars, a bit embarrassed saying that there were indeed bug bites on both people staying in that room and no one else. "If you'd like we could get the room checked" a bit of a shrug-off while other people were also at the counter. When the roach was found, "I guess he got him" was the reply we got. After checking out and more bites appearing we had to take precautions after leaving of possible bed bugs? We took that precaution as well with our luggage's coming home. The next day I mentioned again to Jess of our incident and to take precautions if she booked that room to other guests. She said she was sorry for the trouble and she would return my call by the end of that day and did not. She credited my account a laughing $100 dollars for our trouble. (Their budget) which was found on my email but no call back or anything. I contacted both her and Autumn who I booked with still NO REPLY of my complaint by email. Overall the stay was a disappointment for money paid vs services received. WE HAVE NEVER STAYED AT A PLACE WITH PESTS AND WOULD NEVER HAVE EXPECTED THAT FROM A LUXURY HOTEL AND PRICE PAID. Obviously, if there is a situation or an incident during your stay, I wish you luck getting it resolved and you getting compensated. There will never be another stay at this hotel from our family.

5* for the historical aspect of this St. Pete landmark located on a gorgeous stretch of wide soft sand beach. Taking that uniqueness out of the equation, I would nickname it the big pink rip-off. Their management and culinary teams should take a road trip to the Ritz Carlton in Naples for inspiration on how to meet expectations for the culinary quality to meet the price points. We stopped in on a very quiet late Wednesday afternoon in August with the intent to stay for dinner after a walk on the beach to watch the sunset. The service staff were very friendly at the valet and as we entered the hotel, it was echoing from how quiet it was inside. Oh btw, $32 valet even though we were there about an hour.... We stopped by the restaurant to be told that they did not have any openings until 8:30 which was very odd since the place was e-m-p-t-y. Even after our walk when we stopped by the lobby bar at the bar of the main floor, the staff were nonplussed by the lack of availability. Ditto by the valet team. We were starving so while at the bar, which was also very quiet, we ordered the tuna tartare despite the warning from the BT that it was not as fresh as yesterday.... Fortunately, the tuna was fine but the accompanying veggie type chips were super stale. + $25 for that dish. :( Cocktail - Aperol Spritz was very good, hubby's Pinot was flavorful. Enjoyed speaking with the BT staff. Fortunately, they recommended Tuttorosso which was mostly a positive visit- check out my pizza review from that evening!

Clean and traditional. The Don Ce-Sar has its architecture based on Moorish & mediteranuan design. It is considered the crown jewel of St Petersburg, and they are VERY proud of this local establishment we didn't stay in the resort. We were there for an event, so I can't review the rooms. We did walk around quite a bit and thought the lobby, pool, and grounds were clean and had informational placards placed around the walkways to tell you about the history of the resort. Unfortunately, all of their cute little shops were closed except for the sundries spot. It was clean and had a great little ice-cream counter. The main bar was very nice. It was open but still had a warm, sophisticated feel.

Went here with friends and were super impressed with the beach, pool, and bar. This is one nice place that you could spend a few days at just relaxing. Unfortunately the bar service is super slow. Each time we went it took forever to get our drinks made. There are servers at the pool but they are rarely around to serve you. Parking is across the street for $27. There's a convenient walkway to get to the hotel from there. The hotel has a nice lobby and a few stores to shop at. Classy!

I didn't stay at the hotel but I went to the spa and the pool and beach area. Spa was amazing. One of the best massages I've ever gotten in my entire life. We also ventured outside. Bought beach chairs which were expensive. We ended up back at the pool so the beach chair was a waste of money. Pool wasn't bad thought it's not a huge pool. We also grabbed food at the pool bar. It was just OK. Service was so so. Spa 5/5 everything else 3.5/5

Gorgeous property, fantastic food and the staff was amazing. thank you Heidi Mats and Sheldon! Did a program there and spent two days on their glorious beach! other than the bathroom being a bit small - i'd definitely go back!

The Don CeSar is a historic hotel dating back to the time that history has dubbed the "Roaring Twenties." It was a time of flappers and of Prohibition. The 1920's were a time of bank robbers and gangsters that history recalls as daring. And it was during this time, 1928 to be precise, that the Don CeSar was born. The Roaring Twenties was an exciting time, it was a prosperous time when the world emerged from World War I and that prosperous world sought excitement and a life with jazz as its soundtrack. Walking through thos grand hotel, you can almost hear the whisper of the ghost of that bygone era. It is hard to imagine how Florida must have been almost a hundred years ago when the Don CeSar opened its doors to guests. Florida has certainly changed a lot, as the Don CeSar has, but it is still good to see this symbol of a bygone era open for business and preserving the grandeur of that time. The hotel has an amazing view of the Gulf of Mexico and there is something to be said about staring out at such an immense body of water, you feel it touch your soul and serenade your heart. My stay here was short, but it was a memorable visit. If you are planning a trip to this part of the world, I definitely recommend a stay at this hotel.

Signed my wife up for the monthly massage/facial membership in October for her birthday. She enjoyed several treatments from the staff, especially the facials from Olga. Then in March we were informed that not only was the price increasing, but that we could only use our membership Monday to Thursday so they can keep the weekend appointments open for tourists and hotel guests. Ok then, got it, enjoy those one-time-use guests. Membership cancelled.

The Don CeSar is such a special place. I've been coming here with my family since I was a kid & we always have the best time. The property is gorgeous and they recently remodeled some of the rooms & suites. They have a nice assortment of restaurants & shops (try the ice cream joint!), but we love ordering blackened grouper sandwiches by the beach or pool. They also have a really nice spa, which is great to visit on a rare cloudy day. I especially love how dog friendly they are here too! 10/10, no notes.

Not sure where to park. We would have liked to see this hotel because of the history and would have liked to have eaten some ice cream. Wasn't going to pay $38 to park.

One of the rudest, most disrespectful front desk staffs I have ever encountered. On the last evening of our four night stay, my wife and I returned to the hotel from dinner, we tried our wristbands at our hotel room door and they did not work. We went down to the front desk to get some help to get into our room. We asked for help from the front desk clerk Kevin, who was working the front desk at the time. Kevin was extremely rude, unfriendly and unprofessional to both me and my wife. He immediately made us feel unwelcome and suggested we were lying and that we did not even have a room at the Don Cesar, even though we both had bracelets and my wife showed him an ID and I showed him ID from my phone. For a hotel that prides itself on being a luxury resort, this behavior was quite shocking. Kevin then suggested we had a reservation for Saturday night, but didn't have a reservation for Friday night (the night we were at the front desk). Upon checking the computer he realized HE made the mistake in not seeing our reservation, yet he never apologized to us or even admitted he was in the wrong. The entire situation left both me and my wife feeling embarrassed and was a totally unacceptable experience for somewhere that costs as much as the Don Cesar.

The Don is beautiful. It offers many seating options from down at the pool, on the private beach, and even on top where you can view the sunset. They also offer two pools on the sides of the bar which is under where the picture below was taken.

Place is gorgeous. Great pool & beach side service Loved the room, spacious & great view of beach. Restaurant & coffee bar service at the lil store were great too . not so good: front desk experience, / staff weren't very friendly, engaging, or inviting. Wish they would've welcomed us, offered help / directions to pool beach resort? We figured it out & asked someone else Wish they would've Highlighted the on-site locations like shops, gym & restaurants & asked questions like - 1st time? Celebrating? Talked to them 3x different times & every interaction felt like I was bothering them All other workers were warm & proactive with their interactions

We had a spectacular time. We checked in early and our room was ready. The room was very spacious and comfortable. We took a walk on the beach right away. We were told on the phone that the main upscale dining room would be open; however, it was closed on the days that we were there. My boyfriend, packed a surprise fine dining outfit, that I was never able to see. Joanne in reservations did a good job answering multiple questions and then when we called back, we were able to book with her. She was a delight. We had a very educational conversation with Mike, Reservation Department, in person on the ground floor regarding reservations and the hotel. It is too bad that he's back at the house, with his personality, he should be in the front of the house. We had drinks at the stunning bar, and Kevin D. took great care of us. He pours a mean drink, and was very personable. We had lunch the first day in the casual dining room inside and then our check out breakfast sitting outside, which was very comfortable in the sun. We interacted with six or so staff members through both of our experiences, and everybody was very professional. On our last day, since the weather was nicer, we spent an hour or so in beach chairs out on the beach, having drinks and lunch, and then, when it got colder, we moved to poolside and had a very comfortable time there also. The beach host was very professional and the beach hostess did a good job with our drinks and lunch. I highly recommend this hotel. If you can't afford to stay, then definitely walk through the halls and read the history of the Pink Palace.

Had a staycation at the Don CeSar this weekend and it was a 10/10 experience! The poolside service was impeccable, from servers checking on us and bringing waters to cabana boys adjusting our umbrellas to stay cool. Live music made our Sunday afternoon extra fun, with great frozen drinks and good snacks. Will come back soon!

Iconic landmark in SPB. Great indoor and outdoor bars. Rooms are spacious and hotel is dog-friendly. Enjoy this spot!

We just checked out of The Don CeSar, this was a 5 star experience by far. The vibe I was picking up on, this felt more like one of those all inclusive resorts than a hotel. From the live music playing poolside, the bar making some amazing drinks, the sugar sandy beach to free umbrellas and chairs?? This alone was worth the price. A few years back, we stayed at The Fontainebleau. Everything costs money, oh you want an umbrella? $50 bucks. Yeah right.. I'm from Brooklyn, someone left and I snagged their chairs. The Fontainebleau crowd was Eurotrash, they did have chef inspired restaurants, guess what? The Don CeSar to me wins hands down every time, I'd rather dine elsewhere and have all the great amenities without being nickeled and dimed to death. Checking into the hotel, there was a strange line that wrapped up the stairs. For me it was easy peasy, I ordered two rooms when booking. My sister-brother in law had the adjoining room. When we went to the beach, a guy with a drill followed us and drilled into the sand to reposition the umbrella. The cabana folks handed us warm towels, I felt totally pampered during my stay. Being a Disney Vacation Club Owner, there is one thing I noticed, no lifeguards at the pool? There was 14 year old boys having chicken fights near adults drinking expensive cocktails. Disney would have had a hook pulling those kids out of the pool. Get on that Don, its a bad mix and a safety hazard. Our room was a pure joy. The mattress, I had to lift the sheets up to see what brand . (Sealy) From the second I laid my head on the bed, I was in dream land. It was a very comfortable sleep. The bathroom was another creature comfort. The shower has two heads, one was on a hose that you can direct the spray. The shower products were also very upscale, my wife smelled like a rose after she used all the products. Every morning I grabbed an espresso, sat outside and chilled on the beach. The Don CeSar was truly the highly of our vacation. Highly recommended

My brother and I took my mother a few weeks ago for a birthday lunch at Society. Everything was amazing from the service to the meals we enjoyed. The grouper sandwich was probably one of the best Iv ever had in my entire life. Our server I believe his name was Edner did an amazing job. He was extremely attentive and he was 5 stars all the way around. He chatted with us and made us feel like home. I felt I needed to leave this review because these days it's hard to get service and quality of food together at the same restaurant. Thank you Don Cesar and Edner. We will definitely be back!

I am only doing an good rating because we only stopped in to walk around the grounds to check out the place. My wife was reminiscing about her childhood trips with her dad to the area and had always wanted to visit this iconic place. We did stop and have a drink, sat and peered out at the water. I suggested that we stay here in some future visit to the area since it seems very nice.

We have thoroughly enjoyed our 5 day stay. Jon, Penny & Marisa at the bar were great. Dan at the bar was kind of jerky and made us steer away from him. He poured us weak drinks, then poured them into our old/previous glasses while they were on the bar in front of us. Food was yummy. Huge wedding reception happening while we were at the bar. Chilly but not their problem. Definitely recommend, just steer clear of Dan at the bar.

Best massage experience ever (Betty), best restaurant & waiter ever (the Maritana with Rocko), best shop attendants ever (Sandy & Ruby), best luxury & hospitality ever...the Don Cesar = best hotel & resort ever!

Awesome hotel with impeccable service! 1920s vibe with great food. Hotel is truly beachfront with 2 large pools. Pool and beachside service, not over crowded, great gym and spa. Will visit again!

Good hotel on the water with access to pathway, bicycles for guests, food is good, ambience is not bad

The Don Cesar is very nice and has two pools with it's own private beach access. The pool rooftop is a great place to watch the sunset and hangout at. Nice rooms and restaurants to eat at in the hotel. Very pretty!

If I could give this place zero stars I would. I'm not sure how this place is consider luxury. First off when asking if there was better parking for disabled people since I had 2 disabled veterans with me and I initially didn't see the lot on the side since there were no signs, I had to park in the paid parking lot and help my disabled veterans up the stairs. When asking front desk she said there were spots on the ground level of the hotel and if those weren't available then "sorry it's not ideal" but the only other lot is the one we had parked in. For a luxury hotel you think they would be more up to date with ada requirements. I'm not sure if it was because I said I had disabled veterans in my party with me or what but front desk was not nice. Then my sister spends over 50k for a wedding, staff allows wedding crashers in who stole food then almost ran one of my sisters over with a car while security did nothing. They said since it's an open hotel they can't stop wedding crashers. Staff watches these two teenagers walk through in bathing suits and steal food then do nothing. I feel horrible my sister spent all this money for worthless hotel and staff. Not to mention they initially wanted us to leave or valuables in an unlocked room, when most of us had designer bags. Security locked the room didn't give us a key so everytime we needed to get in we had to hunt down security. If you are thinking of having your wedding here please don't. Lastly my sister and Brother in law got food poisoning from the Rowe restaurant at the hotel, over 700 dollars on dinner for them to get food poisoning. Please fix yourself Don Cesar as you charge for luxury but give the motel 6 experience.

Pretty resort! However, we had to ask to switch rooms when we got there because they put us in a room overlooking the parking lot, for almost $1000 per night, that was not happening! If anything... they should give a huge discount for rooms facing that direction. But they did move us and we appreciated that! The girls at the front desk were very nice and accommodating! There are 2 nice pools, with poolside service however they had a convention there for 4 days that basically took over the entire resort which pretty much sucked! These people were EVERYWHERE!!! Had we known about this ridiculous convention, we would've made another choice. We were definitely made to feel like 2nd class guests. The beach is nice with lots of chairs/umbrellas set up but we thought it was a shame the hotel didn't drag all the seaweed off daily or at least once while we were there. There was a lot of it and it took away from the beach's beauty! St Pete's is a very busy town with lots of choices, we weren't there at peak time so I imagine it gets VERY crowded! Most of the employees were nice, and their concierge was great with his recommendations! We really appreciated him! Also, kudos to the coffee shop, they get very crowded (at times were under staffed) and were still very nice and made great coffee.

First you're greeted with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine and a professional front desk.,and a very capable bell man .upon arriving at your small luxury king room the room safe doesn't work have to remain in the room to wait for security thankfully they were able to get the safe in order with out much delay . Now we try to grab a bite before we hit the beach the only place available is serving a brunch buffet with a limited menu shown to our seats only to be told watch out for the wet spot and it's a big one how about a different table? When we did eat the food was mediocre at best.off to the beach the crew working the cabana rentals and chaises can't be beat even with threadbare towels and in my case a broken chaise 5star resort i don't think so.website lists plenty of dining options but in reality they seem to love buffets and they are a huge disappointment.next time I want a buffet I'll visit the Golden Corral 5 star hotel's don't rely on them.fitness facilities are top notch staff are helpful and seemingly happy,if not for the disappointing dining experience,s this could be a fantastic place.judging by the crowd around the pools and outdoor bars and lack of crowds in the hotel.I think they are concentrating more on day use than hotel guests.

We stayed for just two nights after friends recommended the Don Cesar. We arrived right at 4:00 pm and check in was easy and quick. We did have to park in a lot off to the side of the hotel and parking was 24.00 a night. Our room was probably the most disappointing. It was small with a sliver view of the ocean. The walls and doors look like they had been painted many times and the bathroom was so small that two of us could not fit at the same time. The fixtures were old and out dated. The air conditioner was so loud and about three minutes before it turned off, each time it sounded like someone was pushing on the room door. Woke us up multiple times during the night. The grounds are absolutely beautiful. The pools and the beach were nicely kept and the outdoor bar was very nice. Drink service on the beach was good for us and didn't take long at all. Each of the bars had delicious drinks and all of the staff were lovely. I'm only giving the hotel three stars because of the price. For 600.00 a night, I would have expected much more in the way of accommodations. It was average at best and I've spent half the money to stay at other resorts with amazing service. If you are looking for a one of a kind experience for what this place costs, you might be disappointed. I'm glad we went but we probably would not return.

The Don Cesar is an institution at St. Pete Beach. They have a lovely location at the south end and the beach is absolutely fantastic here. I don't usually stay in ultra high brow places like this, but I do get the allure. Over the years I have had some memorable experiences here in my many visits. My Brother was married here, with a beachfront ceremony and an indoor reception. That was indeed a special occasion. In previous years I used to enjoy dining in the King Charles room restaurant which is no more. This old hotel has lots of history over it's lifespan since the 1920's , including sale to the US Government in 1942 to use as a hospital during WW2. By 1971 it was fairly run down and up to be demolished. Some forward thinking citizens stepped in and began the refurbishment into the world class resort it is today. It is a landmark at St. Pete Beach and not to be missed. If you don't come to stay, come have a drink or a meal and experience this gem.

This was a nice place on the beach. Glamorous is how you could describe the place. Very well maintained but realize it was built over a hundred years ago so it is not the most ADA compliant, some modifications were done but I guess only so much you can do with a design from the previous century. A highlight of our stay was Becky from Daytona Beach at the Society Table restaurant. Becky was cheerful and knew our preferences after just one day of staying there.