The Don Cesar

St Pete Beach, Tampa and Clearwater/St Pete

Star rating

Aerial view of the pool and beach
Hotel exterior
Luxury Room
Luxury Room
Bathroom
Maritana
Beach
Maritana
Uncle Andy's Market
Lobby
Pool
Hotel grounds
Pool
Sea Porch Restaurant
Rowe Bar
Rowe Bar
Rowe Bar
Society Table
Rooftop Spa Terrace
Lobby Terrace
Rowe Bar
Lobby Bar
Room deail
Fitness centre
Spa
Aerial view of the pool and beach
Hotel exterior
Luxury Room
Luxury Room
Bathroom
Maritana
Beach
Maritana
Uncle Andy's Market
Lobby
Pool
Hotel grounds
Pool
Sea Porch Restaurant
Rowe Bar
Rowe Bar
Rowe Bar
Society Table
Rooftop Spa Terrace
Lobby Terrace
Rowe Bar
Lobby Bar
Room deail
Fitness centre
Spa

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, beachfront swimming pools to take advantage of, so grab a good book and some sun cream and enjoy, or book in for a pampering session at the spa perhaps. Dine around The Don at one of the many restaurants or lounges, from al fresco breakfast at Sea Porch to an exquisite evening at Maritana Grille - or take in the stunning sunset views with coastal cuisine and cool cocktails at Rowe Bar.

Amenities

  • Bicycle Rental
  • Kayaking
  • Yoga
  • Babysitting service
  • Wheelchair access
  • Families
  • Bar
  • Evening Entertainment
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Internet Access
  • Laundry Service
  • No Smoking

Where is it

Facing the Gulf of Mexico and overlooking the white sand dunes of St Pete Beach. Close by attractions include Busch Gardens®, the Dali Museum and downtown St Petersburg – just 15 minutes away. Distance from Tampa International Airport: 28 miles. 

Hotel information

277 airy rooms and suites that pay homage to the seaside Art Deco era. 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 located on floors 1-7, with either 1 king-size bed or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 people.

  • 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. 

Self-parking $28 plus tax per day, and valet parking from $38 plus tax per day (payable locally, subject to change).

Maritana (award-winning restaurant offering sophisticated fare). Society Table (casual restaruant open for all-day dining). Beacon Pool Bar & Lookout (poolside bar and grill), Rowe Bar (beachfront bar serving drinks and light bites). Uncle Andy's Market (ice creams, shakes, pastries and coffee). Lobby Bar (offering drinks, small plates, and nightly live music). Room service*.

2 beachfront swimming pools and a whirlpool. 24-hour fitness centre. Spa Oceana* with treatment rooms, whirlpools, steam rooms, salon and rooftop terrace. Water sports* including kayak and paddleboard rental. Group fitness classes including yoga, pilates, zumba and aqua aerobics. Bicycle rental.

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

This hotel has a resort fee of $40 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 - 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 

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 (4173)
  • Very good (1303)
  • Average (748)
  • Poor (444)
  • Terrible (426)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating 2nd vist a success

Jun 8, 2025 Bart L

2nd time staying there and it was GREAT. The place to be. The Facility is beautiful. The Pink Palace The rooms are clean and A1 showers. 2 pools and a Super Staff Katie at the pool is #1 Best ever she is second to none. Friendly and wonderful service . Katie helped make all 3 days special for our party!
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Disappointing experience over Memorial Day weekend

May 31, 2025 763skv Palm Harbor

I was really looking forward to a stay at the Don Cesar, but unfortunately our experience was far from great. I have animal allergies, and without informing us, the hotel placed us in one of their designated pet-friendly rooms. It took me a couple of days to figure out why I was feeling so ill — by then I was in the middle of a full-blown allergic… Read more
I was really looking forward to a stay at the Don Cesar, but unfortunately our experience was far from great. I have animal allergies, and without informing us, the hotel placed us in one of their designated pet-friendly rooms. It took me a couple of days to figure out why I was feeling so ill — by then I was in the middle of a full-blown allergic reaction. When I raised the issue, the hotel told me they were fully booked and could not move us to another room. They initially offered to refund us for the last night so we could leave early. However, after we checked out, they emailed me to say they would no longer honor that refund because it was “too late for checkout” — even though they acknowledged that we had only just discovered we were in a pet room due to their failure to disclose this at check-in. After a long and frustrating conversation with a manager, they finally agreed to refund half of the last night. But the damage was already done — I’m still dealing with the after-effects of a severe allergic reaction days later. At this level of hotel (and price point), I expected much better communication, transparency, and customer service. This experience left me very disappointed, and I would be hesitant to return or recommend the property. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating May 2025 birthday

May 31, 2025 Brillana R

The pillows were the fluffiest I’ve ever felt! I slept so peacefully! Very nice pool! Gorgeous lobby! Friendly staff- thanks Liz! Everyone was so hospitable. Great selection of food. Nice seating areas! I will most definitely love to come back to enjoy another stay! I highly recommend this place.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating B-day celebration at the pink palace🌸

May 30, 2025 Lynette Z

What an experience! The service was amazing! The food was incredible! The rooms are posh and comfy. The new hot pink chaise lounges, umbrellas and cabanas on the beach are a vision. The spa was Devine. First class all the way. My daughter and I were celebrating our Birthdays and enjoyed every moment!
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Almost a total disaster

May 24, 2025 Terry H

My family and I stayed at the Don Cesar from 17th to 20th May and to say I was unimpressed is an understatement especially the staff. I found the managers, mid management the man on the front desk of the restaurant and most staff to be extremely rude and very unhelpful all everyone was concerned about wet the events that were going on. I found… Read more
My family and I stayed at the Don Cesar from 17th to 20th May and to say I was unimpressed is an understatement especially the staff. I found the managers, mid management the man on the front desk of the restaurant and most staff to be extremely rude and very unhelpful all everyone was concerned about wet the events that were going on. I found the Don Cesar to not be child friendly at all as I had my two grandchildren with us. The only staff that were friendly and helpful were the luggage and car Park staff but your saving grace was a lovely Irish man by the name of Rodney who we met around the pool area. He literally bent over backwards for us all nothing was to much trouble for him he went out of his way to make our stay much more enjoyable. We went to him if we needed anything or needed advice he was such a lovely Man and couldn’t do enough for us all especially for my Grandchildren he certainly to the edge off what could have been a total disaster. So thankyou Rodney for all your help you truly are a Gentleman with a big heart the Don Cesar could do with more people like Rodney. One more person I would like thank is Reggie again a lovely friendly man. Read less