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 (4179)
  • Very good (1304)
  • Average (749)
  • Poor (444)
  • Terrible (428)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Almost Perfection

Jun 27, 2025 Maggi S

I would award the hotel a 4.5 star if I could. The beach staff was amazing including Jeremiah who was very friendly and helpful to my younger kids. The live music at the pool was a wonderful addition and the staff that did the daily activities was friendly and fun. The front desk staff and house keeping were the reason for not awarding a five… Read more
I would award the hotel a 4.5 star if I could. The beach staff was amazing including Jeremiah who was very friendly and helpful to my younger kids. The live music at the pool was a wonderful addition and the staff that did the daily activities was friendly and fun. The front desk staff and house keeping were the reason for not awarding a five star. It appeared that all guests checking in received a complimentary class of champagne. We had four adults, three at which checked in at different times and no one was offered a glass. ( I realize this is a very small issue but I obviously noticed the discrepancy). In addition, we only had our room survived one day out of the four days we stayed because my younger two kids would return to the room in mid afternoon to rest and daily service had not yet come. We left the room daily at 9and returned mid afternoon. Lastly, our room overlooked the recycling bins and my sister’s room was affected by the construction noise. The hotel was only at 40% to 50% occupancy. With all that said, 99% of the staff is amazing and helpful. The hotel is beautiful, the rooms are nice, the sand is soft and the pool and ocean water are refreshing but not chilling. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Paddle boarding

Jun 27, 2025 469coryh

We got paddle boards on the beach with Jeremiah and bouchée brothers. They were great to work with and really helped my son get going on the board.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating My home in St Pete Beach

Jun 25, 2025 Stacey B Hartford, Connecticut

I've stayed in St Pete Beach a number of times, and this is one of the best hotels in the area. It's convenient that it's the first hotel when arriving over the bridge. The flipside is you need a ride to get to where more of the action is in town. With that said, there's plenty to enjoy onsite. The best beach in USA with people there to wait on… Read more
I've stayed in St Pete Beach a number of times, and this is one of the best hotels in the area. It's convenient that it's the first hotel when arriving over the bridge. The flipside is you need a ride to get to where more of the action is in town. With that said, there's plenty to enjoy onsite. The best beach in USA with people there to wait on you. Nice pools... not too overcrowded. Food quality is good. Service is very good. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Substandard at best!!!!!

Jun 24, 2025 Michael D Lakeland, Florida

We have stayed at the Don many times! Unfortunately quality and service is not the same since reopen... if you call it that. Here is the cherry on top. After being forced to Valet. They damaged my truck and after a month still no resolution or even basic communication! This is not a scratch. $6500 in damage on a new truck.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating An Aging Icon

Jun 23, 2025 Peter T Coventry

This is an iconic and unique property, it is fantastically photogenic and the location (at the end of the Skyway bridge and right on beautiful St Pete Beach) is wonderful. And it does a pretty mean Espresso Martini. But, it is showing its age. We had to move room room due to flooding from an overnight rain storm for example. And the rooms… Read more
This is an iconic and unique property, it is fantastically photogenic and the location (at the end of the Skyway bridge and right on beautiful St Pete Beach) is wonderful. And it does a pretty mean Espresso Martini. But, it is showing its age. We had to move room room due to flooding from an overnight rain storm for example. And the rooms themselves are very small compared to modern standards. Sadly the service left a lot to be desired. Housekeeping was our main issue with our rooms cleaned at around 6pm two of the days we were there, very disruptive when trying to get ready to go out and one day, the day before we departed, not done at all! As we stayed in June 2025 note to anyone coming in the following weeks - the hotel will inform you that work in ongoing after the hurricane last year (fair enough) but for us this meant three days of pneumatic drilling right next to the pool, which was not what was expected. This, of course, is temporary and may not affect your vacation/stay. All in all, a pleasant place but, for the money you pay, there are better options out there. Read less