The Don CeSar

Hotels
8.4 (975 reviews)
3400 Gulf Boulevard , Pete Beach , US

Paid
Children allowed
Pets allowed

Facilities

Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Fitness center
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
Business center
Heating
Family rooms
Garden
Pets allowed
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Beachfront location
Iconic historic hotel and strong location
Beautiful, clean property (pleasant smell noted)
Excellent pool and beach area
Friendly/outstanding staff in several areas (front desk, pool, pool bar)
Good gym and facilities
Cons:
Pricey / poor value for money
Room issues: tiny, outdated, uncomfortable mattress, obstructed views
Noise from road / nearby building site
Inconsistent or rude service (valet, check-in delays, lack of assistance)
Maintenance / property age issues (alarms, older maintenance)
Food inconsistencies: cold buffet, limited lunch options

Categories

Cleanliness
9.2
Frequently praised in reviews—rooms and property described as beautiful, clean and even smelling great; multiple guests explicitly noted the hotel was very clean.
Service
8.6
Mixed service profile: several staff (front desk, pool and pool-bar) called out as friendly and outstanding, but multiple reports of inconsistent or rude service (valet rudeness, poor check-in communication, staff inaction around pool and guests, missing crib sheet).
Location
9.6
Consistently strong—beachfront, iconic hotel with excellent proximity to the beach and good overall location praised repeatedly.
Room Quality
7.6
Mixed to negative: several guests reported tiny or outdated rooms, poor mattress/bed comfort, obstructed views, and rooms affected by road/construction noise; some guests did note rooms were great, so quality varies by room.
Amenities
8.5
Good amenities overall: excellent pool area, nice pool bar, solid gym and beach access; some complaints about missing extras (no outside hot tub), pool could use music/misters, and shuttle/service communication gaps.
Value for Money
6.5
Noted as a weakness—several reviews called the property pricey or poor value (expensive rooms, extortionate restaurant/drink prices, cold buffet), with at least one guest leaving early due to disappointment.
Food and Beverage
8.2
Mixed feedback: some positive comments about hotel restaurants and food, but others reported cold buffet breakfast, limited lunch options and uneven dining quality.
Overall Experience
9
Overall positive impression driven by iconic beachfront location, attractive pool/beach and many friendly staff, but experience is tempered by inconsistent service, room issues and value concerns.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-10-15 03:04

Property Description

Perched atop the windswept dunes of St. Pete Beach, The Don CeSar, since its inception in 1928, stands as a shining monument of glamor and leisure. Inspired by Art Deco elegance, the property blends contemporary design with rich history at the historic Pink Palace®.

Important information:

Please note a maximum of 2 pets are permitted in select rooms. Charges may be applicable for each pet. Contact hotel for details.

Please note the property is undergoing renovation and guests may experience noise and dust. Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: TPA

Property Policies

  • Pets

    Pets are allowed. Charges may be applicable.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed. A cot for children up to 3 years is free of charge.

  • Age restriction

    Guests must be at least 21 years old to check in.

  • Parking

    Valet parking is available.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available and is free of charge.

See all policies

Location

Property Video

Property Accessibility

Total Disability Score: 42.86
Public Area
  • Ramp: No
  • Entrance Leveled: No
  • Pet Friendly: No
Reception And Restaurant
  • Reception Hearing Accessible: No
  • Reception Wheelchair Accessible: No
  • Restaurant Wheelchair Accessible: No
Elevator
  • Elevator Audio Signals: No
  • Elevator Braille Numbers: No
  • Elevator Contrasting Buttons: No
  • Elevator Visual Signs: No
Show all accessibility features

Guest Reviews

8.4
Based on 975 reviews
Cleanliness: 9.2
Service: 8.6
Location: 9.6
Room Quality: 7.6
Amenities: 8.5
Value for Money: 6.5
Food and Beverage: 8.2
Overall Experience: 9
D
Dionna • extended_group • us
10
2026-10-28 • via Nuitee
I
Iain • couple • za
9
Wonderful beach getaway in a happy resort
Pros:

Location was laid back and beautiful on the beach.

2026-10-22 • via Nuitee
M
Michele • couple • us
10
2026-10-13 • via Nuitee
D
Denise • couple • us
10
2026-10-08 • via Nuitee
J
Jacob • couple • us
5
2026-10-08 • via Nuitee
G
Gabrielle • couple • us
4
Overrated
Pros:

Beach front

Cons:

They put us in a room that the only view is a big metal box, ridiculous for the rate we were paying for. Could barely see the sky. Bed is terrible, mattress makes you bend your spine, could not sleep at all.

2026-09-14 • via Nuitee
V
VALERIA • couple • br
9
2026-09-12 • via Nuitee
C
Chris • couple • us
10
Wonderful, relaxing stay at the Don CeSar!
Pros:

The history, location, and friendly staff.

Cons:

The pool area needed some music and cool misters.

2026-09-11 • via Nuitee
M
Michael • couple • us
10
Pros:

Beautiful and clean, even smelled amazing.

Cons:

Bathrooms are a touch small

2026-09-05 • via Nuitee
J
James • solo_traveller • us
10
2026-09-04 • via Nuitee
S
Sevda • family_with_children • nl
7
2026-08-31 • via Nuitee
L
Laurent • family_with_children • fr
10
2026-08-22 • via Nuitee
S
Steve • couple • us
8
A very lovely hotel, takes your breath away.
Pros:

The pool area and beach were excellent.

Cons:

Would be nice if they had an outside hot tub

2026-08-21 • via Nuitee
M
Millie • couple • us
1
Cons:

Fire alarm went off three times . Property is old and not well maintained.

2026-08-21 • via Nuitee
O
Owen • family_with_children • gb
5
Very pricey with limited things to do
Pros:

Its History and location to the beach

Cons:

Did not get checked until 5:30 and had a restless 8 year old with us. We then did not receive the call we were told we would get when the room was ready.
A rather expensive room for what you get and the buffet breakfast was cold.
Se we decided to leave Saturday afternoon rather than stay another night.

2026-08-17 • via Nuitee
M
Mark • solo_traveller • us
6
Pros:

Great facilities and location.

Cons:

Families playing football and throwing balls in the pool. Kept hitting everyone.
Staff did nothing.

2026-08-13 • via Nuitee
N
Nadine • family_with_children • us
10
2026-08-11 • via Nuitee
G
GILBERTO • couple • us
10
2026-08-10 • via Nuitee
N
Nurys • couple • us
10
2026-08-07 • via Nuitee
C
charles • couple • us
10
2026-08-05 • via Nuitee