The Don CeSar

Hotels
8.4 (735 reviews)
3400 Gulf Boulevard , Pete Beach , US
+1 (844) 959-0071
[email protected]

listing image 1
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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
Historic/iconic property
Beautiful pool area
Friendly front desk and pool/bar staff
Clean rooms and facilities
Good gym
Cons:
Rooms small/outdated and poor mattresses
High prices / poor value for money
Food quality/limited menu and cold buffet
Inconsistent service (rude valet, check-in delays)
Noise and building/road disturbance
Property maintenance issues / older property

Categories

Cleanliness
9.6
Multiple guests specifically said the hotel and rooms were beautiful and very clean ("even smelled amazing", "Hotel very clean").
Service
9.4
Front desk and pool/bar staff received strong praise (named staff like Nat and Andrew, pool bar staff described as exceptionally nice), though there are notable lapses (rude valet, inconsistent help with strollers/check-in delays and uneven treatment for some guests). Overall service sentiment skews positive despite some incidents.
Location
9.8
Repeatedly described as an iconic, beachfront location with great history and direct beach access — a major positive across reviews.
Room Quality
6.5
Several guests complained about small/outdated rooms, poor mattresses (sleep issues), small bathrooms and undesirable views (building site/road). Room quality sentiment is notably mixed-to-negative.
Amenities
9.6
Pool area, beach access, gym and pool-bar were frequently praised; some small suggestions (no outside hot tub, pool could use music/misters) but overall amenities are strong.
Value for Money
6.5
Multiple comments that the hotel is pricey and not good value for what was received (cold buffet breakfast, high restaurant/drink prices, felt 'extortionate').
Food and Beverage
7
Mixed feedback: some meals were fine but guests noted limited menus, a poor lunch experience at one restaurant, and a cold buffet breakfast; generally underwhelming relative to price.
Overall Experience
8.8
Many guests described a wonderful, relaxing beachfront stay and iconic hotel experience, but overall enjoyment was tempered for some by noise, maintenance issues, room shortcomings and inconsistent service — net sentiment is positive with notable caveats.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-11-05 14:03

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 735 reviews
Cleanliness: 9.6
Service: 9.4
Location: 9.8
Room Quality: 6.5
Amenities: 9.6
Value for Money: 6.5
Food and Beverage: 7
Overall Experience: 8.8
J
Jim • family_with_children • us
10
2026-11-04 • via Nuitee
B
Bruno • family_with_children • us
8
2026-11-02 • via Nuitee
A
Andrew • couple • us
10
Loved it so much that we booked ther room for an additional night.
Pros:

Got a great room with 3 sides of water views. Restaurants and bars were all great with fantastic food. Staff was amazing

Cons:

Having to go home

2026-11-02 • via Nuitee
J
Jerson & Jenna • couple • us
10
I would definitely return
Pros:

Location , staff , clean beautiful

Cons:

Pool wasn’t heated

2026-11-02 • via Nuitee
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