The Don CeSar

The Don Cesar lives up to her hype. The hotel is a majestic palace . The rooms , restaurants and bars all delivered a wonderful experience . Beach and pool pristine . But it was the kind and welcoming attention I received from the staff at The Don Cesar that made my experience exceptional . They are the best in the business !

A gorgeous piece of history with so many on-site amenities, top tier service, great food, right on Saint Pete beach! Love how they’ve done the ballrooms!!!

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!

My wife and I stayed here for 3 days recently for a brief vacation to unwind and not have to worry about, really, anything. The Don Cesar was up to the task. Staff was very friendly and accommodating of requests. We did self park, which was honestly fine, the lot is right across the street. The lobby bartenders were engaging and friendly, and mixed up some great drinks on our first night. We cannot speak for all the restaurants onsite, as we only ate breakfast and dinner once while at the hotel (both at the casual restaurant). The food was good but not incredibly memorable. We wanted to explore other options in St Pete for food. Our room was a corner King with a balcony facing the bay. The room, while not huge, was perfectly spacious for two adults and clean. The A/C worked well, although as others have noticed, it is a bit on the noisier side, if that bothers you (it does not bother me, I just want a cool room). Since it is an old hotel, the bathrooms are quaint, but this was not an issue for us. They were clean and well stocked. Turndown service was a nice touch. The first day we spent on the beach, and this was a great experience, as the hotel staff on the beach sets you up with chairs and towels, and the staff walks the beach with food and drink service. The second day we spent at the pool. No complaints, the pool temp was perfect, plenty of servers checking on you, ample towels, and tasteful DJ music. We did not use the Spa, but the fitness center was clean and had plenty of machines and weights available. In general, it was a pricey visit, but the service was top notch and the hotel and grounds are beautiful. They are doing some renovation work still, possibly from last year's hurricane, but it wasn't an issue. Some families with younger kids present, but in general it was definitely an adult-oriented place, which was what we wanted. We would recommend!

What began as a frustrating experience at a nearby hotel turned into one of the best hospitality decisions we’ve ever made. From the moment we stepped into The Don, the atmosphere shifted from stressful to extraordinary. If you are fortunate enough to be greeted by Kim at the front desk, you’ll know right away that you’re in exceptional hands. Her professionalism, warmth, and genuine care set the tone for our entire stay. It was clear from the start that this hotel doesn’t just meet expectations—it anticipates and exceeds them. The Don is not just a place to stay—it’s a hospitality experience done right. Every detail reflects pride in service and a deep commitment to guest satisfaction. We can’t wait to return!