The Don CeSar

Beautiful property. The staff members were very friendly and accommodating. The spa services were top notch.

Just not what was expected from a luxury class resort category for the high price we paid. Should be classified as a hotel not a resort. Hotel is definitely showing its age and in need of some TLC in some areas. Beach is beautiful though, but you can stay at much cheaper hotel on the same beach for the same experience.

The Tennessee Crew had another amazing trip. We spent hours and hours at the Pool, Katie is a Rockstar. She is absolutely THE Best. She makes our trips to THE DON special each summer. We need drinks....She takes care of us. We need Ice for the Buckets....she has us covered. We need something to eat, Katie has us covered.

This was, without question, the worst hotel experience I’ve ever had especially for a “luxury” hotel. We paid over $600 per night before fees and expected the level of service associated with a luxury resort. Instead, the experience felt closer to a budget motel than a high-end destination. The most disappointing part was the complete lack of empathy from staff. I was pregnant and traveling with my 2-year-old daughter. After spending time at the pool waiting for our room to be ready, she began screaming and crying because her skin was burning and irritated from what appeared to be an extremely heavily chlorinated pool. Our room was still not ready despite the stated 4:00 PM check-in time, and when we explained the situation and simply asked if there was any way to access a room so our toddler could rinse off and lie down, we were told to wait in the lobby in our wet swimsuits until 6:00 PM. No accommodation was offered, no concern was shown, and there was no attempt to help a distressed child or a pregnant guest. She cried herself to sleep in my arms in the cold lobby. To make matters worse, we were celebrating our babymoon and had noted this in advance. There was absolutely no acknowledgment of it whatsoever. The pool area itself was disappointing. Several of the communal pool toys appeared old, dirty, and poorly maintained. Some looked unsanitary and borderline unsafe for babies and young children. Service throughout the resort was consistently poor. Beach service was nearly impossible to get. At the pool, there appeared to be only one server responsible for the entire area, leading to waits of 30 minutes or longer just to place an order. Staff seemed overwhelmed and understaffed at every turn. The room was also underwhelming. It was not particularly clean, the bathroom ventilation fan did not work, and there were no robes in the room—something that is a basic expectation at this price point and category of hotel. The food was equally disappointing. For a resort charging luxury prices, the dining experience was remarkably average and failed to justify the cost. What frustrates me most is that luxury hospitality is not about marble lobbies or historic buildings—it’s about service. When a pregnant mother and a crying toddler need help, great hotels find a way to help. The Don CeSar showed no flexibility, compassion, or urgency whatsoever. Beautiful location but far from everything (coffee shops, shopping, restaurants) and the service, cleanliness, amenities, and overall guest experience were nowhere near worth the price. We left feeling disappointed, frustrated, and shocked by how poorly we were treated. We will never return and would not recommend this property to families expecting the level of care and service that a luxury hotel should provide.

My hubby and I thoroughly enjoyed our 5 day stay at the Don. They have an amazing staff, including Andrea, Katie, Jackie and Mike at the pool area to Pat and all the other Lobby bar staff. Ana at the check in desk was very accommodating and even was able to allow us to check in early upon arrival! We're already planning our return trip in October.