I was at the Don Cesar in April 2010 and was happy to find that this historic beauty continues to make sweet memories for those wanting a beach front hotel on St Pete Beach. You have to understand that although this grand hotel is located on Gulf Boulevard, it is situated in a spot which eases you off the noisy busy traffic strip of Gulf Boulevard, where so many other hotels are situated.
This castle on the beach consists of 277 luxury rooms, including 40 suites and has won the AAA four diamond award for 29 consecutive years.
The resort has several package specials available. The Family Fun package is valid up until January 31, 2011 and provides upon checkout, 50% off a second room or comparable pricing for a suite. Children age 12 and under eat free with a paid adult entrée, a half day credit towards the Kid’s Club, and discounts at attractions.
The Long Weekend special includes a 20 percent discount if staying between Thursday and Saturday, and ends January 31, 2011.
The Girls Spa Getaway is ending on December 31, 2010, for one night, two guests, with a spa specialty lunch on the rooftop, an hour spa treatment for two, excluding hair treatments, and a champagne and cheese welcome. You’ll feel so good you’ll want to stay another night instead of rushing back to join the real world. There are lots of exercise classes scheduled for outdoors if you want to put some spring in your step each morning.
The Don Cesar Hotel makes a concerted effort to cater to individuals and families alike. Teens, youth and young children have activities they can sign up for if they so choose. Camp Cesar for youth age 4 to 12 is available and requires reservations at least one day prior to arrival. There is a Kids Night Out on Friday and Saturday nights for 50.00 from 6 to 10 pm and includes dinner.
Etiquette classes are still going on so you can imagine they are popular and well delivered for various groups.
The ice cream parlor remains as popular as ever on the main level. You can sit inside or outside on the terrace with your desserts, providing a lovely way to end the day with family on a balmy summer evening.
The beach area which the hotel is located on, is as white as ever. I walked along the beach most mornings and the number of conch shells with their inhabitants fully living in the shell was incredible. I would throw them back into the ocean before one lady with a bucket and life mission to pick up every conch got them in the early morning. Maybe she was gathering them for a restaurant, but I didn’t care.
A few other facts:
- room service is 24 hours a day.
- 24 hour fitness room open.
- concierge service.
-2 beachfront hotels
- Self parking is $10 a day, Monday to Thursday & $15 a day, Friday to Sunday
- Valet parking is $13 a day, Monday to Thursday, $18 a day, Friday to Sunday & $20 overnight. Don’t ask me why they differentiate between day and overnight on the weekend.
The hotel has a really good virtual tour set up on its website, with various room styles to view, as well as a tour of the spa, Grande Ballroom, one of the restaurants, lobby and pool area.
Reviews: Really good. Service has improved greatly in the last couple years and rooms have been renovated. The main irk is the parking fees. If you can afford to go here, try it just once.
