Spend a weekend with me at the Pink Palace!
Are you looking for the most Insta-worthy hotel in Florida?
Look no further than The Don CeSar, otherwise known as the Pink Palace, in St. Petersburg, FL. The Don CeSar was originally built by Thomas Rowe as a tribute to his lost love [awww?!]. It opened up in the heyday of the Gatsby era in 1928 and has been a staple in St. Pete ever since – hosting notorious celebrities and other famous figures.
It currently serves as a 277-room hotel, housing multiple restaurants, a spa, shopping stores, a gym, and so much more!
Keep reading until the end for my unbiased, honest review.
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Room Details
What we booked: Grand Gulf View King
Amenities included with our booking:
- Non-motorized water sports (paddle boarding and kayaking) from 9am-12pm each day
- Breakfast buffet *optional
- Reserved pool and/or beach chairs + umbrella
- Access to sauna, gym, and yoga studio
The rooms did not disappoint! They were modern with a beach charm, but not cheesy, and the beds were super comfy.
Note: The Don has a two-night minimum requirement on the weekend.
Stay Details
You can check in as early as 8 AM on the day of your scheduled arrival. In addition, you can use the amenities included in your package on the day of your departure (as long as you have the required wristband).
I arrived early on the day of my check-in and was told by the front desk staff that they could hold on to my bags while my room was being prepared. Meanwhile, I was given a wristband that gave me access to the hotel amenities during our stay.
I browsed around for about 30 minutes to admire the stunning decor and enjoy the ambiance. This hotel truly is one of a kind and there is so much to explore.
Eventually, I ended up by the pool and decided to venture out to the beach area while I waited for my husband, David, to arrive.
I grabbed a couple of towels from the towel stand and found a spot to relax on the beach under an umbrella. I loved that they had the umbrellas and you didn’t have to roast in the sun the entire day. Another perk I will never say no to is the poolside/beachside food and beverage service! Staff members come straight to you to take your order so you don’t ever have to leave your chair #score.
You have the option to charge your room or pay with a card on the spot. Kitchen hours for the food service are from 11 AM to 4 PM each day, but drink service goes on later.
Obligatory pic on the iconic swing!
Around 3:30 PM the hotel called me saying my room was ready. I stopped by the front desk to grab my key and have them activate my wristband. You use the wristbands to get into your room instead of a room key.
*BONUS – you get offered a glass of champagne upon officially checking into the hotel [my kind of place lol]
Dining
All the food we had was great! Since we only stayed two days, we didn’t venture out of the hotel to eat, although you certainly have plenty of alternative options if you want to explore more in the St. Pete area. While we were at the beach, we ordered from the bar menu.
I got the octopus ceviche one day and the quinoa salad with grilled chicken another day, while David got the hot wings. I have nothing bad to say about the food (besides the fact that I had so much quinoa stuck in my teeth afterward. But I digress…)
The Don has multiple restaurants inside the hotel:
- Maritana – Seafood, $$$$
- Society Table – American, Bar, Seafood, $$-$$$
- Uncle Andy’s Market – Dessert, Snacks, & Coffee, $
- The Rowe Bar – American, Bar, Cafe, $$-$$$
- Lobby Bar – American, Bar, Pub, $$-$$$
- Beacon Pool Bar and Lookout – Lunch, Dinner, Drinks, $$-$$$
We ate at Society Table both nights (don’t judge me). The food was incredible and we had wonderful service as well. David and I both got the pork chop the first night and then I got the New York Strip the second night. The only hiccup we had was the second night. We both ordered the chicken and it came out super dry so we spoke with the server about it and we were able to get a different dish. The manager was incredibly accommodating and pleasant about the experience and they even ended up comping us our meals – talk about a 5-star experience!
In addition to dinner, we also got breakfast here both mornings. We loved the breakfast buffet!
Discounts and Specials
The Don CeSar offers discounts for the following individuals/groups:
- Florida/Georgia residents
- Extended stays
- AARP members
- AAA/CAA member
Check out their offers page for more details.
Final Thoughts
Staying here was an absolute dream and if you ever get the chance to visit, I highly recommend it. It’s an experience like no other.
As someone in my early 30’s, I appreciate that the hotel never felt overcrowded. I can’t stand when I’m on the beach and feel packed in like a sardine with people all around me [yes, I can be a grouchy grandma LOL]. Even during “peak hours”, I felt like I had room to breathe and enjoyed having reserved seating and could leave my spot and go explore without the fear of someone scooping it up.
However, as much as I loved staying here, this was a one-time trip for us. All-in-all, a two-night stay + meals and drinks cost us around $2100 [yes, that number made me wanna throw up in my mouth a little bit]. This is *a lot* more than I would typically spend on a hotel stay BUT, I think it would make a romantic destination for an anniversary or something. To each their own!
If you have the means and opportunity to visit, I do recommend it! The history and the architecture alone are incredible. It’s a bucket list item for sure.
Alternatively, if you don’t want to book a stay, the hotel offers day passes where you can enjoy all the amenities they have to offer.
Per Resort Pass website, a day pass includes:
- Two outdoor heated pools
- Indoor jacuzzi
- Lounge chairs (first come, first served)
- Towel service
- Poolside food and drinks available for purchase from the Beacon Pool Bar and Lookout
- Private beach access
- Fitness center
- Men’s and women’s showers
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Valet and self-parking, beach chair, umbrella, and daybed rentals are available for a fee and based on availability. 10% discount on water sports rentals at Boucher Brothers beach huts.
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