Tampa Bay Area Hotels

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Don CeSar Beach Resort

Exterior

At a Glance

    Pros

  • romantic destination
  • great beach
  • tasty dining options

    Cons

  • can be quite pricey

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Don CeSar Beach Resort Review

Today the "Pink Palace," as it's called thanks to its paint job, is a gulf-coast landmark with remarkable architecture, with exterior and public areas oozing turn-of-the-last-century elegance. Ditto for the rooms, and the staff is known for friendly old-world service. Plus, this is quite the storied establishment. Consider Thomas Rowe's ghost. As legend has it, the man who built this Roaring Twenties-era hotel came back after death to meet his beloved. Some guests and staff swear they see the couple occasionally having a rendezvous in the garden (more romantic than spooky); others say Rowe appears in corridors and rooms. On a more documented level, the Don once was a favorite of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Babe Ruth, and Clarence Darrow. The popular restaurant, Maritana Grille, specializes in Florida seafood and is lined with huge fish tanks.

    Hotel Amenities

  • 277 rooms, 40 suites, 70 condos.
  • Restaurants, bars, pools, gym, spa, beach, children's programs, parking, some pets allowed.
  • Rooms have: Wi-Fi.

Member Reviews

  • robinccaldwell, from Virginia Beach, VA
    11/27/07

    We just returned from our visit during Thanksgiving week and are planning to return next year as well. We had read some negative comments about the small rooms, but they were so well appointed and decorated so beautifully, that we didn't find the room lacking in any way. The staff was always friendly, always helpful, always attentive, and seemed genuinely happy to be there. The pool and beach were equally beautiful and clean and fully staffed. The Maritana Grille was absolutely delicious and the waitstaff and chef were very amenable with my many food allergies.

    Ratings details: Room: 5 | Atmosphere: 5 | Service: 5 | Value: 5
  • petite47, from Florida resident
    9/10/07

    I have visited the Don CeSar on a yearly bases for the past 7 yrs. The setting is beatiful, as is the resort. People complain of the High cost, but if money is an issue, they may want to go to a hotel within their means. The staff is polite, very willing to help out with any problem. I Say 5 stars, cant wait for there NEW SPA TO OPEN IN THE SPRING, 2008.

    Ratings details: Room: 5 | Atmosphere: 5 | Service: 5 | Value: 5
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