Developed by thomas rowe and opened in 1928, it gained renown as the gulf playground for americas pampered rich at the height of the jazz age and it still serves as a popular retreat for the rich and famous of today. The don is a true legend dramatically perched atop windswept dunes with expansive views in every direction, the don cesar is the crown jewel of floridas gulf coast. The biggest names in american history, stars of the silver screen and. Why not book a stay at the pink palace and become part of its legacy, too. See great photos, full ratings, facilities, expert advice and book the best hotel deals. He had a plan to make his dream hotel, his pink castle. Enjoy views of the gulf of mexico, luxury amenities, and a resortstyle experience during your stay at the legendary don cesar hotel. Mar 12, 2019 i love an old, grand hotel full of history and mystery, and when i saw a picture of don cesar the pink palace built in 1928 we had our destination. Pete beach, inn on the beach places guests in the heart of the historic passagrille neighborhood. The history of the don cesar hotel the don cesar hotel on st. Theres no mistaking the don cesar, a historic hotel in st. Why don cesar hotel florida s legendary pink palace, the don cesar, completed a multimillion dollar renovation in 20. Learn more about the pink castle and book direct with historic hotels of america. Top10 recommended hotels in sarasota, florida, usa duration.
For more detailed history, stay at the gorgeous hotel and take the history tour. Discover the storied don cesar history the don cesar. Its locus of attention is on the hotel florida where many of the journalists along with nkvd operatives hung out and it was there where the war tourists of the left would pass through. Book the the don cesar stay at this 4star beach hotel in st. The hotel, formerly named the wander club residence, was bought by the don cesar and renamed in 1997. Indeed, the floridan hotel is also tampas only historic grand hotel. Known as floridas pink palace, the don cesar, facing the white sands of the gulf of mexico, was built in 1928 to resemble a mediterraneanstyle castle. The hotel is a founding member of the national trust of historic. The don cesar was built by thomas rowe, it opened its doors in regal splendor on january 10, 1928. This large 277 room hotel was built in 1928 on the gulf of mexico in the passagrille area south of st petersburg beach. Pete beach, fl beachfront accommodations the don cesar. Hotel florida traces the tangled and disparate wartime destinies of these three couples against the backdrop of a critical moment in history. Developed by thomas rowe and opened in 1928, it gained renown as the gulf. Guests traveling with pets are assigned to rooms on the ground floor.
Henry dupont, and indianapolis architect, was hired to design the hotel, along with carlton beard as the contractor. The don cesar hotel is situated on seven miles of powdery white sands on st. Kathrin rein, german reporter and traveler visits the loews don cesar hotel to learn about its more. The don cesar offers 277 accommodations with ipod docking stations and minibars. Located across the street from the white sands of st. Hotel florida is the book i wanted to write, but it appears amanda vaill has beat me to it, and with great success. Before it was the pink palace, loews don cesar hotel in st. Known as florida s pink palace, the don cesar, facing the white sands of the gulf of mexico, was built in 1928 to resemble a mediterraneanstyle castle. Don cesar is the gulf coasts most iconic resort, born in the great gatsby era as a playgroud for the rich and famous, and acknowledged as such with the cnn award of best historic hotel of america for 2015 for rooms 200 401. The don cesar dates back to 1928, when migrant thomas rowe opened the hotel that eventually became known as the pink palace, on what would ultimately grow into one of floridas great familyfriendly gulf coast beach towns.
May 23, 2019 the don cesar, or the don as its affectionately referred to by locals, is the ultimate family resort for your next gulf coast getaway. Because of its distinctive color and architecture, this hotel has made it a longtime point of reference on maritime charts. Born in the great gatsby era as a playground for the rich and famous, the iconic pink palace has been revitalized and refreshed within, ensuring a future as rich and storied as its history. Pete beach, florida and the belleview biltmore resort 1897 in bellair, florida. Because of its distinctive color and architecture, this hotel has made. The don cesar is a member of historic hotels of america, the official program of the national trust for historic preservation. The don cesar recalls a romantic era sarasota magazine. Since 1928, this monument to glamour and leisure has welcomed sunseekers, luxury travelers and some of americas most famous and notorious figures.
However, all of these hotels are located within pinellas county and are primarily resort hotels. This hotel offers 2 outdoor swimming pools, 2 restaurants and 2. It became known as one of the most luxurious hotels in florida. Does developer thomas rowe roam the beaches of the don cesar with his long lost mistress. The don cesar s guest rooms and suites are light and airy, with blue and white beach decor and plantationstyle shutters. From high societys playground to starring on the silver screen to being a gulf coast icon, the don cesar boasts a rich and glamorous history. Once again the pink palace reigned on the florida coast. Loews don cesar hotel glamour, celebrities, history, and great architecture are all part of the story of the loews don cesar hotel.
The most famous ghost said to haunt the don cesar is its former owner, thomas rowe, who died in 1940. Restored and painted its original pink, the don cesar overlooks st. However, the depression era took its toll on rowes dream hotel and after barely holding on to his. Scott fitzgerald and many more affluent businessmen and their wives along with movie stars and. Notable guests throughout history have included american author f. Nicknamed the pink palace for its pink facade and grandeur architecture, the don cesar has welcomed guests since its opening in 1928. Legends of the great gatsby eras pink castle of the south. The don is a true legend dramatically perched atop windswept dunes with expansive views in every direction, the don cesar is the crown jewel of florida s gulf coast. Pete beach luxury hotel, and discover a world of mesmerizing history and coastal cool. The book recapitulates the experiences, participation, and actions of six renowned journalists during the spanish civil war and their own personal struggles with integrity, truth, fear, and love in a brutal civil war. Pete beach, florida bask in beachside luxury and become part of a living legend at the pink palace, the only historic resort on floridas. Pete beach opened in the heyday of the gatsby era in 1928, the don cesar has been welcoming travelers for nearly a century. The hotel boasts 2 heated pools, 3 lounges, free wifi, and a beachfront location in st. Now, guests at the pink palace can dine at the new rowe bar with exceptional seating overlooking the gulf, relax in gorgeous accomodations, and explore both history.
Both dogs and cats are permitted, and wellbehaved pets may be left unattended in guest rooms. The don is a favorited haunt of americas elite, and now its your turn to relax and become part of the legend. Step through the doors of the pink palace, a treasured st. Pete beach opened in the heyday of the gatsby era in 1928, the don cesar has been welcoming travelers for nearly a. The don cesar hotel is no stranger to ghostly tales, being home to countless brushes with spirits roaming the hallways and beachfront. Lounge in one of the two outdoor, heated pools with poolside concierge. Enjoy 2 outdoor pools, 2 restaurants, and a beach locale. This hotel offers 2 outdoor pools, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars. May 23, 2017 do spirits inhabit the pink palace on st.
Built in the 1920s during the jazz age, the don cesar was host to franklin d. In 2009, a million dollar meeting space renovation was completed. Pete beach if you are a beach walker, a boater, a lover of hotels, or just enamored with fascinating buildings, you cant miss the eightstory pink hotel on st. Petersburg, florida, the don cesar beach resort a loews hotel 1921, within st. The hotel features 2 heated pools, 3 lounges, free wifi, and a beachfront location in st. The don cesar dates back to 1928, when migrant thomas rowe opened the hotel that eventually became known as the pink palace, on what would ultimately grow into one of florida. Pete hotels swear babe ruth and al capone were once. Even though the don cesar had a relatively short season dec. Although hotel florida is not a history of the spanish civil war, there is much history to be learned. If you are a beach walker, a boater, a lover of hotels, or just enamored with fascinating buildings, you cant miss the eightstory pink hotel on st. Petersburgclearwater metropolitan statistical area msa. Bathrooms include showertub combinations, bathrobes, slippers, and complimentary toiletries. Petersburgs most popular hotels is also one of its most haunted.
Deluxe and luxury rooms have either one kingsized bed, one queensized. The don cesar was built by thomas rowe, it opened its doors. Scott fitzgerald and many other luminaries of the time. This hotel offers 2 outdoor swimming pools, 2 restaurants and 2 barslounges. Discover the glamour and allure of a timeless historic hotel thats been a st. You can take the short history tour every afternoon at 2 p. Haunted don cesar hotel this beautiful resort was built in 1928 during the great gatsby era and quickly became a playground for the wealthy and famous. Scott fitzgerald, lou gehrig and even al capone as you enjoy. As you walk through the front doors of the hotel and behold the grand lobby and architectural details, youll quickly understand that this is more than simply a hotel. The historic don cesar hotel, named for the chivalrous don cesar in vincent wallaces light opera maritana, opened in 1928 and has been home to the eras biggest stars, from f. Instantly known as florida s pink palace when it opened back in 1928, this tenstory hotel sits on the sugary sands of an island in the gulf of mexico. For more info, call 7273601881 or check out the hotel online. It was born as a hotel during the roaring twenties, became an army hospital during the 1940s and narrowly dodged the wrecking ball in the 70s. The best thing about this southern half of pinellas county is that its like visiting two very different cultures at once even three, if you include the.
One of the most magnificent of florida historic hotels. Mar 12, 2017 take a tour of the hotel and hear some of its history. View deals for don cesar place beachside by techtravel. The last of the federal offices abandoned the property and it remained derelict until the early 1970s, when william bowman, jr. Since 1928, this monument to glamour and leisure has welcomed sunseekers, luxury. Built in 1928, this over centuryold hotel has a glamorous history. Built in 1928, the hotel offers access to sea and sun, as well as tampa, clearwater, and the st. Imagine yourself immersed in spacious privacy with our photos of beach house suites by don cesar.
Pillowtop beds feature egyptian cotton sheets and premium bedding. Were a family business who believes in the power of shared experience, so from the moment you arrive, your family is part of ours. Paradise news magazine the don cesar hotel a history. Next time someone scoffs at the idea of vacationing in florida, ask them if theyve ever been to.
Enjoy the good life at one of the best hotels in florida. Take a tour of the hotel and hear some of its history. Opened in the heyday of the gatsby era in 1928, the don cesar has been welcoming travelers for nearly a century. The intriguing history of loews don cesar hotel youtube. Grab a good book and lounge around in one of the beachside hammocks. The don cesar, a great gatsbyera hotel built in 1928 and known as the pink. Stanmeyer the new york yankees had a spring training contract to stay at the don cesar for three years in the early 30s. History of the don cesar hotel historic hotels of america. Since 1928, the pink palace has proudly stood as a beacon of style on floridas gulf coast.
Instantly known as floridas pink palace when it opened back in 1928, this tenstory hotel sits on the sugary sands of an island in the gulf of mexico. Lounge in one of the two outdoor, heated pools with poolside concierge service or dip your toes into the white sandy private beach. The pink palace is a wedding cake of a resort hotel that has towered over st. Perched atop windswept dunes, the don cesar offers views of st.