Guest reviews The Don Cesar, St. Pete Beach

by pleasedbygoodservice St. Pete Beach, Florida

The Don has lost Its soul! Bring back the fun and happy!

What has happened to the Don Cesar? I have been coming to the Don for over 25 years. While its majestic pink exterior always conjured 5 star hotel anyone who frequented there knew the service and casual management style was not quite 4 or 5 star standard. But while efficient service has never been its’ strong suit what they lacked in efficiency they always made up for with a fun, warm and friendly, casual florida west coast vibe. It was always a special and fun place to be where the customer felt cared for. In my 20 some odd years of experience they were always accommodating - even when Lowes managed the property. A beach vacation is meant to be relaxed and the guest - should they show up 5 minutes late for breakfast should still get breakfast and not be lectured on how they need come on time next time as I was this morning by the young hostess. But since this new group has come in ( 3-4 years now) the Don has lost it’s soul. No amount of renovation makes up for the key cornerstone in the hospitality business - make the customer feel cared for and they will always come back! Now don’t get me wrong there are indeed some employees who are just naturally warm/ gracious and accommodating - like my server Celine who was lovely. The management team should take a page out of her book. You’ve got something inherently wonderful there in the Don Cesar - my God it is a pink palace on the Gulf of Mexico that glows at night - It beckons people from near and far! It exudes majesty and fun! But when you walk in the vibe and service does not match. The staff seems stressed, unhappy, and disorganized and it is palatable. Management reinvent your mission statement put the fun, gracious and friendly vibe back in the Don. Make the customer feel loved and appreciated - and please train your staff so that everyone from the hostess at the Rowe Bar to the bartenders at the pool bar to cabana boys to the front desk even on their hardest day follow your team mission of fun, gracious, accommodating and efficient service.

by Giordano122 st augustine

Don Cesar continues in excellence!

The iconic hotel is a treasure, their staff and service unparalleled, restaurants to die for and their beach? Not enough can be said about this place, truly an annual event in or family! During these trying times, THEY went out of their way to make us all feel NORMAL again!

by sanibellaurie fort myers

Horrible horrible Done NOT stay here

First let me mention that the hotel is under extreme construction which they never tell you when you book ,(but they are still charging extremely high prices ) you drive up and you cannot enter the front of the hotel you have to park across the street no valet parking and they charge you still $25 a day for parking ,they do help you with your bags into the hotel., Then you are greeted by an extremely rude front desk gentleman,when you ask them a few questions he answers very rudely as if you’re bothering him. The rooms are very small with a lovly roof view no balcony ,the walls are extremely thin you can hear the bathroom right at you head board so when you neighbor showed at 6 A.M. you hear everything. The pool is completely surrounded by construction fence which blocks you ocean view , No room service, no maid service,horrible customer service . But they still change expensive hotel fees, if you want a loung chair with a cover at the beach $100 omg , everything is extremely over priced for no service , save yourself the aggravation if you really want a luxury resort go to a Ritz Carlton they know what service is all about , the Don CeSar lost their luster years ago

by MLCLARK63 Dayton, Ohio

A bit of history

Thoroughly enjoyed all while being socially distanced at the pool and the beach. Matt was excellent host at the beach. The lobby bar was elegant and the service top notch and drinks above par. The history is fun and enjoy seeing a comeback.

by 270ritaq Redington Shores, Florida

Poor

Unfortunately l was really let down by this hotel! Just because something is historic doesn't mean you can drop your standards? The room is very dated which is ok... if everything else is a high standard. Our fridge had a foul smell and had a brown sludge inside so told them , they left the old fridge and plonked another fridge in already tight room? Not great. Then after a third day of cold showers we called front desk and was told just keep it running... after waiting 20 mins no hot water another cold shower it was! They actually don't service the room until you have been there for 3 days wow? We have just stayed in a 3 star in key west and it was amazing attention to detail customer service superb. We actually asked a friend if we could just stay with them instead of Don Cesar. They have building work going on which they failed to mention just a total miserable stay for a lot of money. The bar area is beautiful and the staff were nice.