The Don CeSar

The Don CeSar opened on January 16, 1928, the work of architect Henry H. Dupont and developer Thomas Rowe, who purchased eighty acres of St. Pete Beach in 1924 to build a Mediterranean-style "pink castle" on the Gulf of Mexico. The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 3, 1975. During World War II the US Army used the building as a convalescent hospital, and the Veterans Administration operated it as a regional clinic from 1945 to 1967 before private ownership returned. Loews Hotels operates the property under ownership by Host Hotels & Resorts. The Don CeSar offers 47,415 square feet of indoor and outdoor function space across nineteen meeting rooms, anchored by three ballrooms. The newest, the Royal Ballroom, debuted in mid-February 2026 at 7,400 square feet with reception capacity for 420 guests, dramatic Gulf vistas, soaring ceilings, and access to the Grand Ballroom Foyer and Veranda for pre-event activities. The Grand Ballroom holds 5,671 square feet and seats 500 theater or 300 banquet. The King Charles Ballroom adds 3,450 square feet with 400 theater and 240 banquet capacity. Twelve flexible breakout rooms, the 5,152-square-foot North/South Terrace and Veranda, the 2,120-square-foot Del Prado Hall, the 1,500-square-foot Buena Vista room, an Executive Boardroom, and outdoor venues at the Courtyard and Sunset Deck round out the property. The hotel operates 277 guest rooms, including 36 suites per Cvent and a refurbished 71-room all-suite Beach House Suites adjacent property (upgraded by Parker-Torres Design). On-property dining includes Maritana for coastal Florida fine dining, Sea Porch for casual Gulf-front service, Rowe Bar in the lobby, and the Beachcomber Beach Bar at the pool deck. Tampa International Airport (TPA), a domestic hub, sits roughly thirty to forty minutes by car. St. Pete-Clearwater International (PIE) is closer at roughly twenty-five minutes but operates a smaller schedule. Most attendees travel via TPA. Sarasota Bradenton (SRQ) and Orlando International (MCO) round out the alternatives. The property is a member of Historic Hotels of America. The New York Yankees stayed at the property under owner Jacob Ruppert during three Great Depression spring trainings.