St. Petersburg and St. Pete’s Beach are a popular Tampa Bay vacation getaway. The famed white sand beaches of St. Pete and Clearwater are 30 minutes from popular Florida attractions like Busch Gardens and 90 minutes from Walt Disney World, Sea World and Universal Studios in Orlando. Legendary hotels that are members of the Historic Hotels of America, include Don CeSar Beach Resort and Renaissance Vinoy Resort.
Don CeSar Beach Resort, a Loews Hotel
Legendary as Florida’s Pink Palace, since 1928, Don Cesar is a fanciful pink building on the white sands of St. Pete’s Beach. The ten story hotel shows architectural motifs of Mediterranean and Moorish design, in tropical surroundings.
The Don, as it is called locally, was built by Thomas Rowe, who spared no expense in building the hotel that he loved. The “Pink Castle’ was named for chivalrous Don CeSar from a opera, Maritana, by Vincent Wallace. Rowe went nearly 30 percent over budget in building the lavish project.
Don CeSar was an instant hit and attracted celebrities such as FDR, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Lou Gehrig, Clarence Darrow and notorious gangster Al Capone. Thomas Rowe is said to haunt the hotel, along with the woman he loved, see Haunted Hotel: Don CeSar on St. Pete Beach, FL for more about the sad love story.
According to the history on the Don CeSar website Rowe died without signing the will that left the hotel to its loyal employees, as he had intended. His estranged wife of 30 years inherited the hotel and it lost much of its charm and personality.
In 1942 the property was purchased by the U.S. Army for an assessed value of $450,000. The once grand hotel was converted into a convalescent center for World War II airmen. After the war the building was stripped for use as a regional office by the Veterans Administration. The government agency was unable to afford the necessary repairs to the facility, so they abandoned it in 1967. Don CeSar was destined for the wrecking ball until a preservation group found a buyer who shared Rowe’s vision of grandeur.
Don CeSar reopened as a luxury resort in 1973. Additional renovations have revitalized and expanded the hotel over the years. Don CeSar today has a 4,000 square foot full service Beach Club and Spa, Maritane Grille Restaurant, swimming pools, tropical gardens and spectacular views of the Gulf of Mexico.
The Don DeSar Beach Resort, a Loews Hotel, 3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, FL 33706. 1-866-728-2206.
Renaissance Vinoy Resort is a salmon colored Mediterranean Revival style building that has overlooked Tampa Bay since 1925. The fanciful Florida hotel was designed by architect Henry L. Taylor. It took $3.5 million and two years to built the 375 room facility where elegance reigned supreme.
The Vinoy operated as a hotel until the early 19402′, when it as converted into a Army Air Corps training facility. Military cooks and bakers learned how to cook at the facility. The Vinoy was reopened as a hotel in 1945 and operated until 1974. In 1992 the hotel was renovated and restored to the tune of $93 million. A guest tower and recreational facilities, including an 18 hole golf course, were added.
The luxury resort of Florida’s west coast offers a private 74 slip marina, five restaurants, 12 tennis courts, a fitness center and 361 guest rooms. Renaissance Vinoy Resort is located near many of western Florida’s attractions, such as the Dali Museum, Museum of Fine Arts and two bay beaches.
The Vinoy is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and is a member of Historic Hotels of America.
