Reviews of Don Cesar Hotel, St Pete Beach, Florida

We arrived at this excuse of a...

Overall Rating:

1/10

Board Basis:

Room Only

Date of Holiday:

Oct 2005

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Chris Lundie

Comments:

We arrived at this excuse of a hotel when departing from our vehicle (taxi transfer) we were shouted at by a very rude doorman/bellhop "You can't stop or park here!" at the front door? The reason why will become apparent.



After clearing up that issue we went into the first floor to reception where a steely-cold and ignorant receptionist said "yes" not hello or welcome or anything. She also insisted upon hotel vouchers which Thomson in their usual good communications, said we do not need and the hotel won't ask for them. After this we were checked into our hotel room, sorry cupboard - barely enough to step past the bottom of the bed and if you went to the toilet you'd bang your backside off the sink. No kidding.



We unpacked however and made our feelings about our room known clearly.



We then decided to explore the hotel a bit further. After an hour or two of wandering around we could see that the hotel interior was DESPERATELY in need of repair and redecoration. Signs hanging off walls, broken elevators, broken lights and dirt everywhere. Not something you'd expect on a £3500 holiday!



After creating a disturbance with the unhelpful hotel management, we were given a room move to a bigger room, which was much better but still very, very basic. We spent the evening wandering St Pete Beach area and thought we'd see what the next day brought.

The morning came and we were off to breakfast (served until 1130 am allegedly) arrived at the breakfast room at 1105am to be told by yet another very unhelpful member of the Don Cesar staff, that we'd have to hurry up as they were needing to close. So I told them where to put the whole thing.



Up to the room, packed phoned our previous hotel Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando (FANTASTIC PLACE) and went back there.



Whatever you do, never come to stay at the Don Cesar they only like famous stars staying here like the Rolling Stones - as they were checking out we couldn't get our transfer to stop at the front door charming eh? DUMP! And Thomson Holidays is a poor excuse of an operator.

Had a fantastic 11 day holiday...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Room Only

Date of Holiday:

Nov 2004

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Claire1404

Comments:

Had a fantastic 11 day holiday at the Don Cesar Hotel in St Pete's, Florida. We were blown away at the sheer beauty of the hotel. It looks like a fairytale palace and is painted pale pink.



We had a basic double room but it was beautiful - nice big comfy bed big enough to sleep an entire famiy! The rooms do have a mini bar (they even cater for pets!) but it is on the v. expensive side. However they do have a vending machine on most floors and a little shop to get nibbles from. They also offer the usual laundry service, but on the 3rd floor they have a self service guest laundry (costs less than $5 to wash and dry inc. powder).



There is a choice of restaurants, we tried all of them during our stay. They have a good selection of food, although they are on the pricey side - but what do you expect from such a luxurious hotel! Breakfast was always good. You can choose something from the menu or opt for the buffet (always a good choice) where you can choose from hot breakfast, cereal, cakes/pastries, fruit or a selection of breads and bagels. There was also a good selection of lite lunch bites to have round the pool. Although service can sometimes be on the slow side. The staff were all really friendly.



There are a choice of water sports that the hotel offer at an extra charge. Alternatively you can just go for a stroll along the beautiful white sands - we walked for about an hour each day.



There are sun loungers around the pools that are free of charge to all guests, and there are also double loungers with canopies that you can hire on the beach for about $20 a day.



Cant wait to go back!