"We had a great birthday vacation. We celebrated ourselves all week long. We lounged by the pool and we were catered to every single day. Katie, our pool attendant and server, was outstanding and made sure we always had what we needed as we relaxed by the pool. Quinn made sure we had the best chairs possible each day with towels all perfectly arranged! The staff were wonderful and always had a smile and positive attitudes! If you haven't stayed at the Don Cesar you are missing out! Best.Vacation.Ever!!"

Phyllis Hunter

"⭐️ 1 Star (if I could give 0, I would)

This hotel, Don César, was a complete disappointment. From the moment we arrived, the check-in staff was friendly, but everything went downhill after that. The room was extremely small — it barely fits two people — and the bathroom was even worse. The carpet in the hallways had a strange smell, the doors looked dirty, and we had to use force just to open ours. For the price of this “five-star” hotel, I expected much more.

The worst part of our stay was the restaurant Maritana. It was honestly one of the worst dining experiences of my life. As soon as we sat down, we could feel how unwelcome we were. We asked the waiter if he spoke Spanish, and from that moment, his whole attitude changed — cold, rude, and clearly uncomfortable serving us. They even brought someone from the kitchen who spoke Spanish, but in a very disrespectful way. I can defend myself in English, but that moment was humiliating.

The food was terrible, overpriced, and the portions were ridiculously small. I understand that fine dining means smaller portions, but what truly ruined it was the lack of respect and professionalism from the staff. They didn’t offer us bread, dessert, or even ask if everything was okay.

Later, when we went to the main lobby, we felt the same — the staff looked at us differently, as if we didn’t belong there. At the beach lobby, service was slightly better, but still far from what you would expect at such an expensive hotel.

However, I do want to highlight one positive experience that truly saved our night: the restaurant Society Table. The people there were incredibly kind and professional. Celeste, Diana, and Julio gave us an exceptional service — friendly, warm, and welcoming. The food was delicious, and their attention was 10 out of 10. It was the best part of our entire stay and the only reason I didn’t leave the hotel even more upset.

Unfortunately, in the hotel stores — especially the clothing and shoe shops — we again experienced that same uncomfortable attitude. The staff looked at us with indifference and didn’t even ask if we needed help, while treating other guests very differently. It’s sad to see that kind of behavior still happening today.

Overall, this hotel felt tense, lifeless, and far from what a true five-star experience should be. It’s a shame, because it could be a beautiful place, but the lack of respect, warmth, and consistency completely ruined it.

If I could give this hotel zero stars, I would. Definitely not worth the price, and I would never return."

Linda Mora

"My husband and I recently stayed at the Don CeSar in St. Petersburg, Florida, from Thursday to Sunday to celebrate our fourth wedding anniversary. Overall, we found the hotel to be a beautiful and refreshing place to stay, with exceptional service from many of the staff members we encountered.

From the moment we arrived, we felt warmly welcomed. The valet parking attendants were extremely courteous, and the front desk staff, particularly an employee named Jen, went out of her way to help us secure a room with an ocean view for our special occasion. Similarly, the concierge provided us with excellent recommendations for local excursions and dining.

However, we did experience a deeply concerning incident during our visit to the spa area. While most of the spa staff were terrific, we unfortunately encountered a staff member named Drew who was quite rude and dismissive, and whose behavior we perceived as discriminatory. When we sought assistance to enjoy the spa amenities together for our anniversary, we were met with hostility and ultimately had security called on us for reasons that seemed unwarranted. For requesting information from the legal department. It was only after we clarified that my husband is an attorney that the staff's demeanor changed, and we were treated with more respect.

The front desk manager, Nick, listened to our complaint, and his initial response was that the reason for the complaint was that we needed a discount. We made it clear to him that we don't care about his discount and are instead going to give it to those who need it the most. We are not seeking any discounts or special treatment. We advocate for fair and respectful treatment of all guests, regardless of their race. We hope that the management will take this opportunity to provide additional diversity and sensitivity training for their staff, especially in the spa area.

In conclusion, while we enjoyed many aspects of our stay, it's essential to share this experience in the hope that all guests will be treated equitably in the future."

Ella Ham