The flamingo-pink Don CeSar is one of those grand old hotels that just oozes history. The resort was the dream of Thomas Rowe, who made a fortune in Florida real estate. In 1924 he purchased 80 acres of land in St. Petersburg, Florida for $100,000 and hired the best architects and contractors to build a “pink castle” that incorporated architectural details such as Moorish arches, red-tile roofs, sun-splashed terraces, and Mediterranean bell towers.

The Don Cesar Beach Resort and Spa, commonly known as the "Pink Castle"

From the moment it opened in 1928, the Don CeSar was a hit with the rich and famous of America’s Great Gatsby Era, playing host to the likes of W. Scott Fitzgerald, Al Capone, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Even the great depression couldn’t keep the Don down. But when Rowe died unexpectedly without a will, the property was taken over by his estranged wife, who let it fall into disrepair and lost it to back taxes. When the U.S. entered World War II, the facility was acquired by the U.S. Army and subsequently used as a military hospital, convalescent center, and a Veterans Administration Regional Office. By 1969 the once grand hotel was graffiti covered, vacant, and scheduled for demolition.

Room at the Don CeSar

Fiercely opposed to the plan, local residents found a buyer for the property, who renovated and updated the hotel, adding a 4,000 sq. ft. spa, signature restaurant, and second outdoor swimming pool. Upon reopening in 1973, the new owner changed the name of the hotel to the Don CeSar Beach Resort and Spa. Now a Loews Hotel, the luxury Don CeSar promises: “from powder-white sand to tropical sunsets to the luxurious Spa Oceana, each detail of our St. Pete Beach resort is designed with your pleasure in mind.”

Don CeSar, enthroned on the white sands and turquoise waters of St. Pete Beach

Photo credit: Don Cesar Beach Resort and Spa
Article by Barbara Weibel at Hole In The Donut Travels

Spiderman and Batman may have their own comic-books and movies, but no one ever rewards the ordinary heroes who put their own lives on the line every single day to save others and keep us all safe. No one, that is, except the Vero Beach Hotel in Vero Beach, FL.

Vero Beach Hotel 'Hero' Special

This Kimpton Hotel on Central Florida’s Treasure Coast is offering a special rate for any hero working in Law Enforcement, Fire Departments, the Military, and Medical professions. 

The special “HEROES” rate  starts at $85.00 a night for a Premier Room featuring 500 sq ft of luxurious comfort and a plush king size bed, or $125 for a Studio Suite.

The rate is good for travel Sunday-Tuesday through October 27, 2009. Use promo code HERO for online reservations, or call the hotel (866-602-vero) and ask for the ‘hero’ rate.

This offer is especially touching at this point of time, when we’re so close to the 8th anniversary of 9/11 – a day when ordinary heroes from all the above-mentioned professions proved that Gotham can fight evil even without Batman.

The oceanfront Vero Beach Hotel & Spa is a delightful little boutique hotel with 113 guest rooms and suites, a  heated outdoor pool with views of the ocean and ready access to miles of soft sand. They’re also building a full-service onsite spa, set to open in fall 2010. 

As of now, the hotel offers in-room spa services and an on-site fitness center. And  two restaurants - Cobalt Restaurant, with casual caribbean decor, deliciously fresh and inventive food, an extensive wine list, excellent cocktails and floor-to-ceiling windows offering unobstructed views of the Atlantic.

The hotel’s second dining option – Heaton’s Bar & Grill - is situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the outdoor pool, and offers open air seating in an idyllic oceanfront oasis where the food and drink are as fabulous as the views.

Also, the Vero Beach hotel is extremely pet-friendly. If you think that’s all bark, then we can send over Oliver, the hotel’s Director of Pet Relations, to taste your ankles.

Info: 3500 Ocean Drive Vero Beach, FL  32963; (772) 231-5666; www.verobeachhotelandspa.com/; Photo courtesy Vero Beach Hotel & Spa.

Cheeca Lodge and Spa

HOTEL SITE

Jim Carrey

CELEBS SPOTTED: President George Herbert Walker Bush, Chrissie Evert, Gisele Bundchen, Adriana Lima, Salma Hayek, Kevin Costner, Jack Nicklaus, Forest Whitaker, Jim Carrey, Brooke Burke, Denise Austin, Pink, Billy Idol, Jennifer Lopez, Bruce Campbell, Jane Seymour, Katie Couric, Jason Alexander

Called the “Queen of the Florida Keys,” the Cheeca Lodge & Spa is located in the beautiful Islamorada in the Keys, and you’re likely to spot a number of famous people while staying there. It’s kind of a hideaway for the stars. Everyone from Salma Hayek to Katie Couric to even President George H.W. Bush has stayed at the Cheeca, and with good reason. It’s on a glorious 27-acre estate, full of luxurious views. NOTE: the Cheeca is due to reopen in December, 2009.

Cheeca Lodge Dining Outdoors

With rates starting as low as $250 per night, you’ll find the classic Keys style, mixed with West Indies decor…something the Cheeca calls “barefoot elegance.” There are 212 rooms, suites, and bungalows – you won’t be disappointed.

Beautiful rooms and amazing views at the Cheeca

The new Oceanfront and Island View Suites give you over 840 square feet, gorgeous ocean views, hot tubs, rain showers for two…all very romantic. And the Spa is nothing to sneeze at, either. Lots of different packages for you to choose from.

The Spa at the Cheeca

Casual Keys meets West Indies at the Cheeca Lodge

Amenities include oceanfront pool, a wooden fishing pier, tennis courts, golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus himself, private beach, fitness center, Camp Cheeca (for the kids), biking, Starbucks and Tazo Teas in your room, wifi, and several restaurants to choose from.

Dock at Cheeca Lodge & Spa

Islamorada has amazing restaurants, and the Cheeca Lodge & Spa has some of the best. In fact, Florida Trend magazine calls the Cheeca’s eating spots one of “Florida’s 500 Best Places to Dine.” There’s Atlantic’s Edge, with delicious seafood and steaks, as well as a magnificent hot breakfast buffet. The Lobby Bar serves cocktails, and the Tiki Bar is a beachfront spot with a view of the ocean, as well as drinks and Bahama stone crab claws. Nikai is the newest restaurant, offering fresh sushi and Asian cuisine.

Hot Tub at the Cheeca

Salma Hayek

It’s no wonder the likes of Gisele Bundchen and Jennifer Lopez love the Cheeca. They get treated like the stars they are, and so can you. Think I’ll make it a point to head down to the Keys. I mean, I live in Florida…how have I never been there? Papa Hemingway awaits.

Photo Sources: Hotel Photos taken from Cheeca Lodge web site, Celebrity photos

If you know of a place that makes a good fit for Celebrity Hotel of the Week, please let me know. I can be reached at southernyank01@gmail.com

Whenever I book a hotel, I’m looking to get the most bang for my buck.

Actually, whenever I spend a buck on anything, I’m keeping my eye on the bang factor.  But there are some times when quality outweighs budget (like with toilet paper), and other times when price is the deciding factor (like with nail polish remover).

Oh, right, this is a hotel blog.

You can find a lot of information online (and on this site) about how to save money on hotels.  But for some trips, there are more important things to consider than price when choosing a hotel.  Of course, it’s never a good idea to pay more than you have to – but when do you let the bottom line rule your decisions, and when should you be willing to pay a little more for a hotel room?

When To Pay More For A Hotel

When Location Matters – If you’re visiting New York City and all of your must see tourist attractions are in Manhattan, it might be worth spending a little more to stay in Manhattan instead of staying out by the JFK airport.  Or, if you’re attending a conference that will require you to be some place from early in the morning until late into the day, it might be worth the extra money to avoid giving yourself a daily commute to and from your conference site.

When You’ll Be Spending Time In Your Hotel Room – When I visit a new city, my main focus is to see the city – not the inside of a hotel room.  However, when my husband and I get away to relax together, we’re more concerned with relaxing together than sight seeing.  If you’re planning a vacation to get away that will involve extensive down time inside your hotel room, the quality of the hotel room is something to take into account in your planning.

When You’re Pampering Yourself – Along the same lines as a romantic getaway with your loved ones, some vacations are taken specifically because you need a little extra pampering.  If this is your specific reason for traveling, make sure you get what you want out of the trip by investing in a hotel that will make you feel luxurious.  (At the very least, avoid the threadbare flea bag motels.)

When You’re Traveling With Children – Traveling with children is a whole different beast than traveling with adults.  Consider kid friendly hotels that will make your stay more enjoyable for your children and, as a result, the adults in your party.

When Safety is a Concern – Of course, personal safety should never be completely abandoned.  But it’s of special important if you’re traveling alone or traveling as a single adult with small children.  Also, if you’re staying in a major city, you need to be more aware of (and willing to pay for) properties in safe neighborhoods than, say, if you’re traveling to small town Iowa.

As much as I’m a proponent of traveling despite a tight budget, I’m just as passionate about making sure you have the travel experience that your heart desires.  In order to do that, you may need to pay a little more for the right hotel.

Photo Credits (in order of appearance): Photos8.com on FlickR, ukcountryhousehotelsandspas on FlickR