The Don CeSar

The Don CeSar was by far and away the best venue we could have ever picked. Beyond being in a beautiful part of the country where there is an incredible amount of activity for every type of guest to explore or relax, we didn’t anticipate how many of our guests would choose to hang out at the Don for how luxurious, friendly, beautiful, and the many various activities that are present there, during the days of our wedding. Beyond this— I must say, the staff at the Don made our wedding. From Kasey Bussell, the Director of Events, working hand-in-hand with us from beginning to end and being extremely helpful and collaborative, to Humberto and Carlos who made sure every meticulous detail was taken care of and constantly checked in with us to see if there were any last second adjustments that they could take care of, to the Scott & the rest of the staff who were all briefed, incredibly attentive, and worked extremely hard to make sure we didn’t wait for a thing on our special day. We were truly treated like royalty and every detail they went above and beyond on (prepping our rooms, gifts, constantly checking in) made us feel like we and our guests were the only ones at the hotel. Can’t recommend enough, this is an easy choice for anyone looking for the “destination wedding” where it truly meets every aspect of the word “destination”, and your guests will all be incredibly glad and thankful they went. Every guest of our wedding notes they’ll be spending more time at the Don from here on out!

From beginning to end, the experience was perfect. The Don Cesar offers a curated menu so the process is not overwhelming and easy to follow. The venue, menu, setup, customer service were all wonderful. Our day was absolutely perfect and a dream come true!

A frustrating experience, wish we picked another venue #### We ended our wedding weekend giving 5 star reviews to every vendor we used except the Don Cesar. It's unfortunate that our venue was the most important and most expensive decision we made and also became the most disappointing ##### There are certainly many nice things about the Don: the amenities, the beautiful hotel backdrop which makes for great photos, the grand ballroom was really nice for a live band, and our guests had a fun time at the reception. ##### But there are just constant headaches and issues- both during the planning and even issues during the wedding weekend. ##### For context we booked a large wedding (150+ people), at their biggest banquet hall, and upgraded our bar package to the top tier. So we came ready to celebrate and splurge knowing we would be paying a premium price. But we found the entire experience to be nickel and diming and upcharging everything they could. There are charges to have welcome bags for guests at check-in, charges to bring your own mimosa to your getting ready room before the wedding. The wedding package will let guests order drinks like old fashioneds and moscow mules at the bar, but if you want to advertise "his and her" cocktails on a sign they want you to pay. #### We were also expecting the Don to not just be a luxury resort, but also have great service. But they were by far the most difficult to vendor we had to communicate with and they were not much help to our guests either. They provide you with a phone number for room block reservation questions, and that number routes to people who are not able to support room block changes? So our guests end up having to contact you directly and then you have to email the wedding coordinator. Our room block filled up and we asked for just 2 or 3 more rooms and they told us to tell our guests to go book online for $1,000+ a night, no exception. #### Outside of their fees, we even ended up embarrassed the first night of our wedding as many of our guests got upgrades to suites and balconies and we were never offered any of that. Just to show how disorganized it was, a room upgrade was the absolute #1 thing we asked of the Don and had our wedding planner contact them several times about this. And they were firm over and over that they could only offer a small discount off the online rate. Then our guests arrived and many of them got upgrades for less than $100. #### We pent our wedding weekend in a worse room than our family and friends and they were asking us what rooms we got upgraded to-- then they realized what happened and offered to switch, and we had pretended it wasn't a big deal to us. #### The list goes on and on: -The bar ran out of my favorite drink -We bumped into another bride and groom taking pictures -Our room wasn't ready at the 4 PM check-in and there wasn't a welcome card or a drink or a chocolate or anything -One of our guests left us a wedding card and cash gift at the hotel lobby and they forgot to tell us #### I do think that the wedding coordinator staff of Kasey, Nicole, and Renee were trying their best. It seems like there is new management and I expect there are going to be more negative reviews in the future. I only noticed now a lot of their great reviews are from 2021 or earlier. ### If you decide to choose them I'd recommend spending a lot of time negotiating the contract and every single thing you need and expect of them before signing anything. ###

Nicole and the entire hotel staff was wonderful! Our ceremony, luncheon and entire staff was perfect! The elopement package included our officiant and photograph both which were amazing! We had the perfect ceremony and beautiful pictures to share with friends and family.

The BEST decision to have our wedding at the Don Cesar. Beth and Devin were both very helpful in all my questions and to ensure that our wedding day would be perfect. From our rehearsal dinner to the ceremony to the reception it was the most perfect two days. Amelia was great to work with in the catering department. I have no complaints and loved working with everyone. Thank you for the best day of our lives!!

My husband jokes that he was always afraid of bringing me to the Don CeSar when venue hunting because he knew I’d fall in love and there’d be no other option. And well, that happened exactly. I’m not even sure where to start with this incredible venue – first, it’s just sheer beauty being a monumental pink castle sitting on the #1 beach in the U.S. It really doesn’t get better than that! From the moment we stepped foot inside, we were treated like absolute royalty and felt so special and well-respected. We first met with Charles Kaval and were then later paired with Nicole Johnson when we decided to move forward with the Don as our venue. Nicole and Charles both held our hands every step of the way and helped us make our big decisions. We opted for a brunch-wedding and had unique requests in terms of our food and drinks and without question, they always, always accommodated our requests. Nicole would invite us to every bridal expo, and welcomed us and our Confetti Events coordinator 2 months before the big day for our tasting. We had a BLAST – Nicole truly felt like a friend to us, and we just so enjoyed working with her. At the tasting, we met the chef who was also incredible. It seemed every single team member we met was just top-notch, so kind, and so excited for us. I can’t say enough amazing things about the Don’s staff. Week/day-of, Nicole made sure everything was prepared for us and that we felt comfortable and happy again, making us feel so important and valued. The day was just perfect, literally in every sense of the word. There’s not a single thing the Don didn’t do right and we felt as if we were living in our fairy tale. Amelia was our catering manager for the day and also just so, so sweet. She and her team made sure that my husband and I were never without food or drinks and personally catered to us for the entirety of the day. And to top it all off, when all of our guests left and my husband and I wanted to enjoy a special moment together, their team brought out 2 chairs for us at the edge of the terrace, and champagne glasses, so we could just enjoy what had just been the best day. I can honestly say I will miss our wedding-planning team at the Don, and we look forward to stopping in yearly for our anniversary (and more!). Thank you, Don CeSar, for the wedding and memories of a lifetime – we’ll always cherish our special time with you!

We worked with Kelsey and she was amazing! She was quick to respond to my emails, always answered our questions and helped to ensure planning our wedding reception was an enjoyable process . We chose the South Terrace Ballroom so we had amazing views of the ocean. Most of our family is from up north so they appreciated the breathtaking views our venue provided. The food was beyond our expectations! Our guests could not stop talking about how delicious all the food was even long after the wedding. We were able to take gorgeous photos around the hotel and out on the beach. The grand staircase leading into the courtyard was the perfect location for our sparkler send off. We had an after party at the Rowe Bar that lasted until 3am and our families had a mimosa brunch the next morning at the Sea Porch cafe. The food at all the restaurants in the hotel were unbelievable. Kelsey was fantastic! She was there all morning and most of the night to ensure everything ran smoothly. The service was beyond exceptional! The entire staff at the hotel was friendly and courteous. I would highly recommend the Don CeSar for any event!!!

If you want your wedding to go flawlessly, service to be top notch and your guests to be truly in awe the entire time, book The Don Cesar. The Don Cesar is not the least expensive venue in the area, however, you get what you pay for and this place provides the BEST value for your money. As soon as we arrived, we were immediately treated like family/royalty and we felt as though we were the most VIP guests and the number one priority all weekend. Everyone we encountered from the bellman to the front desk to the pool / restaurant servers to the banquet staff to housekeeping to room service, EVERYONE was so genuinely excited for us and happy to be a part of the biggest day of our lives. I worked with Beth Clark, Senior Catering Sales Manager. She is absolutely wonderful, so knowledgeable, so responsive and above all such a good person. Words cannot express how much we appreciated her spirit and attitude while planning and throughout our day. She was always willing to work with us and for us. We hosted our Rehearsal Dinner (Sea Porch), Welcome Reception (Rowe Bar Pavilion), Wedding Ceremony (Courtyard) and Reception (Grand Ballroom) at the Don. This Hotel offers a wide variety of banquet spaces and food and beverage outlet options, each providing different looks and feels. Because of this, it was a no brainer for us to choose the Don for all events. It was extremely convenient. And we had the confidence of knowing the food, beverage and service would be outstanding for all events! Our guests will not stop raving about the food, it was fantastic!!!! Chef Ricky and his team knocked it out of the park. I could literally go on and on with more details and recommendations because I believe in this venue that much. However, the bottom line is the Don is the reason why our Wedding surpassed our expectations and was better than our wildest dreams. Thank you, Don Cesar Team; we will be forever grateful to you for making our big day the best day.

My wedding at the Don was more perfect than I could have ever imagined! Every part of the Don is beautiful, from the building itself to the lobby, the Grand Ballroom, the restaurants, the guest rooms, the courtyard, the pools, and the beach! The entire staff at the Don was wonderful. They were all friendly, helpful, and excited for us! We worked with Beth Clark who was amazing!! She was always quick to respond during the planning process, she was always patient, calm, supportive, and went above and beyond everything we asked! The day of the wedding everyone was extremely calm and excited because we were confident that Beth had everything prepared and under control. We are so glad we had Beth to help us from the weeks leading up to the wedding, to the rehearsal, the wedding day, and farewell brunch. The bartenders, especially Chad are also wonderful. The food prepared by Chef Michael at the wedding was delicious! Our guest all commented on how beautiful the facilities were and how wonderful the staff was. We would not have changed a single thing! Thank you to Beth and all the staff at the Don for working so hard to make everything perfect at our wedding and helping us create beautiful memories!

The beauty of this venue speaks for itself, it is simply breathtaking. It was my dream venue. Unfortunately, due to a buyout (no longer a Loews hotel) we experienced a lot of confusion during our wedding planning process as the buyout happened during our engagement. We had a few different coordinators during our wedding planning (I am assuming due to the operational changes), but all of them were wonderful. We ended up working with Angela who is very thorough and detail-oriented- she was great. The banquet staff is also wonderful, they took care of us and our guests and made everyone feel very special. Unfortunately, due to weather forecast (it never rained but due to their policy) our ceremony was moved from the Courtyard to the Del Prado room. Our reception was in the North Terrace Ballroom and it was gorgeous- the veranda was a hit with our guests while they watched the sun set. The food was SPECTACULAR but as far as the bar, if you want decent alcohol, be prepared upgrade to their top tier. This was a destination wedding and the booking process for all of our guests (including myself and my husband) was a nightmare. To be fair, I don't know if this was due to the changes in management during their transition in ownership and they were quick to resolve errors. The staff and the service is wonderful but their policies can be difficult to navigate (outside vendors, weather, etc.). But again, it is a beautiful place and even though we were moved inside, it was still lovely. I just felt like we experienced a lot of upheaval while we were planning and I don't feel like it was adequately acknowledged. In the end, my husband and I had a beautiful day that we will cherish forever and our friends and family had an amazing time which is all we cared about!

It was a dream. I can not say enough wonderful things about Lauren Jones and her crew. Lauren and I had smooth and productive relationship right from the start. I called her and said hi, do you think we can pull off a wedding together in 60 days and she said she's done it before in a week :) Lauren Jones is an intelligent amazing soul that is so wonderful to partner with. She is insightful and efficient in her productions. We had our cocktail overlooking the gulf on the veranda and then moved to the Grand Ballroom for a plated reception. The food and settings were spectacular. Our guests are still talking about it. The majority of our guest flew in from out of town and raved about the resort and beach. There is a spectrum of pricing for all budgets. Thank you, Lauren and crew.

First Class We couldn’t be more thrilled that we chose to have our wedding at the Don CeSar! The courtyard made a lovely, secluded spot for our ceremony, and the grand ballroom looked stunning for our reception. Our guests raved about how good the food and service was. Most of them stayed at the hotel, and we never heard a single complaint. Lauren Jones was incredibly helpful throughout the year-long planning process, answering questions and offering friendly guidance. Everything ran so smoothly that we were really able to relax and enjoy ourselves. From our first meeting through the end of the wedding weekend, the staff of Don CeSar made us feel welcomed and valued. Many guests have told us that ours was the most beautiful and fun wedding they have ever attended. What a great start to our marriage!

Everything I dreamed!! This place was spectacular we were married in the Courtyard and had our reception in the Grand Ballroom on 12/30/16 and it was everything I could have hoped and more! Lauren was an amazing consultant that held our hand during the entire planning process she made us feel right at home. I can't say enough about the Don and the staff that work there are so on top of everything. I felt like a celebrity for the whole weekend we were there!! They were so accommodating, professional, and quick to respond to everything we asked. If you want to be treated like royalty on your special day the Don is the place to go!

Our wedding reception at the Don Cesar was perfection. From the amazing setting to the event planning team our experience was amazing. The team at the Don CeSar did so much to make sure the day went smoothly and wonderfully. The Grand Ballroom looked more amazing than I could have imagined, and our guests raved about the food, setting and service. I'd highly recommend the Don CeSar and can't wait to visit for our honeymoon!

I got married at the Don Cesar over a year ago and keep meaning to write this review. It was the most amazing experience! My husband, parents, and I went looked all over Florida to find the perfect venue and nothing compared to the Don Cesar. It was perfect! The beautiful beach setting and the vintage beautiful resort were just what we were looking for. Our guests have not stopped raving about the beautiful venue. We had our reception in the grand ballroom and we were very happy with the feel of the room. We were also very happy with how the food turned out on the wedding night. Every single detail was perfect. This is mainly due to the AMAZING Lauren Jones. She helped us from the day we first toured the resort to the day of the wedding. She answered thousands of questions from my family and me and made sure to always help us with whatever we wanted. Lauren is truly the reason why the experience was so great!

I can not say enough about the incredible staff at The Don CeSar. We had our March 2016 wedding in the Grand Ballroom and everything was absolutely perfect! Lauren Jones was our coordinator and she made the entire process enjoyable and seamless. They take care of very detail for you. Choosing The Don CeSar for our venue was the best decision we made about our wedding.

My wife and I just recently got married at the Don and it was as perfect an experience as you could ask for. Every single member of the staff went out of their way to be helpful and courteous to all the members of our wedding party and the rest of our guests. Lauren in particular was incredibly responsive and helpful every step of the way from the day we booked the hotel until the very last event of the weekend. The food was out of this world, served hot and on time. We didn't have any complaints from any guest. Everything about the Don was perfect and I would recommend it to anyone as a wedding venue. We cannot wait to get back!

The Don was always pleasant to deal with throughout the wedding process. Heather watched the radar intently and was able to let us have our beach wedding despite a storm on the horizon. The timing was impeccable and when we made it under shelter as the rain started to come in she was there waiting for us with warm towels to dry off if needed. If we weren't going to be able to have our sunset this was the next best thing. All of our guests had an amazing time and everyone commented on how it was the best hotel catering they ever had. We were able to enjoy our entire day. One of the bellman even was able to sneak us a rare moment alone on the elevator! All the staff came together to make our wedding truly wonderful. We couldn't have been happier.

My wife and I had the opportunity to work with Heather Satterfield at the Don and she couldn't have been a better coordinator. She helped us with everything along the way and made the day of as easy as anything we have ever done. The location is spectacular and we had perfect weather to add as well. Wish we could do it again next year with Heather and her staff at the Don. We would definitely suggest doing your wedding through this wonderful hotel.

My husband and I were married at the Don earlier this month, and we (as well as our family and literally ALL of our guests) cannot find enough words to express how fantastically the resort and its staff hosted our wedding weekend. We had our rehearsal dinner (Sunsets Pavilion), ceremony (North Beach), and reception (King Charles) all at the Don, and wouldn't have changed a thing! Andrea Gabel was our catering manager, and she was phenomenal to work with throughout the entire year that we had to plan. (We love you, Andrea! Can't wait to see you again soon!) This was a destination wedding for us, and we only made two visits to the Don prior to wedding week, but the details all came together seamlessly. Our guests raved about the food both nights - we consistently heard from people that they had never attended an event where the chef and catering staff had done such a wonderful job preparing food for 90 guests (with multiple other events both evenings). During Friday and Saturday nights, all of the staff who worked our events were personable and did everything they could to make the evenings perfect. The Don is a remarkable venue in and of itself, but what made our celebration truly special were all of the people who made it a great success.

We had our wedding reception at the Don a few weeks ago and it was amazing! Every aspect of the weekend was perfect. We had several of our guests, some of which were staying at the Don and some of which were staying at their sister hotel, comment on how helpful and accommodating the staff were. They also said that all the food they had at the restaurants, during the cocktail hour, reception dinner and the late night appetizers we had at the reception were delicious! Several of them also said they would definitely be going back to stay and said it's the best wedding they have ever been to. This wouldn't have been the case if we didn't have our reception at the Don. Lauren Jones was our Event Coordinator and Beth Clarke was our Day Of Coordinator and they were absolutely great! We did something that hadn't been done before with changing rooms throughout the reception and Lauren, Beth and the staff pulled it off amazingly. They took care of any and every request that was made. It was everything and more than we could have hoped for!

My wife and I chose the Don Cesar hotel for our wedding. We worked with Heather who did a great job. Its hard to beat a place that looks like the Don Cesar! The service and attention to detail is also top notch. I would highly recommend getting married at the Don!Everyone loved the hotel and the food. My wife and I are very happy with the decision we made!!!

My husband and I got married on August 9, 2014 at the Don Cesar. The venue is absolutely breathtaking. From the moment you see it, you are in awe. The inside of the resort is just as beautiful! We got married in the King Charles ballroom, which had amazing views of the gulf. We then took pictures both on the terrace overlooking the beach and went down to the beach to take pictures by the water. Our reception was in the Grand Ballroom. Nothing compares to this room. The two-level ballroom is stunning. No other venue has such a gorgeous reception ballroom with such an elegant feel. The service and wedding planners were top of the line. They did absolutely everything to ensure that my day was perfect. There were no horror stories and not one thing went wrong because of the hard work and dedication everyone put in at the Don to make this day perfect for me. And it was just that: PERFECT. The food was delicious. Guests are still telling me how much they enjoyed the food at the wedding. And all of my guests have told me that it was one of the most beautiful, elegant, and amazing weddings they have ever attended. Most of our guests stayed at the Don and had nothing but wonderful things to say about the staff, the rooms, the pool, the beach, and the overall service they received while there. If you are looking for an elegant, classy, and beautiful wedding of your dreams, I highly recommend the Don. There is no other venue that even comes close to comparing to this venue!

We got married here 1 month ago and it was incredible. Every aspect of the weekend was perfect. Every guest said over the course of the weekend how amazing the Don Cesar was and how wonderful the people were, the food and atmosphere. It was the wedding of my dreams, and I know it wouldn't have been without them. They made every request and wish happen.

I just had my wedding at The Don. Not only is it a breathtaking setting, but the entire experience was everything a bride could ask for. 3 weeks later and we're still hearing from guests that it was the most beautiful beach, best staff and best wedding food they have ever encountered. Lauren Jones is hands down the best wedding coordinator out there. From day one through the end, the process was enjoyable. Lauren worked with me to meet my budget, took my eclectic decor and turned the room into a dream and made sure the wedding party members who missed the rehearsal were up to speed the day of the wedding. Did I know that my vendor failed to deliver the cake until 10:30pm the night of the wedding? No. Why? Because Lauren and her staff made a back up cake to ensure my wedding was flawless. The best part? Vendors love working with this venue because they provide best in class service in a first class setting. The entire experience was seamless and simply stunning. Anyone who is considering this as a wedding venue (or event),consider no more, book immediately!

The staff is the best of the best! You are treated like royalty here and I will never go anywhere else when traveling to St. Pete Beach! We had our wedding reception at the Sea Porch Restaurant and it was fantastic! The staff is amazing and the food was unforgettable! Thank you for making my big day so perfect and wonderful!

Everything was perfect at our reception at The Don Cesar! The ballroom was beautiful and the food was absolutely the best! All of our guests commented on how good the food was. The staff were excellent as well and very accommodating even for last minute changes. If you are looking for an elegant place on the beach for your reception, The Don Cesar is the place!

We recently got married at the Don Cesar and it was a memorable experience from the very start! Our wedding coordinator, Lauren Jones, did an exceptional job communicating and walking us through the whole process. She was patient and very organized and we could not have asked for a better person to help with our wedding day! She kept us calm and assisted in any way she could, from setting up our place cards in the ballroom to coordinating with other outside vendors. The staff was all wonderful, from the setting up of the ballroom to the wait staff who attended to our guests at dinner. The food is amazing and the venue itself is a beautiful historic hotel on the beach! But most importantly, the staff went out of their way to make us feel special on the weekend of our wedding. Our wedding experience at the Don Cesar truly exceeded our expectations and we are completely thrilled! Thank you for making our special day even more special and memorable!

We had our wedding at the Don in June 2013, it was absolutely amazing and i'm not being biased because it was my wedding. Our coordinator at the hotel was Lauren Jones and we also opted to have Beth Clark as a day of coordinator, both did a phenomenal job. We originally were supposed to have the ceremony on the beach but with unpredictable weather... hello it's Florida and kind of expected, we had the ceremony in the King Charles Ballroom (great back up option). The ballroom was absolutely perfect! Lauren and Beth performed miracles with the ballroom, I can't believe how great it looked with only hours to decorate since it was our back up. After the ceremony we had cocktail hour in the hallway outside of the Grand Ballroom. The reception was held in the Grand Ballroom holding 210 of our guests. Decorating of the ballroom was just how I imagined, Beth knows her stuff and was able to grasp my style and transform the ballroom to exactly what I wanted. The layout of the ballroom is unique with the 2 levels which allows plenty of space on the original hardwood dance floor. The upper level is great for "wall flowers" to stand against the railing and at the same time feel included while the rest dance the night away. Also in front of the dance floor is a stage for the band/DJ, such a great layout. We served a dinner buffet. The food was the best I have had at a wedding, the guests thought the same. We have had a ton of compliments on the food, not only the dinner but the cake was delicious too. We had our cake made by Chef Tara at the Don. I emailed Tara a picture/design of a cake I liked, I showed up wedding day and it was exactly what I wanted. We had a great wedding, the Don is beautiful by itself but what really makes it special is the staff they have there. One of many reasons we chose the Don was the welcoming and friendly atmosphere. It took us a lot of searching to find the perfect venue and along the way we visited some venues that seemed less than excited for us. That is not the case with the Don, from the second we walked in we felt welcome. The Don exudes impecable service. Lauren and Beth allowed for our wedding to be stress free! I know that sounds crazy a stress free wedding but it's true they worked with us in every way from customizing menus to coordinating our after reception party in a bar down stairs by the pool/beach. From Lauren and Beth to the hotel staff all of our guests were thoroughly impressed. If you are even thinking about the Don as a venue at least take the time to visit the hotel, it will be worth your while. Hope this helps everyone with their perfect venue search!

Andrea, our wedding planner was awesome and wonderful to work with! The customer service at this resort was hands down the best! We will be staying at this resort again!

I had my ceremony in the King Charles Ballroom and reception in the Grand Ballroom. Now the Grand Ballroom had character! I absolutely loved that the room had 2 levels with a stage and dance floor. The King Charles ballroom looked out into the St. Pete beach. Courtney Blount was my co-ordinator; very responsive, paid attention to details and always got the job done.

We held our reception at the Don Cesar and our out of town guests stayed at the hotel. We worked with Courtney Blount and her staff, who were knowledgeable and made the planning easy. The view from the South Terrace was breathtaking. We heard only the highest compliments on the food - a buffet lunch. From beginning to end, the service was exceptional. Our guests loved the location and the hotel. It is a lovely historic hotel so don't expect huge guest rooms. The trade off is one of the prettiest venues on the Gulf Coast.

Best decision we made to have our wedding hosted in Don Cesar, amazing view and beautiful hotel! Heather is so nice to work with. Will come back again for our anniversary!

We recently got married at the Don and from the start of our planning process to after our wedding the Don exceeded our expectations. We dealt with Heather through the whole process and what a wonderful person she was to work with. Being from Canada and planning a wedding in Florida Heather was there to answer any question we had and answered our questions right away which was so comforting. She explained everything and was just amazing at what she does. I cannot say how awesome Heather was to deal with and would recommend this venue to anyone who is looking for a beautiful spot to get married. All the staff at the Don were fabulous and very accommodating to our every need. During our reception dinner we were treated like royalty. Everything we asked for we received. Outstanding service!!!!! My dream of a beach wedding was full filled and much of that has to do with how Heather and the rest of the staff at the Don created it.

We got married at the Don in late April 2013. I remember as a little girl walking through the historic hotel and seeing a wedding. That image must have implanted in my brain because when my fiance started sending me other hotels in Florida, I immediately thought of the Don. The level of service and responsiveness from the first contact was prompt, professional and personalized. Heather was amazing to work with. We booked our ceremony on the beach and reception in the Sunset Pavillion. We visited in person April 2012 and our expectations already were blown away. The staff is so friendly and accomodating. We used post cards from the hotel as our save the dates. Heather was there for our rehearsal and worked so well with our officiant (my aunt) as well as our photographer/videographer/dj.They both commented on how easy Heather was to work with. She made a point to meet all of our party and our parents. We spent the night at the Don in a lovely suite. Having never stayed at a hotel like that it, it was comical when we entered the parlor and looked for the bed. Then we checked the other room # which was the bedroom. Luckily for us the bellman arrived shortly after we did and showed us how they connected. LOL The day of the wedding, I kept checking in on our spaces. The workers never acted bothered. Heather was there as well and there was a downpour in the morning and she assured me that we'd be fine for our outdoor space and that the backup rooms were set up just in case. We had just a few decorations and a game of sorts that I wanted them to put out and they followed my instructions/requests to a "t". While waiting for our "first look" photos, I waited in a room that was being prepared for a different event. The staff there was so friendly and kind. They talked to me while I waited and still worked. One man in particular was singing and that calmed me as well. And they showed me how I could peek through the doors to see what was happening!! Meanwhile Heather was taking care of last minute details and our party. When it was go time- she brought me into an air conditioned area to wait for the walk down the aisle. Again, the woman from the hotel folding napkins was so kind. They even brought me my favorite water from the pool area. Heather was there for the walk down the aisle- coordinating signals with our dj/photographer/videographer for perfect timing. She remained there for the rest of the event. We did a buffet style dinner (the only option being so far from the kitchen) and 2 members of the staff plated the food for my husband and me. I tried a little bit of everything and it all was spectacular. We had a slight panic when it came to the cake cutting though. We didn't have anything to cut the cake. Well, Heather thought of things that I didn't and there was a cake cutter right next to the cake to our pleasant surprise!! Reggie our "bodyguard" (what he introduced himself to my husband as) was fabulous as well. When our drinks were cleared from the table during cleanup he quickly replaced them as well as let us enjoy the space after our guests left. We spent some time with Jeff the lobby bartender who was awesome. When we went back to our room we were greeted with some surprises from Heather and wandered around the hotel with one of them. Even the night cleaning crew was friendly and accommodating, snapping some photos of us that we requested. Overall- we wouldn't change a thing and recommend the Don with no hesitation at all.

I worked with Lauren at the Don for a little less than a year to plan a perfect destination wedding. The entire planning process was wonderful and the moment I arrived at the Don, it just got better. Lauren and the entire staff at the Don are truly 5 stars. I felt like we were treated like royalty all week and my friends and family agreed. I took off a half of a star on value because the mashed potatoes at the wedding were definitely not the mashed potatoes I tasted at my tasting - they were instant for sure which was a disappointment. The rest of the food and appetizers were perfect. Despite the unfortunate high winds - the beach ceremony and reception went off without a hitch thanks to some last minute accommodations by the staff. All in all, I am thrilled that my new husband and I chose the Don. It is a day and weekend we will never, ever forget!

We decided to have two separate ceremonies; one that was very small and intimate while the other was the traditional reception back home. After weeks of being turned down by other hotels we contacted Loews Don Cesar. We were paired with Adrian, who is truly a God send. I am not sure I could have made it through the process without her. She made sure everything was running smoothly and kept us on track. She made my guest feel comfortable, made sure all of our needs were met, and kept my stress level down (finding a stain on your dress an hour before the ceremony can cause respiratory problems). After the wedding we had dinner at the Maritana Grille in the private dinning room. The food was worth every penny and the waitstaff went above and beyond what would be expected. We enjoyed a few days after our wedding staying at the hotel and considered adding on to the vacation. The hotel staff is very kind, and yes, always happy and helpful. We had a wonderful stay and cannot wait to return for our one year anniversary!

We decided to have two separate ceremonies; one that was very small and intimate while the other was the traditional reception back home. After weeks of being turned down by other hotels we contacted Loews Don Cesar. We were paired with Adrian, who is truly a God send. I am not sure I could have made it through the process without her. She made sure everything was running smoothly and kept us on track. She made my guest feel comfortable, made sure all of our needs were met, and kept my stress level down (finding a stain on your dress an hour before the ceremony can cause respiratory problems). After the wedding we had dinner at the Maritana Grille in the private dinning room. The food was worth every penny and the waitstaff went above and beyond what would be expected. We enjoyed a few days after our wedding staying at the hotel and considered adding on to the vacation. The hotel staff is very kind, and yes, always happy and helpful. We had a wonderful stay and cannot wait to return for our one year anniversary!

The day of the wedding the Don was still pink, I did get married, and it was beautiful. When you go in for your initial appt they make you feel like you are very important. This lasts until you sign the contract, then they don't answer emails, they don't care, and often you get attitude. I could go on about planning the wedding but let’s just say it was AWFUL. I chose the Don Cesar b/c I wanted perfection and I was willing to pay for it, however they did not deliver. They gave me a new coordinator and things got a little better. We met her at the tasting and during this we chose our meal and viewed the suite. I was happy with the food and said the suite would be perfect for my BM and I to get ready in b/c it had adequate mirrors and lighting as well as access to plug ins. The weekend of the wedding our room (that she had told me would be ready early weeks in advance) was not ready. I was told several times by a FD employee that "check in was not until 4". I told her I understood but due to other things, I had asked about C/I early and GUARANTEED that it would ready. She was like a broken record. Finally, another FD agent (the only one the entire time that was helpful) Regina, said yes, she had made sure it was ready. The first night was my BP, and when I lost my key, the FD agent said I was not listed on the reservation. Really? Yet another hassle. The next day we moved to a suite. We asked if it was the one she had showed us, with the view we had discussed, and were told that it was not, and that the one we had viewed was not available. The assistant FD manager, Ashley was absolutely unhelpful and condescending. These are the people they employ as managers?? The next suite was nice, however, NOT (again) what we had been told it was. The suite had large parlor rm that was connected to their regular, double bed (wedding suite- double beds??) room, with a small bathroom. If I had stayed any other time, this would do, but this wasn't just any stay. The parlor had no mirrors and literally ONE plug in. This would not work. At this point I had tried to contact anyone that would help and kept getting the same answer. (All of our suites are fully committed) Incredibly annoying. FINALLY, the manager (Jose) was there and got involved. He was very nice and looked at the inventory. Within 20 min we were in the suite we had been promised. We spent from 11am to 3pm dealing with this the day before our wedding. The staff was confused on which size tables to use, so my coordinator showed the tables we had sent dimensions of to my florist. I overheard the captain ask her “Why would WE be catering to a vendor?!” How is this even a question?! Vendors are an extension of the couple. During the reception, we were suppose to have Lobster Bisque as the first course, and what we received looked nothing like it did at the tasting. It was thin, like a stock or broth. Gross and embarrassing. The sides they put with our dinners were also not what we chose, which was confusing, considering I thought that was what the point of the tasting? They were edible though, which was a huge step up from the soup. I was called by the Director F&B. He didn't get the magnitude of my disappointment. He offered us a 2 nt stay (in a reg rm) with a dinner and brkfst. Dinner plates were 87, inclding 3 courses. How does this = a 2 nt stay? We have yet to receive an email from our planr as I was promised not that it’s very surprising.

Our wedding was on 11/11/11 at the Don Cesar. Being a destination wedding, we were concerned with making all 80 of our guests comfortable. The Don delivered despite 7 weddings going on during one of the busiest wedding days of the year. I have to highly recommend Lou from Seaside flowers,amazing. Courtney Blount was our catering manager and the food was awesome and her follow through spectacular. However, my top review goes to Beth Clark from Cheers events who works onsite at the Don. If You want someone willing to go above and beyond to make every detail of your wedding go off without a hitch, call Beth Clark. We were planning a wedding from Chicago and. old not have had a better person to count on. Overall, the wedding day was perfect!

The don was beautiful inside and out. The minute I pulled up to the pink castle I knew it was it for us. From the looks to the staff to the food to the beach it was amazing. The reception room was one of a kind we had the time of our lives we couldn't have picked a better place!

One of the reviews below hit the nail on the head – Luxury with affordability. We were essentially doing a destination wedding and wanted a beach venue. We looked at a few places and the Don stood out b/c it was right on the water, offered great amenities, was upscale enough but affordable for our guests. Everyone we dealt with was awesome! Quinn Noonan was our coordinator who was great all the way through but she ended up leaving the week before our wedding. We started to freak out but Courtney Blount took over and the transition was seamless and everything on the actual day went smoothly! We had a full weekend planned: about 140 guests flying in for a Welcome Dinner on Friday, Ceremony & Reception on Saturday, and then held a 40th anniversary brunch for my parents on Sunday. Quinn/Courtney were super nice and accommodating. We got a fantastic deal for our guests in terms of room rates as well as pricing for the food for the three events. We had originally planned to have the reception in the King Charles Ballroom but when table configuration became an issue, Quinn let us move to the Grand Ballroom, which was larger and a much better hall, at no extra cost to have the reception. Overall…the food was amazing, staff and service were great, and the facilities were a perfect place for a destination/beach wedding. Our guests couldn’t stop raving about the amenities, service, food, kid-friendliness and set up (beach and pools right there). I like to think of the Don as a 4/5 star for the cost of a 3 star place. We also considered the Ritz in Sarasota but don’t regret our decision with the Don at all. HIGHLY RECOMMEND and likely to go back to celebrate a future anniversary!!

Beautiful location and accomidations but pricey for a weeding.

I have always wanted to get married at the Don and it was just as I always imagined! Quinn Noonan, our wedding consultant, was professional, organized, and an efficient communicator. She came up with great wedding suggestions and I had full confidence in her ability to coordinate the day. For hair, I recommend Holli at Oceana Spa who did a lovely job making sure my up-do would survive the humidity and wind. The Don event staff went above and beyond to make sure my husband, our parents, and I were well taken care of during the cocktail hour and reception. The food was exceptional (I recommend the buffet option) and service was outstanding. All of our friends and family were very impressed. I would have hold any event at the Don in a heartbeat - worth every penny!

The Don CeSar Beach Resort is certainly the most beautiful property on St. Pete Beach. To top it off, the level of detail and service of the entire staff is exceptional. We worked with one of their catering managers who took very good care of us throughout the planning process. This was a destination wedding for us, so even from a distance, they made it so easy. I was extremely happy with the quality, service, and value that this resort provide. It made for a beautiful, memorable wedding weekend!

From the moment we started planning our wedding from 3,000 miles away, we knew it was going to be a challenge. That is, until we spoke with Quinn about hosting our event at the Don Cesar. She was calm, professional, and listened to us. (Something we learned that not every wedding vendor is good at doing). She took the time with us that we needed to make such a big decision from so far away. After speaking with a few other wedding coordinators at nearby hotels, the choice was clear. Not only was the Don a beautiful property, but no one else came close to matching Quinn's poise, knowledge, and professionalism. We felt confident that Quinn and the Don would make it an event to remember. While no wedding planning process is without hiccups, Quinn and the rest of the team at the Don took everything in stride. We feel like we made about a million changes, and they were calm and helpful during each one of those changes. It is very clear that Quinn knows this business and is very good at what she does. In fact, when we would mention that we were working with Quinn at the Don Cesar, the reaction from local vendors was all the same - "The Don is awesome, and Quinn is the BEST in this area". We would have to say that we agree! All of our guests left saying that it was the best wedding they have ever been to - the food, drinks and service was the best!! It was an amazing experience to have our wedding at the Don Cesar!

The Don is a classic and it was a beautiful spot on a beautiful day. The coordinator was WONDERFUL and did everything she could to make the day perfect. The only thing that was not great was the timing of the food service. It took two hours to eat, which left us with a shorter dance time because outdoor weddings have to end by 11 due to the noise ordinance. Be prepared to spend money, but you will be thrilled with the food and the service!

From my first conversation with Courtney - I knew I had selected the right place for my wedding. She made everything so easy - helped me with a vendor list, helped guide me on the menu selection and even found a way to have a special wedding cake made from my Mom's recipe. All my guests raved about the service at The Don - I couldn't have been happier with every aspect.

We were so blown away by the Don Cesar Beach Resort. We had an intimate beach wedding with about 40 people total. My husband and I are from Ohio so we depended on the Don Cesar for most of the planning and suggestions. We worked with the wedding coordinator Lauren Jones to help us plan as well as Denise Colonel to help us book our rooms for our guests. Denise offered us a very reasonably priced block of rooms for our families. Both Lauren and Denise are extremely kind and professional. I can't say enough about how wonderful the Don really was!! I will be back for my Anniversary!

beautiful location, easy to work with.