The Don CeSar Beach House Suites

The Don CeSar opened in 1928 on St. Pete Beach, built by Thomas Rowe. Its main building is known as the Pink Palace and its design draws on Art Deco. The U.S. Army bought the hotel in 1942 for use as a sub-base hospital and later a convalescent center. It reopened as a full-service resort in 1973 after a restoration led by owner William Bowman, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. The resort describes itself as a Gulf Coast icon and says it is the only historic resort on Florida's Gulf Coast through its membership in Historic Hotels of America.

Spa Oceana opened in March 2008 and covers 11,000 square feet. It has 16 private treatment rooms for massage, facial and body therapies, including two deluxe couples' rooms. Separate men's and ladies' whirlpools and aroma-infused steam rooms are available. Guests start their visit at a wishing well, where they set an intention for their time there. The Seaside Whisper Lounge is a quiet space to use before or after treatments. The rooftop terrace has Gulf views and a menu of light fare, lunch, cocktails and mocktails. Secure lockers, robes and slippers are provided.

The spa's treatment menu is organized around body treatments, facials and skincare, massage and nail care, with a full-service hair salon alongside. Ocean Voyages are healing rituals inspired by oceans from around the world. The spa also offers wedding services and accepts requests for weddings, and private events can be arranged with a special events coordinator and custom packages.

Visit details to plan around: arrive at least 30 minutes before a treatment. Late arrivals are accepted, but the treatment time is shortened with no change in price. Cancellations need 24 hours' notice, otherwise the full scheduled cost is charged. A 22% service charge is added to all spa services and charged at check-out, based on the original pricing. Spa amenities are not coed, the spa is smoke-free indoors and out, and spa services do not include access to the hotel pools. Guests aged 4 to 12 may receive nail and salon services with a parent or guardian, and guests aged 13 to 17 may receive massage and facial services with a parent or guardian in the room. A bathing suit is required for services behind closed doors.

The wider resort includes the main hotel with standard rooms, suites and accessible rooms, and Beach House Suites a few steps from the Gulf at 3860 Gulf Boulevard. Dining includes Society Table, Maritana, the Lobby Bar, the Beacon Pool Bar and the Rowe Bar, and the resort hosts culinary events and wine tastings.

The spa frames its treatments as ocean-inspired rituals, pairing massage and body work with named packages that combine several treatments in one visit.

A historic Art Deco beachfront setting on the Gulf of Mexico, with a rooftop terrace overlooking the water.