Loews Don Cesar, St Petersberg

[keishashadow]

wasn't sure where to ask this

http://www.loewshotels.com/en/Hotels/St-Pete-Beach-Resort/Overview.aspx

has anybody stayed here in conjunction w/trip to Universal?

was thinking of possibly working in a beach day to just chill on upcoming summer trip, haven't been to St Petersberg area since i was a kid & really don't remember much about the area; just looking for a down day...is this a good choice? note: the rate i saw combined w/youfirst seems reasonable.

trying to figure out how long of a drive (and whether an easy one) from Universal (2 hrs ) non peak mid afternoon or later in evening. I was surprised when we drove to rental car spot near Tampa airport it took us nearly 1-1/2 hours (mostly because of hitting traffic Sunday am pouring out of WDW area-guess everybody was checking out @ once & it was really slow going for awhile)

 

[mommy*RN]

This post will in no way help you...so I apologize up front.

Our trip in 2006 we drove from Disney to St. Pete's. It wasn't a bad drive there. Went fast. I love St. Pete's as the ocean is always more calm since it is gulf side. Anyhoo I remember hitting some pretty good traffic (rush hour) on the way back to Disney -- but that was around dinner time.

I also remember seeing the Don. It sticks out in my head because shortly before our trip I was reading a book (can't remember the name...but it was Chick Lit) and there was a meeting between the main character on her old flame at "The Don". That's why it was neat seeing it. I remember it was very pink...but looked nice.

Like I said -- this in no way helps -- but I like to hijack threads and remember past trips of my own.

 

[Darcy03231]

A co-worker stayed there on her vacation and said that although it was nice, she didn't think it was worth the price they paid (I believe it was in the vicinity of $350-$400/night).

When we stayed in Clermont (about 15 min west of WDW) we found it took us about an hour without traffic to get to Busch Gardens in Tampa. From there we went to my Uncle's house in Clearwater which took us about another half an hour.

 

[ky07]

wasn't sure where to ask this

http://www.loewshotels.com/en/Hotels/St-Pete-Beach-Resort/Overview.aspx

has anybody stayed here in conjunction w/trip to Universal?

was thinking of possibly working in a beach day to just chill on upcoming summer trip, haven't been to St Petersberg area since i was a kid & really don't remember much about the area; just looking for a down day...is this a good choice? note: the rate i saw combined w/youfirst seems reasonable.

trying to figure out how long of a drive (and whether an easy one) from Universal (2 hrs ) non peak mid afternoon or later in evening. I was surprised when we drove to rental car spot near Tampa airport it took us nearly 1-1/2 hours (mostly because of hitting traffic Sunday am pouring out of WDW area-guess everybody was checking out @ once & it was really slow going for awhile)

I don't know if this will help or if this is his first stay but rpbert1 is staying there this year according to his sig.

 

[damo]

We tried to stay there but couldn't get a good price. I am pretty sure that Motherfletcher has stayed there but I haven't seem him around lately. I think they got a suite and said it was lovely.

 

[rpbert1]

I have booked here for July, like Lawerence said. never been at the beaches in Florida, always meant to go but never got around to it, so decided to book hotel and have a few days doing nothing.
For July got a AAA rate of $198 +tax free suite upgrade and half price resort fee for Platinum Youfirst status.

lawerence, will miss you by 2 days this year , as we arrive on the 30th, maybe next year

 

[keishashadow]

thanx all

rpbert-i saw AAA rates slightly over $200 pretax midweek end of june

noticed they had single Queen bed rooms about $50 less a night. The AAA rate im seeing for 2 nights is giving a $50 credit + youfirst benefits, one night isn't.

I had hoped that in combo w/AAA rate they'd also offer a $100 platinum credit ala the MCO properties. Know the Miami site offered it for day i checked this coming Dec. . Guess ill have to call & inquire if DH decides it's a go

from what ive read in Frommers the hotel has quite a bit of history, dating back to 20's, was used as troop housing/offices, etc. & extensive rehab. Did say the rooms were very smallish, think 250 sq ft; yet 7 acres of beachfront-wow!

looks very nice to me , thanks for all the info (even mommyRNs stroll down memory lane no information is bad information!)

guess i'll give youfirst & the hotel it'self a call to see what rate they can dig up...i'll post back

 

[macraven]

This post will in no way help you...so I apologize up front.

Our trip in 2006 we drove from Disney to St. Pete's. It wasn't a bad drive there. Went fast. I love St. Pete's as the ocean is always more calm since it is gulf side. Anyhoo I remember hitting some pretty good traffic (rush hour) on the way back to Disney -- but that was around dinner time.

I also remember seeing the Don. It sticks out in my head because shortly before our trip I was reading a book (can't remember the name...but it was Chick Lit) and there was a meeting between the main character on her old flame at "The Don". That's why it was neat seeing it. I remember it was very pink...but looked nice.

Like I said -- this in no way helps -- but I like to hijack threads and remember past trips of my own.

my kind of homie.
a clone of me


welcome to the darkside.......


my excuse of changing subjects in threads is blamed on my blondness...

 

[ky07]

I have booked here for July, like Lawerence said. never been at the beaches in Florida, always meant to go but never got around to it, so decided to book hotel and have a few days doing nothing.
For July got a AAA rate of $198 +tax free suite upgrade and half price resort fee for Platinum Youfirst status.

lawerence, will miss you by 2 days this year , as we arrive on the 30th, maybe next year

Sorry we are going to miss you guys this year and think we will miss barb this year too.
DW asked if I knew your last name yet so she could leave you and your DW something and I told her nope cause she is sad that we are missing you guys by 2 days .

 

[keishashadow]

do u hear a little voice in the DISerness saying:

"i'll be there on 6/27 to 6/29"

ps i booked it 2 nights, got great rate w/plat upgrades by calling hotel directly!

 

[damo]

here is what Motherfletcher had to say

My daughter and I stayed at the Pink Lady on New Year's Eve. The hotel is old and has more history than most Florida hotels. I remember going there in the early 60's with my dad when it housed the Veteran's Administration. Most of his military paper work was lost in Pearl Harbor.
As Plat's they gave us a Jr. Suite with bedroom, parlor and a large bathroom. I think that most of these suites are not the same like PBH since the hotel has been retrofit and updated several times since the 20's. Some of the rooms are small. Being New Year's Eve they were busy and somewhat flustered. We couldn't get our room until 7:30 when it was supposed to be ready by 4. A guy, who was Plat as well, was waiting for a room too and made a scene and they gave him and his wife free dinner at their fancy restaurant. They had to fit him with a jacket and dress shirt. I asked for the same compt without the theatrics and they were more than willing to comply. We didn't want to eat at the fancy restaurant so they gave us free dinners through room service. Excellent food! They gave us popcorn, the local LF amenity which was salt water taffy and we got a free movie of our choice.
The beach at St. Pete is great and we found lots of shells and the water was flat as a lake.
Miami is the best but Don Cesar is worth going to just for the historic value. Plus they say its haunted

 

[ky07]

do u hear a little voice in the DISerness saying:

"i'll be there on 6/27 to 6/29"

ps i booked it 2 nights, got great rate w/plat upgrades by calling hotel directly!

I hear it now Seriously I didn't know you where going to be there and agian sorry

 

[donaldduck352]

Some of my fav beaches are in the St Pete area,second only to Destin(the Emarld Coast)The sunsets alone are breathtaking

 

[keishashadow]

Some of my fav beaches are in the St Pete area,second only to Destin(the Emarld Coast)The sunsets alone are breathtaking

my DH is thrilled by the news he's talking beach & beer

guess its not really the season to see manatees up north (crystal river i think?); as i recall i read during the winter is when they hang

the ressie guy suggested to not to come thru tampa/airport area after 5 pm to avoid getting hung up on the bridge(s)...good advice? said only a 1/2 hr past the airport with the wind in our sails

I hear it now Seriously I didn't know you where going to be there and agian sorry

hope to see u & ur lovely mrs

damo - thanks for posting MFs comments

 

[ky07]

my DH is thrilled by the news he's talking beach & beer

guess its not really the season to see manatees up north (crystal river i think?); as i recall i read during the winter is when they hang

the ressie guy suggested to not to come thru tampa/airport area after 5 pm to avoid getting hung up on the bridge(s)...good advice? said only a 1/2 hr past the airport with the wind in our sails

hope to see u & ur lovely mrs

damo - thanks for posting MFs comments

See ya there

 

[mommy*RN]

my kind of homie.
a clone of me


welcome to the darkside.......


my excuse of changing subjects in threads is blamed on my blondness...

I'm glad I'm not alone!!

Plus they say its haunted

Now I want to go!!

 

[keishashadow]

Now I want to go!!

they've got ghost hosts

ocd planner i am dug around on the hotel site & found a different deal AAA Leisure for a few $s more a night, yet gives bigger discount: $50 resort credit, $100 platinum one & the 1/2 price resort fee

jik anybody is planning on booking here, the standard upgrade is what they term a Superior King Suite...on the site it's listed as Deluxe Suite King

Lavishly appointed Bayside Junior Suite with ceiling fan and beachhouse inspired decor. 479 luxurious square feet with sea blue-stripe pullout sleeper sofa, playful wrought iron furnishings and plantation shutters. Most with breezy private balcony overlooking the Boca Ciega bay.