Side trip to Don Cesar Beach House???

[3Mousketeers]

Has anyone stayed recently at the Don Cesar Beach House? This is a sister resort located near the hotel on St. Pete Beach. We want to do a beach side trip for a few days during our next trip to Orlando in June 2005 and my husband can get a great rate at the Beach House through work. My problem is the reviews on tripadvisor are awful. I've been to the hotel which is beautiful but never to the Beach House. The Beach House consists of 1 BR units directly on the beach with kitchens, washer/dryers etc. They look wonderful from Don Cesar's website but the reviews are awful. I would love to hear from any fellow Dis'ers who have been there lately. BTW, I looked into staying on the other coast at Disney's Vero Beach Resort but Disney wants $300/night for a 1BR and I've tried the folks on the DVC board but alas, no availability.

 

[Kasmir]

I haven't been there, but grew up on Clearwater Beach and spent a ton of time in that area.

What exactly are you looking for in your accommodations? Because that is a VERY touristy area... The Don is known for being overpriced.

Let me know and I may be able to offer some other alternatives...

Sheila

 

[3Mousketeers]

Hi Sheila - We're spending 1/2 our trip at Hard Rock Hotel at Universal & thought the kids (& us) would like a little time at the beach and a little time to spread out. We want a 1 or 2 BR in a nice resort or condo community preferably with a washer/dryer. Our kids are 7,5 &2. Hoping for a mix of "luxury" for us and family friendly (i.e. the Don has a cool sounding kids club). Looked into Vero Beach resort but $300 for a 1 BR there seemed like alot & I don't think the beach is as nice. The Don came up b/c my DH can get a $155 rate for the 1 BR Beach House Suites. If you know of someplace else I would love to hear about it.
Shari

 

[Kasmir]

Hi, Shari-

Yes, I do know of several places, but that $155 rate really can't be beat. I thought that you'd be paying more than that. Any of the luxury places that I would recommend would be more expensive than that. Can your Loew's First card be applied to the Beach House also?

One of our favorite places is on the north end of Clearwater Beach -- the residential end -- and would not be considered "luxury", but I'll tell you about it anyway! It's very kitschy and Old Florida, but is located directly on the beach, with the pool separated from the beach by only a gazebo-pavilion. We've stayed at the Haddon House Inn several times. As a former Floridian, I recommend it highly. Perfect for children (each condo-like unit has a kitchen, also). The Haddon House Inn does have a website: www.haddonhouseinn.com. My children could spend (and have spent) every day doing nothing but going from the pool at the Haddon House to the beach to the pool to the beach. We've stayed at the former Doubletree, the Radisson and the Sheraton, but it's the Haddon House that we keep returning to. It's just very comfortable for our family and in a quieter area. I hate having to vie for beach space with other beach-goers. They do not have children's programs, though, so that might be a big minus for you.

It's much quieter and allows you to experience a more authentic Floridian vacation. Less neon-touristy. Frenchy's (grilled grouper to die for & our very favorite), Berns (pricey, but wonderful for a very special occasion), and Crabby Bills (casual, fun) are wonderful places to eat, regardless of where you stay -- since they're close to both areas.

One thing is for sure: The beaches on the West Coast, particularly in the Clearwater/St. Pete area are absolutely gorgeous white sugar sand beaches. The East Coast beaches, such as Vero Beach, tend to be hard-packed tan sand with many crushed shells - which can be really hard on little feet. So you're absolutely right about the beach being nicer...

We often stay in Loew's Hotels and I would be very surprised if you had a bad experience there. On the plus side, Pasegrille Beach is just a hop, skip and jump from the Don and is an absolutely gorgeous beach.

 

[3Mousketeers]

You gave me alot to think about. The Haddon House looks adorable - I sent in a rate request. I agree - we definitely want to avoid the "neon touristy" stuff (even though we're tourists from CT). You get caught up in everything you think the kids want when all they really want is a pool and a beach! I'm thinking though we won't beat the rate at the Don. Its an employee rate from the company my husband works for. I didn't even think about my Loew's first card (or that Hard Rock is a Loews Hotel). This vacation is sounding touristy after all!! The restaurant referalls sound great though & we will look into the Haddon House too.
Thanks for all your advice. Shari

 

[kdudley3]

Shari

I answered your question on the other post about beaches.

Take a look!

Kim

 

[Melynny]

Hi we stayed at the Don Cesar Beach House while I attended a conference in Tampa. We were there for 5 nights. It was really great. The rooms were clean and in good repair, the staff was freindly and the beach was awesome. I have pretty high standards, concerning cleanliness and over all quality and the beach house suites got high marks. It is still a beach hotel, w hich means sand is everywhere. 2 things that were strange.... the television in the living room was very small, maybe a 20" and there was no chair in the living room. Just a sleeper sofa. We were in one on the smaller one bedrooms, there are different sizes and it was small it had a queen size bed with a very nice materess. There was a washer and dryer and a full kitchen also. the shower was good, with lots of pressure. Parking there was kind of a pain, since there was barely enough. Considering the other places on st. pete beach, this one is a gem!

 

[3Mousketeers]

Hi we stayed at the Don Cesar Beach House while I attended a conference in Tampa. We were there for 5 nights. It was really great. The rooms were clean and in good repair, the staff was freindly and the beach was awesome. I have pretty high standards, concerning cleanliness and over all quality and the beach house suites got high marks. It is still a beach hotel, w hich means sand is everywhere. 2 things that were strange.... the television in the living room was very small, maybe a 20" and there was no chair in the living room. Just a sleeper sofa. We were in one on the smaller one bedrooms, there are different sizes and it was small it had a queen size bed with a very nice materess. There was a washer and dryer and a full kitchen also. the shower was good, with lots of pressure. Parking there was kind of a pain, since there was barely enough. Considering the other places on st. pete beach, this one is a gem!

Thank you! Thank you! I've been hoping for a recent review that would put my mind at ease (or make me cancel!). We got a great rate but tripadvisor has some scary reviews about disrepair and general dirtiness. I'm thinking maybe there were some renovations. Otherwise, the tripadvisor reviews make no sense. You made me feel so much better about taking my family there. Thanks again!

 

[denisenh]

Here is my review from a year and a half ago. I liked it and would go back...but it is SO expensive!!


01-28-2004, 11:17 AM
denisenh
DIS Cast Member
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: So NH
Posts: 1,210 Although I hadn't read raving reviews about Beach House Suites by The Don CeSar, we stayed there August 2003 and thought it was really wonderful. My first impression was not great due to the exterior hallway entrance and general style. It is an older building that has been updated/modernized, but once inside, it was so easy to make ourselves right at home, then I got used to the charm of the building. I honestly would have been very happy to live there. The condo was clean and bright. We had one bedroom with a queen bed, fully applianced kitchen including dishwasher, 1 bathroom with washer and dryer in the closet, and an open concept living/ dining area with a pullout sofa bed. It was spacious enough for the 4 of us, 2 adults and 2 kids. Our balcony faced the pool with an ocean view to the right. I think most suites have at least a partial ocean view due to the property layout. The balcony is large enough to accommodate a lounge chair and table and chairs and is just perfect for a quiet breakfast. I wake early and would sit out on the balcony with coffee and watch the world come alive, the birds, the ocean, the pool guy. That's my favorite time of the day. The kids enjoyed having lunch on the balcony as well. There is an order form for groceries left out on the counter, but we did our own shopping down the street at Publix.
The staff is very nice. The gift shop was small but has essentials and souvenirs. The pool was a lot of fun and not crowded at all, just an elevator ride and a few steps away. There were floats for the kids to play with. The building sits on a nice quiet section of St. Pete Beach. It was great to be outside all day, either by the pool or beach and just walk inside to make lunch or supper and then go right back out. We had an awesome time. Guests have full access to the Don CeSar resort down the beach. We did walk down one afternoon to look around but the pools there were crowded and we really had all we needed at the Beach House. We made one side trip to Lowry Park Zoo and had a nice day there. DH found a frog the size of a pea in the parking lot there...never saw that before.
Anyway, I would recommend this condo/suite and they have nightly and package rates. Here is a link...Don CeSar Beach House Suites
We have also stayed at Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites St. Pete Beach (needed updating but staff is wonderful, made me a club sandwich late at night and it was not on the menu, kids eat free at Holiday Inn, restaurant with excellent views, sandy path to beach) Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort (on beach, had a good stay) and Radisson Suite Resort on Sand Key (great prices on room service menu, water view off balcony.....starting directly under it, nice boardwalk along the water to shops, Sand Key beach a short walk or trolley ride across the street).
There are so many places to choose from. I'd be happy to answer any questions if it would be helpful.

 

[3Mousketeers]

Thanks so much for your review. Can you tell me what you thought of the pool? Would 7 and 5 yr old boys be entertained? My boys love a cool pool (ie. waterslide etc) but I'm having a heck of a time finding nice condo-like accomodations in this area with a good pool.

 

[denisenh]

We like cool pools too, but the pool isn't cool. It was nice but no slides squirties or anything. The Don Cesar hotel didn't have a cool pool either.
It is difficult to find a resort on the beach with a cool pool.

If you head down further, into Bonita springs, the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point has a fun pool, beach entry with water slide among its selection of pools. Or the Hyatt Coconut Plantation, a vacation club resort. It has the most awesome lazy river pool. It also has a squirty water play pad and 2 other pools surrounded by beautiful decking. But both are off the beach.
It is a boat ride away to their private beach. We have stayed at both and I love both of these resorts. The boat ride was a plus for me, because it is just beautiful. We would see dolphins playing and the scenery was nice.

We stayed at Radisson Suite Resort on Sand Key which is now a Marriott. We didn't use the pool as we decided to walk across the street to the beach, which was beautiful. The pool looks nice and the boardwalk, I loved.

On the other coast the Sheraton Bal Harbour has a great fun pool and is on the beach. We loved that place as well.

In the keys, Hawks Cay resort is fun for kids too. We had a wonderful time there.

And I haven't stayed at Ron Jon's in the Cocoa beach area, but that looks good too with a lazy river pool and all.


if I think of anything else, I'll add it. Happy to answer questions.

 

[Kasmir]

Hi!

I know that you're not staying that The Haddon House, but for anyone who may have read this thread and was interested in it, I received this e-mail today about our trip in December:

HI, SHEILA-
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTACTING US ABOUT YOUR VACATION IN DEC. SADLY, THE HADDON HOUSE INN HAS BEEN SOLD TO DEVELOPERS AND WILL BE DEMOLISHED/MOVED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR TO MAKE WAY FOR 15 CONDOS.
CLEARWATER BEACH IS RAPIDLY BECOMING ANOTHER "SAND KEY" WITH ALL OF THE HIGH RISES AND TOWNHOMES. WE'LL MISS YOUR FAMILY THIS YEAR...
THANKS, SALLY

I think that I'm going to cry!

We have made so many family memories here - our children will be heartbroken. They love the Welsh owner of the Inn (and his Dalmation), who lives on site.

Sheila

 

[JennSaint]

We like cool pools too, but the pool isn't cool. It was nice but no slides squirties or anything. The Don Cesar hotel didn't have a cool pool either.
It is difficult to find a resort on the beach with a cool pool.

If you head down further, into Bonita springs, the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point has a fun pool, beach entry with water slide among its selection of pools. Or the Hyatt Coconut Plantation, a vacation club resort. It has the most awesome lazy river pool. It also has a squirty water play pad and 2 other pools surrounded by beautiful decking. But both are off the beach.
It is a boat ride away to their private beach. We have stayed at both and I love both of these resorts. The boat ride was a plus for me, because it is just beautiful. We would see dolphins playing and the scenery was nice.


QUOTE]

If you are looking for a great pool I'd travel further south to the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point. We stayed there for 8 nights in February 2004 and we loved it. The hotel is beautiful. We got a rate of $140 per night on Priceline or Hotwire (can't seem to recall which one). It's fabulous. Check out the Hyatt website.

 

[denisenh]

I think that I'm going to cry!

We have made so many family memories here - our children will be heartbroken. They love the Welsh owner of the Inn (and his Dalmation), who lives on site.

 

[3Mousketeers]

QUOTE]

If you are looking for a great pool I'd travel further south to the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point. We stayed there for 8 nights in February 2004 and we loved it. The hotel is beautiful. We got a rate of $140 per night on Priceline or Hotwire (can't seem to recall which one). It's fabulous. Check out the Hyatt website.[/QUOTE]


Should I be worried about using Priceline or Hotwire for the Hyatt? I'm thinking b/c there are no other similar resorts in Bonita Springs it would be a pretty safe bet. The rack rate is $235 which is way too high for us b/c we need 2 rooms but I could definitely do $140. Would love to hear any advice you have b/c the place looks beautiful!

 

[denisenh]

The 2 times that I stayed at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, I was there on priceline. Both times I won at much less than $100. Those days are gone, no doubt.
I think that you are correct though, there is no resort competition in Bonita Springs. If I were you I would check www.biddingfortravel.com and see what's what as far as bidding in that area. You would have to accept the risk of an unknown hotel resort winning the bid and of course you may not get anywhere with bidding for a resort in that area.
We also stayed at a beautiful 2 bedroom, 2 bath "condo" at Hyatt Coconut Plantation, the vacation club resort in the same area. We had a great rate of $250 or something like that which I got on the Hyatt website. If you want to go for that you could check www.Expedia.com for availability there. I would go back anytime. I was just a wonderful place.

 

[ChickieToo]

We have stayed at the Don Cesar many times. After my DD6 was born we started staying at the DC Beach House--usually after 3 or 4 days at Disney. It was just more practical with the kitchen and washer/dryer. We go there almost every year and I too think that it is a great alternative when you have kids. It is clean and quiet, and the decor is light and airy. The units that face the beach directly are larger with two bathrooms and a larger living area with a couch and loveseat--both fold out. Although they don't have a "cool" pool, it is a different kind of experience. We usually spend most of our time at the Don Cesar resort--they have a shuttle, or you can drive, or you can walk down the beach. This has become our standard method of travel back and forth. It is about a half mile, but we walk in the water, and hunt for shells and take pictures and it's just great to be out there. While at the Don Cesar we go back and forth from the pool to the beach to make sand castles, etc. We run a tab at the pool bar and get our drinks and eat lunch there. Yes, it is a little pricey, but no worse than any other tourist destination. Once DD get a little older, we plan on staying at the Don Cesar hotel again, but until then this is great. I've recommended it many times and I've never had any complaints.

If you have any other questions, let me know.

Joanne