A wonderful place to hang out - Don Cesar Resort and Hotel

It's cool and it's romantic! Azur Blue skies, white beaches and sunshine are the perfect backdrop for this beautiful pink palace by the sea on St. Pete Beach in Florida. If you are lucky enough to be in town for the Superbowl next Sunday, be sure and visit one of their restaurants or the bar on the terrace with view of the beaches.

Just going there for brunch this Sunday made us feel as if we'd had a mini vacation.

It's a landmark hotel, built right before the depression in the late 1920s, located on one of the finest beaches in our area, St. Pete Beach.

Entrance

We headed straight up to the 5th floor for brunch.

The restaurant was beautifully appointed. The food was actually in a different room with dessert and a crepe station set up in the lobby. The seafood table was to die for, a fine selection of crab legs - loved those, shrimps, scallops, smoked fish, tuna and you name it. They offered a complete breakfast and dinner buffet.

I particularly liked the antipasto selection plus all the fruit - the mango was great -and cheese. The Thai game hen was delicious and so was the Prime Rib.

We sipped on bubbly and fresh squeezed orange juice....

We enjoyed the live entertainment - piano, sax and this fellow:

I walked down the outside stairs for a shot of the waterfront from above.

Stunning views.....

It was a beautiful day with lots of people taking advantage of the great weather - strolling down the beach, boating, water sports and beach ball.

The hotel has a couple of pools and spas with access to the beach.

One of the hallways

A partial view of the lobby.

We decided to head out to the terrace to have a look around.

The palms reminded me of a heart.

This place is huge - but it still manages to looks like a pink parfait:) - like something you'd find on the Islands in the Caribbean.

 Still on the way to the terrace and beach side bar area. 

These cabanas looked so enticing - I had visions of grapes dangling in front of my mouth ... never mind:)

Maybe we'll come back at sunset one day:)

I walked barefoot and stuck my toe in the water - it was still cold, well maybe just cool for you snow birds.

All this walking made me thirsty.

Time to head back for a drink at the bar before we head home.

We've stayed at the Don Cesar before and we loved it, but it's only 30 minutes from home so unless we're going there for a party .... 

One last parting shot ........

Here's their website  http://www.doncesar.com if you are ever in the Tampa - St. Petersburg area - don't miss this jewel by the sea.

By the way they make one of the best Margaritas anywhere ....

..... here are my treasures collected on today's walk.

All images by Rose H.

copyright 2009