Getting around St. Pete Beach and nearby sights
The Don CeSar sits on St. Pete Beach with direct beach access and two heated Gulf-view pools; getting around combines short walks (Pass-a-Grille is within a 10–25 minute walk) with local trolleys, the SunRunner transit line to downtown, rideshares/taxis, and rental cars for farther sights like Fort De Soto. On property you can move between beach, pools, restaurants, Spa Oceana, and rooftop areas easily on foot; the hotel concierge can arrange tours, water-sports and transfers.
In this guide
Arriving: airports, transfers, and parking
Two airports are commonly used: St. Petersburg–Clearwater International (PIE) is the closest by distance and drive time, while Tampa International (TPA) offers more flight options and is typically a 30–40 minute drive. Rideshare or taxi are the most direct ways from either airport to The Don CeSar; fares vary by time and provider.
The Don CeSar offers on-site self-parking and valet parking with in/out privileges for a nightly fee; complimentary parking is not offered. If you plan to rent a car, the hotel’s parking or valet service provides the most convenient option.
- Nearest airports: PIE (closer), TPA (more flights)
- Parking: self-parking and valet available for a nightly fee; no free parking
- Tip: confirm return transfer timing with concierge or pre-book a rideshare for airport runs
| Transport | Typical time from hotel | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Rideshare / taxi | 25–40 minutes to TPA; ~25 minutes to PIE | Direct, door-to-door transfers or flexible local trips |
| Rental car | Varies | Best for Fort De Soto, Shell Key, and regional day trips |
| Hotel valet/self-parking | Walk from lot to lobby | Convenient for overnight guests with cars |
Getting around on property
The Don CeSar campus is walkable: the main lobby links to restaurants, the pool complex, beach access and event spaces. Staff provide beach-lounger setup and there are two heated outdoor pools with poolside food-and-drink service.
Spa Oceana and the fitness center are on-site and included or bookable through resort services; the rooftop terrace and pool areas are reached on foot from guest rooms and public areas.
- Pools: two outdoor heated Gulf-view pools; poolside food and games available
- Spa: Spa Oceana with treatment rooms, rooftop terrace and whirlpool/steam areas (book ahead)
- Dining: Society Table, Maritana, The Rowe Bar, Lobby Bar, Uncle Andy's Market; in-room dining available 7:00am–11:00pm
| On-site spot | Quick note |
|---|---|
| Society Table | All-day dining, breakfast/lunch/dinner; reservations recommended for busy periods |
| Maritana | Dinner only (Wed–Sun); resort-casual dress code |
| Uncle Andy's Market | Ice cream, pastries, coffee; open early to late each day |
Rooms, balconies, and moving between room types
Many room types at The Don CeSar offer balconies or bay/Gulf views; examples include Suite, 1 Bedroom, Balcony (Gulf View), Grand Room, Balcony, and Penthouse (Gulf View Suite). If a private balcony or Gulf view matters, request the specific room type when you book.
For families, room choices include Luxury Room (1 King Bed or 2 Double Beds), Grand Room (1 King Bed or 2 Double Beds), and multi-room suites. The concierge can advise on locations within the property (poolside, bayside, beachfront) at time of booking or check-in.
- If you want direct Gulf views, ask about Suite, 1 Bedroom, Balcony (Gulf View) or Penthouse (Gulf View Suite)
- Family room options: Luxury Room, Grand Room, and larger suite configurations
- Pet guests: dogs and cats allowed (up to two per room, 50-lb limit); pets are assigned to ground-floor rooms
| Room name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Luxury Room | Available with 1 King Bed or 2 Double Beds |
| Suite, 1 Bedroom, Balcony (Gulf View) | Balcony and Gulf views — request at booking for view assurance |
| Penthouse (Gulf View Suite) | Large top-floor Gulf-view suite |
Local transit: trolleys, SunRunner, and rideshares
Public transit options include the SunRunner Bus Rapid Transit, which connects St. Pete Beach with downtown St. Petersburg; it runs frequently and is cashless. The Suncoast Beach Trolley also runs along Gulf Boulevard and can move you between nearby beach communities.
Neither the SunRunner nor some trolleys stop directly in front of The Don CeSar; you may need a short walk, local ride, or taxi to the nearest stop. Rideshare services (Uber/Lyft) and taxis are widely used for direct trips, especially with luggage or for destinations not covered by transit.
- SunRunner: frequent service to downtown St. Petersburg; cashless fares and day-pass options
- Suncoast Beach Trolley: runs along Gulf Boulevard between beach communities; check schedules for frequency
- Tip: ask concierge where the nearest SunRunner/trolley stops are and whether a short shuttle or ride is easier with family gear
| Service | Typical frequency / fare |
|---|---|
| SunRunner (BRT) | Runs every ~15 minutes; cashless fares (day passes available) |
| Suncoast Beach Trolley | About every 30 minutes; local fare applies |
| Rideshare / Taxi | On-demand; useful for direct trips or when transit stops are out of the way |
Nearby sights and day trips
Pass-a-Grille Beach is a short walk from The Don CeSar (about 9–25 minutes depending on the source and route); it’s a good option for a stroll, shops and nearby restaurants. Downtown St. Petersburg, The Dalí Museum, and other downtown attractions are roughly a 15-minute drive.
Popular regional day trips that are commonly arranged from the hotel include Fort De Soto Park (about a 15–20 minute drive), Johns Pass Village & Boardwalk (about 15 minutes by car), and boat tours to Egmont Key or Shell Key departing from nearby marinas.
- Fort De Soto Park: car or rideshare recommended; some areas have parking fees
- Johns Pass & boat tours: Hubbard’s Marina runs dolphin, Egmont Key and shelling excursions
- Tip: the hotel concierge can book guided boat tours, dolphin cruises, and shelling trips
| Attraction | Typical transport from hotel |
|---|---|
| Pass-a-Grille Beach | Short walk (about 9–25 minutes depending on route) |
| Downtown St. Petersburg / The Dalí Museum | About 15 minutes by car |
| Fort De Soto Park | About 15–20 minutes by car; public transit limited |
Practical tips: fees, accessibility, concierge help
A mandatory daily resort fee covers fitness-center access, daily yoga/aerobic classes, Premium Wi‑Fi (per hotel marketing), bicycle rentals, daily beach-lounger/umbrella rental, in-room bottled water and coffee, and other small amenities; check the hotel’s current guest communications for exact inclusions and the posted resort-fee amount.
The Don CeSar operates cashless and accepts credit/debit cards for charges; guests must be at least 21 to check in. The hotel provides wheelchair-accessible public areas and a wheelchair-accessible fitness center; contact the hotel for specific accessibility needs before arrival.
- Check-in begins at 4:00 PM; check-out is 11:00 AM
- The property can arrange tours, transfers, water-sports and tickets via concierge
- Pets: dogs and cats allowed (up to two per room, 50-lb limit); pets are assigned ground-floor rooms and have some location restrictions
| Guest service | Quick note |
|---|---|
| Resort fee | Mandatory daily fee; includes fitness classes, beach loungers, some in-room items and Premium Wi‑Fi per hotel materials |
| Cashless policy | Hotel accepts credit/debit cards; cash not accepted |
| Concierge | Can book tours, dining reservations and local transfers |
