‘Visiting the ‘Pink Lady’

Sheri Mercier
Published: July 24, 2008

The history behind the amazing Don Cesar Beach Resort and Spa will come as a surprise to you.

In 1942 the U.S. Army purchased this property — located in the St. Petersburg, Fla. beach area — for an assessed value of $450,000. It was used as a convalescent center for battle-fatigued World War II airmen. The Veterans Administration used it as a regional office once the war was finished, moving out in 1967 as the repairs were unaffordable.

Once abandoned, the building became even more run down and when the residents of the area thought it was going to be demolished, a preservation group found a buyer.

In 1973 the resort opened as a luxury vacation spot.

In 1994 it was named the Don Cesar Beach Resort and Spa, with a newly remodeled 4,000-square-foot addition. The multi-million dollar project included a signature restaurant, a second outdoor swimming pool, an all-inclusive shopping arena and function rooms, bringing the total space to 40,000 square feet! The grand entrance and staircase were also upgraded with emerald marble and other details in 1999.

Recently, the hotel has made more renovations to the lobby and done a makeover of guest rooms and bathrooms to the tune of another $20 million. It is truly a spectacular place.

Cassie Bowers and her family recently visited the resort and found the history behind the property fascinating.

The resort’s beauty was more then she ever expected and the service, personnel and friendly atmosphere made her visit truly enchanting in an unforgettable place. The resort’s romantic architecture and pink glow are hard to miss. What a great place to plan a long weekend or a wedding. It’s as impressive as the Royal Hawaiian Resort in Honolulu, without the long air-plane ride.

The resort hosts many activities, including a seven and a half mile beach and two beachside pools. The resort is child friendly with coconut painting, relay races on the beach and scavenger hunts. For the men, they offer sport fishing with a possible catch of marlin, sailfish and kingfish.

This resort is one of the few that let a bride plan a wedding anyway she chooses. There is no set package to pick from; it’s up to the bride to make all her wishes come true.

Some of their recent weddings included a hot air balloon ride and a Scottish ceremony with bagpipes and family tartan kilts. Other themes have been a Tex-Mex Fiesta, a steak cookout, a traditional Persian Muslim ceremony and an authentic Italian celebration.

They will cater about anything you can imagine and make your day really unforgettable.

Consider this remarkable resort, nicknamed “The Pink Lady.” Its flamingo pink exterior, imperial turrets, clock tower, terraces and rows and rows of Palladian windows encased with French doors are a sight to behold. This resort is not far from us and you won’t be disaspointed in it.

Sheri Mercier is the owner of Accent Travel in Culpeper. She can be reached on 727-8871 or