Saint Pete Beach hotels

If there was a flagship luxury hotel for St. Pete Beach, it would have to be The Don CeSar, or just “The Don” to those in the know. Otherwise known as The Pink Palace for its comprehensive color scheme, The Don dates back to the Gilded Age of The Great Gatsby and has maintained that distinctive, casual elegance ever since.
Its 277 rooms include 316 full suites, all with beach-themed decor, as well as deluxe bathroom amenities and beautifully designed tile showers. Grand public rooms are complemented by equally upscale dining, notably at the 4-Diamond-rated Maritana restaurant and the uber-cool Rowe Bar.
Spa Oceana adds the necessary level of pampering, designed to rejuvenate and restore (don’t miss the Couples Seaside Retreat for a truly dreamy two hours). Its ultimate recommendation, though, is the simple ability to walk straight out of the hotel and onto several acres of private beach bliss.

21st century chic and laid-back Floridian charm meet and mingle in The Saint, a superb boutique hotel choice nicely set just off the main thoroughfare of Gulf Boulevard. This St. Pete Beach original is just a five-minute walk from the beach and wowed us from its high-profile opening, providing a fresh, new take on contemporary charm.
With its low-rise profile and vintage flair, it offers art-adorned suites and a pool deck festooned in neon pink umbrellas. On the second floor, the bar-restaurant, 82 Degrees, features a healthy slice of the city’s foodie scene, along with some of the best cocktails on the Gulf Coast.
I adore the rum-and-guava infused Talk About Bruno, and the Key Lime Daiquiri. Suites include a separate bedroom, as well as lounge and dining areas that open out onto a poolside veranda.

Fans of classic Mediterranean style will feel right at home at Hotel Zamora. This elegant four-story, Spanish-influenced gem is set on the intracoastal waterway just a short stroll from the main beach, so it’s well positioned for the area’s main attractions while being nicely set back from the hustle and bustle.
Its 50 rooms maintain the boutique styling throughout the public areas and add the extra touches of walk-in spa showers, air purification systems, aromatherapy, and plush bathrobes that emphasize the European vibe. Rooftop yoga classes make full use of the gorgeous open-air top deck, which really comes into its own in the evening, when bar service ensures the perfect cocktail to enjoy with the setting sun.
A spacious pool deck and all-day dining at the feature Castile restaurant – including an outdoor waterfront patio – are the other features that really turn our heads and keep us coming back for more.

The recently renovated Bayview Plaza Waterfront Resort is ideal for secluded St. Pete Beach boutique style. Featuring just seven immaculate suites, the Bayview is situated on the intracoastal waterway for instant eye appeal, while also being just 200 feet away from those idyllic Gulf Coast sands on the other side of the barrier island.
Each room is a spacious studio apartment with well-equipped kitchenette. The resort’s amenities include a modern fitness room, barbecue area, heated pool, and private fishing dock, where we have seen both manatees and dolphins enjoying this tranquil waterway. Even better, Bayview Plaza guests can enjoy all the facilities of nearby sister resorts Plaza Beach Hotel – Beachfront Resort and Bay Palms Waterfront Resort.
At Bay Palms, there is the distinguished touch of a private marina, while the Plaza Beach Hotel adds the luxuries of a private beach and a magnificent pool deck that overlooks it.

When you need that calm, private oasis to relax after a day enjoying the many delights of St. Pete Beach, you need The Villas at St. Pete Beach. This boutique collection of 10 exclusive studios, one-bedroom suites, and one two-bedroom, two-story beach house is the stuff of beachy dreams for families and large groups, with all the comforts of home in a charming Old Florida package.
Centered around a lush, tropical pool – but also only a few minutes’ walk to the beach – the villas offer fully equipped kitchens, trendy retro decor, and super-comfy memory-foam mattresses – our recipe for a blissful night’s sleep.
We especially love this location for keeping visitors at the heart of the action for shopping and dining, with a choice of more than a dozen restaurants within a few blocks, including our long-time favorites of Crabby Bill’s and Shrimpy’s Waterfront.

Among the best St. Pete Beach boutique hotels, the Plaza Beach Hotel stands out for us as a true family-owned gem that always seems to go the extra mile for guest comfort. In truth, it’s hard to go wrong with the idyllic beachfront location, which features one of the most action-packed stretches of beach St. Pete has to offer.
With just 39 fresh, spacious suites, this especially suits those looking for a longer stay, as the rooms all offer kitchenettes and full-size fridges, as well as barbecue grills on the property for guests to enjoy al fresco.
If the sea is just too far away at low tide, the pretty pool area provides the perfect beach overlook, as well as the place for a cocktail at sundown. The clincher for us is that it is just a five-minute walk from Dolphin Landings, and the best dolphin-watch sailboat cruises through these waters.