St. Petersburg Hotels

The Don CeSar is a flamingo-pink palace masquerading as a hotel. Situated right on St. Pete’s powdery white beach, the building’s blend of Mediterranean-meets-Moorish design wouldn’t look out of place in Morocco or southern Spain. For families, reserving one of the self-catering beachside suites is a good idea—the experience is comparable to moving into your own, gorgeously outfitted house on one of Florida’s prettiest beaches (cerulean water, clean sand that runs through your fingers like fine sugar…it’s beyond). For the kids, it’s nirvana: game rooms, seashell hunts, sandcastle building, even their own all-day camp. The two swimming pools—overlooking that glassy, emerald sea—are as captivating for the adults as they are for children. Once the kids are tucked into bed (with one of the hotel babysitters keeping watch), parents can unwind and grab a drink in the lobby bar.