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.

Among the freshest and most modern resorts along St. Pete Beach’s shimmering 5.5-mile stretch, the Hilton Garden Inn stands out as an example of a contemporary brand that really knows how to pamper guests in that beachfront idyll.
When they say they are “only steps from the beach,” they mean you’ll barely get into double figures before you hit sand – and we believe that is the ultimate test of a hotel’s seaside credentials. Add in the tropical setting, chic pool deck, and charming beachfront bar and grille – Coconut Charlie’s, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner – this has all the elements we need for a truly relaxing seaside vibe.
The 144-room hotel was extensively renovated in 2021, ensuring the hotel keeps its 21st century image polished. If nothing else, sample their weekend brunch, complete with their own twist on classic cocktails.

Proving that you don’t need to be big to be beautiful, the Bay Palms positively revels in its small-scale charms and keeps things perfectly low-key, while also boasting one of the largest private fishing piers in the area. One of St. Pete Beach’s standout boutique hotels, it offers just 15 spacious, tropically-chic rooms right on Boca Ciega Bay on the intracoastal waterway.
Each room has its own living space and bedroom, plus a kitchenette, and all were recently renovated to a high standard. The beach is barely five minutes away but, if that is too far, the resort’s outdoor pool can help you stay cool and relaxed in the water.
Other amenities are a fitness room and barbecue grills for guest use, as well as access to the facilities of nearby sister hotel – the Plaza Beach Resort. We especially like the fact the Publix supermarket is barely three blocks away for self-catering convenience.

While technically there isn’t a ‘Boutique District’ in St. Pete Beach, there is a terrific selection of chic boutique resorts in the historical Corey Avenue District, – and that’s where you’ll find Gulf Winds, right in the middle of this laid-back neighborhood with its specialty shops and quaint restaurants.
Tucked away just off Gulf Boulevard, but super-convenient for all nearby amenities – notably the cute Corey Avenue Sunday Market – this is a beachfront gem that keeps a low profile but high quality. Rooms are a mix of studios and one and two-bedroom condos, each with a full kitchen for maximum self-catering value, while the low-rise property is set amid beautifully landscaped courtyards.
The outdoor pool offers beach views, and there are barbecue grills and shuffleboard for extra fun. Best of all (in our opinion), there is absolutely nothing to interrupt those blissful Gulf of Mexico vistas and nightly spectacular sunsets.

When you’re ready to be in the heart of the St. Pete Beach scene, the Gulf Strand Resort is superbly situated for both location and activities, from parasailing and jet-skiing to kayaking and dolphin-watch cruises. Set right on the immaculate white sands of Central St. Pete Beach, the hotel offers great self-catering facilities in its selection of one-bedroom condos, all of which feature full kitchens, living/dining room, and a balcony or patio with extensive views to either side of the island.
If you are not ready to do your own cooking, there are dozens of restaurants within walking distance or a short drive, including our long-time favorite Crabby Bill’s (for excellent local seafood) and, for a special night out, the deluxe Maritana restaurant at the Don CeSar.
With an elegant pool deck and private boardwalk directly onto the beach, there’s every reason to just kick back and enjoy the classic seaside vibe.