The Loews Don CeSar Hotel on St. Pete Beach, nicknamed the “Pink Palace,” was recently named the 2015 winner of the “Best Historic Hotel in America” in its size category by the Historic Hotels of America trade organization. The 277-room hotel, located at 3400 Gulf Blvd., was built in 1928 and is a landmark for visitors and locals alike.
“The Don CeSar Hotel is a national treasure,” said St. Pete Beach Mayor Maria Lowe. “We are proud to have this iconic piece of architecture in our home town. The Pink Palace welcomes all who cross the new Medal of Honor Bridge as a beacon of serenity for those who visit and live in our city.”
Historic Hotels of America hosts an annual ceremony to recognize hotels across the country that have maintained their authenticity, sense of place and architectural integrity. In order to be nominated for the award, a hotel must be at least 50 years old, either designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in, or eligible to be listed in, the National Register of Historic Places.
The Don CeSar was recognized with a framed award and now joins the ranks of 266 other hotels in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands that have received this recognition.
“We are honored to be part of the landscape of St. Pete Beach for the past 88 years. It is so great to be recognized by the prestigious Historic Hotels of America,” said Jeff Abbaticchio, the Don CeSar’s director of public relations. “The hotel’s team members are ecstatic. We are proud of all we have done to maintain the historic integrity of the Don CeSar while implementing modern amenities for both visitors and locals to enjoy.”
