The Don CeSar of St. Pete Beach, Florida, revealed its latest update in mid-February—the opening of the 7,400-square-foot Royal Ballroom, the hotel’s largest indoor meeting space. The addition comes as part of a phased reopening that began last March, after the hotel shut down for several months beginning in September 2024.
“Kicking off 2026 [after] the unveiling of our renovated public spaces and with the new Royal Ballroom marks a defining moment for The Don CeSar,” says Barbara Readey, general manager of The Don CeSar, in a prepared statement. “As a symbol of St. Pete Beach for nearly a century, [The Don CeSar] welcoming guests back in this new era is deeply meaningful for our team. We’re honored to share the next chapter of the ‘Pink Palace’ with travelers and the community alike.”
The Royal Ballroom provides dramatic Gulf vistas, customizable menus, soaring ceilings, abundant natural light, entertainment services, audiovisual technologies, and full-service event support, as well as easy access to the adjacent Grand Ballroom Foyer & Veranda, where attendees might enjoy pre-event cocktails and networking. The Royal Ballroom has capacity for up to 420 people, while the hotel’s other two ballrooms, the Grand Ballroom and the King Charles Ballroom, can hold up to 500 and 150 guests, respectively.
Planners will notice the resort’s fully reopened public spaces also have had a makeover. First-floor dining outlets Society Table and Rowe Bar, the hotel’s retail spaces, and pools and pool decks all saw upgrades last year, as did the landscaping, public-space furnishings, exterior, courtyard, health club, and The Don Club.
The ground-floor Society Table, led by Chef Susan Burdian, now offers a menu of coastal comfort food that includes specialties like grouper tacos, crab cakes, and a selection of flatbreads and sharables. Rowe Bar provides a refined sports bar experience and relaxed social atmosphere, serving up favorites like smoked chicken wings, burgers, and inventive cocktails. Coming soon, the Rowe Pavilion will offer planners and attendees access to outdoor seating with fire pits and ocean views for casual gatherings.
