Perched like a pastel-colored palace overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, The Don CeSar is more than just a luxury resort — it’s a storybook beauty cloaked in whispers of the past. With its iconic pink exterior and age-old charm, this landmark hotel on Florida’s St. Pete Beach is a favorite for sunseekers, romantics, and yes — ghost hunters. Nicknamed the “Pink Palace,” this glamorous structure has witnessed nearly a century of decadence, transformation, loss, and allegedly… lingering spirits.
If you’re the kind of traveler who loves a side of history and hauntings with your mojito by the sea, The Don CeSar should be high on your must-visit list. Welcome to the place where elegance meets the otherworldly.
The History
Birth of a Dream: The Roaring Twenties
The Don CeSar opened its grand doors in 1928, a gleaming monument to the opulence of the Jazz Age. It was the brainchild of Thomas Rowe, a real estate developer with a romantic soul. Inspired by Mediterranean and Moorish architectural styles, Rowe designed The Don CeSar as a tribute to timeless romance and unrestrained luxury. Construction began in 1924, costing over $1.25 million—a staggering amount at the time.
The hotel quickly became the playground for the rich and famous, drawing in names like F. Scott Fitzgerald, Clarence Darrow, and even gangster Al Capone. With its lavish ballrooms and unparalleled views of St. Pete Beach, The Don CeSar earned the nickname “The Pink Palace” and became the place to see and be seen.
The Love Story That Inspired a Legend
What adds a romantic — and eerie — layer to The Don CeSar’s history is the legend of Thomas Rowe and his lost love, Lucinda. Before becoming a hotelier, Rowe fell in love with a Spanish opera singer while studying in London. Her name was Lucinda, and their passionate affair was the stuff of Victorian novels. Tragically, her family forbade the relationship and whisked her back to Spain. She later died of illness, heartbroken and still longing for Rowe.
Stricken with grief but inspired by their love, Rowe eventually built The Don CeSar as a tribute to Lucinda. Some say her influence shaped the architecture and spirit of the place—quite literally.
War and Resurrection
The prosperity didn’t last forever. After Rowe died of a heart attack in 1940, The Don CeSar fell into decline and was later taken over by the U.S. Army during World War II. It was used as a military hospital and later as a Veterans Administration office. For nearly three decades, the grand hotel faded into obscurity — a faded pink castle in a state of disrepair.
But like all great legends, The Don CeSar had a second act. In 1973, it was rescued from demolition by a group of preservationists and visionaries who restored it to its former glory. By 1975, it reopened as a hotel once more, and today, it stands as a registered National Historic Landmark, blending modern luxury with rich historical legacy.
The Haunt
While The Don CeSar is breathtaking by daylight, it reveals a more mysterious side after the sun sets over the Gulf. It’s not just the echoes of Jazz Age music you hear in the halls — some guests (and staff) claim they’ve encountered remnants of the past that just won’t leave. For paranormal investigators, this iconic resort holds as much specter as it does splendor.
The Ghost of Thomas Rowe
Many claim that the ghost of Thomas Rowe himself lingers within the very walls he built. He’s often seen wearing a light-colored linen suit and Panama hat, quietly strolling the staircases or the garden courtyard. Several guests have reported encountering this well-dressed gentleman only to realize later — no such man checked into the hotel.
Most sightings happen late at night or in the early morning hours, often around the grand staircase or near the lobby. Though Rowe’s spirit is said to be peaceful and calm, his watchful presence adds a certain chill to the air, especially for those sensitive to energies of the past.
The Gentle Face in the Mirror
One of the most unnerving yet oddly comforting ghost stories centers around a housekeeper who, in the 1980s, reported seeing a woman in vintage clothing brushing her hair in one of the guest room mirrors — only to turn around and find the room empty. Other staff members have corroborated strange occurrences in that same section of the hotel, including lights flickering without cause and faucets that turn on and off on their own.
Lucinda’s Lingering Love
Given the legend of Lucinda, it’s not surprising that guests occasionally report seeing a mysterious woman near the beach gazebo or the upper balconies. Dressed in flowing white or period attire, she’s seen looking out over the ocean, as if waiting for something — or someone. Paranormal researchers suggest this could be the spectral presence of Lucinda, forever reconnecting with her love in the only place their souls could meet across eternity.
The Phantom Phone Calls
Older staff from the pre-digital telephone days claim to have received calls from unoccupied rooms — a classic haunted hotel trope that strikes fear directly into the hearts of anyone working the night shift. The reports describe whispering voices, static-riddled silence, or the sound of old-time music playing faintly in the background. Upon investigation, the rooms in question are often vacant, with no guests checked in.
A Ghost Hunter’s Dream
Whether it’s disembodied voices, shifting shadows, or sudden cold spots on the warm Florida coast, The Don CeSar offers fertile ground for paranormal exploration. The hotel’s cooperation with ghost tours and respect for its lore makes it especially welcoming to investigators. Anecdotal stories continue to pop up, especially around anniversaries and during times of renovation—which many believe disturb the spirits.
Why You Should Visit The Don CeSar
If you’re looking to combine a love of historical luxury with a dash of the macabre, The Don CeSar is calling your name — possibly from Room 514. This seaside gem offers everything an adventurous traveler could want: sun-soaked beaches, luxurious accommodations, fine dining, and a side of supernatural mystery. Where else can you sip a cocktail while watching a Gulf Coast sunset, then possibly catch a glimpse of a 1920s gentleman vanishing into a corridor?
Whether you’re a seasoned ghost hunter or just ghost-curious, this iconic pink hotel is a must-see. It’s a place where time feels like it folds over itself — where the past is not only remembered but maybe, just maybe, still lives on.
So pack your EMF reader alongside your flip-flops. Check in at The Don CeSar, and check out the paranormal possibilities. Just be prepared — the spirits here have been waiting for you for nearly a century.