If you haven’t gotten sick of my Instagram pictures of the Don Cesar hotel, I think with this post we’ve finally reached our peak. But what’s better than a last minute getaway, your favorite summer hat & tote and a gloriously pink hotel? You’re right, NOTHING.

A few weeks back my husband and I found ourselves on a Friday, with a few more days off than normal because of the 4th of July holiday, and an eagerness to do something a little spontaneous. After a stressful couple of months with work and other life things, we decided to treat ourselves with a little getaway to enjoy some alone time together and enjoy some of the beautiful sunshine state we often take for granted. We booked what had to be one of the last open rooms at the Don Cesar during the holiday weekend, packed our suits, a good book and hit the road.

I love a long weekend getaway, especially when it’s spontaneous. Travel in general is definitely a love of mine, but with work and other things going on in the year, and saving for a house, we can’t always plan to get away. That’s why we try to take smaller trips, within driving distance, to explore the areas closest to us and give ourselves mini-breaks. Even if its just two or three days, getting away ALWAYS revives me and makes me feel like we took this long vacation (even though we didn’t).

This trip was no exception. Though the resort was packed for the holiday weekend, we couldn’t have a care in the world and enjoyed every last salty drop of the weekend. The Don Cesar is truly a stunning hotel located on the beautiful St. Pete beach. As you drive up it looks like a pink palace (which it’s also often called) and the experience from getting out of your car to the beach is absolutely the best. Some of my favorite features include:

• The style and cleanliness of the rooms: Having to travel some times for work, I’m NOT a huge fan of hotels. I’m a nutso about cleanliness and despite the bleach smell that sometimes hits you when you get into the room, hotels always feel dirty to me. I’d much rather be in my own bed. But not at the Don Cesar. I’m pretty sure their beds are more comfortable than my own and I absolutely love the decor.
• The Pools: The hotel has two pools (adult only and general) and they have great lounge chairs, an awesome pool bar and a staff that visits you regularly to check if you need towels or to order something without being pushy. They always seem to know when I’m craving my Corona light…..
• The Beach: The hotel sits on a beautiful stretch of beach where the water is clear and absolutely gorgeous. It’s private for hotel guests only and you can rent a cabana or chairs to enjoy for the day which the staff helps you with.
• The Sunset: The views of the sunset from the hotel are absolutely stunning. See it on the beach, the balconies, the firepit bar area, it’s all amazing and something we made sure to catch every night.
• The Lounge Bar: The lobby of the hotel is so nice and the lounge bar is an area that is so fun late night. They have live music, great drinks, and a great people watching scene (anybody else shamelessly love people watching?!)
• The Spa: Though I didn’t visit the spa this trip, I did my first time there for my bachelorette and it was absolutely wonderful. It’s so nice and the staff is so accommodating and kind, so I’ll definitely be back to experience it again (AFTER we buy a house).

The instagram-ableness (I made that up but it should TOTALLY be a thing) is also a plus, I found new spots around every corner I just knew my photographer sister would die for. Those pink stripe awnings?! I mean COME ON.

 

The hubs and I had an absolutely wonderful weekend getaway. We read books we’ve been wanting to read, got some sun (through lots of SPF), dipped into the ocean, watched sunsets, actually slowed down and enjoyed dinner and great conversation and just generally relaxed together which was exactly what we needed.

This post isn’t sponsored at all, it’s just my review on a great experience we had that I thought I’d share because if you are thinking about a short getaway or a trip to Florida, this may HAVE to be on your list.

Do you get super revived from a short weekend getaway?

 

XO,

JESS

 

SHOP MY LOOKS