The elegant "Pink Palace," also known as the Don CeSar Resort, a Loews Hotel, is a historic, elegant, waterside spa resort on Florida’s Gulf of Mexico. It’s white sand beach, pool, restaurant and many other restful choices. But one in particular must be noted: the spa, in addition to offering a full range of “human” choices.
During a visit the St. Pete Beach, Florida’s fabled restored 1920s “pink palace,” Don CeSar Beach Resort, I enjoyed spa treatments especially designed to sooth sun-stressed skin; relaxed with in the steam room, sauna and Jacuzzi. Relaxing by the pool, beach combing, strolling the sugar-white sandy beach and swimming in the Gulf of Mexico completed my vacation. One morning friends and I drove to nearby St. Petersburg to tour the modern Salvador Dali Museum, outdoor malls and the waterfront.

The modern, European-style seaside spa specializes in rejuvenating body wraps, massages and reflexology. A friend from Canada enjoyed a two-hour massage (I was jealous, you bet!) on the beach, under a breezy e open-air hut. Balcony and in-room massage and other spa services in the room are also popular.

At the airy spa, for my day one treatment I indulged in a specialized facial customized for my skin,
After, I indulged in a 50-minute Harmony Mineral Wrap. This remineralizes, relaxes, replenishes and improves the circulation. The wrap features minerals rich in potassium, sodium and iron. Cost is $120.
On day two, I had a soothing aromatherapy massage. My spa masseuse used a relaxing, therapeutic technique with pure aromatic essential oil blends. “Designed to balance the nervous system, relieve muscle tension, and induce a deep sense of well-being,” they certainly achieved that for me during my 50-minute massage; cost is $115.

The hotel -- a romantic, classic treasure -- is a crowning jewel on Florida’s Gulf Coast and on the top-rated white, sandy beach. The Don CeSar Beach Resort & Spa, opened in 1928on quiet Pass-a-Grille Island, is a romantic treasure and a on the National Register of Historic Places and Historic Hotels of America. It’s a popular site for destination weddings and while here I watched two outdoor weddings in the “bridal” courtyard from my ocean-view fourth floor window.

Uncle Andy’s, an old-fashioned ice cream parlor is another on-stie charm. Here, I ordered, then slurped a raspberry ice cream cone and bought chocolate alligators to bring home. We enjoyed meals and Mojitos at the outdoor Beachcomber Bar & Poolside Grill. Indoors, the topnotch Maritana Grille served fresh seafood and other specialties. Touring the hotel, we heard the ghostly lore of the Don CeSar about the owner’s ghost roaming the rooms and halls.

The Don CeSar Beach Resort spa is open seven days a week. For a spa appointment, please call (727) 360-1883. If You Go: The Don Cesar, 3400 Gulf Blvd., Saint Petersburg Beach, FL, For reservations, call -866-728-2206 or visit www.doncesar.com, www.doncesar.com/Spa.