Spa Oceana at Don CeSar Beach Resort, A Loews Hotel in St. Pete's Beach, Florida
Julie Register visited this resort spa in Florida in June 2008

It's been seven years since I last visited the Don CeSar Beach Resort in St. Pete's Beach, Florida (you can read about that visit HERE). They had just completed a $20 million renovation that included upgrades to the entryway, elevators and lobby and rebuilding all the guest rooms from the studs out and adding granite and marble bathrooms, custom furniture, upgraded beds and high-end linens. At the time, there were plans for the following year to double the size of the 4,000 square-foot spa that had been there since 1994.

2002 came and went and no new spa appeared at The Don. In fact, six more years would pass until the new spa was unveiled in 2008, the 80th anniversary of the "Pink Lady." I think Spa Oceana was worth the wait.

View of Spa Oceana from room 610 at Don CeSar Beach Resort

*Entrance to Spa Oceana at Don CeSar Beach Resort

(click on the photos to see larger images and go to the photo gallery)

The $11 million, 11,000 square-foot, 16 treatment-room, Spa Oceana is actually a free-standing building. Since The Don is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building couldn't be altered. They built the spa so only about a half inch separates it from the original structure. The result is that the spa looks like it's always been there but still meets the historic listing requirements. At the time of my visit, Spa Oceana was the largest spa on the Gulf of Mexico.

Back in 2001, I offered my own "wish list" of six things I would like to see in the new spa. Just for fun, let's see if I got my wish ...

1. In 2001, I asked for the "Addition of a comfortable relaxation/waiting room playing soft music - a place to wait for treatments and "recover" after them. Chairs should facilitate relaxation. DON'T include a TV."
   
   Spa Oceana has two comfortable co-ed waiting areas. The first is located on the main level convenient to the locker rooms and the salon and offers elixirs to drink. The second, the Whisper Room, is located on the second level convenient to the treatment rooms and offers snacks, tea and infused water to drink while you complete your Personal Care Questionnaire and wait for your treatment or relax afterwards. Neither has a television.
   
   

   Waiting Area in Spa Oceana

   *Whisper Room at Spa Oceana

   
   
2. In 2001, I asked for "an additional private area outdoors with lounge chairs accessible only from and convenient to the spa."
   
   Spa Oceana has a fabulous co-ed Rooftop Lounge with lots of comfortable seating, a fountain, a fire pit, outdoor treatment tents and a stunning beach view. This versatile space is the perfect place to enjoy a meal from the spa menu.
   
   

   Spa Oceana's Rooftop Lounge

   View from Spa Oceana's Rooftop Lounge View from Spa Oceana's Rooftop Lounge

   
   
   
3. In 2001, I asked for "A Vichy shower so you don't have to hop on and off the table to clean off after a wet treatment."
   
   While I didn't see a free-standing Vichy shower at Spa Oceana, there was one integrated into the Thermal Capsule . Nine treatment rooms have showers.
   

   
   Thermal Capsule in Spa Oceana

4. In 2001, I asked for "Lockers big enough to hang clothes in."
   
   Spa Oceana's lockers are still half length, the same as they were in the original spa. However, they offered sufficient room for my belongings.
   

   
   Women's Locker Room at Spa Oceana

5. In 2001, I asked for "Facials performed at the spa (then only offered in the separate salon) so there can be facial/body treatment combinations in the same location."

   Of the 16 treatment rooms in Spa Oceana, three of them are equipped for facials. Each treatment room has its own climate control and four channels of music to choose from. The salon is also located in the new building and is equipped with hair, manicure and pedicure stations. You can enjoy a full spa day in the same facility.

   Facial Treatment Room in Spa Oceana

   Spa Oceana's Salon with Pedicure, Manicure and Hair Stations

   
   

6. More separation of men's and women's areas. 

   Spa Oceana has a very large women's changing area that includes lockers, a private changing room, vanities, showers, a chromatherapy steam room and a whirlpool overlooking the beach. The men's area is reported to have similar facilities.

Whirlpool in the Women's Wet Area at Don CeSar Beach Resort

Women's Wet Area at Spa Oceana (Chromatherapy Steam Room down the steps and to the right)

I think the Don CeSar Beach Resort did a spectacular job of making my spa wishes come true. Additionally, Spa Oceana also has a lovely Reception Area and nicely-stocked Retail Boutique where I purchased a couple of very comfortable Oka B sandals.

Spa Oceana Reception

Ocean Spa Retail Area

Spa Oceana offers two Couples' Suites, one with a balcony overlooking the beach.

One of Two Couples Treatment Rooms with Balconies at Spa Oceana

Massage Treatment Room in Spa Oceana

Finally, Spa Oceana offers a Four-Room Treatment Suite that can be closed off for groups - a brilliant use of space, in my opinion.

Four-Room Treatment Suite for Groups at Spa Oceana

Body Rituals Spa Oceana Signature Body Ritual Island Escape Precious Treasures 24K Golden Mineral Glow Body Envelopments Fountain of Youth SeaSlim Detox Oceanic Cellulite Relief SeaBronzer Exfoliations OceaMarine Coastal Garden 24K Golden Mineral Bath Rituals Marine Detox OceaQuench OceaCalm Balneo Botanica Retreats The Royal Bride The Honeymooner's Gentleman's Retreat "Personalize Your Own" Retreat Skin Care Rituals Spa Oceana Signature Vie Ritual OceaRepair Age Prevention OceaQuench OceaCalm OceaPur SeaLuminous Back to the Basics MarineMan Enhancements Eye and Lip Treatment Self-Healing Therapy Fruit Glycolic Peel Paraffin

Body Massage Rituals Spa Oceana Signature Spice Island Massage Ritual Aromatherapy Massage AromaStone Massage Massage Specialties Thai Massage Dual Massage Reiki Massage Mommy-To-Be Massage Reflexology Soothing Scalp Massage Canine Massage Traditional Massage Therapy Swedish Massage Deep Tissue / Therapeutic Massage Sports Massage Couple's Massage A La Carte Thermal Capsule Nail Care Rituals Manicure Pedicure 24K Golden Mineral Bubbly Sea Sand Floral Blossom Coastal Treasures Hair Removal Make Up Services Hair Care Services Hair & Scalp Treatments

The Fitness Center is still located in the same place as it was during my 2001 visit - next to the original spa. It offers state-of-the-art Precor Cardio equipment, Cybex strength training and free weights. All Precor stations are outfitted with individual flat screens and cardio theater for personal viewing and feature: 2 Precor Treadmills, 2 Precor Ellipticals, 1 Precor Cross Trainer, 1 Precor Stair Stepper and, 1 Precor Recumbent Cycle. Personal Training is available.

Health & Fitness classes include Body Sculpting, Water Aerobics and Yoga. I participated in the Yoga class on the beach. It was lovely hearing the waves while we held our poses.

It was the second yoga session for me. The previous day, The Don had arranged a group KaYoga session. We kayaked for about 45 minutes, had a yoga session on the beach and kayaked back. It was a great experience.

Kayaks for KaYoga

*Yoga during KaYoga

The Don also offers catamarans, aquabikes, kayaks, paddle cats and parasailing and runs sailing and waverunner clinics. If that's not enough, golf, tennis, fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving are nearby.

Don CeSar Beach Resort offers a large selection of accommodations - 277 Seaside Rooms including 40 Suites and 2 penthouses. The last time I stayed in #215, a roomy suite. This time I stayed in #610, a cozy room that was much smaller but still had all the amenities I needed.

Room 610 at Don CeSar Beach Resort, A Loews Hotel in St. Pete's Beach, Florida

Room 610 at Don CeSar Beach Resort, A Loews Hotel in St. Pete's Beach

The Don CeSar Beach Resort has three restaurants. I tried two of them - The Maritana Grille and the Sea Porch Cafe - as well as the room service spa menu and the King Charles Brunch on Sunday. All the food was delicious.

The Don CeSar Beach Resort also offers four lounges, two pools (with underwater speakers), The Shoppes at The Don, Camp CeSar Children's Program and conference and meeting space.

Don CeSar at Night

*Maritana Grille at Don CeSar Beach Resort

During my visit in 2001, I noticed "Come all ye who seek health and rest, for here they are abundant" written on the entrance arch of the historic Don CeSar Beach Resort and Spa. I noted, "It's as relevant today as it was in the 1920's when Thomas Rowe built the resort on what is now known as St. Pete Beach, Florida - perhaps even more since the addition of the spa in 1994." I now must update it to say, "It's as relevant today as it was in the 1920's when Thomas Rowe built the resort - even more since the addition of Spa Oceana in 2008."

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