We’re in the midst of grappling with an issue that tons of families deal with when planning a Disney World vacation – what to do next? Given the high cost of taking the kids to Disney, we can only afford to do it for a few days (not to mention our sanity can only handle so much). But we definitely want our vacation to last more than 3 days, especially once we’ve paid for flights to Florida.

Originally the Florida Keys was high on the list of places to visit after Disney, but the word on the Internet machine is that it might be a bit boring for kids. The other idea was to drive down to Myrtle Beach, the scene of oh so many childhood vacations. But that can be a long drive and we might not want to spend that much time in the car right in the middle of our vacay.

After doing a quick Google search a new contender has entered the race – the Don Cesar hotel at St. Pete Beach. As an unapologetic Florida lover, I don’t know how I’ve never heard of it before, but it’s a stunner, and only a two-hour drive from the Magic Kingdom.

Also known as the “Pink Palace”, the Don Cesar is a magnificent piece of architecture that sits atop the “wind-swept dunes” and overlooks the Gulf of Mexico. Opened in 1928 it has a rich history filled with tall tales of movie stars and gangsters – everything you’d expect from a Gatsby-era luxury hotel. These days though it’s more of a family friendly resort with tons of activities for adults and kids. And supposedly they’ve got the best ice cream on the eastern seabord (that’s reason enough for me!)

As far as looks go it has completely won me over. Beautiful architecture, stunning views, and the beach right at your doorstep. That does it for me, and I think the kids will be sold as soon as they see the pools and the beach. I don’t know the area very well, but it looks like there are plenty of touristy things to do nearby (which, when I’m on a Florida beach vacation is exactly what I want), so we’re covered there as well. The only thing holding me back is the price. Our wallets might be hurting after Disney, and a luxury hotel commands luxury prices.

Has anyone stayed at the Don Cesar hotel? I’m dying to know if it’s as good as it looks, and more importantly, if it’s worth the price. If you have an opinion don’t hesitate to leave it in the comments!

All photos courtesy of the Don Cesar