Be Tickled Pink by These Florida Hotels

The Don Cesar Hotel at St. Pete Beach, on Florida's Gulf Coast, is one of the many historic pink hotels across the state. The color pink is thought to symbolize tranquility, peace and warmth, which is why the exteriors of many of the hotels built in the first quarter of the 20th century were painted in rosy hues. Courtesy of Visit St. Pete-Clearwater/TNS

Oh, pink. It comes in a wide scope of hues, from the palest blush to the most vibrant magenta to the sweetest of strawberry ice cream. Pink is almost always associated with love, especially love and playfulness, sweetness, and romance. Pink blossoms in bouquets of roses, calla lilies, or stargazers are perfect for anniversaries, special celebrations, and weddings. Pink diamonds, pearls, and sapphires make the most exquisite jewelry.

Pink also evokes happy emotions of warmth and tranquility, which is why myriad inns, resorts, and boutique hotels choose that particular shade as their signature color. As the weather begins to cool down and romantic getaways in sunny Florida ramp up, you and your sweetie might want to consider one of the iconic pink hotels for a Sunshine State escape this fall and winter.

The Don CeSar, St. Pete Beach

Rising like a scepter from the sparkling white sand of St. Pete Beach, the legendary and luxurious Don CeSar first opened in 1928 during Florida’s Gatsby Era. Often referred to as Florida’s “Pink Palace,” the moniker fits with its bold, brilliant colors that reflect onto the clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico. First built by real estate baron Thomas Rowe as a tribute to a lost love, it became quite the beach-side destination for celebrities and even notorious figures of the 1920s and ‘30s.