In late 2024, The Don CeSar — the historic Gulf Coast resort located in St. Pete Beach, Florida — was devastated by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, arriving just twelve days apart, that inflicted extensive damage to the property’s infrastructure, inventory and guest-facing amenities.
The resort’s owner, Host Hotels & Resorts, faced one of the most complex recovery efforts in the portfolio’s history. The responsibility of ownership was not only to stabilize the asset and restore operations, but to preserve long-term value through resiliency investments, ultimately ensuring the resort’s continued relevance in a competitive coastal market.
Over the course of a six-month closure, the team restored critical infrastructure, began rebuilding and enhancing damaged areas and executed a phased reopening strategy. By stabilizing the asset and reactivating core operations, Host reaffirmed its commitment to this iconic resort, to hotel associates, to loyal guests and to the community.
The Don CeSar is an irreplaceable asset with deep historical significance. Built in 1928, it has served as a luxury resort, a military hospital, a VA headquarters and — after narrowly escaping demolition — was reborn as one of Florida’s most iconic coastal destinations. Its layered history contributes to its brand equity, but also introduces complexity in infrastructure, documentation and restoration. These factors became immediately relevant when Hurricane Helene made landfall on September 27, 2024, as a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 140 miles per hour.
The storm brought a six-foot storm surge that inundated the lower levels of the resort. Less than two weeks later, Hurricane Milton arrived with 120 miles per hour winds, compounding the damage.
The impact to the resort was extensive and multifaceted. Floodwaters penetrated the ground level, destroying the three-meal restaurant, bar, coffee and ice cream shop, retail outlets, pool bar, fitness center and member club. Rooftop mechanical systems were decimated, awnings were torn from terraces and dunes were sheered into steep cliffs. The boiler room, partially below grade, took on eight feet of water, compromising electrical systems, fire pumps, compressors and HVAC units.
Saltwater corrosion destroyed electrical cables in the underground catacombs that distribute power throughout the building. Fortunately, power had been proactively disconnected prior to the storms’ landfall, and no staff injuries occurred.
The immediate priority for Host was stabilization. Leveraging strategic industry relationships, Host mobilized four industrial generators, a mobile switchgear and deployed over 18 miles of DLO cable to restore internal load centers. Desiccant air systems were pumped through plastic tubing to preserve interior finishes, and temporary fire and booster pumps were installed to maintain life safety systems. The lack of documentation for legacy infrastructure added complexity, but the team responded with speed and precision. The scale of the response underscored the depth of expertise both within Host and that of industry partners.
After stabilizing the building, the long and complicated rebuilding effort began, and a phased reopening strategy was adopted. The resort reopened with phase one on March 26, 2025, and included 203 guest rooms (all but one floor of inventory), Maritana restaurant (converted to three-meal service), the Lobby Bar (operating as a coffee shop by day and bar by night), all meeting spaces, the fitness center, The Don Club, the Courtyard and the South Pool offering direct beach access. Staffing was a critical success factor, with an incredibly strong return rate among associates, enabling immediate service delivery and brand continuity.
Phase two followed in May 2025, just ahead of Memorial Day weekend, and brought 28 additional guest rooms, the North Pool and the Pool Bar back online. The final two phases included the reopening of retail outlets, including Uncle Andy’s, which reopened in July, and Society Table and Rowe Bar, which reopened in September. Throughout the process, guest experience, operational efficiency and brand integrity were prioritized. Temporary relocations of services, such as moving coffee service to the Lobby Bar and a three-meal restaurant to Maritana, allowed the resort to maintain continuity while restoration progressed.
The recovery effort was not limited to physical restoration. It was also a test of organizational resilience, stakeholder communication and community engagement. The Don CeSar is more than a resort — it is a symbol of the region’s identity. Its reopening was met with enthusiasm from local officials, business leaders and returning guests. The property’s revival served as a signal to the broader market that the Gulf Coast was open for business and ready to welcome visitors once again.
From an ownership perspective, several key lessons emerged. First, infrastructure risk must be proactively addressed in legacy assets and resiliency measures prioritized. Host not only relocated critical building infrastructure but built in resiliency by raising electrical and mechanical systems throughout the resort.
Second, rapid stabilization is essential to preserving long-term value. The deployment of mobile systems and environmental controls prevented further degradation and allowed for a more efficient rebuild. The speed of this stabilization effort was only possible with Host’s deep and strategic industry relationships.
Third, phased reopening enables revenue recovery while minimizing business interruption. By prioritizing core amenities and guest rooms, the resort was able to reenter the market strategically.
Finally, staff retention proved to be a critical lever in operational continuity. The loyalty and expertise of returning associates accelerated the ramp-up and reinforced the resort’s reputation.
The Don CeSar’s recovery is not just a story of physical restoration, but one of resilience, collaboration and the unwavering commitment of ownership. Through disciplined execution and strategic investment, Host was able to preserve and enhance asset value and reaffirm the property’s iconic status. As final renovations conclude, The Don CeSar stands not only restored but revitalized — an enduring symbol of resilience on Florida’s Gulf Coast and a testament to the strength of the Host platform.
Timothy Cannon is vice president of asset management at Host Hotels & Resorts and has more than 15 years of experience in hospitality asset management and financial strategy.
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