# @ilovetheburg on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CnxUasxpkU1
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/17164981-ilovetheburg-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/7d0551a6b8.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-01-23T20:11:02.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** I Love the Burg! (@iLovetheBurg) — https://gondola.cc/iLovetheBurg

## Caption

Last week, the historic thedoncesarhotel celebrated its 95th anniversary, a run that has seen an incredible amount of history since its opening in 1928. 

Not only is The Don one of the state’s most iconic hotels, it has also played host to some of the world’s greatest pop culture icons. From F. Scott Fitzgerald and Babe Ruth to Robert De Niro and Tom Petty, the hotel has been a hotspot for celebrities, locals and tourists alike.

However, the celebrated beachfront hotel has been much more than just, well, a hotel. In fact, during wartime in World War II, it was once a hospital for returning airmen, a place where wounded soldiers were sent for recovery and rehab. More than a few met a local love and never left.

Shortly after, once the U.S. Military left, there was even a time when the hotel was all but abandoned, left waiting for someone to come restore the beautiful property to its former (and now present) glory. Luckily, a group of concerned citizens banded together to “Save The Don” in 1971, and ensure it would remain a staple for decades to come.

Of course, the resort has grown steadily in the years since re-opening, adding restaurants, bars, guestrooms, suites, and even entire buildings to its portfolio. It was just last year, in March of 2022, that the resort completed its sweeping, multi-year renovation of the property, unveiling decadent and classic spaces reminiscent of their roots in the Gatsby Era of the ‘20s, while providing modern comforts and amenities for visitors from near and far.

Full story for #ilovetheburg by bobcarskadon at the link in our bio. 

#doncesar #thedon #stpetebeach #stpete #floridahistory #steptersburg #tampabay #gulfofmexico #beachfront #allthingsgood #history

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 673
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- **Comments:** 13

## Tags

ilovetheburg, steptersburg, history, stpetebeach, doncesar, gulfofmexico, beachfront, tampabay, floridahistory, allthingsgood, thedon, stpete

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