One of Sarasota’s premier residential resorts, the Gulf and Bay Club is located on three miles of Crescent Beach. It offers one-month rentals of two-bedroom, two-bath units that are fully furnished and enjoy 24-hour security. Other amenities include athletic courts, fitness center, saunas, three heated pools, barbecue areas and two clubhouses. There’s also a freshwater-stocked lake, covered parking and a library. 5730 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota. 349-7101.

Situated directly on the sugar-white sands of the Gulf of Mexico, Sarasota Surf & Racquet Club is the premier beach and tennis family resort on Siesta Key. The one- and two-bedroom condominiums are fully furnished and include complete kitchens. Resort amenities include two heated pools, four tennis courts (two are clay), fitness center, business center, beachside barbecue grills and maid service. 5900 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota. 349-2200 or (800) 237-5671. www.sarasotasurf.com.

Midnight Cove Condominium Resort comprises 11 acres of lush, tropically landscaped grounds on the white sands of Crescent Beach and the Intracoastal Waterway. Vacation amenities include two heated swimming pools, tennis courts, boat docks, fishing, barbecue facilities and one of the area’s most beautiful private beaches. Choose from mid-rise buildings, garden apartments or spacious townhomes, all with breathtaking water views. 6302 Midnight Cove Road, Sarasota. 349-3004.

Crystal Sands on Crescent Beach features luxuriously appointed condominiums with full terraces and stunning views. On-site amenities include two heated pools, and the building is located right on the Gulf of Mexico, just minutes from shopping and Siesta Village nightlife. 6300 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota. 349-7007.

MIDTOWN

The Best Western Midtown is located in the heart of Sarasota, central to shopping, restaurants, beaches and downtown, and just minutes from all area attractions. 1425 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 955-9841 or (800) 722-8227.

EAST

The Holiday Inn Lakewood Ranch is a full-service hotel ranked among the top 10 Holiday Inns in North America for service. For the traveler who can’t leave work at home, each guest room has a workstation with two line data ports, complimentary high-speed Internet service, ergonomic chair and iron and ironing board to keep business clothes crisp. There’s also a refrigerator, hair dryer, coffee service and 25-inch television and wireless Internet in all public meeting space (2,500 square feet). It’s conveniently located at I-75 and University Parkway at the entrance to Lakewood Ranch, only seven miles from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. Ask about the Ecotourism Package. 6231 Lake Osprey Drive, Sarasota. 782-4400. www.hilr.com.

If you’re traveling by car or RV, check out Sun-N-Fun RV Resort on Fruitville Road, which offers more than 150 activities in season to guests. In addition to recreational vehicle space, Sun-N-Fun has cozy vacation-home rentals (and sales). The resort offers wireless Internet access, an on-site restaurant, Olympic-size swimming pool, exercise room, poolside bar and grill and live entertainment. A great, pet-friendly alternative to hotel stays. 7125 Fruitville Road, Sarasota. (800) 843-2421. www.sunnfunfl.com.

The Days Inn Sarasota at I-75 is just minutes from dining and cultural excursions in downtown Sarasota and is also convenient to outdoor exploring at Myakka State Park and first-class shopping at the newly remodeled Westfield Sarasota mall.

Offering the comforts of home, the Days Inn Sarasota at I-75 provides free high-speed Internet access, microwaves, refrigerators, remote-control televisions with an extended channel lineup, in-room coffee service, private heated pool and free deluxe continental breakfast. 5774 Clark Road, Sarasota. 921-7812.

UNIVERSITY PARKWAY

Newly renovated, the studio, one- and two-bedroom suites at Residence Inn by Marriott offer an average of 50 percent more space than traditional hotel rooms and provide full kitchen amenities and complimentary hot breakfast. The Residence Inn is located directly across from the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport on University Parkway and just a few miles from Lido Beach. It’s also pet-friendly and offers on-site laundry facilities. 1040 University Parkway, Sarasota. 358-1468.

Also directly across from the airport, the Courtyard by Marriott is near the Ringling Museum of Art, Ringling School of Art and Design, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and FSU Center for the Performing Arts. It’s also just a 10-minute drive to Lido Beach. Amenities include wireless high-speed Internet, a heated outdoor pool and whirlpool, fitness center and the Courtyard Café. 850 University Parkway, Sarasota. 355-3337 or (800) 321-2211.

Just renovated in the fall of 2006, each of the rooms at the airport-adjacent Springhill Suites features separate sleeping, dining and work areas. The many amenities include pull-out sofa beds, pantries and refrigerators, complimentary high-speed Internet and two-line telephones with data port. 1020 University Parkway, Sarasota. 358-3385 or (800) 287-9400.