Theater and shopping, beaches and golf—Sarasota’s resorts face stiff competition when it comes to pleasing and pampering visitors. Fortunately, by offering luxurious options all their own, local lodgings live up to the area’s other top-notch amenities.
Wherever you stay, it’s sure to suit your speed: Whether you’re enjoying beachfront views lazing by the pool, on-site spas and five-star restaurants; taking the limo to play golf in the morning, with tennis lessons scheduled in the afternoon and an evening in the lounge dancing the night away; or giving high-tech presentations to business clients in well-appointed meeting rooms, you don’t need to leave hotel property to fill your days.
And waiting for you back in the room are all the things you need to rest up for the day ahead. Tomorrow you may even venture outside the resort.
DOWNTOWN
Located near the city center overlooking Sarasota Bay, The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota is a stylish Florida beach resort with city sophistication. For the discriminating guest, the AAA Five-Diamond resort offers elegant accommodations, award-winning dining, famous personalized service and unlimited access to the Mobil-rated spa, private Gulf-front beach club and a Tom Fazio-designed championship golf course.
All 266 rooms include down duvets, Italian Frette-brand linens, Bose CD players, desks and chaise lounges, furnished balconies with bay, marina or city views, bathrooms with double marble vanities and plush Ritz-Carlton robes. The resort is of classic Mediterranean Revival style, blending the Ritz-Carlton tradition of refined elegance with the warmth and charm of Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Under the watchful eye of executive chef Frederic Morineau, a tempting array of dining options awaits. Available to the public, the resort’s award-winning signature restaurant, Vernona, is dedicated to serving regional American cuisine, made from the freshest and healthiest ingredients from local and regional farmers. The Lobby Lounge offers traditional afternoon tea, and the bayfront Bay View Bar & Grill is the perfect spot for al fresco dining. The Ritz-Carlton’s lounge, Cà d’Zan, is comfortable and classic, a local favorite for drinks, dancing and live music, and the “chophouse”-style menu offers a casually elegant dining experience.
Named by Zagat as one of “America’s Top Golf Courses” for 2007-2008, The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club is an 18-hole Tom Fazio design available only to members of The Ritz-Carlton Members Club and registered resort guests during their stay. Unlike many Florida courses, The Members Golf Club features significant elevation changes that gracefully roll among the lakes and extensive landscape to form a fair and memorable game of golf. 1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Sarasota. (800) 241-3333.
Just steps away from downtown theaters, galleries, restaurants and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Hyatt Sarasota on Sarasota Bay provides a relaxing escape into an oasis of lush gardens, blue waters and spectacular sunset views. A panoramic atrium anchors 294 guest rooms, including 12 suites. Relax by the new lagoon pool with a cascading waterfall and 12-person hot tub, enjoy tropical beverages at the Hurricane Hut, or challenge yourself with water sports.
The Hyatt’s 10,000-square foot Sarasota Ballroom provides a generous pre-function area, office and storage space, permanent registration desk and the flexibility to divide into eight sections. With this addition, the Hyatt Sarasota’s total meeting space extends to 20,000 square feet, making it the largest conference facility between Tampa and Fort Myers.
Also, the Hyatt introduces its private marina with state-of-the-art Bellingham floating dock system. Located at the marina, the Boathouse restaurant provides casual dining setting with water views. The hotel recently completed a $20 million renovation. 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota. 953-1234 or (800) 233-1234.
A new addition to downtown Sarasota’s charming Rosemary District, Hotel Indigo, at the corner of Boulevard of the Arts and Tamiami Trail, has 95 warm and welcoming guest rooms, all with hardwood floors and decorative area rugs, spa-inspired showers and oversized beds and pillows. The boutique hotel also features The Golden Bean for gourmet but casual dining. 1223 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota. 487-3800.
LONGBOAT KEY
Long recognized as the No. 1 tennis resort in the nation and a top-notch destination for couples and families, The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort offers 208 one- and two-bedroom villa suites nestled in the secluded surroundings of Longboat Key. Accommodations feature a private sun balcony, private master bedroom, living/dining area, full kitchen and master bathroom with whirlpool bath and steam showers. Twenty-six specialty suites, including three private beach houses, give guests the ultimate in luxury.
A modern six-story clubhouse houses the spa, with men’s and women’s facilities and an array of treatments performed by licensed therapists, as well as a salon with a variety of services. A business center and sports shop are also in the high-rise.
Tennis is the game to play at The Colony, so guests enjoy 21 courts (10 hydro-soft, two lighted), complimentary court time and game matching, nine daily clinics, and private and semi-private lessons led by outstanding and entertaining instructors.
Additional amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center, complete with weight training and cardiovascular equipment, aerobics, fitness classes, personal training and body-fat analysis. The resort’s highly praised children’s recreation programs for ages three to 12, offered 365 days a year, are free to all guests.
From The Colony Dining Room, guests can bask in views of the Gulf of Mexico while savoring contemporary Continental cuisine and one of the nation’s finest wine lists. It’s open for both lunch and dinner, and also for the award-winning Sunday brunch.
The Monkey Room, with outdoor and indoor seating, features creative and flavorful dishes with island influences. The adjacent lounge has live nightly entertainment. Outside, bartenders serve exotic drinks on the Monkey Room Patio. Tastebuds Gourmet and Wine Shop also offers sandwiches, cheeses, pastries, wine, gift baskets and more.
Banquet and conference facilities, an elegant designer boutique (Le Tennique), sports shop, water sports center and private, sugar-sand beach round out the amenities. 1620 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. 383-6464 or (800) 4-COLONY. www.colonybeachresort.com.
Located just steps from a private white-sand beach and the sparkling waters of the Gulf, the Hilton Longboat Key Beach Resort is a tropical resort minutes from the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. The 102 newly renovated rooms feature vibrant colors and Old World luxuries, and each offers a complimentary coffeemaker, hair dryer and electronic in-room safe. In addition to waterfront recreations like sailing, fishing and jet skiing, guests enjoy a fitness room, business center, newsstand, gift shop and more. 4711 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. 383-2451.
LIDO KEY
The Lido Beach Resort is a favorite among visitors and locals for its beachfront Tiki bar and renowned fine dining at Christopher’s on Lido, which overlooks the Gulf of Mexico from the eighth floor. Located beachfront on Lido Key, the resort’s 222 rooms—including deluxe one-room layouts and one- and two-bedroom suites—feature a refrigerator, microwave, complimentary high-speed Internet access, 25-inch television and more, and the resort is a comfortable stroll from the unique shops and cafés of St. Armands Circle. Meeting facilities consist of 6,000 square feet of flexible space. The resort also accommodates beach functions, including weddings, complemented by a full-service catering staff and award-winning chef. 700 Ben Franklin Drive, Sarasota. (800) 441-2113.
With 600 feet of private powder-white sand beach, the full-service Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel radiates a friendly, tropical atmosphere with its spectacular views and superb accommodations. Two restaurants provide casual, open-air or formal dining and live entertainment Wednesday through Saturday in the lounge. Guests can enjoy two heated pools and a pool bar with complimentary hors d’oeuvres in the afternoon. The Sandcastle’s recreation department arranges Aqua Cat sailboats, aqua cycles or kayaks and offers lessons on each.
Each guest room includes a refrigerator, coffeemaker, in-room safe, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, make-up mirror and daily newspaper. Professional meeting space accommodates all the needs of the corporate traveler, too. 1540 Ben Franklin Drive, Sarasota. 388-2181 or (800) 225-2181.
The Holiday Inn Lido Beach is one of Sarasota’s most tasteful hotels, located directly opposite the Gulf of Mexico and just two blocks from St. Armands Circle. It features an outdoor pool overlooking the Gulf and provides complimentary transportation to and from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. Guest rooms offer one king or two queen beds and a host of amenities.
The Sand Dollar Rooftop Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with providing room service. Beach cabanas, beach chairs and bicycle rentals are available. 233 Ben Franklin Drive, Sarasota. 388-5555 or (800) 315-2621.
Located on private beachfront on the Gulf of Mexico, within walking distance of St. Armands Circle, Suntide Island Beach Club features furnished one- and two-bedroom condo units with fully equipped kitchens. On-site amenities include a heated pool and hot tub, grills, laundry facilities and bicycle rentals. 850 Ben Franklin Drive, Sarasota. (888) 786-8433.
SIESTA KEY
Nestled between Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico on Siesta Key, The Palm Bay Club’s two heated pools, lighted tennis courts, yacht basin, fishing pier, private clubhouse and exercise equipment complement a secluded beach that’s ideal for sunning or shelling. It offers one-, two- and three-bedroom suites, all fully furnished and providing breathtaking views of the Gulf and tropical landscaping. 5960 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota. (800) 725-6229. www.palmbayclub.com.
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. Heated pool and complimentary continental breakfast buffet. 1425 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 955-9841.
EAST
The Holiday Inn Lakewood Ranch is a full-service hotel ranked among the top 10 Holiday Inns in North America for service. 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 a 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. 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 and Campground on Fruitville Road. The family-fun resort 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, holistic day spa, fitness center, 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 College 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 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 spring of 2007, 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, refrigerators and microwaves, complimentary high-speed Internet and two-line telephones with data port. There’s also complimentary continental breakfast, an outdoor heated pool, and a 24-hour business center and market. 1020 University Parkway, Sarasota. 358-3385 or (800) 287-9400.
NORTH TRAIL
The Golden Host Resort is located less than half a mile south of the Ringling Museum, the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, the Sarasota Classic Car Museum and the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. Nestled on five acres of tropically landscaped grounds are a 50-foot heated pool and shuffleboard courts. In-room amenities include high-speed Internet and data ports, iron and ironing board and hairdryer, all accompanied by a daily complimentary deluxe continental breakfast. If you’re looking for a wicked Mai Tai or a rollicking weekend crowd, head down to the resort’s legendary Bahi Hut cocktail lounge. 4675 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 355-5141.
Located just one mile north of the airport, the Hilton Garden Inn is a lushly landscaped hotel featuring all the comforts and conveniences that appeal to vacationers and business visitors, including complimentary shuttle to and from the airport. Nearby attractions include the Powel Crosley Mansion, Ringling Museum of Art, Mote Aquarium, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and the theater district. There are 115 rooms—including allergen-free units—a comfortable lounge and bar, heated outdoor pool and fitness center with spa. 8270 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 552-1100.
Adjacent to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport and the University of South Florida at Sarasota, the Comfort Inn is within walking distance of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art and the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. Guests enjoy free deluxe continental breakfasts, weekday newspaper and fresh-baked cookies, as well as a fitness center and outdoor pool. 5000 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 351-7734.
Located on Sarasota Bay, the Sarasota Cay Club Resort and Marina is the home of Latitudes, a waterfront restaurant where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in a casual Key West-style atmosphere. The Tiki Bar is a popular gathering place with friendly service and live entertainment that adds to the island ambiance. Surrounded by lush foliage, the deck overlooking the marina is an ideal place for sunset weddings or just lounging at the heated outdoor pool. The full-service, 78-slip marina offers watersport and boat rentals. The resort’s amenities—178 newly appointed guest rooms, deluxe suites and 10,000 square feet of banquet space—attract corporate and social events. A complimentary airport shuttle is available for guests. 7150 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 355-2781 or (888) 818-2781. www.cayclubs.com.
SOUTH
The Holiday Inn Express is located just minutes from world-famous Siesta Key Beach. The newly renovated hotel features 131 well-appointed, moderately priced guest rooms to ensure a comfortable stay. Each room is equipped with wireless Internet, a mini refrigerator, microwave and more, and guests enjoy complimentary continental breakfast. After a busy day of shopping or meetings, vacationers or businesspeople are invited to take a rejuvenating plunge in the outdoor pool or relax in the whirlpool. Conveniently located near dining, shopping, cultural events and pristine golf courses. 6600 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 924-4900.
Venice’s only all-suites hotel, the Best Western Ambassador Suites, is conveniently located off I-75 exit 193 (Jacaranda Boulevard). Guests can easily enjoy sandy beaches, 40 challenging golf courses, shopping and more. It offers free hot breakfast, local calls and high-speed Internet, plus an outdoor heated pool, exercise facility and full conference and business center. Executive suites come with Jacuzzi tubs. 400 Commercial Court, Venice. 480-9898.
The Hampton Inn & Suites offers newly renovated guest rooms and suites with kitchens, complimentary breakfast, free newspaper, high-speed Internet access and a fitness center. Plus, it’s close to shopping, dining and area beaches. 881 Venetia Bay Blvd., Venice. 488-5900. www.hamptoninnvenice.com.
Holiday Inn Venice boasts 155 comfortable rooms and three spacious suites ideal for families, groups and individual travelers. Its outdoor pool, hot tub and beach volleyball court make it a fun locale for weddings, group gatherings and reunions. And it’s centrally located near the beach and within walking distance of downtown Venice dining and shopping. 455 U.S. 41 Bypass N., Venice. 485-5411 or (800) 237-3712.
Located in Osprey, across U.S. 41 from Oscar Scherer State Park and with easy access to I-75, the Osprey Inn features an on-site restaurant and poolside Tiki bar with seasonal live entertainment. Bedrooms and one-bedroom suites are available with pet-friendly options. 1660 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice. 966-2121.