The Guide: Accommodations

IT’S THE LAST THING YOU SEE BEFORE YOU DRIFT OFF TO SLEEP and the first thing that greets you in the morning: your hotel room. And whether you’re looking for a starlit sky and the soothing sound of waves or a shining cityscape and 24-hour dining, Sarasota’s lodging services have it all.

Fresh off the plane, you may choose to luxuriate in a spa tub next to marble counters, and then wrap up in a warm hotel robe before slipping under a down duvet for the night. Or perhaps you prefer to walk barefoot over hardwood floors and crawl under a charming hand-sewn quilt in a four-poster bed. When your eyelids grow heavy from a long day of travel, business or adventure, our local rooms have just the thing to match the personality of your dreams.

But we all know hotels aren’t just about sleeping. From the comfort of your room, you can watch a 42-inch HDTV from a chaise lounge or a stunning Gulf view from your fully furnished balcony, all while eating a gourmet meal from an award-winning on-site restaurant.

You might sip fresh-brewed coffee by the pool, stroll to the shoreline, take a spin on the dance floor or a spin class in the gym, all without leaving your lodging. When it comes time to explore, enjoy your proximity to all the wonders Southwest Florida has to offer, whether you’re walking across the street or taking a complimentary shuttle to the nearby shopping mecca. Wherever you want to go, here’s where you can stay.

Guests of The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, can also enjoy the nearby Gulf-front Members’ Beach Club on Lido Key.

DOWNTOWN SARASOTA
Best Western Midtown, 1425 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. (941) 955-9841. bwmidtown.com. Convenient to the shopping and restaurants of downtown Sarasota, as well as beaches, area attractions and more. Guests can relax in the heated pool and enjoy complimentary continental breakfast buffet.

Hotel Indigo Sarasota, 1223 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota. (941) 487-3800. srqhotel.com. Famed for its inspired service, boutique design and invigorating atmosphere, Hotel Indigo is an oasis of 95 cool, welcoming guest rooms with hardwood floors and decorative area rugs, spa-inspired showers, oversized beds and luxurious linens, all at the edge of downtown Sarasota and convenient to the airport, St. Armands Circle, Lido and Siesta beaches and more. The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota Opera House and Sarasota Orchestra are all within half a mile of Hotel Indigo, and the Ringling Museum, Asolo Repertory Theatre and Sarasota Ballet are less than three miles away. On-site amenities include twin spa wading pools, a salon and the European-inspired H20 Bistro, which serves casual bites and freshly brewed coffee.

Hyatt Regency Sarasota, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota. (941) 953-1234 or (800) 233-1234. sarasota.hyatt.com. The AAA Four Diamond-rated downtown Hyatt Regency Sarasota provides the quintessential “Florida chic” experience with its waterfront location, a bright, airy design inspired by Lily Pulitzer and a fresh Floribbean cuisine at Currents Restaurant. The hotel boasts 20,000 square feet of meeting space divisible into 20 separate meeting rooms; its private 32-slip “green” marina leads directly to Sarasota Bay and accommodates boats up to 38 feet. CB Outfitters is located on site for boat rentals, charter fishing and sundries. Other first-rate attractions located just minutes away include the Ringling Museum of Art, fashionable shopping and dining on Armands Circle and more than five dozen golf and tennis facilities.

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, 1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Sarasota. (941) 309-2000. ritzcarlton.com/sarasota. The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota brings world-famous Ritz-Carlton service and amenities to downtown Sarasota, where guests enjoy the site’s combination of city sophistication and Florida. Guests and members also enjoy unlimited access to the spa (just ranked third in the U.S. and Canada by Travel + Leisure magazine), private Gulf-front beach club and a Tom Fazio-designed, nationally ranked championship golf course.

In room, you’ll luxuriate with 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 award-winning Vernona restaurant serves exceptional regional American cuisine, using fresh ingredients like Muscovy duck breast, Alaskan Coho salmon and Maine diver scallops. There’s also the Bayview Burger Bar and the Cà d’Zan Lounge, a popular spot for relaxed cocktails and upscale pub fare including the filet patty melt, the wild mushroom and truffle Parmesan pizza, and the burger Rossini, with foie gras and port-glazed shallots.
 
LIDO KEY
The Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel, 1540 Ben Franklin Drive, Sarasota. (941) 388-2181 or (800) 225-2181. helmsleysandcastle.com. This full-service resort offers a friendly, tropical atmosphere on 600 feet of private beach. Enjoy casual, open-air meals or elegant dining in one of the two on-site restaurants. Relax in one of two heated pools—enjoy a drink from the pool bar—or take advantage of sailing and other water recreation arranged through the recreation department. Each room is equipped with a refrigerator, coffeemaker, safe, hair dryer, iron, ironing board, make-up mirror and daily newspaper. Browse the gift shop for souvenirs, ice cream or items you may have forgotten. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available throughout the property.

Lido Beach Holiday Inn 233 Ben Franklin Drive, Sarasota. (941) 388-5555. lidobeachholidayinn.com. The Lido Beach Holiday Inn’s spectacular outdoor pool overlooks the beach for one of the area’s best views of the water. From there, you can walk to nearby St. Armands Circle (the area’s Rodeo Drive) or take advantage of the hotel’s complimentary shuttle, which also goes to downtown Sarasota. The Sand Dollar Rooftop Restaurant, another breathtaking view, offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and room service. Beach cabanas, beach chairs and bicycle rentals are available.

Lido Beach Resort, 700 Ben Franklin Drive, Sarasota, (941) 388-2161. (800) 441-2113. lidobeachresort.com. Overlooking the Gulf of Mexico from the eighth floor, the resort’s renowned Lido Beach Grille is a favorite among locals, as is the famous tiki bar. Guests can walk to St. Armands or stay on site to enjoy 300 feet of private beach, two heated beachfront pools and a 900-square-foot fitness center. Rooms include deluxe kitchenettes and one- and two-bedroom suites, with a refrigerator, microwave and complimentary high-speed Internet access. A catering staff, chef and 6,000 square feet of flexible meeting space are available for functions on site and on the beach.