The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, has become one of the grande dames of the city thanks to its legendary hospitality, see-and-be-seen dining and event spaces, and luxe, laid-back Beach Club and Golf Club.

And it continues to meet the moment. In early 2024, its spa was renovated for the first time since it opened. Later that fall came Rufa, its newest dining destination, in a space overlooking Sarasota Bay. And this year, the hotel was acquired by new ownership from Braemar Hotels & Resorts in a $437.5 million deal. “From honoring John Ringling’s early vision for Sarasota as a world-class destination to becoming a gathering place for the community today, our history is deeply intertwined with the city’s own evolution,” says general manager Mark Sherwin. “As we enter our next chapter under new ownership, we’re excited to build on that legacy.”

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