Sarasota
By Su Byron
ritz-carlton sarasota
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A cultural hub and beach mecca, Sarasota has a lot going for it. Here are five properties to stay at that ensure you'll do Sarasota in style.
Romance, old Florida-style
Perfect for liaisons of the romantic kind, Turtle Beach Resort is a cluster of Caribbean-type cottages overlooking Little Sarasota Bay. Cottages come in themes like country chic, southwestern and Victorian, with amenities like four-poster beds and outdoor hot tubs inspire that honeymoon feeling. Just a few steps away is Ophelia's, a cozy restaurant celebrated for its fresh take on seafood and inspired views of the bay.
9049 Midnight Pass Rd., Siesta Key, 941-349-4554
Close encounters with manatees and celebrities
The Resort at Longboat Key Club is the home base for Sarasota Film Festival dignitaries like Felicity Huffman, William H. Macy and Chevy Chase. This ultraluxe beachfront resort features more than 200 spacious one- and two-bedroom balconied suites (ask for buildings 1 or 4 overlooking the Gulf of Mexico), four restaurants, a spa with 12 treatment rooms, championship golf and tennis and plenty of unspoiled nature. Lagoonside suites are ideal for spotting manatees.
301 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key, 1-888-237-5545
Lido Beach reveries
For those who can't choose between getting away from it all and being at the centre of the action, Lido Beach Resort makes the decision simple: Do both. It's directly on Lido Beach but just a short stroll from St. Armands Circle, a swanky enclave of boutiques and restaurants. Our recommendation: Book a gulfside suite (complete with kitchen and huge balcony), pop open the Cristal and toast the sun as it sinks into the Gulf of Mexico before skipping off into the night.
700 Ben Franklin Dr., Sarasota, 1-800-441-2113
Simply Sarasota
Five homey beachfront cottages, each with a secluded garden brimming with bougainvillea, make up the Arbors by the Sea Beach Resort on Longboat Key. It's just a stroll down the sandy lane to one of the most gorgeous beaches in the world. And Euphemia Haye, considered one of America's most romantic restaurants, is a short stroll in the other direction.
5441 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key, 1-866-403-1427
Ritzy riffs
The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota is set in the heart of downtown, which means you're five minutes away from Sarasota's opera, performing arts hall, theatres, galleries and restaurants. More of a sun worshipper than culture vulture? The Ritz's Beach Club on Lido Key is just a chauffeured limousine ride away.
1111 Ritz-Carlton Dr., Sarasota, 1-800-241-3333
(Su Byron is a writer and editor living in Sarasota. She has no problem getting to the beach at least once a year.)
Getting There
You can now enjoy non-stop flights to the Sarasota/Bradenton area. Book now. Plus, discover our super savings on car rentals.
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