Sarasota hotels

The Ritz-Carlton is one of the luxury hotels in Sarasota that rarely needs an introduction. The brand has a reputation for grandeur, and it delivered such elegance flawlessly when I attended a wedding at its bayside Healing Garden. I even dare say that its private balconies and spa-like marble bathrooms will convince you to stay inland instead of renting a bungalow on the beach.
As expected, The Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota has ready-made backup plans for its bayside location: a private beach club on Lido Key and a Tom Fazio-designed par-72 golf course in Lakewood Ranch.
Yes, you can enjoy both a beachy getaway and resort-like amenities even though your suite is firmly situated downtown. If that doesn’t make it one of the best hotels in Sarasota, I don’t know what could.

The Westin is one of the best hotels to stay in Sarasota if you’re eager to embrace every element of the city’s identity. An elevated experience is the standard at The Westin, no matter if it’s the panoramic view from your suite’s floor-to-ceiling windows or the luxe 100-minute massage that works out every kink that long flight put in your back.
Gourmet snacks at The Roof Bar and Eats, as well as the comfort plates at EVOQ, draw in locals for dinner and drinks every night. While The Westin shines in its service, its proximity to Sarasota’s landmarks is nearly unrivaled.
Cabaret, opera, and theater are a block away. Walks through downtown are just as easily accessible as the shops on St. Armands Circle, both destinations within a five minute drive of The Westin. Lido Key’s beaches are just as close.

We’ve all faced the struggle of choosing between saving time or money when traveling. Thankfully, Kompose Boutique Hotel has found a way to free us of these vacation woes. So close to the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport that you’ll hear the planes mere seconds before they hit the runway, Kompose keeps you close to attractions like the Sarasota Classic Car Museum and The Ringling Museum of Art without taking you far from your terminal.
Happily inviting you to splurge or save your budget however you see fit, Kompose lets you pay for only the amenities you pick. Pay for the pool or skip it since the beach is so close.
Add premium Wi-Fi and late checkout for your convenience, or forgo those perks in favor of a sauna session and fitness center access. Save time, save money, or save both on vacation in Sarasota: the choice is yours.

With bayfront greenspaces just across the street, it should come as no surprise that Hotel Indigo is a pet-friendly hotel. Your two pooches will feel like kings of the hotel, or at least the top-dogs of their king-size pet-friendly rooms.
Floors above the first are pet-free, so no need to wrinkle your nose with allergy worries. Even if you’ve stayed in Sarasota before, Hotel Indigo is a great place to hang your hat if you want to get to know the city block-by-block. Located in the food-focused Rosemary District, its on-site bicycle rentals provide you with a way to explore downtown and beyond.
Pedal to the downtown farmers market or across the Ringling Bridge for shopping in St. Armands Circle. Trade the two wheels for four at any time, and let the hotel’s private van shuttle you around Sarasota instead.

Stay at the Carlisle Inn and you’ll see a side of Sarasota that the locals leave off of the postcards: the Amish and Mennonite communities. The simple charm of upholstered furniture and handcrafted decor makes you feel like you’re staying at a rural retreat rather than a hotel and conference center less than 10 minutes from downtown.
The best piece of advice I can share is to embrace your surroundings. Der Dutchman next door and Yoder’s Restaurant nearby are absolutely fantastic places to eat. I dare you to leave Yoder’s without a Dutch Apple Crumb Pie in your hands. Der Dutchman’s donuts are equally tempting and will never fill you with buyer’s remorse.
Take guided tours of the communities to learn more about their Florida heritage and history, then cool off at Carlisle Inn’s outdoor pool with a new appreciation for Sarasota’s lesser-known locals.

There are few luxury hotels in Sarasota, and even fewer that can claim their own secluded beach like Lido Beach Resort. Taking its name from the key it sits on, Lido Beach Resort offers a self-catered stay in its condo-style suites, with the island-getaway allure that makes Downtown Sarasota feel hours away.
The two Gulf-front swimming pools overlook 300 feet of soft white sand. One of the pools is adults-only, while the other is a family-friendly splash zone. The beachfront tiki bar slings fruity and fizzy drinks to both. It’s a fine place to drink and think about the day’s schedule, an itinerary that can include everything from scuba diving and sunset cruises to golf and games of ping pong.
Lido Beach Resort is prepared to pencil you in for a host of experiences both on-site and around Sarasota.

Every time I stay at an Embassy Suites, I’m reminded that there’s a huge distinction between picking a place to sleep and picking a place to stay. The evening manager’s reception enhances the experience from simply being an overnight accommodation to being part of my vacation.
I’m never one to turn down a complimentary cocktail, tasty finger foods, and good conversation with new friends. Embassy Suites is one of the best hotels in Downtown Sarasota that fosters that feeling of gathering, whether it’s over steaks at the Bridges on-site restaurant or with an omelette and an 8th-floor view at breakfast.
The outdoor pool and business center make it easy to balance your recreation and responsibilities without venturing far from a bay-view suite. And when you’re keen to stretch your legs under the sun, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is less than a mile away.

I’ll estimate a good 200 or so steps between Tropical Beach Resorts and the Gulf of Mexico, but you’re free to flip-flop your way to Siesta Key’s quartz sand in however many strides you’d like. This resort leans into the relaxed, Old Florida way of life, so make sure you take your time soaking up the sunshine.
There’s really no feeling like returning from the beach or pool deck with a warm, well-earned tan and embracing the refreshing cool tile flooring and ceiling fan breeze in your suite. Tropical Beach Resorts is a place to let the weight off your shoulders.
Pack light with only the necessities – swimsuits, sunscreen, and a good book – and find everything else you may need at their beachside concession. Kayaks, loungers, umbrellas, and paddleboards are all available to rent at one of the best hotels in Sarasota that get you as close as possible to the beachfront.

Homewood Suites in Lakewood Ranch gives you a chance to experience the everyday life of a Sarasota native. Accessible studios and suites separate the sleeping and sitting areas, letting you wind down. There’s even a small desk area where you can catch up on work, or procrastinate your work by scrolling through all of your socials using the free Wi-Fi.
These suites and studios have the space you need to feel comfortably home-away-from-home, too, but assure the kids that the full-sized sofa bed in front of the HDTV will lend them the all-night movie marathon experience necessary for any memorable family vacay.
You could skip an outdoor pool sesh and make a beeline to the beaches. But if you really want to live it up like a true local, you’ll trade the sun for the cool A/C at UTC mall next door.

Among the many boutique hotels in Sarasota, Art Ovation Hotel is a focal point on the city’s canvas. Don’t expect to find any of the standard wholesale “hotel art” here. Art Ovation’s walls are filled with paintings and installations from both local and international artists, which provide a pop of color to counter the sleek, modern style of the hotel’s interior.
Your room won’t feel like you’ve stepped into a Warhol, though. A neutral color scheme keeps the vibes leisurely, allowing your eyes to long at the city views from your queen or king bed. When inspiration does strike, in-room sketch books, coloring pencils, and even a ukulele let you indulge your muse.
The Artist’s Studio below the rooftop bar and restaurant is always buzzing with performances, fun workshops, and local artists shaping their next masterpiece.