The Best Resorts to Book in Sarasota, Florida

For the ultimate Sarasota getaway, look no further than the Resort at Longboat Key Club. Stretching more than 410 acres (166ha) against the Gulf of Mexico, this award-winning beach resort in Sarasota will spoil you from sun-up to sundown. The renovated rooms also feature wet bars and private furnished balconies. Golf or tennis, spa or salon, lounging in the cabana or sailing the Gulf – whatever you desire, the Resort at Longboat Key Club can deliver.

Synonymous with high-end elegance, the Ritz-Carlton’s luxury resort in Sarasota exceeds expectations. Stay in an elegantly designed suite or room, all of which are washed with marine hues to match the neighboring Sarasota Bay. Guests enjoy access to the Beach Club on Lido Key, the Golf Club, the Ritz-Carlton Spa as well as the Ritz-Carlton Club. When you’re not unwinding on the beach or exploring the boutique shops of downtown, four restaurants packed with fresh, locally caught seafood insist you savor every bite while gazing at the sunset.

Set a course for fun at Tropical Beach Resorts. You’re welcome to chill in your suite, watching hundreds of movies from their DVD library, or spend the afternoon swimming in one of two beachside pools. But we have a better idea: how about jet skiing on the Gulf? Or parasailing high above the waves? You can have a memorable stay with your feet in the sand, but if you want a little excitement, Tropical Beach Resorts has it all.

The team behind Captiva Beach Resort in Sarasota insists you enjoy their fabulous family-friendly amenities without paying a cent in resort fees. So with the cash sorted, you’re free to set your own pace and do as you please, whether that’s a game of shuffleboard or splashing around the pool playing Marco Polo. Featuring fewer than 20 rooms and exceptional service, this resort has a considered, homespun feel. Just a short walk away you will also find the famous Crescent and Siesta beaches.

Minutes from Turtle Beach, this bayside family resort in Sarasota encourages the whole group to relax in peace. Naps in the hammock, soaking in the hot tub, floating in the pool while dolphins and manatees splash near the docks – you name it. The cozy cottages at this award-winning resort are an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and if you need a little adventure, the resort also has complimentary kayaks, canoes and bikes.

At Casa Del Mar Longboat Key, you’re spoiled for choice. Will you fire up the barbecue and grill out under the sun or savor a sunset dinner at one of Longboat’s best restaurants? What about your R&R? Will you settle under an umbrella on the white-sand beach or float end to end in the dipping pool? Whichever you choose, you can retire at the end of the day to a homey two-bedroom condo with a living/dining area and kitchen at this Sarasota resort on the beach.

An island-style sanctuary just a few minutes from downtown Sarasota, Bali Hai Beach Resort dares you to spend every day in your bathing suit. Wake up to handcrafted drinks at the Bali Hai Lounge before savoring every inch of their 300ft (90m) private beach. Cool off in the pool, then fall asleep during a massage in the spa. Feel like cruising down to another beachside cafe? You can always rent one of their electric cars and tour the island in style.

While technically south of Sarasota, in Nokomis, Escape Resort and Marina still keeps you close to the action. Be one of the first to experience its luxury villa lodgings before it becomes the latest waterfront hotspot. Its buoyant saline pool, 15-slip marina and instant access to Casey Key and Nokomis beaches offer you a leisurely yet luxurious stay on a quieter key.

What makes the perfect beachside retreat in Sarasota? Lido Beach Resort believes it’s a combination of relaxed condo-style suites, the freshest seafood on demand and an effortless dive from the beach into the pool. Add a little personalized service and amenities such as a tiki bar, hot tubs and beach volleyball, and you’ve got yourself a one of the best resorts in Sarasota.

Far better than your standard cookie-cutter suites, the Cottages at Siesta Key put you up in what feels like your own little beach house. Your favorite guilty pleasures and comforts come standard in every cottage, including HBO/Cinemax, NFL Sunday Ticket, private decks and a kitchen. As inviting and homey as they may seem, the 300ft (90m) walk to the coveted Siesta Beach will remind you that this limited-vacancy resort is more than just a beachside bungalow.