Where to Stay in Sarasota, Florida in 2024: 5 Best Areas for First-Time Visitors

Sarasota, Florida, is a spot that usually will get ignored by vacationers in favor of Orlando and Miami. Town is about on the Gulf of Mexico, that includes sprawling white sand seashores and panoramic sea views. When you come right here, you’ll take pleasure in a superb seaside trip with out the crowds of extra standard Florida cities. 

Sarasota is an effective vacation spot for vacationers who need to interact in adventures once they’re not on the seaside or simply spend their evenings {golfing}. With luxurious resorts, glorious eating places, and loads of retailers all through the city, you’ll need for nothing in Sarasota.

This information to the very best Sarasota inns will enable you to resolve the place to remain within the metropolis. From the inexpensive inns close to the airport to resorts on the seashores at Siesta Key, right here’s every thing you have to learn about selecting the very best inns in Sarasota! 

Why You Ought to Pay attention To Us

Take my recommendation as a result of I spend manner an excessive amount of time taking a look at lodge opinions on-line. Because of this I’ve carried out the tedious job of researching each single lodging talked about right here and ensuring that it meets my very excessive requirements. Dave and Deb stayed in Sarasota not too long ago and need to share every thing they’ve realized. 

The place To Keep in Sarasota, Florida

The very best space of Sarasota to base your self actually relies on your cause for visiting. When you’re occurring a seaside trip, then the very best place to remain shall be one of many islands with many miles of sandy seaside. However in the event you’re going there for a metropolis break, you’ll need to be extra centrally situated for simpler entry to vacationer sights. 

In any case, I’ve give you an in depth overview of Sarasota’s finest neighborhoods and their prime inns. So, let’s get into all the very best areas of the town for a primary journey! 

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The place We Stayed

Dave and Deb stayed on the Art Ovation Autograph Collection lodge in Downtown Sarasota. They preferred the spacious and clear rooms, however the rooftop pool and bar had been essentially the most spectacular options of this lodge. The views from the pool are phenomenal, making it onerous to go away the lodge and exit and discover. 

Downtown Sarasota: Our Advice 

Downtown Sarasota is a central metropolis neighborhood nice for first-time guests. It’s filled with touristy issues to do, together with museums, historic landmarks, and loads of retailers. Keep right here for straightforward strolling entry to among the finest sights in central Sarasota and wonderful waterfront views. 

This neighborhood is residence to a few of Sarasota’s oldest buildings but in addition tall condominiums and luxurious inns. It’s a great place to remain for vacationers who need to discover the basic Sarasota sights and don’t thoughts touring for some time to achieve the seaside. 

Professionals and Cons of Downtown Sarasota

Professionals 

• Strolling distance to standard sights 
• Many retailers and eating places 
• A lot of high-end inns 

Cons

• Few seashores 
• Busy space 
• Expensive inns

Highlights of Staying in Downtown Sarasota 

Downtown Sarasota is the very best a part of the town for landmarks and vacationer sights. Come right here if you wish to see the town’s oldest buildings, tour its finest museums, and uncover all essentially the most well-known Sarasota sights. 

• Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is likely one of the metropolis’s finest sights. The waterfront gardens characteristic tropical crops, ponds, and attention-grabbing sculptures. Each season, the backyard has completely different decorations, and my favourite are those put in at Christmas time. 
• Go for a brief night stroll by way of Downtown Sarasota, and also you’ll discover the Sarasota Opera Home. The constructing dates from 1926 when it was a theater. An evening on the opera is an effective way to finish someday of your trip, however even simply strolling previous the constructing is sufficient to admire its magnificence. 
• Head to Bayfront Park to take pleasure in panoramic views, bizarre statues, fountains, and informal strolling trails. A playground for teenagers is obtainable on the park, in addition to a comfy bar and grill. Take pleasure in a scrumptious dinner whereas watching the sundown from among the finest scenic spots in Sarasota.  
• A strolling tour of the historic Downtown Sarasota is the highest pastime throughout holidays right here. That is the oldest a part of the town, with fairly buildings, scenic views, and wonderful public parks. Sign up for a guided tour to discover the streets by yourself, popping into the retailers and eating places that catch your eye. 

Greatest Locations to Keep in Downtown Sarasota

Downtown Sarasota presents largely high-end and luxurious inns. It’s nice for vacationers who need to keep in upscale lodging and have simple strolling entry to standard vacationer sights. However in the event you’re on the lookout for inexpensive inns, you would possibly must look elsewhere as a result of this central metropolis space is just not low cost. 

Embassy Suites By Hilton Sarasota

Embassy Suites By Hilton Sarasota is a four-star lodge within the metropolis heart. It options clear and roomy suites, which all have a bed room and separate residing quarters. Each room is supplied with a TV, desk, and an ensuite toilet, so you possibly can really feel at residence within the lodge. 

Company staying at this Hilton Resort have entry to a health heart and a heated out of doors pool with spectacular views of the Sarasota skyline. E book a set with a view of the Sarasota Bay to take pleasure in ocean vistas from the consolation of your mattress. These rooms go for $600, whereas a typical room with out ocean views is priced at roughly $550. 

The Sarasota Modern

The Sarasota Fashionable is a pleasant mid-range lodge in central Sarasota. It boasts spacious rooms with up to date furnishings and fairly views of the town from the non-public balconies. I’ll say that the lodge rooms are just a bit too beige for my liking, however hey – no less than it’s a lot more durable to cover stains when every thing is so mild in shade. 

Each room has a espresso maker, an ensuite toilet, and a flat-screen TV. Company all have entry to free WiFi and might make use of the out of doors pool with loungers, cabanas, and a bar. With a nightly fee of roughly $620 (with breakfast), this is likely one of the finest four-star inns on this neighborhood. 

The Westin Sarasota

The Westin Sarasota is a three-star lodge within the historic metropolis district. However simply because it has three stars doesn’t imply it’s low cost and even mid-range. That is nearly a luxurious lodge, with a spectacular rooftop pool that provides among the finest views within the metropolis. 

Subsequent to the pool is a bar the place you possibly can take pleasure in night cocktails together with views of the Sarasota skyline. The rooms are spacious and clear, with trendy furnishings. Company may entry the health heart and spa and lease bicycles at no cost. An evening at this lodge begins at $750. 

Siesta Key: Greatest Seashores In Sarasota 

Siesta Secret’s residence to among the best beaches in the United States, making it a prime vacation spot for individuals who need to take pleasure in a seaside trip particularly since many resorts are proper there on the seaside with non-public entry for company. 

Along with the huge stretches of white sand, this pretty island additionally boasts a buzzing central district with retailers, cafes, and eating places. Downtown Sarasota is simply quarter-hour away by automotive, so that you received’t be removed from the town’s sights. 

Professionals and Cons of Siesta Key Seashore

Professionals

• One in every of Florida’s finest seashores
• A lot of retailers and eating places 
• Good resort inns

Cons

• Removed from Downtown Sarasota 
• Few vacationer sights on the island 

Highlights of Staying in Siesta Key

Siesta Key isn’t residence to many vacationer sights, but it surely makes up for that with the town’s finest seaside. 

• Siesta Key Seashore is the spotlight of most stays at Siesta Key. The white sandy seaside is likely one of the largest in Sarasota, and it’s open to everybody. It encompasses a seaside pavilion, a playground for teenagers, and seaside volleyball courts. Some areas of the seaside are reserved for lodge company, however most of it’s open to most people. 
• Head to Siesta Key Village for espresso within the morning or ice cream within the night. This bustling district is the island’s hotspot for retailers, eating places, and cafes. The tree-lined Ocean Boulevard is ideal for informal night strolls. 
• Attend the Siesta Key Drum Circle. Each Sunday evening, musicians and dancers go to Siesta Seashore to play music and dance. The occasion brings collectively each vacationers and locals, and it’s a really enjoyable manner of ending a day in Sarasota, to not point out it takes place on one of many metropolis’s finest seashores.  

Greatest Resorts in Siesta Key

Siesta Key has a ton of rental complexes and lodge resorts on the seaside. If you wish to be simply steps away from the water, you’ll love staying on this island. 

Tropical Beach Resorts

E book a set on the Tropical Seashore Resorts in the event you’re on the lookout for funds lodging in Siesta Key. The three-star lodge has a nightly fee of $350, which is an effective deal for this a part of Sarasota, particularly for a lodge that’s simply 5 minutes from the seaside. 

The lodge rooms are on the smaller facet and have considerably outdated furnishings. However each room has a personal toilet, and every thing is pristinely clear, which is the necessary factor. If I can save no less than $200 per evening simply because the kitchen cupboards want updating, I’m closing one eye and taking that deal. 

Siesta Key Beach Resort and Suites

Siesta Key Seashore Resort and Suites is an effective mid-range possibility within the northern a part of the island. It’s on Ocean Boulevard, so that you’re only a brief stroll from Siesta Key Village. When you stroll within the different course, it should take you simply a few minutes to get to the seaside. 

The lodge has two stars, but it surely appears and looks like a three-star lodge. 

The rooms are small however geared up with every thing you would want, together with a kitchenette and a personal toilet. There’s additionally an out of doors pool with loungers, which you entry the second you step exterior the room. 

The Residences on Siesta Key Beach

The Residences on Siesta Key Seashore is likely one of the finest inns for households and teams. Every unit is a personal condominium that may accommodate as much as eight folks. There’s a dishwasher, a full-sized kitchen, and a personal toilet in every of the suites. Most residences have two bedrooms and are appropriate for six company, however greater models are additionally accessible. 

This can be a Hyatt residence lodge, so it’s acquired many extra facilities value mentioning. Company can reap the benefits of the out of doors pool, the health heart, the new tubs, and out of doors lounge areas. An evening at this lodge begins at roughly $965, which is greater than cheap for six adults. 

Whitfield & Sapphire Shores: Greatest For Low-cost Resorts

Whitfield and Sapphire Shores are two neighborhoods close to the Sarasota Bradenton Worldwide Airport. When you’re on the town just for a short while, keep right here for handy entry to the airport and the seashores. 

Sapphire Shores consists of miles of sandy seashores and lots of glorious resorts. Select this a part of Sarasota in the event you’re on the town for simply a few days and need to spend most of your time lounging on the seaside. However go for Whitfield in the event you’re on the lookout for inexpensive inns and straightforward strolling entry to standard museums and sights. 

Professionals and Cons of Staying at Whitfield & Sapphire Shores

Professionals

• Reasonably priced inns
• Many vacationer sights 
• Simple seaside entry 

Cons

• Removed from the Keys and Downtown
• No luxurious inns

Highlights of Staying in Whitfield & Sapphire Shores

Whitfield & Sapphire Shores are residence to a few of Sarasota’s finest museums. The Ringling complicated is likely one of the hottest sights on the town, that includes a museum, gardens, and the house of the previous circus icon. 

• Sarasota Jungle Gardens is an animal park with sprawling gardens in Sarasota Bay. Flamingos and different wildlife native to the area roam the grounds freely. The park options stunning landscaping with many tropical crops and flowers. 
• Established by the circus legend John Ringling, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Artwork is likely one of the most popular museums in Sarasota. It’s set in a pink Renaissance palace and options 31 galleries. The museum’s assortment consists of work, sculptures, and different artwork mediums from historical artwork to up to date instances. 
• I’m a little bit of a automotive buff, so I at all times search for distinctive automotive museums in each metropolis I go to. Sarasota Basic Automotive Museum is strictly what I used to be on the lookout for in Florida, and I liked each second of it. That includes basic vehicles, old-timers, and among the earliest vehicles ever manufactured, the museum is ideal for automotive lovers of all ages. 

Greatest Locations To Keep In Whitfield & Sapphire Shores

Keep at Sapphire Shores or Whitfield for glorious inns with decrease nightly charges. Most inns listed here are no less than half the worth of these within the downtown whereas providing simple seaside entry and loads of issues to do in your spare time.  

Courtyard by Marriott Sarasota Bradenton Airport

Courtyard by Marriott Sarasota Bradenton Airport is a pleasant three-star lodge with an inexpensive nightly fee. When you’re in Sarasota for a short while and also you need to keep near the airport, the Mariott is a extremely good possibility. 

The lodge has an out of doors pool, free WiFi, and spacious household rooms. The nightly fee begins at round $300 for 3 company, which is a reasonably whole lot for Sarasota. Additionally, this lodge is only a five-minute stroll from the Basic Automotive Museum and one other ten minutes from the Ringling Artwork Museum. 

Ramada by Wyndham Sarasota Waterfront

Ramada by Wyndham Sarasota Waterfront is an inexpensive two-star lodge in Whitefield. Don’t confuse it with the Days Inn by Wyndham Sarasota Bay – that lodge is in a unique location, and it presents a considerably worse service than this one. 

The waterfront Sarasota lodge options an out of doors pool that overlooks the marina. Close to the lodge is the Sara Bay Nation Golf Membership, making this an ideal possibility for any golfers on the town. The lodge rooms are clear and spacious, with a beginning nightly fee of round $240 for 2 vacationers. Breakfast is included in that value level. 

Hilton Garden Inn Sarasota-Bradenton Airport

The Hilton Backyard Inn is a pleasant three-star lodge close to the airport. It’s acquired an out of doors pool, spacious rooms, and a health heart. The rooms all characteristic an ensuite toilet, in addition to a TV and a desk space. 

A wonderful thing about this lodge is that it presents a free shuttle to the airport. In actual fact, the shuttle service will take you wherever within the 8-kilometer radius at no cost, permitting you to discover the neighborhood simply. 

Lido Key: Greatest For a Mixture of Seashores and Vacationer Sights

Lido Secret’s the smallest of the keys off the shore of mainland Sarasota. It’s linked to Downtown Sarasota with a bridge, so that you’re tremendous near all of the vacationer sights. However you’re additionally simply a few minutes away from a white sandy seaside. 

Select Lido Key if you wish to expertise a little bit of every thing in Sarasota. It’s acquired the seashores, the buzzing central space of St. Armands Circle with retailers and eating places, in addition to huge public parks with mountain climbing trails. 

Professionals and Cons of Lido Key 

Professionals

• Good for condominium stays
• Near landmarks in Downtown Sarasota
• Nice Seashores 

Cons

• Not many vacationer sights on the island
• Few inns and resorts

Highlights of Staying in Lido Key

Lido Secret’s missing in touristy landmarks however presents fairly just a few pure sights. Plus, it’s tremendous near the Downtown. 

• St. Armands Key is nearly completely encircled by Lido Key. It’s like the town heart of this tiny island, linked with roads to each Lido Key and mainland Sarasota. On the heart is the St. Armands Circle shopping center, which is surrounded by eating places and different retailers. 
• Lido Seashore is the very best factor about staying on Lido Key. The sandy seaside is really a small slice of paradise, good for relaxed holidays. Come right here to swim, calm down within the sand, and observe birds within the wild. 
• South Lido County Park is about on the southern a part of this tiny island. It presents mountain climbing trails, kayaking, and bird-watching within the Hamsen Bayou. Seashores cowl a smaller part of the park, however the remaining is a extra numerous pure habitat with loads of wildlife. 

Greatest Locations to Keep in Lido Key

Lido Key is likely one of the smaller islands off the coast of mainland Sarasota. It’s linked to Downtown Sarasota with a bridge, so it’s the very best vacation spot for vacationers who need to be near every thing that issues within the metropolis. 

Lido Beach Resort

Lido Seashore Resort is a three-star beachfront resort with two out of doors swimming pools. The lodge has its personal non-public seaside with a seaside bar, a health heart, and three scorching tubs. For an easy-going trip that consists of swimming and sunbathing, this is likely one of the finest inns in Sarasota. 

Additionally, Lido Secret’s the closest to the town heart, so you possibly can nonetheless simply entry the favored vacationer sights in Downtown Sarasota for some enjoyable within the evenings. An evening at this lodge begins at roughly $350 for 2 or three folks.  

Casa Limonada Boutique Motel

Casa Limonada Boutique Motel is a motel-style property. However as a substitute of tiny rooms, each unit is a small condominium. This lodging is a good possibility for households preferring to remain in residences and have entry to a full kitchen. 

Regardless of being a two-star motel, this property may be very extremely rated by the company. The rooms are all clear and trendy, with comfy and spacious beds. The nightly fee is roughly $300 for 2 adults, and the residences can match as much as 5 company. 

Holiday Inn Sarasota – Lido Beach

Vacation Inn Sarasota is a good possibility if you wish to be tremendous near Lido Seashore. Half of the lodge rooms have views of the Gulf of Mexico, and it’s among the finest views you’ll expertise in Lido Key. 

One factor to notice is that this lodge is at the moment present process some much-needed renovations. It’s acquired a wonderful location, and the facilities included within the keep had been at all times good, however the rooms had been severely outdated, and the bogs had been worn out. That shouldn’t be the case once they reopen for enterprise! 

Longboat Key: Greatest For Households

Longboat Secret’s the biggest island off the coast of Sarasota, identified for expansive sandy seashores, high-end resorts, and golf golf equipment. Whereas there aren’t too many sights on this a part of Sarasota, vacationers can keep busy by participating in enjoyable out of doors actions. 

Biking, {golfing}, mountain climbing, kayaking, and swimming are among the prime issues to do at Longboat Key, however definitely not the one ones. Keep on this a part of Sarasota if you wish to have a chill trip and benefit from the solar and sea. 

Professionals and Cons of Longboat Key

Professionals

• Many lodge resorts
• A number of golf golf equipment 
• Glorious public seashores 

Cons

• Removed from Sarasota Downtown
• Few vacationer sights 

Highlights of Staying in Longboat Key

Longboat Secret’s nice for out of doors adventures and sports activities for the reason that actions listed here are finest for energetic vacationers. 

• {Golfing} is likely one of the finest methods to remain busy at Longboat Key. With a number of programs all around the island, there’s completely no scarcity of alternatives for a day of golf. Select the course with the very best views, and take a look at to not be distracted by the scenic vista of the ocean. 
• Kayak rental is obtainable at a number of locations on Longboat Key. Explore the mangrove islands subsequent to the Bayfront Park, and in the event you’re fortunate sufficient, you would possibly get to see dolphins. Most locations that lease kayaks will even lease paddleboards, canoes, and different gear. 
• Go to the Joan M Durante Group Park for some household enjoyable within the afternoon. Strolling trails, piers, and playgrounds await at this public park, which sits close to the middle of the Longboat Key island. 
• Charter a yacht and discover the Gulf of Mexico whereas having fun with final privateness. Journey to different cities on the coast, or spend the day moored in the course of the ocean, swimming and having enjoyable.  

Greatest Locations to Keep in Longboat Key

Longboat Key presents loads of rental complexes for vacationers. When you desire staying in non-public residences, this is likely one of the finest areas of Sarasota. Customary lodge resorts are additionally accessible, however they’re considerably costlier than the residences. 

Longboat Bay Club

Longboat Bay Membership is likely one of the finest choices for households on the island. The property options non-public residences that may accommodate as much as six company. It’s only a brief stroll from the seaside. All of the residences characteristic two bedrooms, full-sized kitchens, and personal bogs. 

A year-round out of doors pool is obtainable for all company to make use of. There’s additionally a playground for kids on the grounds of the Longboat Bay Membership. The nightly fee for residences at this resort is round $500. When cut up amongst six adults, that comes right down to roughly $60 per individual, which is an absolute steal for Sarasota. 

Zota Beach Resort

Zota Seashore Resort is a four-star resort lodge within the northern a part of Longboat Key. It’s a contemporary resort with clear and up to date rooms. Each lodge room has a desk, ensuite toilet, and a flat-screen TV. The resort options a big out of doors pool that each one company can use. 

There’s additionally a health heart, a enterprise heart, and even a personal seaside. A restaurant is obtainable on the resort, however you must really feel inspired to go away the grounds and discover this pretty city. An evening at this resort begins at $425 for 2 adults. 

Resort at Longboat Key Club

The Resort at Longboat Key Membership is a superb four-star lodge resort for vacationers who prefer to be spoiled. Select this resort in the event you like massive rooms with comfy beds, ensuite bogs, and a dishwasher within the room. With 5 on-site eating places, you received’t even have to go away the resort space in the event you don’t need to. 

An outside pool and a personal space of Longboat Key Seashore can be found for all company. The common nightly fee for this resort is $650; it’s costly, however you’ll hardly discover something cheaper with this excessive of a service degree. 

Incessantly Requested Questions

Is It Higher To Keep On Siesta Key Or Sarasota? 

Siesta Secret’s a part of Sarasota, and it’s the higher place to remain in the event you’re primarily all in favour of seashores. Keep in central Sarasota in the event you’re extra into vacationer sights and standard landmarks. 

Which Is The Greatest Place To Keep In Sarasota? 

Downtown Sarasota is the very best place to remain within the metropolis of Sarasota. It’s the neighborhood with essentially the most vacationer sights and landmarks. 

Which Are The Greatest Seashore Resorts In Sarasota? 

The very best seaside resorts in Sarasota are Lido Seashore Resort, The Residences on Siesta Key Seashore, and the Resort at Longboat Key Membership. Every resort is on a unique island (Key) in Sarasota, Florida. 

What Are The Greatest Luxurious Resorts In Sarasota?

The very best luxurious inns in Sarasota are the Ritz-Carlton, Artwork Ovation Resort, and the Sarasota Fashionable. All are within the metropolis heart (Downtown Sarasota).