Sarasota Hotels

What you need to know to plan your visit to our slice of paradise here on the Sarasota, Florida Suncoast.

Sarasota Hotels: Why you need to plan and book early:

Even with dozens upon dozens of Sarasota Hotels from which to choose and over 8,200 hotel rooms currently available in both the Sarasota-Manatee county areas, it doesn’t hurt to plan early and book your rooms early.

This is especially true if you plan to stay in one of the hotels in Sarasota or the immediate surrounding areas of Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Lido Key, Anna Maria Island, Venice or Bradenton (Manatee County).

In recent months and years tourism numbers have been breaking records and Sarasota hotels have seen their occupancy and average daily room rates increase to the highest on record.

It doesn’t appear that it’s going to let up anytime soon. Therefore, my best advice is to book your room as early as possible.

Hotels in Sarasota - Why our occupancy rates
are breaking records:

The prime reasons why Sarasota has become such a vacation destination and winter snowbird magnet are because of all the good press the region has received in recent years.

From Siesta Key Beach being named in 2011 the #1 beach in the USA to being named in 2014 the “sexiest small city in America,” as well as Google’s choice for Florida’s eCity for 2014, the number of Top 10 lists that Sarasota has shown up in has definitely had a positive effect on the region’s recognition and popularity.

Plus local Sarasota hotels and resorts have appeared on other "popularity lists," as well, in travel magazines such as Conde Nast where readers voted the Resort at The Longboat Key Club the Number 12 spot and the Ritz-Carlton-Sarasota Number 28 on a list of Top 40 Florida Resorts.

Not only are rooms at Sarasota hotels being competed for by national and international travelers, but also by Floridians who come to stay, on or near our fabulous Sarasota Beaches, for a getaway from nearby cities like Orlando, which are known as “drive in markets.”

While in recent years there hasn’t seemed to be much of an “off” season, as tourism numbers have been steadily growing, the most busy times of the year are when the convergence of the peak of snowbird season, winter vacation season and spring break all take place; usually February, March and April.

Snowbird season traditionally ends just after Easter or Siesta Fiesta, a local Festival on Siesta Key, whichever is later.

The biggest and busiest time of the year is the Fourth of July, not only because of the holiday itself but July 4th is usually surrounded by and ensconced in the Annual Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix Offshore Racing Festival.

Fourth of July in Sarasota is, without doubt, the biggest day of the year.

Sarasota Hotels

Other busy weeks of the year tend to be around Memorial Day and Labor Day and whenever there is a large sporting event being hosted in the Sarasota area, especially ones at Sarasota’s Nathan Benderson Park, recognized as one of the premier world class rowing and aquatic sports centers in North America.

It's at times like these that Sarasota hotels are booked to the brim.

So again, it doesn’t hurt to plan and book early. It's not impossible to find a room on short notice. I've had family members book hotel rooms here as late as 60 days in advance of a Labor Day Holiday weekend with no trouble.

But again, it depends on where you want to stay and how popular a location or hotel it is. 

Sarasota Hotels

As for a special vacation or occasion or a very popular hotel that you just have to stay at, planning a year in advance, in my opinion, is not too early to insure that you have your special place booked, reserved and locked in.

You can always purchase Travel Insurance in case a glitch develops that prevents your trip from happening.

And remember, the closer you get to the water, the pricier the rooms will be. But there are some good deals to be had as you will see from browsing the lists of Sarasota Hotels that I have put together here for you.

In an attempt to give you the widest selection of Sarasota hotels from which to choose in these pages I’ll not only cover hotels in Sarasota, but also Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Lido Key, Anna Maria Island, Venice and Bradenton.

Sarasota Hotels:

Ritz Carlton Sarasota: What can be said about the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota that isn't already stated by just seeing the name, Ritz-Carlton? It is a 5 star quality hotel. And it sits in a beautiful spot right on Sarasota Bay. It sports a beautiful view of the bay and the location is convenient to downtown Sarasota's Restaurants, the Arts District and a short drive over the John Ringling Bridge puts you on St. Armand's Circle where you can shop, dine and stroll, or head over to Ben Franklin Drive to Lido Key Beach. It's also close to the Ringling Museum of Art and Ringling Circus Museum as well as Sarasota International Airport. They have 4 dining venues at the Ritz including Jack Dusty and the Beach Club Grille. Click here for reservations and more on the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota.

voco Sarasota by IHG: Originally known as The Hotel Indigo Sarasota, voco Sarasota by IHG, is just down the street and across Rt 41 from the old Hyatt Regency Sarasota which has been demolished to make way for a new hotel. Located in the Sarasota Arts District, it's also just steps from downtown Sarasota's wide array of restaurants and shops. It's also a short drive over the Ringling Causeway Bridge to St. Armand's Circle's shops and dining spots, the beaches of Lido Key, Mote Marine Aquarium  and the bridge to Longboat Key. It offers a cocktail lounge and the H2o Bistro which offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Adjacent to Sarasota Bay, it's also a convenient location to Sarasota International Airport. Click here for reservations and more on the voco Sarasota by IHG.

Hyatt Place Sarasota Lakewood Ranch: Staying at the Hyatt Place Sarasota - Lakewood Ranch puts you in a convenient location to I-75 if you're traveling out of the immediate Sarasota area for day trips, other business or if you want to enjoy multiple Sarasota area beaches without getting caught up in urban traffic. It's close enough to the beaches at Lido Key, a mere 25 minute drive, about 13.5 miles. And it's also within easy driving distance to Siesta Key Beach; Just jump on I-75 South, get off in 3 exits at Clark Road, head due west on to Stickney Point Road, over the drawbridge and you're on Siesta Key, a mere 23 minute ride, or about 15 miles. This location is also close to the shops and restaurants on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch, the rowing and aquatic center at Nathan Benderson Park along with the recently relocated Mote Aquarium and the newest area shopping mall, University Town Center and surrounding shops and restaurants. Click here for reservations and more on the Hyatt Place Sarasota - Lakewood Ranch.

Sarasota Hotels

La Quinta Inn & Suites Sarasota: La Quinta Inn & Suites Sarasota is located in the downtown Sarasota Historical Area right on Rt 41, also known as the Tamiami Trail. Near the airport and the Ringling Museum, you're also just a short drive away to the beaches of Lido Key and the restaurants and dining spots of St. Armand's Circle. Just northwest of downtown Sarasota but still near enough where a short drive will put you into the Art District and the downtown area's restaurants and nightlife, you're also close to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. BTW: they have a heated outdoor pool! Yes, it can get chilly in Sarasota during January - March. Click here for reservations and more on the La Quinta Inn & Suites Sarasota.

Ramada by Wyndham Sarasota Waterfront: The Ramada by Wyndham Sarasota Waterfront is located in an area known as Whitfield and northwest of the Sarasota International Airport, right on Rt 41, the Tamiami Trail. From here, you're a short drive to the John and Mable Ringling Museum, the Sarasota Bay Front and downtown Sarasota. Other nearby attractions include St. Armand's Circle with numerous good restaurants, cafes and shops and the nearest beaches are on Lido key. Click here for reservations and more on the Ramada by Wyndham Sarasota Waterfront.

Spark by Hilton Sarasota Siesta Key Gateway: The Spark by Hilton Siesta Key Gateway is just about a 1/4 mile from the south bridge onto Siesta Key. Go over the bridge, make a right onto Midnight Pass Road, which leads into Beach Road and you're about 10 minutes to the number one beach in the U.S., Siesta Key Beach. This hotel's not on Siesta Key, but it is close enough to be a consideration if you don't need to see the Gulf of Mexico from your hotel's window. They serve free breakfast. They have an outdoor Tiki style bar near the pool. This location is also near an area known as Gulf Gate, which has a number of night life spots, restaurants and ethnic shops to walk through. Click here for reservations and more on the Spark by Hilton Siesta Key Gateway.

Hibiscus Suites - Gateway to Siesta Key: They are on Stickney Point Rd, about 1/4 mile from the south bridge onto Siesta Key. Again, much like Spark by Hilton Sarasota - Siesta Key Gateway (in the same area), you just drive over the bridge and you're on Siesta Key in a matter of a few short minutes. You're also near Rt. 41 in the Gulf Gate area for night life and from here it's an easy drive to other area beaches to the south such as Nokomis Beach, Venice Beach and Caspersen Beach. Click here for reservations and more on the Hibiscus Suites - Gateway to Siesta Key.

Carlisle Inn - Sarasota: The Carlisle Inn is a sparkling clean hotel off the beaten path in Sarasota on Bahia Vista Street in the heart of Sarasota Amish Country, known as Pinecraft. The Carlisle Inn boasts a refreshing outdoor pool, banquet rooms and ask about their free buffet breakfast. Plus it's just across the parking lot from the Amish Restaurant Der Dutchman and Yoder's Amish Village and Restaurant is just down the street. You won't be searching long for good food in this neighborhood. Some of the best food in Sarasota! Click here for reservations and more on the Carlisle Inn - Sarasota. 

Siesta Key Hotels

Looking to wake up in the morning just inches from the waterside and ready to wriggle your toes in the cool, white sand of Siesta Key Beach? Or perhaps an early morning sunrise walk along the strand? Looking for a hotel on Siesta Key? Click here for my review and summary of Siesta Key Beach Hotels.

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