Anyone even been to Siesta Key...

[budmonster]

My whole family is coming down from up north next week for my son's graduation and I was looking to take them to the beach for a day or two. I read about Siesta Key on the internet, while it's only a 3 hour ride from me I've never been there. Anyone ever been there and if so what's it like? Is it crazy crowded or really small or really, really expensive.

I was also thinking about spending a night there to avoid the drive home. If you've been there can you recommend a descent, affordable hotel. I know I can google it but I rather hear personal experiences.

thanks

 

[FINFAN]

Siesta Key beach is large, is it beautiful. The sand is very soft and clean.While it can be crowded, you certainly have a lot of room to work with. We have not stayed at a hotel here, we are usually in Sarasota or Naples. We like all 3 areas, Siesta, Lido and Longboat. The drive between the 3 is no big deal. There is a lot of shopping/dining at St Armand's circle on Lido, Siesta has some cute shops( Siesta Key Village) as well, but not as large a selection. There are all differnt hotel choices, just depending on if you are after beachfront, or closer to 41. I think the hotel rates are the norm...nothing outrageous unless you are looking at the Ritz Carlton or something. If you go, grab lunch at Tiajauna Flats(on 41 in Sarasota, right across from the hospital) if you like Mexican...and breakfast is great at The Broken Egg..if you are a Dick Vitale fan, go there!

 

[goofinoff]

Love Siesta Key!! My parents have a place in Sarasota and when we go to visit we always take a trip to Siesta Key! Lido beach is great too. Never been to Longboat but that whole area is gorgeous. St. Armands circle is great and they have some great restaurants. Cha Cha Coconuts is great!

 

[weheartdisney]

We went to Siesta Key when our oldest son was 18 months old. It is a beautiful area. I loved the white sand beach and clear ocean water. We want to go back again - but can't stop taking a vacation at WDW long enough to go anywhere else.

We ate at The Broken Egg and talked with Dickie V. My DH is a Duke fan and his best friend is a UNC fan (was there with us). They talked for quite a while and I have some great pics of them with him.

 

[ccgirl]

My whole family is coming down from up north next week for my son's graduation and I was looking to take them to the beach for a day or two. I read about Siesta Key on the internet, while it's only a 3 hour ride from me I've never been there. Anyone ever been there and if so what's it like? Is it crazy crowded or really small or really, really expensive.

I was also thinking about spending a night there to avoid the drive home. If you've been there can you recommend a descent, affordable hotel. I know I can google it but I rather hear personal experiences.

thanks

We have been quite often as we have family in Sarasota. It is one of the most beautiful beaches you have ever seen. One of our favorite things is to get some dinner and eat on the beach while watching sunset. THe water is WARM and gorgeous. The beach is conistently rankes as one of the top 3 in the entire country. We like the Helmsely Sandcastle on Lido Key. It is right on the beach. There is also a Holiday Inn across the street. As another poster pointed out, Broken Egg is one of our favorite breakfast places. We also like Kilwin's for ice cream and Tommy Bahama's and the Columbia in St. Armand's circle.

Have fun!

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

love it!!!!

 

[John VN]

Absolutely beautiful. #1 in US.

Here's a brief article....http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20110526/ARTICLE/110529580/2416/NEWS

 

[LIDisneyFan]

Shhhhhhhhhhh. Stop telling everybody!

 

[lillygator]

the #1 beach!!

feel free to pm me for any specifics...

 

[WDWisTheBest]

We ate at The Broken Egg and talked with Dickie V.

Dickie V., baby. Siesta Key is great.

 

[lillygator]

he doesn't go to the one on Siesta much anymore, they have several locations now.

 

[shortbun]

I used to stay at Half Moon Beach Club on Lido Beach or Captiva Beach Resort on Siesta Key. Both are smallish and nice but not deluxe. They may have minimum stay requirements.

 

[rodeo65]

Love the area! My parents have a place in Bradenton and we love driving along between Bradenton and Sarasota and stopping at the beach along the way. I love to sit and watch the pelicans fish.

We always incorporate a few days to a week there with every Disney vacation. We have the rush and fun of the parks and then some quiet down time at the beach. LOVE it!!

 

[LIDisneyFan]

he doesn't go to the one on Siesta much anymore, they have several locations now.

Dickie V goes to the Broken Egg in Lakewood Ranch now

 

[lillygator]

Dickie V goes to the Broken Egg in Lakewood Ranch now

yep --I know!

 

[Tinijocaro]

My whole family is coming down from up north next week for my son's graduation and I was looking to take them to the beach for a day or two. I read about Siesta Key on the internet, while it's only a 3 hour ride from me I've never been there. Anyone ever been there and if so what's it like? Is it crazy crowded or really small or really, really expensive.

I was also thinking about spending a night there to avoid the drive home. If you've been there can you recommend a descent, affordable hotel. I know I can google it but I rather hear personal experiences.

thanks

We go there almost every year. Sarasota Beach is huge, so is Siesta Key beach. We were just there for spring break and while there were a lot of people, it wasn't crowded.

Beautiful white floury sand that never is hot to the touch. I've never seen sand like it anywhere else. Beautiful bluish green water. My kids are spoiled and any time we go to any other beach, they compare it to Siesta Key.

 

[tegdig]

I used to stay at Half Moon Beach Club on Lido Beach or Captiva Beach Resort on Siesta Key. Both are smallish and nice but not deluxe. They may have minimum stay requirements.

Half Moon Beach Club is no longer there. We used to stay there too and it has been torn down. Holiday Inn on Lido Beach is nice. Get a Gulfview room and request a higher floor. The view is fantastic. Lots of Dolphins.
If you stay on Lido, make sure you go to Siesta Key just to walk on the beach though. Easy access at the public beach.
We have stayed many many times on Siesta Key, but most of the places we have stayed there have minimum stay requirements.
You will absolutely LOVE it...it is my favorite place to be
I second about the Broken Egg, the Village Cafe in Siesta Village has a nice local feel for breakfast and the Salty Dog on the water just before Longboat Key is a fun place to sit outside and eat on the water.
I agree with the shhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!! post.....we are letting way too many people know about all of this!!!!