Help with Florida beach trip

[Pyotr]

They were looking at the Ritz Carlton Sarasota. Not sure if it’s beachfront. I don’t think that’s a top priority.

It’s not Beach Front but it is very, very nice. It’s in downtown Sarasota near the water. Lido and Siesta are a short drive away.

 

[Frwinkley]

Thanks so much!

 

[jump00]

I also love this hotel and have stayed there many times. The hotel overlooks the intercoastal waterway, as opposed to the gulf, but the water is very wide there and we enjoy sitting on the balcony watching the boats go by.

We enjoy the views of the inter coastal as well - the dolphins are always a delight! The lovely white sandy beaches of Clearwater are only 10 minutes away too.

 

[Lake183]

The Ritz is great choice. It also has a Beach Club facility w a pool and tiki bar on Lido. Even if you aren't a beach lover, taking a walk on Lido at sunset is simply awesome.

 

[Bbbethei]

Another vote for Clearwater Beach. That powdery white sand can't be beat!

 

[Travel60]

The only thing about gulf coast in warmer weather is the red tide. You never know how bad it's going to be.
I wintered in Venice (30 or so miles south of Sarasota) for 6 years. Loved Venice but Sarasota was the go-to place for professional theater, nice restaurants, other cultural events, etc.
The Ritz, as mentioned, is on the bay but is right by the causeway bridge so going over to the keys should not be a problem at that time of year. But it is in an area that has recently been highly developed. The downtown strip is walking distance but you might be risking your life with the traffic.

 

[fla4fun]

Too touristy for me. I did once. Never again.

This surprises me, as a lot of the surrounding area on Sand Key is residential, with just the Sheraton and Marriott hotels. We didn’t feel it was touristy at all. Now, if you were referring to Clearwater Beach, the next beach north of Sand Key, I would totally agree with you. I tried that once and wouldn’t go back. But if the OP is looking at a resort atmosphere, on a Florida beach, it’s probably at least going to be close to touristy areas, if not right in the middle of them.

Personally, I prefer the little mom and pop motels from Indian Rocks Beach down to Treasure Island. We stayed in motels like that when I was growing up. But I am not always looking for a “resort” experience. Sometimes I just want to relax on the beach. The Marriott is one of the few larger properties I have found in that vicinity that I enjoyed (the other being the Doubletree North Redington Beach, but it doesn’t feel as resort-ish as the Marriott).

Sorry you didn’t enjoy Sand Key.

 

[HeatherC]

The Don Cesar Resort on St. Pete beach?

 

[TLSnell1981]

Siesta Key is the best beach I’ve ever been to. The sand is like baby powder. It’s about a 2 hour drive from Disney.

You had me at baby powder sand! It is the BEST!

 

[Timandalicia]

Asking for my DD and her husband:

Following 4 days in Disney in May, they'd like to spend 3 nights at a beach location. Here's the kicker: they don't really like the ocean, but would love a really nice hotel, beautiful pool, grounds, ocean views and plenty of food options. They'd like to limit the drive time from Disney to 3 hours, so Miami is out. Either coast would be fine. Although they've done Disney plenty of times, they know nothing (and neither do I) about Florida beaches.

Thanks for the help!

I know exactly what they are looking for. They want the Sandpearl resort in Clearwater Beach. Great for young couples. Has a great pool and great grounds. They hand you a glass of champagne when you walk into the lobby. Beachfront room has spectacular view of the sunsets. Lots of restaurant options there and on either side of the resort- Frenchy’s is a must do.

 

[andyman8]

I know exactly what they are looking for. They want the Sandpearl resort in Clearwater Beach. Great for young couples. Has a great pool and great grounds. They hand you a glass of champagne when you walk into the lobby. Beachfront room has spectacular view of the sunsets. Lots of restaurant options there and on either side of the resort- Frenchy’s is a must do.

I second the Sandpearl. Quite a bit to do and has some great dining options. If that’s booked up or they’re looking for something a bit younger and chic, Opal Sands (owned by the Sandpearl) is another (new) option in Clearwater Beach. It’s also fantastic.

Ultimately, I think it depends on also what they’re looking for from their hotel/resort vs. the surrounding area. If not staying at either of those resorts, Clearwater Beach is mostly standard hotels (i.e. pool, one restaurant, basic amenities) with tons of dining, shops, and activities within walking/driving distance. But if they’re looking for something more self-contained, Clearwater isn’t really the place to go outside of those two hotels.

The Don Cesar on St. Pete Beach has been mentioned. It’s another lovey option; just keep in mind it’s a bit older so rooms are a bit smaller but service, dining, and amenities are great. I will caution that St. Pete Beach is kind of out there, so there’s not a ton to do immediately surround hotel. If they’re willing to be a bit further from the beach (instead, they’d be on the bay), the Vinoy is a hotel in St. Pete that’s right next to all the activities, shops, bars, nightlife and restaurants of downtown St. Pete. It’s a beautiful hotel with a central location, just again not on the beach (it does have a really nice pool and it’s on the bay).

One nice, more self-contained option (I think it’s been mentioned) is the Longboat Key Club, which has a wide range of accommodations depending on what they’re looking for. There’s also tons of on-site activities and the resort has a good selection of on-site restaurants. You’re also not far from St. Armands Circle with all its shopping and dining. At one point, during busier times of the year, they used to offer a shuttle between the Circle and the resort. Many of the other nearby options are going to be more compact hotels with fewer sprawling resorts amenities.

For even more of a “resort feel,” I’d suggest looking at Naples. If their budget allows, I’d highly recommend the Ritz Carlton Naples (the beachfront property, not the golf resort). As one would expect with any Ritz, service and amenities are stellar but the resort also has a wide range of activities, beautiful location, and outstanding dining (including a beachfront restaurant called Gumbo Limbo that’s food is as delicious as its views are breathtaking). Not sure if they’re spa people, but the spa here is also amazing. A slightly more affordable option — though still luxurious — would be the Naples Grand. This resort has a ridiculous amount to do. It has some absolutely fantastic pools, a number of watercraft rental and bike rental options, and a couple really good restaurant choices. Though it’s technically on the beach, it’s a bit more of walk (on a boardwalk) to the beach, but due to the resort’s tall height, there are still some breathtaking ocean views to be had from rooms on the higher floors.

If they’re willing to do a slightly longer drive (usually like 3 hours and 15 mins or so), the J.W. Marriott Marco Island is a fantastic self-contained option with tons of great activities and amenities and it has decent restaurants too. It’s more family-friendly but the price-point may be more appealing.

Those would be my recommendations. Mind you, my experience with all these hotels is pre-COVID-19 so not sure how the experiences will be affected by that.

 

[LovesTimone]

St Augustine, was my first thought.. lots to do, and lots of great restaurants..

Really any Gulf Beach towns can handle what they are looking for... If they are looking for a property that has multiple restaurants, and amenity within the hotel property, that will be harder to find..

Since I am a local and born and raised here, We look for the quieter beaches if we want to decompress, and eat good seafood, Lots and Lots of great seafood in what alot of people would call seafood shacks, or dives... Soooo Good...

True - Beach towns are a different slice of America for sure... Laid Back, No Hurry, No Worry... Swim wear, and short and tank and your good to go...

We always take people that come to see us, over to Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral and the space center, At the port there are some really good restaurants, The original Ron Jon's surf shop is there, the Gambling Cruise ship is going out now, as well there is some kinda park that they finished.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

OP here: can anyone comment on Sarasota? They are leaning towards there because of a particular hotel. They are less about the town and more about a hotel with fabulous amenities.

I saw you mentioned the Ritz, it’s not beachfront but it’s a really nice Ritz property.

to put it bluntly, how snobby are they about hotels? If their idea of a nice hotel is really top notch, then the offerings in Clearwater/St. Pete (despite the stunning beaches) are going to be lacking.

Naples and Ft. Lauderdale will have the nicest hotels within 3hrs (maybe a little bit more) of Disney.

If it were me, I’d drive the bit extra to Miami (well technically just north) and stay at the St. Regis Bal Harbour. It’s a lovely, quiet hotel with two pools (one adult) right on the beach. It has a couple of restaurants on property (the burger place is meh but Atlantikos is delicious) but is also directly across the street from The Shops at Bal Harbour, which has a bunch of luxury stores and restaurants. It’s also a within Uber distance to all the hubbub of Miami/Southbeach.

I’ve stayed there a lot so I’m a bit biased lol. It has all the amenities you’d expect of a high end hotel.

 

[Poohlove]

I never miss an opportunity to suggest Indian Rocks Beach to anyone. There is a hotel that has a water park, a Holiday Inn I believe. It’s so laid back and the sunsets can not be beat.

 

[Frwinkley]

Admittedly, my DD is a hotel snob (a bit of my own creation).

I think they'll lean towards either the Ritz Carlton Sarasota or Longboat Key Club.

 

[mmouse37]

We also love Sand Key in Clearwater. We usually stay at the Sheraton, right over the bridge. It is a huge wide and deep beach but the hotel and pool are both nice. We have stayed there before and after WDW trips and DCL cruises.

Oceanfront Hotel in Clearwater Beach, Florida | Sheraton Sand Key Resort (marriott.com)

MJ

 

[2China2009]

We are doing 4 night stay wdw and then have verbose in Anna Maria island for 5 days. Going to rent a car and drive in. We have really never spent any time around or in the ocean so we are really excited.

 

[Frwinkley]

OP here:

They are leaning either towards the Opal Sands in Clearwater or the Long Boat Key Club in Sarasota. Both look beautiful to me.

Which area would you say is less crowded and less touristy? I'm thinking Sarasota.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I live on Marco Island and it's about 3.5 hours away by car. Both Naples and Marco seem to roll up the sidewalk around 8PM. We have a lot of older retirees here.

 

[Pyotr]

OP here:

They are leaning either towards the Opal Sands in Clearwater or the Long Boat Key Club in Sarasota. Both look beautiful to me.

Which area would you say is less crowded and less touristy? I'm thinking Sarasota.

Sarasota is slower paced and less crowded than Clearwater. Nightlife is better in Clearwater.