Best Luxury Hotels In Sarasota

Escape to Florida’s Gulf Coast, with its white sandy beaches, azure ocean, mangroves and parklands. Sarasota is found south of Tampa, with many miles of perfect coastline and shallow waters for those of all ages to splash and play in the surf. Even in the coldest months, temperatures average in the early 20s, making it a year-round holiday destination. The city was once home to the country’s most famous circus, a heritage you can explore at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art and the circus master’s former residence, Ca’ d’Zan Mansion (a 56-room Venetian Gothic palace.



Sarasota, Florida

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms276 Rooms & Suites with Private Balconies
AmenitiesDining Options, Private Balconies, Spa, Fitness Centre, Two Heated Outdoor Pools, Club Lounge, 18-Hole Championship Golf Course, Tennis Courts, Complimentary Lido Key Beach Club Shuttle

With all of its 266 rooms overlooking the bay, this hotel carries all of the classic elegance and British sensibilities you’d expect from the Ritz-Carlton group. The freeform pool features palm tree islands, thatched pagodas and provides views across the marina (the ideal spot to watch the sun set) and there’s a separate kids pool and club to entertain younger guests. Tennis courts and a Tom Fazio-designed 18-hole golf course are available and there’s a complimentary shuttle to the resort’s Lido Key Beach Club located. All bedrooms and suites at the AAA Four Diamond resort have balconies and are decorated using fine art, and contemporary and vintage furnishings.

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The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

Sarasota, Florida

Art Ovation Hotel, Autograph Collection

Hotel
(4 stars)
At a glance
Rooms162 Rooms & Suites
AmenitiesDining Includes Tzeva & Perspective Rooftop Bar, 24hr Fitness Centre, Rooftop Pool

Celebrating all things creative and close to the Ringling College of Art and Design, the Art Ovation Hotel is a unique boutique property. Bedrooms and suites come equipped with sketchbooks, colouring pencils and a ukulele, there’s an Artist’s Studio for makers to work onsite, and an enthralling programme of installations, performances and workshops. Guests also benefit from the use of loaner two beach chairs, coolers, bicycles and kick scooters while staying. The Perspective Rooftop Bar provides views across the city, marina and park with a warming fire pit, while the Overture Restaurant is the place for modern American dining.

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Art Ovation Hotel, Autograph Collection

Sarasota, Florida

The Sarasota Modern, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

Hotel
(4 stars)
At a glance
Rooms89 Rooms & Suites
AmenitiesLounge Bar, 24hr Fitness Centre, Three Outdoor Pools

Striking and minimalist, The Sarasota Modern has been inspired by midcentury architecture. With 14 room categories, it caters to a diverse range of guests; from digital nomads (desks with USB ports are provided in each), to honeymooning couples and groups seeking self-catering facilities. It has a playful spirit, with its Wink Wink Modern Lounge and Wink Wink Modern Pool Bar, with the adjoining Tiki pool bar with overhanging palms. Order Polynesian-inspired or vintage-style smoking whisky cocktails. Beach chairs, beach towels, beach blankets and bicycles can be borrowed and there are ping pong tables, deck games and a pool table.

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The Sarasota Modern, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

The Westin Sarasota

Hotel
(4 stars)

Located in the heart of downtown Sarasota, The Westin is the perfect place from which to explore the city’s vibrant arts and cultural scene. Overlooking Sarasota Bay, the Westin boasts stunning views and is a stone’s throw away from the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, and the bustling Marina Jack. The Westin is family-friendly, catering to both business and leisure travellers with its blend of contemporary comforts and thoughtful amenities.

The Westin has 255 guest rooms, including 30 suites, all of which have been designed with guests’ relaxation in mind and feature Westin’s signature Heavenly Beds, floor-to-ceiling windows, and spacious bathrooms with rainfall showers. Rooms are also equipped with modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, mini-refrigerators, and high-speed internet.

The Westin’s interior combines sleek, modern design with a soothing colour palette, creating an atmosphere that is both sophisticated and calming. This all gives the hotel a chic and relaxing atmosphere which helps guests unwind and de-stress.

The Westin is home to its own rooftop bar and infinity pool which boasts breathtaking views of Sarasota Bay and the city skyline. Guests can also dine at the hotel’s signature restaurant, which uses only the finest locally sourced ingredients to create a menu which is inspired by the flavours of Florida. The Westin also has its own spa which offers a variety of treatments, and the well-equipped WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio.

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The Westin Sarasota

Waterline Villas & Marina, Autograph Collection

Hotel
(5 stars)

Waterline Villas & Marina, Autograph Collection is a boutique resort located on Anna Maria Island, a picturesque island on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The resort enjoys a prime waterfront position, offering easy access to the island’s pristine beaches and local attractions. The Waterline is family-friendly, making it ideal for both couples seeking a romantic escape and families looking for a relaxing beach vacation. It is home to 37 spacious two-bedroom villas, each designed to feel like a private residence. The villas are equipped with kitchens, separate living and dining areas, and private balconies which makes them the perfect place to relax and unwind for a few days. The Waterline seamlessly blends coastal elegance with a laid-back island vibe throughout each Villa’s interior. The villas are bathed in natural light which is complemented by natural textures and colours that reflect the beauty of the surrounding waters and beaches. 

The resort is home to a heated outdoor pool with cabanas, a well-equipped fitness centre, and an on-site marina with 50 boat slips, offering direct access to the Gulf of Mexico. The resort’s restaurant serves fresh, seasonal cuisine which revolves around seafood and regional flavours. Guests can use the resort’s bicycles and fishing gear, allowing them to fully explore the island.

A standout feature of Waterline is its proximity to the attractions of Anna Maria Island like the Historic Bridge Street Pier and the island’s beautiful, uncrowded beaches. The resort can also organise kayaking, paddleboarding, and other water-based activities for guests.

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Waterline Villas & Marina, Autograph Collection

* All the properties and products we feature are independently selected by our editors and contributors. If you buy something we may earn a commission.

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