Best Luxury Hotels in Sarasota

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.

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.

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.

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.