Sarasota, Florida – any beach hotel recommendations?

[QwertyKnowsBest]

It’s a good many years since I had several good stays in Beach hotels on the key and eating/drinking in St Armands circle. I passed through maybe 12 years ago and it was looking run down and faded.

Wondering if any readers have stayed recently and if it has come back and any beach hotel recommendations?

Thanks

[Lady London]

Not beach but the Hyatt opposite the airport was fine

[TMG]

Nothing run down about St Armands Circle these days. Sarasota itself has seen a lot of construction in recent years. Can’t speak to beach hotels as our last couple of stays have been in Siesta Key Village where accommodation tends to be more geared towards very small private hotel and apartment rentals. SK Beach is fantastic.

[Olly]

We stayed there for 3 nights last month but in the town rather than on the key.

If your pockets are deep or you have a decent chunk of Bonvoy points you can have the best of both worlds by staying at the Ritz Carlton in that they have a beach club (and free hourly shuttle or you can drive yourself and there’s free parking).

If you’re generally looking for a beach break in that region, not specifically Sarasota, I’d recommend Anna Maria island slightly further up the coast – we stayed at another Marriott resort called Waterline villas which I’d also recommend (and a good value redemption)

[QwertyKnowsBest]

I had forgotten about Anna Marie. Siesta Key looks good but tricky to establish which if any of the smaller hotels are good.

Thanks all.