lovely place to stay for one night in Sarasota area?
Feb 3rd, 2008, 07:56 AM
#1
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lovely place to stay for one night in Sarasota area?
Hoping to find very pleasant accommodations, hopefully on a handsome beach for around $350 night. Wondering whether that's possible for a Friday or Sunday night in late February. Would love to find someplace especially quiet and restful as we're bad sleepers even at best and particularly so when we travel. We'll be on our way from Naples up to Gainesville for a business appt on Saturday (overnight) and hope to break the trip in at least one of the directions. Would also be interested to hear about any pleasant biking trails in the area.
Many thanks.
Many thanks.
Feb 3rd, 2008, 10:25 AM
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Longboat Key is a barrier island just outside of Sarasota and a beautiful place. A really nice place would be The Colony and it's right on the beach. There is a great biking trail on the 12 mile island.
If you cannot get into The Colony you might try Hilton and you'll probably be successful there.
The island is beautiful!
If you cannot get into The Colony you might try Hilton and you'll probably be successful there.
The island is beautiful!
Feb 3rd, 2008, 04:09 PM
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Thanks for reply, LN. Can you tell me, please, what the difference is among the various keys in that area, e.g. how does Longboat differ from Siesta from Lido? Just wondering why you suggest Longboat over the others. (More quiet and laid back?)
Feb 4th, 2008, 02:14 AM
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Feb 4th, 2008, 05:22 AM
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Thanks for reply, AA. Turtle Beach looks interesting, but since we don't use public hot tubs (just don't trust the sanitation), much of the appeal of that place would be lost on us. Also, if possible, we'd love to find somewhere directly on the beach. I"m hoping someone can differentiate for me among those 3 keys, so that I can better focus on which one would better suit us.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Feb 4th, 2008, 09:54 AM
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I'm topping hoping that MimiX3 or other folks who live in the Sarasota area can help. Our one night stay would be Feb. 23, which is coming up soon, so I'm hoping to get a reservation made.
We're looking for somewhere nice as possible, but trying to keep nightly rate to around $350. I wish I better understood the difference among those 3 keys and also which part of each is the best for us. We don't want any night-life or "action"; just looking for a quiet and restful place to spend the night and go to the beach a bit the next morning or perhaps ride our bikes (after hopefully some sight-seeing in the area the day of the visit-- Marie Selby, maybe Ringling, etc)
Please help! (Swimming pool is of no importance, by the way.)
We're looking for somewhere nice as possible, but trying to keep nightly rate to around $350. I wish I better understood the difference among those 3 keys and also which part of each is the best for us. We don't want any night-life or "action"; just looking for a quiet and restful place to spend the night and go to the beach a bit the next morning or perhaps ride our bikes (after hopefully some sight-seeing in the area the day of the visit-- Marie Selby, maybe Ringling, etc)
Please help! (Swimming pool is of no importance, by the way.)
Feb 4th, 2008, 10:09 AM
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I live on Siesta Key so I'm somewhat prejudiced, but Siesta has the best beaches and bike trails but the Colony on LBK may be what you're looking for. Siesta does not have many hotels, mostly condos and end of Feb is part of the high season so there is usually at least 3 day up to a week minimum stay required.
There is also the Ritz but it's in downtown area. They do have a shuttle running to their beach club on Lido.
Lido beaches are ok but IMHO they would be #3 on the list and it's not set up for quiet, relaxing biking.
There is also the Ritz but it's in downtown area. They do have a shuttle running to their beach club on Lido.
Lido beaches are ok but IMHO they would be #3 on the list and it's not set up for quiet, relaxing biking.
Feb 4th, 2008, 11:50 AM
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Thanks very much for checking back in, AA. And how nice it must be to live on Siesta Key!
I telephoned Turtle Beach and, in fact, they do have availability for just the one night (tho they say they prefer not to book that way, which is of course understandable). A rate of $350 per night for a place not even on the beach seems steep to me, but I'm probably naive abt what things "should" cost. Is the place (the inn part of the complex) really quite terrific? Does it have a new feel, or is it more Old Florida? Are the surroundings especially handsome, including what's around it? (What is around it, in fact?) Do you think it'd be quiet despite the fact that it's on boating water? Is the "best" Siesta Key beach walking distance? Is there a good restaurant in walking distance? Have you ever actually been inside any of the rooms?
Once again-- many thanks to you!
I telephoned Turtle Beach and, in fact, they do have availability for just the one night (tho they say they prefer not to book that way, which is of course understandable). A rate of $350 per night for a place not even on the beach seems steep to me, but I'm probably naive abt what things "should" cost. Is the place (the inn part of the complex) really quite terrific? Does it have a new feel, or is it more Old Florida? Are the surroundings especially handsome, including what's around it? (What is around it, in fact?) Do you think it'd be quiet despite the fact that it's on boating water? Is the "best" Siesta Key beach walking distance? Is there a good restaurant in walking distance? Have you ever actually been inside any of the rooms?
Once again-- many thanks to you!
Feb 4th, 2008, 12:22 PM
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I will be honest.
Gail and Dave (the owners) are friends of mine.
Few years ago Gail had a family emergency in Israel and they "hired" me to help out Dave while she was gone.
At that time they only owned the original 10 cabins on the intercoastal side.
I didn't even know they bought the inn on the opposite side of the road until last year around this time. I called to reserve a room for Valantine's Day. Gail informed me of the new property and since the new property had couple of rooms available, we took one of them.
Does it have the plush, Ritz, 4Seasons type accomodations?
NO
Is it well kept, very clean, individually decorated?
YES
It's not old Florida but it's also not modern, plush style. It's unique.
The location is great for what you're looking for. You are at the south end of the key, a very quiet end. The beach is an easy walk. You can ride bikes up to the south bridge (about 5 miles) and share the winding, residential road with very few cars.
The main Siesta Key public beach is about 3 miles north of the south bridge so it's not next door but it is walkable (on the beach the whole way) or biking with bike trails clearly marked once you pass the south bridge commercial area. Our beach is accesable to all, no private beaches, so it's possible to walk the entire length of the island with the few exceptions where there are natural barriers. AFAIK there are no natural barriers between the south end to the village, only few north of the village.
There are couple of very nice restaurants within walking distance.
Ophelia's - a very good restaurant with either inside or outside waterside dining.
Turtles - also good
Then there is Turtle Beach Pub - a regular hamburger/fish Florida joint.
If you are willing to drive, come up to the Siesta village(about 10 miles drive on the main island road). Blase Cafe owned by another friend, Cindy, is always a pleasure. Maximos owned by an old friend Max(go figure) has an interesting menu, a mix of Italian/African dishes, plus about 10 more places and many shops.
Decisions, decisions....
Gail and Dave (the owners) are friends of mine.
Few years ago Gail had a family emergency in Israel and they "hired" me to help out Dave while she was gone.
At that time they only owned the original 10 cabins on the intercoastal side.
I didn't even know they bought the inn on the opposite side of the road until last year around this time. I called to reserve a room for Valantine's Day. Gail informed me of the new property and since the new property had couple of rooms available, we took one of them.
Does it have the plush, Ritz, 4Seasons type accomodations?
NO
Is it well kept, very clean, individually decorated?
YES
It's not old Florida but it's also not modern, plush style. It's unique.
The location is great for what you're looking for. You are at the south end of the key, a very quiet end. The beach is an easy walk. You can ride bikes up to the south bridge (about 5 miles) and share the winding, residential road with very few cars.
The main Siesta Key public beach is about 3 miles north of the south bridge so it's not next door but it is walkable (on the beach the whole way) or biking with bike trails clearly marked once you pass the south bridge commercial area. Our beach is accesable to all, no private beaches, so it's possible to walk the entire length of the island with the few exceptions where there are natural barriers. AFAIK there are no natural barriers between the south end to the village, only few north of the village.
There are couple of very nice restaurants within walking distance.
Ophelia's - a very good restaurant with either inside or outside waterside dining.
Turtles - also good
Then there is Turtle Beach Pub - a regular hamburger/fish Florida joint.
If you are willing to drive, come up to the Siesta village(about 10 miles drive on the main island road). Blase Cafe owned by another friend, Cindy, is always a pleasure. Maximos owned by an old friend Max(go figure) has an interesting menu, a mix of Italian/African dishes, plus about 10 more places and many shops.
Decisions, decisions....
Feb 5th, 2008, 05:04 AM
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AA: Thanks for the disclaimer and also for the continued helpful information. I think the rate at Turtle Beach is higher than we want to pay, especially because we wouldn't be using the hot tub or any of their equipment (we have a hot tub at home, we'd be bringing our own bikes, we've got our own kayaks, etc) The photos of the rooms look pleasant; if they had some sort of handsome view, we'd spring for the hefty fee even aside from not using most of the amenities.
Would you happen to know of any less "speciality" accommodations perhaps? E.g. are there any quite pleasant motels that'd have a genuine view and be not noisy? Or even one without a sea view might be fine. We do hope to do some biking along the key and perhaps some beach strolling, but we also want to do some things in town. Are there any quite nice motels in quiet and handsome areas of the city itself?
Would you happen to know of any less "speciality" accommodations perhaps? E.g. are there any quite pleasant motels that'd have a genuine view and be not noisy? Or even one without a sea view might be fine. We do hope to do some biking along the key and perhaps some beach strolling, but we also want to do some things in town. Are there any quite nice motels in quiet and handsome areas of the city itself?
Feb 5th, 2008, 05:18 AM
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Would you consider a B&B? My brother has raved about The Cypress near Selby Gardens http://www.cypressbb.com/ -- it's not on the beach (does have a view of the bay) but he thought it was a charming place to stay.
Feb 5th, 2008, 05:45 AM
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Cassandra: Thanks very much for the suggestion. I looked at the website and, indeed, it looks like just the kind of place that might fit the bill for this visit. Alas, they have only queen beds, and we really do need a king (restless sleepers). But a good thought!
Feb 5th, 2008, 07:40 AM
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I can't think of any waterfront daily hotel type accomodations on Siesta. Most are condos that have a min stay requirement during the high season.
check out
www.siestakeychamber.com
and call couple of the waterfront condos to see if any of them allow 1 night stay.
You may be better off staying on Longboat Key at the http://www.colonybeachresort.com/ or the Hilton
On Lido try this place, http://www.lidobeachresort.com/
Good luck!
check out
www.siestakeychamber.com
and call couple of the waterfront condos to see if any of them allow 1 night stay.
You may be better off staying on Longboat Key at the http://www.colonybeachresort.com/ or the Hilton
On Lido try this place, http://www.lidobeachresort.com/
Good luck!
Feb 6th, 2008, 01:00 PM
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I have a home on Longboat Key. The Colony is a higher end resort, quiet and does nightly rates as well as weekly. It's a delightful place and definitely a 4 star. Otherwise Hilton is a very nice hotel and I have no difficulty recommending it.
Longboat Key, Siesta Key, and Anna Maria Island are barrier islands outside of Sarasota/Bradenton. The three islands have extremely beautiful beaches with white, talcum powder sand and not a lot of beach traffic (at least not on LBK). Bike trails are great on each island and there's an abundance of excellent restaurants too.
But, I just realized, how are you going to find time for biking on a one night stay?
Also how much did you want to spend? $350 or ???
Longboat Key, Siesta Key, and Anna Maria Island are barrier islands outside of Sarasota/Bradenton. The three islands have extremely beautiful beaches with white, talcum powder sand and not a lot of beach traffic (at least not on LBK). Bike trails are great on each island and there's an abundance of excellent restaurants too.
But, I just realized, how are you going to find time for biking on a one night stay?
Also how much did you want to spend? $350 or ???
Feb 6th, 2008, 01:24 PM
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May I poke my head in here to ask a question of AAFrequentFlyer? Is the beach THAT different ... Siesta Key Beach from Crescent Beach? I'm thinking of staying on technically what is SKB, right before it becomes Crescent. Never been there but I'm assuming there's very little difference since I hear it's all beautiful? Thanks ... 
(Have a great visit there, poss!)
(Have a great visit there, poss!)
Feb 6th, 2008, 02:00 PM
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It's the same but perhaps quieter. Sista Key Public beach gets really crowded during the season. As I said before, all of our beach is public so you can practically walk the whole length of the island on the beach. The public beach area has a huge parking lot which makes it convenient for most non-residents. Every 1 mile or so there are small parking areas (about 10-20 cars) with beach access. Turtle beach at the south end also has a good size parking lot but nowhere near the public beach size. Crescent beach area has the smallest parking lot but to be honest I really can't visualize it as I never drive there just to go to the beach.
If you look at the map (you may have to zoom in)
http://tinyurl.com/27d8ev
you can see the public beach area clearly marked. Crescent beach is south of the public beach right by the south bridge. I live north of the public beach, Avenida Messina area, behind the village which is located on Ocean Blvd.
Have a wonderful time on our little island!
If you look at the map (you may have to zoom in)
http://tinyurl.com/27d8ev
you can see the public beach area clearly marked. Crescent beach is south of the public beach right by the south bridge. I live north of the public beach, Avenida Messina area, behind the village which is located on Ocean Blvd.
Have a wonderful time on our little island!
Feb 6th, 2008, 02:40 PM
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No, can't help you there, but right down the street are these cute little cottages plus an apartment with a beach view. It's not a friend and I'm not trying to push the property but the cottages are really cute, although tiny, so I'm not sure if it will meet your needs.
http://www.beachpalms.com/
Very cute old Florida 3 beach cottages. Hammocks, stone throw away from quiet area of beach, bbq grills, 2 minute walk to the village with restaurants, shops and tropical bars. The apartment is on the lower level of a beach front house. I believe the owners live above.
http://www.beachpalms.com/
Very cute old Florida 3 beach cottages. Hammocks, stone throw away from quiet area of beach, bbq grills, 2 minute walk to the village with restaurants, shops and tropical bars. The apartment is on the lower level of a beach front house. I believe the owners live above.
