linman

Forgot to put this in Florida so I'll try again. Does anyone have opinions on Americinn,Country Suites,or Holiday Inn Express in Sarasota? We are going mid April and want to be close to beaches.The Holiday Inn is right outside Siesta key but it has pretty bad reviews on tripadvisor.Does anyone know this property ?Thanks in advance.

bradentonfla

I live in Bradenton, stayed in Siesta Key when I first moved to Florida a couple of years ago. I am not familiar with a Holiday Inn close to Siesta Key--what street is it on? There are plenty of mom & pop small hotels and B&B's all along Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island, Bradenton/Holmes Beach. I rented a great suite a quarter of a block to the beach for $55 a night, but it was in July-- if you are coming now, you are coming during "high season" so prices will be higher. Also, a lot of realtors deal with short term and holiday rentals.

Jayneann

Hi linman,
I am going to be staying at the Holiday Inn Express next weekend. I also read the reviews on trip advisor, but couldn't find any other place that would allow a 2 night stay during their busy season. It was orginally booked solid for the weekend, but they got a cancellation. I will post when I get back. Wish me luck!!
Jayne

linman

This Holiday Inn is on
South Tamiami Trail,about a mile from the public beach. Jayne,I do hope that it's not too bad and wish you an enjoyable stay.I hear that this area is paradise so how bad can it be!Please do post when you return.I am really anxious to get your first-hand thoughts. Thanks and have fun!

LN

S Tamiami is aways from the beach - if you can find something closer to the beach I think you'd be much happier.

Try Siesta Lido Longboat Anna Maria - one of those island should have some rooms available. They're great islands too!!

bradentonfla

Tamiami Trail is the main drag, also known as route 14 or 14th Steet. It isn't close to the beach. It's not a million miles, but you will have to drive and park at the beach if you are all the way up on the Trail. It's a very busy street filled with malls and wall to wall traffic.

Siesta Key is one quiet and bucolic, when you get down to the water. There are tons of mom and pop operations there, you might want to do a search under Siesta Key and see if you can find something closer to the water...if that's what you want.

bradentonfla

Sorry, made a mistake--where I am Tamiami Trail is known as 14th Street....down by Siesta Key and in most of the state it is known as US 41.

TamaraG

I would suggest you try to find one of the smaller hotels on the beach as well. You really don't want to stay on US 41. Try doing a Google search for Siesta Key. You'll receive plenty of information.

cdt

We researched the area last year and found a couple of reasonably priced places on Anna Maria Island that had the "Superior Small Lodgings" designation: Silver Surf and Queen's Gate. Both just across the street from the beach.

linman

Thanks for all the suggestions,you have all been really helpful.I have checked the mentioned websites,Queen's Gate looked really cute. I'm still looking into Siesta ,too.Thanks again for repliies.

Ilonka

Dear Linman:
We've stayed Americinn Bonita Springs. good value, breakfast and clean. make sure to establish a firm nightly rate in print(each person at the desk quotes different rates) and watch if telephone calls are charged to the room. Ilonka

amwosu

Have you tried Suntides on Lido? It is a little old motel that has timeshares. Good location. Inexpensive.

linman

Thanks for all the help so far.I am replying to put this post to the top again in hopes that Jayneann is back and will post her experiences.

Jayneann

Author: Jayneann
Date: 03/21/2005, 02:43 pm

Message: Hi linman,
We just returned from the Holiday Inn Express at Siesta Key and it was not as bad as we thought. Now, don't get your hopes up too much, there was plenty to not like but also some things that were good, such as the $120 rate during Spring break and a fabulous free continental breakfast! Three or four kinds of cereal, oatmeal, bagels, cinnamon buns, hard-boiled eggs, pancakes and french toast, plus yogurt and fruit!!! Really nice! Also, the pool was sparkling clean and the staff was very pleasant. Unfortunately, we stayed on the side (North, I think) away from the pool, but very close to the dumpsters from the restaurant next door and it was so loud. If you want to stay here I strongly recommend requesting the side by the pool. Also, our room was right by the elevator and we could hear people coming and going all hours of the night. This hotel is in a very busy area, lots of strip malls, but also lots of restaurants and shops to choose from. There is a great book store right across the street. We also had a little problem with the sink draining very slowly, but called the front desk and it was fixed immediately. The room and bathroom was small and had that closed up hotel smell, but we left our door open and aired it out so it was tolerable. The public beach on Siesta Key was about 2 miles away .......beautiful beach! All in all it would have been nicer to stay directly on the beach but in a pinch this hotel worked out fine. If you plan to spend much time at the hotel then maybe you should look elsewhere, but if you are just interested in a place to sleep then it probably will be okay. Hope this helps. Any other questions, just let me know.
Jayne

linman

Hi Jayne,
Wow,I could not have asked for a more thorough reviewer! You have helped me tremendously.The minute I finished reading your reply I called and requested poolside, and with your imput I actually think I have a chance of getting it in mid April. We did get a really good rate here and since we don't spend too much time in the room it will probably be ok. I love to browse book shops so thanks for that tip. Was parking at the public beach a problem? Also, were any red tide effects present? Again, many thanks for replying so quickly and with such good info.

amwosu

Parking at the public beach on Siesta IS a problem in mid April due to all the families on spring break. Go EARLY. I haven't gone to the public beach for several years but I always tried to get there before 10am when I did use the public area. After the first day you'll get a feel for when the lot fills up.

LN

Parking at the public beaches is ALWAYS a problem unless you arrive early.

As to Red Tide - all signs of it should be gone by then. It's almost gone now.

AAFrequentFlyer

Did you check the Best Western Siesta Key(http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=10243? The rate may not be that much more but you will be on the island and right across the street from the beach. No need to drive anywhere. You will be at the edge of Siesta Key village with many shops and restaurants and a real, old time bookstore. The bookstore mentioned in the review above is in a shopping mall and it's a national chain. Just like the bookstore in your hometown. Nothing wrong with it but nothing "local" about it.