We are wanting to stay 5-6 nights at either Siesta or Longboat in June. Siesta seems to only rent for 1 week minimum and we are looking at less than a week. I am considering Turtle Crawl Inn at Longboat. Does anyone have any experience with this place? Or, do you have any other recommendations?

Hi

Most places on Longboat rent for 1 week or for 1 month. I think the only hotel left is the Hilton.

I pass the Turtle Crawl almost daily and its an attractive resort with hotel rooms (I believe) and also one and two bedroom units.

A friend of ours had a family reunion there and rented several units for his family to use and then he rented the larger home that was on the beach.

By the way, the beach is gorgeous there!!

Thanks. I'm still considering it. I've also seriously looked into Crystal Sands at Siesta Key. We have stayed there before and love it. Can anyone compare Longboat to Siesta?

Siesta's beaches far surpass Longboat beaches. Siesta is often the top rated beach in the country due to the fine white sugary quality of the sand which reflects the sun's rays rather than absorbing it like darker sand does. Its easier to walk on barefoot as it is both cooler and also finer in texture. The beaches at Siesta are wide and long making for wonderful walks. Longboat beaches are very narrow in comparison and the sand is more pebbly.

Have you considered Lido which also has very nice sand quality and is close to St. Armand's Circle for restaurants and shopping.

Ahhh excuse me Amwosu

You really are describing Longboat Key's beaches very, very well.

You might want to give this a little thought - Since the beaches are right next to each other wouldn't you imagine that the sand would be pretty similar?

I've travelled from Anna Maria Island and onto Siesta Key and always find the THREE beaches to be the nicest beaches anywhere.

You might want to come back and enjoy our beach again and see how soft, talcum like powder it is as well as the width of it.

I did think that beaches would be similar but found them very different over the years. My inlaws live in Sarasota and I've gone to Longboat, Lido, Anna Maria and Siesta beaches for the past 20 years. However, I must admit we have only stayed on Longboat twice in all that time as we found the other beaches far superior. Maybe I was there when the Longboat beaches were eroded and new sand hadn't been pumped in? Sorry if I'm giving a misleading impression of Longboat... just my past experience.

I didn't mean to start a big debate over beaches. We are familiar with Siesta and find it to be the best beach we have ever visited. I was just trying to find a place that would rent for less than a week. Our plan is to spend 5 or so nights at Siesta and then hop over to Disney for 5.

I wonder if there is more flexibility re minimum # of nites to be rented on Siesta Key in June?
Must say that Long Boat and Siesta Key have different vibe- to me Long Boat is way more upscale and stuffy to Siesata's way more casual, relaxed feel, IMO.
Have vacationed on Siesta Key 6+ spring breaks and visited Long Boat- u can't beat Siesta Key beaches!
L