Sarasota and Siesta Key…
We always enjoy visiting Sarasota and Siesta Key after a week of thrills and excitement in Orlando at Universal and Disney. It’s a great place to kick back, relax, and enjoy the sunshine, food, and beaches that are up for grabs.
The Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota is exceptional. First class all the way. Meticulous grounds welcome you, and then introduce you to magnificent rooms that are spacious, elegant and immaculate. The bathroom was loaded with thick, fluffy towels, and lovely lotions and shampoos. Some appreciated extras include a coffeemaker and coffee, water bottles, and a small refrigerator. The staff is so helpful and friendly… the doorman, front desk, concierge and entire staff. The spa is wonderful, and offers many delicious treatments. One of the nicest things about this hotel is that if they know it’s your anniversary or birthday, they’ll adorn you with chocolate-covered strawberries, champagne, or other goodies. They really make you feel special.
Now, we have to talk about the Ritz-Carlton’s private Ritz Beach Club on Lido Key. In one word… phenomenal. This is worth the price of the room all by itself. A shuttle bus takes you from the hotel right to the Beach Club, passing through St. Armands Circle (which we’ll get to later). The staff at the clubhouse treats you like royalty, so attentive and polite. Your first stop will be the charming dressing rooms. Then you will walk down the elegant stairway (as you are admiring the Gulf of Mexico) to get to the pool area. There are two pools and a Jacuzzi with comfy seating for everyone, and exceptional poolside service. There’s an adorable Tiki Bar on the beach, turquoise blue water, silky, white sand, and a backdrop of picturesque blue skies and palm trees. All for you.
After reaching your daily quota for tanning and relaxing, you can head back upstairs to the dressing rooms and take showers (every amenity you could desire is there for you). When you’re all refreshed, hop back on the bus to the Ritz-Carlton, and get ready for a great evening out at St. Armands Circle.
St. Armands Circle...
As you head on over the bridge to St. Armands Circle (shopper’s heaven), you will salivate at the magnificent, waterfront homes. Take it all in on this scenic, breathtaking drive. The finale is St. Armand’s Circle... the perfect place to ‘shop your heart out’ and enjoy varied dining experiences. Stroll around, relax, and enjoy the atmosphere as you browse through dozens of reasonably-priced, adorable shops and some upscale, one-of-a-kind boutiques. Galleries, salons, gift and specialty shops, jewelers, clothing and shoe stores are splashed around the huge circle that is a centerpiece for this quaint town. There are plenty of excellent choices for lunch or dinner as well. Some of our favorites include: Blue Dolphin Café, Crab & Fin, Lynches Pub & Grub, Ristorante Le Colonne, Terrace on the Circle, and La Malinche Mexican Restaurant. Don’t forget to stop and Ben & Jerry’s or Kilwin’s Chocolates for some delightful desserts. Armands Circle is a great find and one you’ll be sure to have on your checklist for all future visits to Sarasota.
Siesta Key...
Siesta Key is one of our favorite beach towns. Coincidentally, Siesta Beach was voted (by coastal experts) the number one beach in the United States and was in the top 25 of the world’s best beaches. Siesta Beach is a barrier island on the southwestern coast of Florida on the Gulf of Mexico. It has unimaginable fine, white, fluffy sand… the best you will ever set your feet on. You will become obsessed while walking on it. Coupling that with clean, clear and just beautiful turquoise blue water makes this paradise. The water is calm and serene most days with minimal waves (great for kids) and so inviting… you won’t waste one minute running into it. Beachcombers, sun worshippers, joggers, volleyball players, and Frisbee throwers are scattered about, all with smiles on their faces. You will find snacks bars right at the beach, or you can cross the street in to town for some great restaurants. There are showers and bathrooms, grills, and picnic tables. We love the fact that it’s a non-smoking beach! Kudos! The weather is usually perfect and, to us, the experience here is just as wonderful as being in a place like Aruba, without the extra airfare and flying time. To be honest, you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between the two places if you were dropped off with no knowledge of where you were. Palm trees, white sand, turquoise waters, right in the United States. Can’t ask for better than that.