Nestled on Florida‘s Gulf Coast, just an hour south of Tampa, Sarasota is one of Florida’s best vacation destinations. Take the time to explore this beautiful corner of the Sunshine State, and you’ll be rewarded with spectacular white sand beaches, intriguing museums, and a surprisingly vibrant food and drink scene!
Sarasota is best known for its long swathes of sand and beautiful barrier islands. You can easily spend your entire trip surfing at Lido Beach, going snorkeling and swimming at Siesta Key Beach, and soaking up the sun from Longboat Key. If you’re looking for more adventure, outdoor enthusiasts will love going canoeing in the wetlands and spotting wildlife in nearby Myakka River State Park. After that, explore the beautiful Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and end the day with a cruise in Sarasota Bay.
After a long day in Sarasota, you’ll want a nice hotel room to come home to. Luckily, you’ll find all sorts of art-filled boutique hotels and luxurious oceanfront resorts scattered around town. So many, in fact, that you might have a hard time choosing the perfect one. So we’ve created a list of the 12 best hotels in Sarasota to help you plan your perfect getaway!
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Don’t forget to check out our web story: The 12 Best Boutique Hotels in Sarasota, FL
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The 12 Best Boutique Hotels in Sarasota
1. Art Ovation Hotel, Autograph Collection
If you’re in town for a fun-filled getaway, Art Ovation Hotel might be your best bet! Not only will you have all sorts of cool artsy amenities, but this gem of a hotel is set right in the heart of downtown Sarasota. So you’ll be steps away from all sorts of shops and restaurants, as well as the marina and Bayfront Park.
The polished retro-inspired rooms are some of the most stylish in town. You’ll love the plush beds, floor-to-ceiling windows, and original displays by local artists.
Rooms are also outfitted with high-tech features, like 50-inch flat-screen TVs with Netflix and Hulu and in-room tablets. If you’re feeling inspired, you’ll also find a sketchbook, coloring pencils, and a ukulele in your room!
When you’re not lounging around your hotel room, you can splash around in the rooftop pool, borrow a loaner bike and cruise around town, or work out in the gym. If you want to have a beach day, the hotel staff offers complimentary beach kits with two beach chairs and a portable cooler.
Once you work up an appetite, you can graze on light bites and take in the city views at the on-site Perspective Rooftop Bar or dine on modern American fare at Overture Restaurant & Gallery Lounge.
2. Kompose Boutique Hotel Sarasota
Kompose Boutique Hotel Sarasota is easily one of the coolest boutique hotels in Sarasota. A popular pick for the younger crowd, Kompose allows you to pick and choose which amenities you’ll use during your stay. So this is an excellent option for all budgets! It’s also located next to the airport, making it a convenient option if you’re only in town for a short stay.
You’ll love the industrial-chic rooms, which boast concrete walls, floor-to-ceiling windows, and 55-inch smart TVs perfect for keeping up with your favorite Netflix shows. You’ll also appreciate added touches like the mini-fridge and the free Wi-Fi. If your budget allows it, it’s well worth upgrading to one of the rooms with a massive furnished balcony!
Speaking of budget, Kompose Boutique Hotel Sarasota also has an outdoor pool, a fitness center with a Peloton bike, and a sauna. Depending on which amenities you want to use during your stay, you can add each one on for an added fee. There’s also a coffee shop onsite with espresso-infused drinks, as well as a small market where you can pick up snacks and supplies to bring back up to your room.
3. Aloft Sarasota
Aloft Sarasota is one of the best Sarasota hotels if you want to be in the heart of downtown. Not only will you be surrounded by all of Sarasota’s main attractions, but you’ll be spoiled with all sorts of cool boutique amenities.
One of the best things about staying at Aloft Sarasota is the rooftop pool area. You can easily while the hours away soaking up the sun from one of the lounge chairs or sipping poolside cocktails at the Splash Pool Bar. Plus, you can gather around the fire pits at sunset and take in the spectacular city and bay views.
Explore the hotel, and you’ll also find a 24-hour gym and a hip bar where you can mix and mingle with fellow guests and listen to live music. If you’re hungry, there’s even a 24-hour on-site convenience store with salads, sandwiches, and snacks.
Once you’re ready to retire to your room, you’ll appreciate the ultra-comfy pillow-top beds, the mini-fridges stocked with free water, and the large workstation with free Wi-Fi. Plus, if you want to have a chilled-out night, you can keep up with your favorite TV shows with the large flat-screen TV and complimentary HBO.
4. The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota
If you’re searching for the best hotels in Sarasota, it doesn’t get much better than The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. This is the perfect pick if you want to do Sarasota in style!
Among the many luxurious perks of staying here is the exclusive access to the Beach Club on Lido Key, as well as the 18-hole, Tom Fazio-designed championship course at the Golf Club. Or, if you prefer to hang around the hotel, you can spend your days lounging around the spectacular waterfront pool or getting massages in the award-winning spa.
When it comes to drinking and dining, you’ll be spoiled for choice, too! There’s Jack Dusty for creative seafood dishes and marina views, Ridley’s Porch for locally-inspired fare with bay views, and The Lido Tiki Bar for sunset cocktails with Gulf Coast views, to name a few.
And then there are the refined rooms, which all boast Gulf Coast-inspired decor, private balconies, and spa-like marble baths with Asprey toiletries. If you’re in town for a special celebration, it’s well worth upgrading to one of the spectacular suites, which offer extras like opulent bathrooms with deep soaking tubs and lavish living rooms with plenty of space to entertain!
5. Hotel Indigo – Sarasota
Hotel Indigo Sarasota is one of the coolest boutique hotels in Sarasota. From its prime location in the hip Rosemary District to its stylish guest rooms, there’s a lot to love about Hotel Indigo Sarasota!
You’ll love the rooms, which are outfitted in contemporary decor with pops of color, sleek hardwood floors, and oversized windows which let in plenty of light. There are also handy hydration stations with complimentary water carafes and in-room coffee makers in case you need a caffeine fix. Depending on who you’re traveling with, there are also pet-friendly rooms and family-friendly suites that you can book.
When you get back from a long day of exploring Sarasota, you’ll love getting refreshed in the hot and cold wading pools on the outdoor patio, fitting in your daily workout in the gym, and catching up with work in the 24-hour business center.
If you’re feeling peckish, purchase snacks and grab-and-go sandwiches at the on-site convenience store. Or, for more formal sit-down meals, H20 Bistro serves up seriously good farm-to-table dishes.
6. The Sarasota Modern
Another gem set right in the heart of the artsy Rosemary District, The Sarasota Modern is the epitome of cool. If you’re interested in a carefully curated boutique stay, this is hands down one of the best hotels in Sarasota.
The guest rooms here are easily some of the sleekest in town. Expect ultra-comfy platform beds with pillow-top mattresses, 50-inch flat-screen TVs with Hulu and Netflix, and luxe baths. If you’re planning on an extended stay or want to go all out for a special occasion, the Residential Suite offers a full kitchen, a spacious living room, and a balcony with an outdoor clawfoot bathtub!
Explore the hotel, and you’ll find a picture-perfect pool lined with red- and white-striped loungers. If you’re feeling hungry or thirsty, The Modern Pool Bar & Grill has got you covered! For dinner and drinks, the hotel’s Wink Wink Lounge serves up creative retro cocktails and 1950s-inspired Gulf Coast cuisine.
Whenever you do feel like getting out and exploring, you can either hop on the complimentary area shuttle or just take a stroll to all of Rosemary District’s best shops and restaurants.
7. The Westin Sarasota
The Westin Sarasota is the perfect pick if you are looking for luxurious places to stay in Sarasota. Housed in a modern tower overlooking Sarasota Bay, expect to be spoiled with all sorts of pampering amenities during your stay!
One of the standout features of The Westin Sarasota is the rooftop terrace. Head up here, and you can spend your days soaking up the sun from the pool and enjoying gourmet snacks and carefully crafted cocktails at The Roof Bar and Eats. There are also plenty of fire pits and patio furniture up here, so you can simply sit back and enjoy the view.
Once you’ve had enough fun in the sun, you can get massages and skin treatments in the hotel’s spa or work up a sweat in the state-of-the-art gym. When hunger strikes, EVOQ serves up seriously good (and health-conscious!) comfort foods.
When you’re ready to turn in, you’ll appreciate the comfy beds, 49-inch flat-screen TVs, and floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular city or bay views. If you’re exhausted after a long day on the town, just wrap yourself in the sumptuous bathrobe and order room service 24/7!
8. Carlisle Inn Sarasota
Whether you’re in town for work or play, Carlisle Inn Sarasota has everything you need for a comfortable and productive stay. One of the things that makes this one of the most unique Sarasota hotels is that it offers the perfect blend of modern amenities and traditional Amish touches!
You can start each day with the complimentary hot breakfast before going for a swim in the outdoor pool or catching up on work with the hotel’s free Wi-Fi. Once you’re ready to get out and explore, downtown Sarasota is an easy 10-minute drive away.
The Standard Rooms boast handcrafted beds and cozy armchairs. Plus, you’ll appreciate modern conveniences like the coffeemaker, mini-fridge, and large flat-screen TV. If you’re in town for an extended stay, the Executive King Suites offer kitchenettes with full-size refrigerators, a stove and oven, and all the cooking utensils you could possibly need to whip up delicious dinners!
9. EVEN Hotels Sarasota-Lakewood Ranch
Set on the outskirts of town, EVEN Hotels Sarasota-Lakewood Ranch is one of the best places to stay in Sarasota if you’re looking for a relaxing retreat. All of downtown’s main attractions are a short 15-minute drive away. Plus, you’ll be right next door to all of the excellent shops and restaurants in the Lakewood Ranch community.
This wellness hotel is all about focusing on health, so expect complimentary in-room fitness equipment and on-demand instructional videos, access to the 24-hour best-in-class Athletic Studio, and a range of group classes on offer. Once you work up an appetite, head over to the on-site Cork & Kale Market and Bar for fresh and healthy meals and organic cocktails.
Book the Wellness Room, and you’ll love the 15-inch pillow-top mattresses with Eucalyptus sheets, the selection of soft and firm pillows, and the spa-inspired ensuites with aromatherapy bath amenities. Upgrade to a Wellness Suite, and you’ll get a large living space and a wet bar with a Keurig coffee maker.
10. Embassy Suites By Hilton Sarasota
Set right in the heart of downtown and overlooking the shimmering bay, Embassy Suites By Hilton Sarasota is easily one of the coolest hotels in Sarasota.
One of the many great things about staying here is all the great freebies. You’ll get daily cooked-to-order breakfasts, evening receptions with snacks and drinks, beach and airport shuttles, and Wi-Fi. Plus, the guest rooms at this all-suite hotel have everything you could possibly need for a comfortable stay.
If you want to take full advantage of the hotel’s location, it’s well worth booking the King Corner Suite Bay View room. You’ll get 598 square feet of space, with a separate bedroom and living room. You’ll love hanging around the living area, where you can brew your morning coffee at the wet bar and take in the sweeping bay views from the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Explore the hotel, and you’ll find an outdoor pool with a poolside bar, a state-of-the-art gym, and an American coastal-inspired restaurant serving up steaks, seafood, and classic cocktails. And when you feel like exploring, you can rent bicycles from the front desk and get cruising!
11. Hyatt Residence Club Sarasota, Siesta Key Beach
If you’re planning the ultimate beach vacation, Hyatt Residence Club Sarasota is easily one of the most luxe Sarasota hotels.
Perfect for families or groups of friends, these luxurious two-bedroom condos are outfitted with everything you need to feel right at home. Plus, this resort-style property is set right on the white sands of Siesta Key Beach!
Depending on the size of your crew, you can choose from two- to four-bedroom condos. No matter which you choose, you’ll love having game nights in the lavish living room, cooking gourmet meals in the chef’s kitchen, and luxuriating in the jetted soaking tubs in the bathrooms. Plus, you’ll get a private balcony or terrace, where you can soak up the Florida sunshine.
If you can manage to tear yourself away from your dreamy condo, you’ll find all sorts of incredible amenities to keep you entertained. Aside from the beach, you’ll have access to bikes and watersports equipment, an outdoor pool with a cafe and private cabanas, a gym, barbecue stations, and so much more!
12. Resort at Longboat Key Club
When it comes to luxury hotels in Sarasota, it doesn’t get much better than The Resort at Longboat Key Club! This lavish resort is set on 410 peaceful acres of land on the southern tip of Longboat Key, just across the water from Lido Key.
Whether you’re traveling with family or friends, you can spend your trip lounging on the beach, working on your tan at the pool, teeing off on the award-winning golf courses, getting pampered at the full-service spa, and so much more. Plus, when hunger strikes, you’ll have five incredible restaurants to choose from.
Head over to Portofino Ristorante & Bar for Northern Italian fare with marina views. Then there’s The Tavern & Whiskey Bar for farm-to-table Gulf Coast cuisine and the romantic indoor-outdoor fine dining at Latitudes, to name a few.
If that’s not enough, the newly reimagined guest rooms at The Resort at Longboat Key Club have been completely revamped and renovated, so expect nothing but the best. Whether you choose a Standard Room or a Two-Bedroom Suite, you’ll love the tasteful Gulf Coast-inspired decor, the private balcony with ocean views, and the wet bar with a mini-fridge and microwave.
That completes our list of the 12 best hotels in Sarasota! Did we miss any cool boutique hotels in Sarasota? Comment below so we can add them to the list!
Where to Stay in Sarasota
It’s no surprise that some of the best hotels in Sarasota are clustered around the downtown area. Hotels in this part of town often boast rooftop terraces with swanky pools, cocktail bars, and sweeping views of Sarasota and Sarasota Bay. Plus, you’ll be surrounded by a wide range of restaurants and attractions.
If you’re looking for cool boutique hotels in Sarasota, the Rosemary District is your best bet. This up-and-coming part of town is where you’ll find colorful street art murals, buzzing brewpubs, and some of the best restaurants in town. This is an especially fun place to stay if you’re looking to let loose during your trip.
If you’re planning the ultimate beach vacation, Lido Key boasts beautiful beaches and plenty of amenity-packed beachfront resorts. For a truly luxurious beach getaway, head over to the exclusive Longboat Key, or if you’re more interested in a family-friendly stay, a resort on Siesta Key is the perfect pick!
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