Best hotels in Sarasota
The Westin Sarasota
100 Marina View Drive, Sarasota, FL 34236
The four-star Marriott Westin Sarasota overlooks Sarasota Bay in the city’s art district, with rooftop terrace, pool and bar, while the luxury presidential suite offers amazing panoramic views of the coastline. Stay here and you’ll be just a mile from the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Sarasota
202 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236
Situated on Highway 41, this four-star all-suite hotel is only three miles from the airport and just a short drive from popular destinations including Lido Key Beach and Siesta Key Beach. You can choose to upgrade to a suite with a bay view, and guests can take advantage of the hotel restaurant, gym and outdoor pool.
Legacy Hotel at IMG Academy
5450 Bollettieri Boulevard, Bradenton, FL 34210
Located north-west of Sarasota-Bradenton Airport, this four-star hotel is next to the IMG Academy campus. Guests can relax in well-appointed rooms, including designer toiletries and premium linens, or take a dip in the heated outdoor pool after a session in the gym or spa treatment.
Best restaurants in Sarasota
Michael's On East
1212 S East Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34239
This popular local restaurant has been decorated with countless awards. With a 1940s supper club vibe Michael’s prides itself on offering great service and dishes such as Atlantic swordfish, blue fin crab cakes and Michael’s Famous Bowtie Pasta. They even have a piano lounge.
Dolce Italia
6551 Gateway Avenue Sarasota FL, Sarasota, FL 34231
Get a warm welcome at this homely restaurant and enjoy a taste of Italy in a relaxed setting with a great choice of pasta dishes, like Linguini with Clams and Gnocchi di Palate Al Quatro Formaggi. And leave space for dessert with tiramisu and Nutella gelato among the choices.
Shore
465 John Ringling Boulevard #200, Sarasota, FL 34236
Shore serves seafood dishes including salmon and shrimp as well as meat dishes such as St Louis ‘Jenga’ ribs and spice grilled black Angus filet mignon. The vibe here is great food and relaxed surroundings for that ultimate Shore experience.
Best attractions in Sarasota
The Ringling
5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, FL, 43243
The Ringling is a collection of historic and cultural sites which celebrates the lives of John and Mable Ringling. Visit the Museum of Art, Asolo Theater, Bayfront Gardens or the regal Ca’d’Zan with its venetian architecture. Don’t forget the Circus Museum for some family fun.
Armands Circle
Sarasota, FL, 34236
Set between the sparkling waters of Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico,
St. Armands Circle offers outdoor shopping and dining with a European vibe. Take a relaxing walk from here to Lido Key for a beautiful beach with glorious white sand and clear blue water.
Siesta Key Beach
948 Beach Road, Sarasota, FL 34242
Voted as the Number One Beach in America by TripAdvisor in 2020, this stunning white-sand beach on Siesta Key is well-rated for its cleanliness and peaceful atmosphere. The sand itself is 99% quartz from the Appalachian Mountains which gives it it’s smooth texture and clean white appearance. And if you get bored sunbathing, reserve a free trolley to explore the rest of Siesta Key.