Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach

Sarasota, Gulf Coast Beaches

Virgin rating

Restaurant
Standard Room
Gulf Front Double Room
Courtyard View Room
Restaurant
Standard Room
Gulf Front Double Room
Courtyard View Room

The hotel

The sand is beautifully bright and sugary soft on this 600ft stretch of private beach and you can hire watercraft to drift along on the waves. This really is a must-see paradise, and right on the doorstep it only makes this pleasant and inviting hotel even more appealing. There are lots of dry land activities too, including bicycle hire. Alongside the attractive pool area is the pool bar where it is customary to gather at sunset. Later you can enjoy a meal in the Candlelight restaurant or perhaps stroll over to St Armand's Circle and sample one of the bistros there. The hotel puts on seasonal live entertainment and the staff are friendly and helpful.

Amenities

  • Bar
  • Swimming Pool
  • Families
  • Free Parking
  • Room Service
  • Safety Deposit Box
  • Wheelchair access
  • Laundry Service
  • Internet Access
  • Car Included
  • Beachfront location
  • Volley Ball

Where is it

On Lido Beach in the charming resort community of Sarasota, which offers a wealth of cultural activities and attractions.

Hotel information

179 rooms on up to 4 floors in 7 buildings with 2 lifts. All with air-conditioning, TV, complimentary WiFi, coffee maker, fridge, safe, iron and board, and hairdryer. Standard Rooms with 1 king-size bed or 2 double beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

Courtyard/Poolside Rooms sleep maximum 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

Gulf Front Rooms sleep maximum 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

Free self-parking. 3 minute drive or 20 minute walk to St Armand's Circle.

Candlelight Restaurant and Lounge (open for breakfast, lunch and dinner). Sandcastle Pool Bar (open for drinks and snacks). Lounge bar with seasonal live entertainment.

2 heated swimming pools, shuffleboard, sailboats*, kayaks* and water cycles*, table tennis, beach volleyball, giant chess and bicycle hire*, 600ft private beach, golf* and tennis* nearby.

Room service*. Coin laundry*. Gift shop. Complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel.

This hotel has a resort fee of $12.50 plus tax per room, per day (payable locally, subject to change).

Resort fee includes use of the following amenities - WiFi - Access to fitness centre - Use of beach chairs (two per room) - Beach towels - Beach games - Use of pool deck - Resort bicycle hire (max 3 hours per person, per day) - Bottled water in guest room (2 per day) - In-room coffee - Use of lobby business kiosk - Unlimited local and toll free phone calls - Daily newspaper - Use of coin operated laundry - Self-parking - Shuttle to St. Armands Circle daily (8:30am-10:00pm). Resort fee, tax and inclusions are subject to change - please see hotel check-in for current inclusions available to you upon arrival.

Wheelchair accessible rooms available on request. Please note that these rooms are subject to availability and may be restricted to specific room categories and bedding arrangements. Rooms and facilities vary between hotels so please check at the time of booking. For more information and contact details please check out our Special Assistance page

*Denotes local charge.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (447)
  • Very good (642)
  • Average (372)
  • Poor (173)
  • Terrible (163)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Fantastic

May 16, 2022 Navigate654263

I have never been to a hotel that is as welcoming, nice and most beautiful location, as the Sandcastle. I have been coming here for many many years and I have never been disappointed. I see some reviews stating that the hotel is dated, but there are not many places left in Florida that are old Florida style any longer. You do not have to go on… Read more
I have never been to a hotel that is as welcoming, nice and most beautiful location, as the Sandcastle. I have been coming here for many many years and I have never been disappointed. I see some reviews stating that the hotel is dated, but there are not many places left in Florida that are old Florida style any longer. You do not have to go on an elevator to get outside, the people are so so nice, the property is beautiful. I hope to enjoy coming to the Sandcastle for many more years. If you are looking for a relaxing, easy, beautiful vacation, this is the place to be. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Beware

May 14, 2022 pvalen Braintree, Massachusetts

I was at the sandcastle 5/4-5/8 2022. I paid close to $400 a night for ocean view. First impression coming in was things like very worn and tattered. We noticed the elevator permit expired 2019. The toilet never flushed properly. We notified the desk twice. they would send someone with a plunger. That did not help. Looking at the tank, I saw the… Read more
I was at the sandcastle 5/4-5/8 2022. I paid close to $400 a night for ocean view. First impression coming in was things like very worn and tattered. We noticed the elevator permit expired 2019. The toilet never flushed properly. We notified the desk twice. they would send someone with a plunger. That did not help. Looking at the tank, I saw the flush lever holes were rotted out, the chain just tied. and provided a drawing to the desk but no help. Then the water pressure went up and down. I was in the shower and it just would stop, then start again. the shower valve was broken, spin a full circle and not control the temp, wife almost got burned. The sink and wall was stained. If you wanted maid service, you had to call for an appointment. The help was very nice, I think they knew the score. All except this one white woman with long hair at checkout gave us attitude about everywhere charges more (not true) and people taking showers at the same time at other hotels caused low water pressure. (not true). I later stayed nextdoor at the Ritz Beach club and never a problem. We heard this place is being torn down in a few years. should be a lot sooner by right. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating So much fun

May 12, 2022 jeffnJ5876UE

The Sand Castle in in the perfect location on the beach! The hotel is clean and has a very good restaurant and Tiki Bar! The pool is huge and well kept. The beach is just beautiful and they will set up chairs there and an umbrella if you ask! Great deal for the money!!
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Cock Roaches, Ants and Reheated Food

May 12, 2022 Coastal544905 Roscoe, Illinois

this was a 3 on a 5-10 scale. Rooms are dated, the tub is gross, the water is definitely do not drink. This is not within walking distance to St Armands Circle despite their claim that it is. My husband ordered the Philky Cheese steak sandwich and it was ground up dog food looking something he did not eat. There his shuttle access to downtown… Read more
this was a 3 on a 5-10 scale. Rooms are dated, the tub is gross, the water is definitely do not drink. This is not within walking distance to St Armands Circle despite their claim that it is. My husband ordered the Philky Cheese steak sandwich and it was ground up dog food looking something he did not eat. There his shuttle access to downtown and its a distance walk to the beach about ten minutes to the water. There is a $28 daily resort fee and $105 daily incidental fee you won't get back. Pass pass pass on this one b Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Nasty!

May 10, 2022 beentheredonethatX50

Nothing on their website is even close to the actual. How can you classify this as a resort? The pictures are obviously very old. Moldy smells hit you when you walk in the door.... no water pressure, antique fixtures, nasty stains on chairs, bed hard as a rock, kindergarten sized toilet, black tape over obvious holes in carpet on outside walkway,… Read more
Nothing on their website is even close to the actual. How can you classify this as a resort? The pictures are obviously very old. Moldy smells hit you when you walk in the door.... no water pressure, antique fixtures, nasty stains on chairs, bed hard as a rock, kindergarten sized toilet, black tape over obvious holes in carpet on outside walkway, stairs are not illuminated and dangerous! The balcony was good as long as you don't want to sit and see anything. Wallpaper peeling and glued with nothing to even resemble and attempt to make it look nice. Curtains missing over the balcony door. The building is very old and rusty. The food was quite good, pool area ok and service was good. Had to ask for towels and they were prompt in response. Read less