Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach

Sarasota/Bradenton, Sarasota

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

  • Kayaking
  • Sailing
  • Wheelchair access
  • Families
  • Bar
  • Free Parking
  • Internet Access
  • Laundry Service
  • Restaurant
  • Safety Deposit Box
  • Swimming Pool
  • Beachfront location

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. 

Please call the property directly for the most accurate and up-to-date menus and hours.

2 heated swimming pools, shuffleboard, sailboats*, kayaks* and water cycles*, table tennis, beach volleyball, 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 until 31st April '23, plus tax per room, per day (payable locally, subject to change). $20 from May '23, plus tax per room, per day (payable locally, subject to change).

Resort fee includes use of the following amenities - WiFi - Use of beach chairs (two per room) - Beach towels - Bottled water in guest room - In-room coffee - Use of lobby business kiosk - Unlimited local and toll free phone calls - 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 (463)
  • Very good (653)
  • Average (376)
  • Poor (183)
  • Terrible (189)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Best location around

Apr 14, 2024 mesatraveler Mesa, Arizona

This is an older classic resort, with the very best location on Lido Beach. Our gulf front room was 5 feet from the sand! Very comfortable and functional room with a great bed. Terrific customer service was welcome. Did I mention pet friendly?
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Beautiful beachfront location

Apr 9, 2024 Lovinlifetravel4you Mifflin, Pennsylvania

This is an imperfect old resort with a beautiful beachfront location and friendly staff. There is a resort fee and with that you'll receive unlimited bottled water and beach/pool towels. (The photo is a garden view room). I would stay here again.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Total Scam!!!!

Mar 27, 2024 Darla S

Total scam!! Their website is filled with lies & false, inaccurate pictures. This “resort” (NOT) is a rundown total dump! Dirty, rundown rooms with peeling wallpaper, chipping &/or missing paint, rusted vent covers, etc. the website says the restaurants are open until 11:30pm when they actually close at 8:30pm (even during spring break). No room… Read more
Total scam!! Their website is filled with lies & false, inaccurate pictures. This “resort” (NOT) is a rundown total dump! Dirty, rundown rooms with peeling wallpaper, chipping &/or missing paint, rusted vent covers, etc. the website says the restaurants are open until 11:30pm when they actually close at 8:30pm (even during spring break). No room service available. Staff who walk into rooms without announcing they are coming in. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND DO NOT STAY THERE!!! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Sandcastle Resort review in March 2024

Mar 15, 2024 Michelle M

Do not let the pictures fool you. This place is preparing to be demolished and the owners have not maintained it too well for many years. We had a room with a courtyard view. From the outside it looked great. The inside smelled bad, the faucet in the tub was leaking, there was black dirt within all the grout in the shower and behind the door. … Read more
Do not let the pictures fool you. This place is preparing to be demolished and the owners have not maintained it too well for many years. We had a room with a courtyard view. From the outside it looked great. The inside smelled bad, the faucet in the tub was leaking, there was black dirt within all the grout in the shower and behind the door. When maintenance came, they tightened the faucet and then said it was fixed. As soon as they walked away, the faucet was leaking again. It was very uncomfortable. The pools were beautiful and it looks like they were taken very good care of. The staff was very very nice. Other than that, no, don’t go there unless you don’t mind sleeping in nastiness. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Nice beach retro resort

Mar 11, 2024 Deanna A Riverhead, New York

This resort was clean and nice. It is not a luxury resort by any means but if you are looking for a nice beach location that has a retro feel to it, this is the place. With the resort fee you get a access to beach towels, beach chairs already on the beach, Tiki bar ( not a swim up bar), nice restaurant that has a decent menu including starters… Read more
This resort was clean and nice. It is not a luxury resort by any means but if you are looking for a nice beach location that has a retro feel to it, this is the place. With the resort fee you get a access to beach towels, beach chairs already on the beach, Tiki bar ( not a swim up bar), nice restaurant that has a decent menu including starters like shrimp cocktail or a entree such as, fresh fish, or catch of the day, burgers, or a steak. Outdoor seating is nice and you might even get a visit from a resident bird. Service was very good. It’s a nice place to take your significant other or family! You can even take your small pet if you like. The beach is right walking distance straight out from some of the rooms. Read less