Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach

Sarasota, Gulf Coast Beaches

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.

  • Early booking bonus: Book before 31 Mar '20 and stay for a minimum of 7 nights and receive up to 20% off the cost of your accommodation, stay for a minimum of 4 nights and receive up to 15% off for stays 1 May '20-11 Feb '21. Discount will be applied at the time of booking. Blackout Dates apply. 

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 (427)
  • Very good (628)
  • Average (358)
  • Poor (153)
  • Terrible (108)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Wonderful short stay

Jan 20, 2020 shannondiane Iowa

We stayed a weekend in January for the first time, and we hear it will be the last time as the hotel will be demolished to make a new one. This made us sad as we really enjoyed our stay. Yes, it is older but it has so much charm. It reminds me of the way hotels looked 40 years ago. It is very clean and the staff is super friendly. We literally… Read more
We stayed a weekend in January for the first time, and we hear it will be the last time as the hotel will be demolished to make a new one. This made us sad as we really enjoyed our stay. Yes, it is older but it has so much charm. It reminds me of the way hotels looked 40 years ago. It is very clean and the staff is super friendly. We literally stayed on the property our entire stay without leaving. We ate at the restaurant for every meal. It was pricey but not as much as it would have been at St Armand's circle! We loved the buffet breakfast, salmon, scallops, fish plate, steak salad and cheesesteaks. This was a stay for our 1st anniversary and we are sad that we won't be able to go next year. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Awesome

Jan 19, 2020 466laylab

I know some of the reviews said the rooms needed updating. This was true, but how much time do you spend in the room! Pools were great! Beach was 500 feet from the pools, bar was great, restaurant was good, free shuttle to shops and restaurants. Will 100% visit again!
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Beach resort

Jan 17, 2020 auntjacks Salt Lake City, Utah

Stayed here many times as a child in the 60s. I'm so glad it's still here and not a high-rise (yet?)! The beach is a few feet away, staff is friendly and helpful. Parking is on the property. Clean rooms, warm pools, lots of beach towels and chairs for you to use. This is old Lido Beach and I love it!
Image of the Tripadvisor rating We keep coming back

Jan 16, 2020 matty231wr London, United Kingdom

Stayed for 5 nights in December, being the 8th time we have stayed here. Whilst agreeing with comments regarding the condition of hotel, does it really matter? The rooms are always clean, serviced every day, well stocked with coffee etc. Unless you are going to stay in your room 24hrs a day you only want somewhere clean to sleep! We always go for… Read more
Stayed for 5 nights in December, being the 8th time we have stayed here. Whilst agreeing with comments regarding the condition of hotel, does it really matter? The rooms are always clean, serviced every day, well stocked with coffee etc. Unless you are going to stay in your room 24hrs a day you only want somewhere clean to sleep! We always go for a courtyard room, most offer partial sea views are are much better value than the ocean view rooms. So, over the years during our stays we have had the occasional problems which have always been sorted efficiently and promptly. Would give a mention to Tim Hunter, our card wouldn’t swipe on check in but as he recognised us he let it go and we just paid on checking out, thanks. Also Salina at check in is brilliant, always nice to see her again. So, in conclusion, we have booked to return in October (most likely for the last time), I would say yes it is run down, but in a fantastic location, staff are always polite and helpful, just make the most of it while you can. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Sandcastle Resort Lido Key

Jan 12, 2020 velmarex Franklin, Wisconsin

We stayed at the Sandcastle Jan 5th - 9th, 2020. I have been visiting and staying at the Sandcastle since 1974. It's location and memories that keep bringing me back,The place is clean however, it shows it's age. I love the area and the beach. I will miss the building when they bring it down and replace it with a 5 star resort. This is Florida in… Read more
We stayed at the Sandcastle Jan 5th - 9th, 2020. I have been visiting and staying at the Sandcastle since 1974. It's location and memories that keep bringing me back,The place is clean however, it shows it's age. I love the area and the beach. I will miss the building when they bring it down and replace it with a 5 star resort. This is Florida in 1953 when Florida was Florida. The new resort will be nice. However, the price will be 4 times higher. Enjoy while it's still around and I will be back. Read less