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 (418)
  • Very good (623)
  • Average (355)
  • Poor (150)
  • Terrible (104)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Don't tear it down!!!

Sep 16, 2019 jnathRB

We stayed at the Helmsley two times some years ago. I recognise all the things mentioned in the other reviews, good and bad. But I am devastated to read that it will be all destroyed. Such a special, old-Florida style building complex! What will we get back? Another health center like the Zota on LBK? The old, monumental buildings should be… Read more
We stayed at the Helmsley two times some years ago. I recognise all the things mentioned in the other reviews, good and bad. But I am devastated to read that it will be all destroyed. Such a special, old-Florida style building complex! What will we get back? Another health center like the Zota on LBK? The old, monumental buildings should be renovated to meet modern standards. Invest a fraction of the cost, raise the prices enough to cover it, and preserve a grand piece of history! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Worth It

Sep 3, 2019 b4peace4ever Denver, Colorado

My husband and I stayed here for a week and had a wonderful experience. This hotel was built in 1953, and there is definitely ware and tear. Updates are no longer being made because the company who owns the Ritz next door bought it and is tearing it down within the next year and rebuilding from the ground up. And let’s face it, those of us who… Read more
My husband and I stayed here for a week and had a wonderful experience. This hotel was built in 1953, and there is definitely ware and tear. Updates are no longer being made because the company who owns the Ritz next door bought it and is tearing it down within the next year and rebuilding from the ground up. And let’s face it, those of us who even looked at this place to stay, aren’t people who will be able to afford it after that company rebuilds it, however long that takes. And you can’t blame them, this hotel is located in the greatest stretch of beach that I’ve ever been on in Florida! The sand is white and hardly gets hot. The water is blue/green and seaweed free. The shallow water goes out into the ocean extremely far, and there isn’t even a “shelf” that you stumble over as you’re wading into it. Smooth sand, soft waves, and non crowded beaches make this place a gem. I highly recommend spending the hair more and getting an ocean view room. Staff were super friendly and helpful. Just ask for some chairs and an umbrella and they drive their 4 wheeler to your spot on the beach and they set you up! Great shopping and restaurants nearby. Go there while you still can! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Not as expected

Sep 2, 2019 MNmover Rosemount, Minnesota

I'm not sure if it was the word "resort" or if it was the reviews, but I was expecting something different. This is really a motel not a hotel or resort. The rooms are dated and I wasn't sure of the security. However, once I got over that, I had a nice time. The staff is extremely friendly and, yes, the motel is older but you can tell they work… Read more
I'm not sure if it was the word "resort" or if it was the reviews, but I was expecting something different. This is really a motel not a hotel or resort. The rooms are dated and I wasn't sure of the security. However, once I got over that, I had a nice time. The staff is extremely friendly and, yes, the motel is older but you can tell they work very hard to keep it clean. The pool area was pristine and you are Right. On. The. Beach. Each room gets beach towels and 2 lounge chairs. As far as security, they have posted they have security patrolling the property 24/7. I went to the restaurant for breakfast which was good but it does close a little early in the evenings. Also the room service menu said open until 9pm but they actually stopped at 7pm which was disappointing as I didn't have a car and was planning on room service for a late dinner. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Love it here

Sep 2, 2019 Declan_Littrrean North Port, Florida

This is such a great place!when in Sarasota we’re staying here:) Great customer service and super clean.it‘s worth the money. Definitely recommend it and won’t be our last visit here with family and friends. Thanks
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A Lido Key Hidden Treasure

Sep 1, 2019 CruiserMom28 Minneapolis, Minnesota

My parents, DD and I stayed here for 2 nights at the end of August. PROS- the outside pools are gorgeous and amazing! They are actually 8 feet deep which I haven't seen in a long time! The staff is attentive and friendly! All you need is there for your short walk to beach. Once you're on the beach you can walk down to the end of the key for… Read more
My parents, DD and I stayed here for 2 nights at the end of August. PROS- the outside pools are gorgeous and amazing! They are actually 8 feet deep which I haven't seen in a long time! The staff is attentive and friendly! All you need is there for your short walk to beach. Once you're on the beach you can walk down to the end of the key for even less people and bigger shells (I had a 6 year old with me). They also had a shuttle to St. Albans so you could head out on the town:) Free parking! Things that could have been better-- As long as you don't have high expectations for a 5 star room and are ready to enjoy the experience you will enjoy your stay! I went in knowing it was aged. Yes, the rooms were not a Hilton but the beds were comfortable and our balcony in our gulf view was spacious and we spent a lot of time out there. There was a fridge that worked great and the water pressure was amazing! Honestly my biggest complaint was the luggage cart did not fit in the elevator and I struggled for 5 minutes to get it in. Had I scoped it out I would have known I could have just taken it empty up the elevator and taken it to the ramp... My parents were disappointed that the safe didn't have a key so they couldn't use it. I want to take my husband and kids back! I hope it stays there because I truly enjoyed the old school feel to it. Read less