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The VIP vibe at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota comes from indulgences like its bay-side location, its palm-dappled pool, and its celeb-worthy dining venues. Overlooking Sarasota Bay, you can watch the water as you laze by the chic outdoor pool and whirlpool, as you tuck into coastal cuisine, cocktails, and craft beers at Jack Dusty, and when you head to its beach club, 3 miles away at Lido Key, to enjoy the tiki bar, seaside-styled Ridley’s Porch restaurant, and soft sands. (You may even get to enjoy it from your private balcony, as some have marina views.) The luminary luxuries continue with opulent spa treatments and access to the exclusive Ritz-Carlton Golf Club.
Amenities
Bar
Spa
Swimming Pool
Hot tub
Room Service
Valet parking
Safety Deposit Box
Fitness Centre/Gym
Games Room
Internet Access
Beachfront location
Golf
Where is it
Downtown Sarasota, on Florida's Gulf Coast, with sugar-sand beaches and Spanish architecture.
Hotel information
266 rooms. All rooms offer Nespresso Coffee Machine, safe, WiFi*, refreshment cabinet, complimentary morning newspaper and shoeshine, evening turndown service, iron and board. Limited View rooms offer views of the resort or downtown, with 1 king-size bed or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults.
Resort View rooms offer views of the resort and landscape, with 1 king-size bed or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults.
Marina View rooms with 1 king-size bed or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults.
Valet parking $34, plus tax per night (payable locally, subject to change).
Jack Dusty (seafood and local dishes, craft microbrews and cocktails), Ridley's Porch (located at The Beach Club; locally inspired dishes), The Lido Key Tiki Bar (beach bar) and The Gulf Club Grille (seasonal menu).
Outdoor heated pool and whirlpool. 18-hole championship golf course (16 miles away). Fitness centre. Spa*. Tennis courts. Ritz Kids recreation area. The Cove (video games room with pool table, foosball, ping pong, and air hockey). Shop.
WiFi included in the resort fee. Room service*.
Resort fee: $37 per room, per night, plus tax (payable locally, subject to change).
Resort fee includes: - WiFi and enhanced Internet speed at the hotel, The Beach Club and The Golf Club - One fitness class daily - Two-hour bicycle rental at the hotel - Umbrellas and chairs at The Beach Club - Use of masks, fins, and body boards at The Beach Club - Access to driving range and golf practice area - Use of kayaks, paddleboards and life vests at the hotel - Use of fishing poles at the hotel. Resort fee, tax and inclusions are subject to change - please see hotel check-in for current inclusions available to you upon arrival.
*Denotes local charge.
Please note: all guests must be 21 or older to book a room.
Based on 2724 reviews
Rating summary
Location
Sleep Quality
Rooms
Service
Value
Cleanliness
Traveller rating
Excellent (1818)
Very good (491)
Average (232)
Poor (104)
Terrible (79)
You need to take a shuttle to their beach!
Feb 26, 2021M3977VPkimcMilwaukee, Wisconsin
Never been to the area, so I booked through Amex without much research and simply trusted the ritz Carlton would be 5* service with great location. I didn’t realize the beach club is offsite. Seriously you need to pack up all your stuff and take a shuttle bus to get to their beach. Of course one of our teens left something behind so from the beach…
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Never been to the area, so I booked through Amex without much research and simply trusted the ritz Carlton would be 5* service with great location. I didn’t realize the beach club is offsite. Seriously you need to pack up all your stuff and take a shuttle bus to get to their beach. Of course one of our teens left something behind so from the beach club we waited 15min for an Uber to drive us 15min back to our room then Uber back to beach club (the shuttle only goes hourly). We were advised not to drive because the parking lot was full. Ugh. Also, curiously no concierge was staffed while we were there, so we were on our own for dinner reservations and to figure out the shuttle schedule. Dining service was slow and food only average. Room was ok but showing signs of wear.
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Busy Marina Hotel with Beautiful Beach Club
Feb 14, 2021wiseguy205New York City, New York
We stayed at Sarasota for two nights and took full advantage of the Beach Club and spa facilities. Service was generally good and always well-meaning but fell short at times. The valet and bellhops were very nice and always greeted us with a smile. Service at the Beach Club was extremely attentive. The check-in desk was warm and offered us…
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We stayed at Sarasota for two nights and took full advantage of the Beach Club and spa facilities. Service was generally good and always well-meaning but fell short at times. The valet and bellhops were very nice and always greeted us with a smile. Service at the Beach Club was extremely attentive. The check-in desk was warm and offered us complimentary champagne, which we never received. We had made a reservation for dinner, but the online system wouldn’t let us specify that we wanted outside. The restaurant felt like they were giving lip-service to COVID restrictions with interior seating capacity reduced by a very crowded bar with multiple patrons leaning over each other right next to the check-in stand, so we didn’t feel safe eating inside. But the restaurant wouldn’t honor our reservation without waiting for an hour, so that was disappointing. The food at the restaurant was mixed with a very tasty bread with bourbon butter and a delicious wrapped steak dish but a shrimp and grits with sausage that was overpowering and far too salty to finish.
At the spa, I had paid extra for a muscle recovery massage, but the masseuse didn’t remember and wanted to do a standard treatment. It was disappointing because we had called ahead and specified we wanted someone who specialized in deep tissue. While she did do some muscle work, I didn't feel I got the service I had booked. As the spa treatment was at the end of the day, after the treatment I was called out of my shower by the attendant saying that I needed to check out and settle my bill immediately because the staff wanted to leave for the day even though the locker room was to remain open until later. It felt like being ejected by a bouncer. If this were to be the case, I would have just settled my bill ahead of time or changed to an earlier appointment. In fact, the spa had called earlier asking I wanted to move the appointment earlier, and I suspect this was the reason. I might have known some of this ahead of time but the male attendant in the spa gave me the fifteen-second tour practically running through the facilities which made me feel very unwelcomed.
The IT is also annoying. Internet is included in the resort fee for everyone, but the Wifi insists that you pay for it and prompts you to sign up for Marriott Bonvoy. There are links to upgrade Internet your service but they don't work.
The room was very nice, with a nice marble bathroom with double vanities and a great balcony with harbor views. The walls were surprisingly thin, though. We could hear everything on our neighbor’s TV, which shock our suite to the point where we had to call reception (which didn’t do anything). When the other guest fell asleep, we could hear him snoring from our room. Another oddity is that while there is Ice on the floor, it isn’t labeled, leading me to end up in a service corridor instead of the ice room.
Our stay was a pleasant one overall, but the hotel was just too busy to provide us consistently good service. We would recommend the Beach Club to those staying in the Sarasota area, but this feels more like a JW Marriott than a Ritz. We would not be in a hurry to return.
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Don’t accidentally leave any clothes behind
Feb 13, 2021Brian WWatertown, New York
I stayed there this past week & accidentally left behind several articles of clothing in the closet.
Unfortunately, the cleaning staff must think it’s ok to keep (steal) the clothes, as opposed to doing the right thing and turning them into loss prevention.
A warning: be sure to always check your closet before leaving OR stay somewhere…
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I stayed there this past week & accidentally left behind several articles of clothing in the closet.
Unfortunately, the cleaning staff must think it’s ok to keep (steal) the clothes, as opposed to doing the right thing and turning them into loss prevention.
A warning: be sure to always check your closet before leaving OR stay somewhere that has an ounce of integrity.
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Top Notch
Feb 11, 2021ajbb_12Ortley Beach, New Jersey
Stayed one night. I was able to get in my room at 2pm, the Valet staff and front desk were extremely helpful. The grounds, buildings, and lobby are quite impressive. I stayed in a marina view king room which had a great view, balcony, awesome shower, comfortable bed, and very clean. We ate lunch at the restaurant Dusty's, pricy but good. Then ate…
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Stayed one night. I was able to get in my room at 2pm, the Valet staff and front desk were extremely helpful. The grounds, buildings, and lobby are quite impressive. I stayed in a marina view king room which had a great view, balcony, awesome shower, comfortable bed, and very clean. We ate lunch at the restaurant Dusty's, pricy but good. Then ate dinner there as well, both very good. We missed the shuttle then drove over to the beach side of the resort which is like getting two resorts for one price. They have everything u need on a gulf side beach. We had a few drinks at the tike bar and it was great. Bartenders were nice and very attentive. There were Covid rules and I thought everybody at the resort was safe. They even had a smoking area which was great to smoke a cigar at. I will be back.
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So disappointed
Feb 4, 2021LauraGrace1126Hinsdale, Illinois
We were really looking forward to staying at this property. We booked through AMEX and were very grateful to get upgraded to a Marina view. However, we slept poorly. It was very windy while we were there and the doors were making so much noise. I felt like we were in a prison block. I called to reception to ask if they could send maintenance…
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We were really looking forward to staying at this property. We booked through AMEX and were very grateful to get upgraded to a Marina view. However, we slept poorly. It was very windy while we were there and the doors were making so much noise. I felt like we were in a prison block. I called to reception to ask if they could send maintenance up to better secure the nearby service doors. We finally ended up stuffing towels around our doorframe. So much for a luxury hotel. And throughout the night we could hear noises in the hallway. Finally, they need new pillows. I honestly felt like we were staying at a roadside Holiday Inn. What a disappointing stay. I think the Westin would have been a far better choice.
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You need to take a shuttle to their beach!
