The Sarasota center point is approximately the area of Museum of Asian Art and the area of Stardust Event Center.
With its humid subtropical climate, Sarasota boasts warm weather year-round. For prime beach weather, plan your trip during the spring or fall when temperatures usually stay in the mid or upper 80s and storms are relatively infrequent.
If you're hankering for hot weather, the summer is also a good choice. Temperatures typically top out in the 90s, but thunderstorms are much more common. If you're planning a trip during the summer or fall, be sure to keep an eye on the Atlantic hurricane forecast.
If your visit falls during the winter, you'll enjoy temperatures in the 70s and fairly dry skies. Because the winter offseason tends to be too cool for swimming in the ocean, you'll generally find low rates on hotels.
No matter where you stay, there's no need to pay full price. Depending on your affiliations, you can save big. AAA members save at least 5 percent on the lowest rates at the Sleep Inn & Suites Riverfront and the Super 8 Bradenton Sarasota Area, while AARP members save at least 10 percent at the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Sarasota Lakewood Ranch and the Springhill Suites by Marriott Sarasota Bradenton. Members of the military and government employees get low rates at the M Star Bradenton and other area hotels.
If you're looking for a great place to stay in a convenient location but don't want to spend much, you'll find plenty in your price range. Take a closer look at these best value options in Sarasota.
A few miles north of Sarasota, book your stay at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Bradenton West. Convenient to the South Florida Museum and several local medical centers, the Holiday Inn also has plenty to do right on site. Get in a workout at the 24-hour fitness center, cool off in the outdoor pool, or catch up on work at the business center. The hotel also offers free Wi-Fi and a complimentary buffet breakfast, making it an even better deal.
Located between Sarasota and Bradenton, the Springhill Suites by Marriott Sarasota Bradenton is convenient to the Sarasota Classic Car Museum and the Sarasota Jungle Gardens. Stay in one of the 84 guest rooms, and get a great night's sleep on a pillow-top bed. Swim some laps in the outdoor pool, or relax in the spa tub. Leave the car behind, and explore the Sarasota area with the complimentary area shuttle.
The Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Sarasota Lakewood Ranch might be off the beaten path, but it offers well-kept rooms for a budget-friendly price. The hotel is within two miles of the Nathan Benderson Park, the Stardust Event Center, and the Hi Hat Ranch. Get some rest in one of the 87 guest rooms, and wake up to a complimentary continental breakfast. Swim in the outdoor pool or spa tub, stay fit at the on-site fitness center, and take advantage of the business center.
Situated just south of Sarasota, Captiva Beach Resort is about a mile away from scenic Siesta Key Beach. Choose queen rooms with one or two beds, and you'll also have a kitchenette at your disposal. All 19 guest rooms include separate sitting areas, making this resort great for families. Spend your day at the resort's private beach or outdoor pool, and cap it off with a barbecue.
Get a sense of Sarasota's upscale history with a tour through the Ringling, which includes grounds, gardens, collections, exhibitions, and the impressive Ca' d'Zan Mansion. Take a stroll through the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, noted for their seasonal displays and immaculate trails.
Pack up the family for a trip to the much-loved Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, which features favorites like otters, turtles, manatees, and more. Family members of all ages will also love the Myakka River State Park and the Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary.
For some of the Sarasota area's best sunning and swimming, make your way to the white sands of Siesta Key. For great kayaking and fishing, head straight for South Lido County Park and Lido Beach.
Whether you're planning an adventurous beach vacation or a relaxing offseason trip, set your sights on the Gulf Coast. A great Florida getaway, Sarasota is a top pick in any season.
It's easy to see why he chose to reside in this city in Florida, as it has some amazing beaches and resorts to offer visitors. Many of the beaches have fine sand and shallow clear waters. This city was also once the winter home of the famous Ringling Brothers Circus, and there is now the Ringling Museum of Art. The humid and subtropical climate means that even winters are warm in Sarasota, making it a popular destination with tourists all year round. Sarasota hotels vary from the low-end options to the more luxurious ones.
Knights Inn Sarasota is one of the typical cheap hotels which is located just off the highway. It's also near to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport and the downtown area. Free continental breakfast is provided every morning, and for dinner options there are a few restaurants nearby including seafood and Italian choices. This hostel also has an outdoor swimming pool, which is perfect for taking advantage of the warm climate. Another one of the cheap hotels is Super 8 Sarasota which is a few minutes drive away from several beaches. It is ideal for those on a budget, who still want clean and comfy accommodation to rest their head at the end of the day. There is also the option to book a room with a microwave and refrigerator, making it easier to stick to a budget.
Many big luxury chains have hotels in Sarasota including, The Ritz-Carlton, which overlooks the bay, and is uniquely located in the former Ringling Circus troupe's home. It's ideally located for those wishing to explore both the Gulf Coast and the city. No luxury is spared in the rooms which are furnished with large comfortable beds, complete with feather duvets and goose down pillows. Hyatt Regency Sarasota is a fashionable choice for those seeking the ultimate luxury. They have a huge outdoor pool for guests to soak in, and for lovers of golf they're nearby to many of the best golf courses this city has to offer. Balconies are available with some of the rooms too, and fast internet access is provided, with the option to upgrade to premium high speed for a small fee.
Hotels in Sarasota also include some boutique and independent options. Hotel Indigo Sarasota has stylish decor and interiors, and is perfectly located just a few minutes away from the beach, and within walking distance of the downtown area. This is different to other Sarasota hotels as it is modern, laid-back and very cool. Hotel Ranola is a low-key option which is privately owned, and prides itself on providing a personal touch. It boasts urban charm in the heart of downtown Sarasota, just a short drive away from the beaches. It's in an area which has many theatres, shops, great nightlife and restaurant choices.
Below are reviews of the city of Sarasota, FL from an actual visitor's perspective.
Restaurants nearby.
Clean
Like Sarasota very much…a real small city… excellent arts scene
Loved Sarasota! Van Wezel was fantastic. Lots of charm and nice restaurants. Clean and felt safe.
St. Armands.
Outlet malls are close by!
The ocean and beaches are beautiful.
Sarasota is a charming little city!
Sports oriented. Lots of small locally owned shops.
Sarasota is very pleasant to travel around, every place is nice and so are the people!
Plenty to do and see, great dining and shopping.
Plenty to do and see, great dining and shopping.
St. Armand's Circle and the Columbian restaurant were outstanding!
The city is nice!
The "circle" and city itself are quite up market and provide a pleasant environment with a wealth of shops and restaurants close at hand.
Eating at Yoder's Amish restaurant.
Beaches, reasturants! So much to see!
Stayed at the hotel, beach, restaurant!
City of Sarasota was fantastic from the beautiful beach to the delicious restaurants! Shopping was wonderful and the boat tour by Captain Cory was outstanding!
The staff was excellent! Ryan and Drew were super helpful!
Excellent!
The beaches! Good food at low prices!
Oceans
The room was clean and comfortable. The staff were excellent! Ryan and Drew were super helpful!
Beautiful, nice town, downtown was great!
Love everything about Sarasota and especially the people. In fact we love Florida.
I've lived here for five years and it's a beautiful town 👍
Downtown Sarasota has a plethora of shops and restaurants. Surprisingly is also light on traffic and tourists during the week.
Sarasota is my favorite beach vacation destination!
Sarasota is my favorite beach vacation destination!
Plenty of restaraunts and activities to keep you coming back.
Went to Siesta Key loved it!
Beaches. Restaurants.
Sarasota has lots of shopping and beautiful beaches.
We were on the Marina Jack which was ok. The food was good and the harbor was beautiful. It too was very clean.
Multitude of fine dining establishments all within walking distance. Hotel was a great gateway to Siesta Key.
The shops!
The beaches!
Entertainment!
Room was great and the staff were all very friendly! Beautiful place
My mom enjoyed her visit and stay.
Beach!
Quaint
Were able to find our way around town very easily.
Many different options of entertainment and recreation.
Staff Friendly, room clean, room comfortable.
The beaches are nice!
Loved the Ringling Museum and the restaurant at the hotel was great!
Fun area.
Loved the cleanliness and the wonderful downtown. The waterfront locations.
The rooms very nice and spacious, Staff was great! Met friends in Siesta Key. Abundance of fun tourist restaurants, great sunset, prefer. East coast South Fla. Where I live.
The Ringling Museum, Selby Gardens, the Mote Marine, the beaches and beautiful nature!
Lido Beach. Longboat Key, Love DryDock Waterfront Grill. First Watch Restaurant for breakfast. Bayfront Park is a lovely place to go.
I love Sarasota! Downtown atmosphere and food is awesome! Also Anna Maria Island is wonderful to visit, great food and wonderful views. I have visited two years straight and plan on visiting next year.
Our visit was mainly for Nokomos and Venice and Englewood. We were very fortunate to have this hotel to stay in and have been to Sarasota many times in the past.
Nice
Sarasota is a beautiful city with many attractions and restaurants for visitors to enjoy.
Near venues we were at: The Garden, Brown Theater, Shoogie Boogie.
Best thing about Sarasota was this hotel is there.
Clean hotel and great restaurants.
Restaurant is very good, the beaches are special.
Siesta Key Village and St. Armands Circle!
Loved having Der Deutchman Restaurant & Sarasota Community Church so close. We came for a conference at that Church. Enjoyed going to furniture store & gift shop at restaurant; food was very good. I was able to connect with my Sarasota friends who were also impressed with your Inn. My friends will hopefully plan on a trip down to enjoy the area. I really had a treat staying at your Inn, loved the spacious hallways with sofas & chairs to sit in. We didn't have time to visit the City of Sarasota & (we) I would love to return to do that. I would love to make it an annual treat!
This location is very close to the airport.
Loved the downtown Main Street with all the restaurants. Loved the Ringling!
Varied restaurants, reasonably priced, nice walkable downtown and a lovely beach scene.
Want to move there, beach close and shopping, etc!
Sarasota is a lively, artsy town. There always seems to be something going on (this past weekend was the seafood festival) and the beaches are some of the best in the world - clean, beautiful water, etc. Love it there.
The city is filled with great culture, restaurants, and yoga studios.
Walt's Seafood Restaurant and the Ringling Museum were both really amazing.
Sarasota is a beautiful city.
The beach!
Sarasota is gorgeous!
The town had great restaurants, easy walkability and there was a market downtown.
Nice beaches.
Very nice town.
Sarasota has a very beautiful downtown. I loved Marie Shelby Botanical Garden and Bay Front.
It is beautiful. The beaches are white sand and the water is clear. We went to the town of Anna Marie and they have an awesome Dock with restaurant and live music. Siesta Keys is beautiful and have a very nice restaurant on the beach. The John Ringling Museums are a must see. Loved everything about Sarasota and the surrounding area.
Sarasota has a very beautiful downtown. I loved Marie Shelby Botanical Garden and Bay Front.
It was good.
Sarasota beaches were wonderful and loved all the beautiful seashells
Fantastic city beautiful scenery.
People, food, bus service and beaches.
A lot of good sight-seeing venues. Ringling North Museum, Clown Museum, etc.
Have been going there since 1970; we love Lido Beach, it's so nice.
Have been going there since 1970; we love Lido Beach, it's so nice.
Wow, beautiful scenery!
The weather, restaurants, the varied sites to see.
A very walkable city with many options for dining and shopping.
Love the great restaurants, beaches and friendly people!
The city is clean and there is lots to do
beautiful city
LOTS OF GROWTH AND NEW CONSTRUCTION GREAT FOR BUSINESS
The bay front walk and the boat rides and restaurants were delightful. Aloft was so much fun, the bar was jumping and the people were sooo friendly.
The beautiful people and beaches.
Sarasota is great for all ages. Beaches,theater,opera, music, Ballet, Jazz, Jungle Gardens,Farmers Market and nice Fireworks.
The Daquiri Deck!!Beaches!!
Very clean and friendly staff.
Easy to navigate. Lots to do. Beaches are beautiful!!