The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

Location

Sarasota, located on the shores of Florida’s Mexican Gulf, is known for its impossibly white beaches and elegantly understated Spanish architecture. The town was once a winter getaway and brainchild of John Ringling who followed the Tampa railway down in the early 20th century. Luckily he had the foresight to establish art museums and a college, meaning that instead of plastic overdevelopment, Sarasota enjoys a thriving arts scene to this very day. The hotel itself takes full advantage of its oceanfront location with high-rise views out to the turquoise waters.

Accommodation

Seaside-inspired rooms feature muted colours, full marble bathrooms and hardwood floors while personal balconies can offer views over the marina from their easy chairs. Suites, with separate living rooms, look out over either Sarasota or the bay with the Ritz-Carlton Suite a particular extravagance. Here, a white marble foyer invites guests into 2,500 square feet of space, which hosts a whirlpool bath and an Italian marble master bathroom.

Dining

Reflecting Sarasota’s constant reinvention of itself, The Ritz-Carlton features a full range of restaurants. Jack Dusty, serves fresh, local cuisine with a creative twist with an emphasis on craft microbrews and an array of specialty cocktails. This being Florida, the hotel’s Beach Club Grill serves simple but refined cuisine that draws from the gulf’s variety of cultures with a particular emphasis on Mexico. There’s also the Golf Club Grille and the Terrace Café, perfect for a light bite while overlooking the hotel’s gardens.

Facilities

Complimentary transfers from the resort are provided to its Beach Club. Looking out over the Gulf of Mexico, it features an infinity edge pool, club bar and grill and startlingly white sands. Back at the hotel, there are three lit tennis courts, a fitness centre and a bay side pool. While there’s also an excellent spa and the all-inclusive refinements of the Club Lounge, many stay at the hotel for its golf course alone. Eighteen precisely contoured holes gracefully roll between 12 picturesque lakes, making for memorable rounds.