St. Regis Longboat Key Hotel review

Florida is home to a wide variety of wildlife. beachfront hotels, St. Regis Longboat Key ResortSarasota has a number of new luxurious hotels. The hotel is a true gem. The hotel was recently named as a “Best Hotel in the World”. T+L’s 2025 It ListIn August 2024, the second hotel for the iconic brand to be opened in the Sunshine State will welcome guests.

The resort was faced with uncertainty soon after it opened. Hurricanes Helene Milton and Irma hit the west coast Florida in quick succession last fall. The hotel was only slightly damaged and cleaned up, but by the time I arrived in early December everything was running smoothly, ready for the holiday rush.

The trip coincided with my birthday weekend, and the front desk agent took note when I gave her my ID during check-in. The staff, including my assigned butler Jennifer, went above and beyond in celebrating me. From simple gestures like adding candles to my breakfast pancakes and streamers to the extravagant decoration of our cabana at the pool with balloons and streamers and a “happy Birthday” graphic projected on the flat-screen, they did it all. The best part of the stay was the St. Regis signature evening ritual: the Champagne Sabrage. This is my new favorite party trick.

Here is my full review of the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort located on Florida’s southwest coast. 

The Rooms

The 168-key hotel features guest rooms and 26 spacious residential-style suites, each complete with a private terrace—some have ocean views. In the spacious bathrooms, guests can enjoy walk-ins closets, rain showers and soaking baths.

I stayed in a Jacob John Suite measuring over 1,000 square foot, with separate living and bedroom. This made the suite feel like my home away. HBA Miami’s design is sleek, modern and has subtle coastal-inspired touches that brighten the space.

Food and Drink

The new hotel is already competing with some of the old-time favorites top restaurants in the areaEnjoy a beach vacation that is all about indulgence and fun. The upscale CW Prime serves prime meats and seafood prepared on a Josper Grill. Enjoy a French 125 in the chic, secluded lounge of the restaurant before the big meal.

Oshen rooftop bar, which specializes in Nikkei cuisine and omakase, is another dining experience that you can enjoy at the hotel. This is the place to be if you want to see the sun setting over the Gulf of Mexico and enjoy a cocktail created by the mixology team.

Don’t compromise on quality when eating during the day. Monkey Bar offers classic tiki cocktail and light fare in a Polynesian theme. Aura, located nearby, is the perfect place to grab lunch on a poolday. They specialize in Latin American food (the Birria Tacos and Guacamole are a highlight), as well as offering daily tequila or mezcal samplings. 

Riva, a coastal Italian joint, rounds out the resort’s culinary offerings, where a sprawling breakfast buffet and à la carte menu are offered by day, and a selection of Italian classics and homemade pasta are served by night. The restaurant’s executive chef offers pasta-making lessons to guests.

Activities and Amenities

The resort offers a dedicated butler service that has been a St. Regis tradition for more than a century. It is not just about the beach and multiple pools. There are also pools designed specifically for adults and those for families. But the most unique amenity is the 500,000-gallon saltwater lagoon housing an ecosystem of local stingrays and nearly 40 types of fish—the only pool of its kind at any Marriott hotel in the world.

For an extra cost, guests can enjoy cabana experiences. For $150 you can have a beach daybed with an umbrella and butler service. Food and beverages are also included. The poolside cabanas are a bit more expensive—from $325 to $475—with the same offerings as the beach package, plus a private TV and complimentary light bites.

The Spa

The 20,000-square-foot spa is focused on the healing power of the water, through various thermal experiences. These include an outdoor vitality pool with a view of the Gulf of Mexico and a Finnish sauna. A snow shower was also included, as well as a cold plunge. (My favorite was the steam room with eucalyptus). Also available are La Mer facials, and Sothys treatments.

You can choose from a variety of treatments, including energy healing sessions and deep-tissue massages. The most noteworthy (and pocket-burning) offering, though, might be the $975 Illuminate & Lift treatment that tightens and plumps the skin for instant results.

Offerings Family-Friendly

St. Regis Longboat key Resort is the perfect place for a family beach vacation. While there are certainly spaces that aren’t suited for kids—think the lobby bar and adults-only pool—parents might choose to set up camp at the sprawling main resort pool with a winding lazy river and a cascading waterfall wrapped around it. 

Saltwater lagoons off the pool are another favorite with resort kids. The kids are often pressed against the window that overlooks the lagoon to watch the fish and stingrays swim by. The wildlife can be experienced up close by children aged 8 and older on a guided snorkeling trip. They get to swim with fish and feed the stingrays. Jack and Rose, the resident Aldabra turtles, are sure to steal your heart.

Accessibility and sustainability

There are elevators in each floor of the resort, parking for wheelchair drivers, and ADA-compliant rooms and public spaces.

The saltwater lagoon is a good example of sustainability efforts. A team of aquarists works to maintain the ecosystem, protect wildlife and educate guests on the importance of conservation.

Location

Locate on Sarasota’s longest barrier islandSt. Regis Longboat Key Resort is 18 acres of prime beachfront property. There may be more activities on site than you are able to fit in during a weekend visit, but you will still have 15 minutes by car to reach the best restaurants and boutiques of downtown Sarasota.

The Best Value for Your Stay

Marriott International is the owner of St. Regis Longboat Key Resort. The resort participates in Marriott bonvoy, a rewards program which helps members earn points for free stays. The hotel is also running a number of special offers through October 2025, including the Stay Longer & Save Package, where guests with a reservation of five nights or longer receive a discount.

Rates at St. Regis Longboat Key Resort begin as low as $899 per night.

T+L’s hotel reviews are written by a reporter, editor or journalist who has actually stayed in the hotel. Each hotel is chosen based on its alignment with our core values.