St. Regis Longboat Key evaluate

I could also be biased, however as a born-and-raised Floridian, I can confidently say the Sunshine State is likely one of the finest locations to trip in america. The draw of Southwest Florida has all the time been plain: serene seashores, picturesque sunsets and tropical climate almost all year-round, with less-crowded seashores than what you may see in different Florida trip spots like Daytona or Miami.

And now, nestled alongside Florida’s pristine Gulf Coast, comes Marriott’s latest Florida resort, the St. Regis Longboat Key. With impeccable service and luxurious lodging, the property takes all the things there may be to like a couple of Florida trip and elevates it.

Whereas the worth for a keep right here might be fairly steep, this resort can definitely be extra attainable for those who’re prepared to save lots of up your Marriott Bonvoy factors. Here is what it is like to remain on the St. Regis Longboat Key — and why it earned a spot on our listing of the very best new motels in 2024.

Associated: The perfect St. Regis motels for essentially the most luxurious resort stays

What’s the St. Regis Longboat Key?

Celebrated as essentially the most vital growth within the area in additional than 50 years, the St. Regis Longboat Key was one among essentially the most anticipated resort openings in 2024. It additionally marks a serious milestone for Marriott — its 9,000th property.

The resort options 168 rooms and suites, a 20,000-square-foot spa, a beachfront lazy river and a 350,000-gallon lagoon crammed with 2,800 tropical fish — all unfold throughout 18 acres of prime beachfront actual property.

The resort’s design is wealthy with tributes to Florida’s pure components and wildlife, in addition to the legacy of circus magnate John Ringling and the Ringing Brothers, together with modern nods like elegant rope-clad chandeliers and an oval-shaped ballroom that resembles a circus tent. Even the suites proceed the long-held St. Regis custom of being named to honor distinguished ladies who’ve referred to as the encompassing space house, together with Mable Ringling and Lora Whitney.

True to St. Regis type, the resort is supplied with an in depth array of top-notch facilities and its signature butler service.

Learn how to e-book the St. Regis Longboat Key

The St. Regis Longboat Key presents 9 completely different room and suite varieties. Charges for superior rooms, which common round 470 sq. ft and have partial water views, begin at roughly $930, or 102,000 Marriott factors, per evening throughout peak months. Deluxe and grand deluxe rooms, however, have ocean views and embody round 545 sq. ft. Deluxe rooms begin at roughly $1,014, or 124,000 Marriott factors, and grand deluxe lodging start at $1,161 or 154,000 Marriott factors.

Then there are the 26 oceanfront suites that vary from one- to four-bedroom choices, all boasting what I can affirm are completely breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico that you may get pleasure from out of your non-public terrace. When checking varied dates all through the calendar, suite availability for level redemption can range relying on the season, however count on them to have beginning prices of round 400,000 Marriott factors or $4,000 per evening for a one-bedroom suite.

When reserving the St. Regis Longboat Key, you may wish to use one of many bank cards that earn essentially the most factors for Marriott stays, and one that provides automated Marriott Bonvoy elite standing for value-added advantages. These embody:

• Marriott Bonvoy Good® American Specific® Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at motels taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program; automated Platinum Elite standing; and 25 elite evening credit per 12 months towards a better tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Specific® Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at motels taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program; automated Gold Elite standing; and 15 elite evening credit per 12 months towards a better tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at motels taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program; automated Gold Elite standing; and 15 elite evening credit per 12 months towards a better tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Enterprise® American Specific® Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at motels taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program; automated Gold Elite standing; and 15 elite evening credit per 12 months towards a better tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit score Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at motels taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program; automated Silver Elite standing; and 15 elite evening credit per 12 months towards a better tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Daring® Credit score Card: Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at motels taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program; automated Silver Elite standing; and 5 elite evening credit per 12 months towards a better tier.

The data for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.

The situation

As quickly as we approached the St. Regis, it felt like we would entered an unique island getaway; it is likely one of the few motels you may discover on Sarasota’s barrier islands. There have been workers outdoors, able to greet us by identify (with heat towels and Champagne, may I add) as quickly we pulled as much as the valet. As soon as we handed by means of the outsized foyer doorways, we had been instantly welcomed by a glowing mosaic St. Regis emblem on the ground. Once we regarded up, our gaze went straight to the grandiose floor-to-ceiling home windows that look out onto the Gulf of Mexico.

For those who’re touring to the St. Regis by air, Sarasota Bradenton Worldwide Airport (SRQ) is the closest airport. Airport transfers should not accessible, however the resort is only a 20-minute drive away and prices round $30 to $50 through taxi or ride-hailing service.

For a wider collection of flights, you may favor touchdown at Tampa Worldwide Airport (TPA). Nevertheless, the drive will take about an hour and a half, and you’ll count on to pay round $200 for a taxi or ride-hailing service, so chances are you’ll wish to hire a automotive as an alternative. Valet parking on the St. Regis is $55 each day, with electrical automotive charging stations accessible.

In addition to absorbing the solar at one among St. Regis’s a number of swimming pools or its non-public seaside, visitors can take a brief eight-minute drive to St. Armand’s Circle, a bustling out of doors buying and eating district that’s properly on its approach to restoration following Hurricane Helene.

The resort can be only a bridge away from downtown Sarasota. You’ll be able to enterprise downtown for varied eating and nightlife choices in a laid-back, beachy ambiance. I extremely suggest visiting the close by Ringling Museum, which gives an enriching cultural tour, showcasing various artwork collections and superbly manicured gardens. With its pink-walled exterior and Italian-style design, the museum seems to be like a literal palace from the Renaissance interval — and can be the proper place to seize an Instagram image of your travels.

The museum has 21 galleries, so plan to spend just a few hours wandering by means of the completely different reveals. You will be glad you probably did.

Rooms on the St. Regis Longboat Key

After check-in, I used to be escorted by our butler, Jennifer, as much as the third flooring to our suite, which was furnished and designed with impartial hues, like grays and lotions, in addition to natural textures that felt cohesive with the resort’s modern coastal aesthetic.

An oval marble eating desk with a candy welcome deal with was ready for me: a chocolate turtle positioned in a pool float with a pink signature sample designed only for the St. Regis Longboat Key.

Past that could be a generously sized dwelling space with a big flat-screen TV and ample seating. And like the remainder of the resort, the room’s true standout function must be the floor-to-ceiling home windows that body the terrace, providing breathtaking ocean views.

Earlier than coming into the bed room, you stroll by means of the hallway closet with a number of facilities, together with the St. Regis’s signature robes and slippers, a protected, an iron and even a specialty laundry bag simply to your swimsuit. The workers additionally observed my husband and I had glasses, so that they added some St. Regis-branded glasses cleaner on one among our closet cabinets later that day.

The toilet was like a tranquil spa retreat in itself.

On one facet, a discreet wash closet housed the bathroom, whereas the opposite held a rainfall bathe geared up with a handheld bathe wand. Adjoining to the dual-vanity sink on the left was a deep soaking tub that invited rest.

Nice meals and even higher service

There may be a lot to select from with regards to eateries and bars on the St. Regis Longboat Key. The resort’s seven eating venues are various and vibrant, with each providing a singular culinary expertise. From an indoor steakhouse with a hidden speakeasy to a rooftop Japanese-fusion lounge overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, every eating possibility supplied its personal distinctive expertise, full with curated decor, making it a memorable and may’t-miss a part of the visitor expertise.

Riva

Named after the Italian phrase for “shore,” Riva is the premier Italian restaurant on the property and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu combines imported Italian specialties and native elements, from olives and prosciutto to contemporary burrata and each day catches, making certain genuine flavors.

Our first meal right here was at lunch, the place we tried the whipped ricotta ($8) and lemony borlotti (cranberry bean) hummus ($8) appetizers, each served with freshly made focaccia.

We loved our lunch a lot the primary day that we additionally selected to have each breakfast meals at Riva. I had the sfoglina breakfast ($24), which comes with two eggs any type, hash browns, selection of meat, roasted tomato and toast. I am a creature of behavior with regards to my espresso, and I ordered an iced vanilla latte ($8) every morning, which was scrumptious every time. The following time we ate right here, I craved one thing extra indulgent, so I opted for the Riva waffle ($19), topped with Nutella, caramelized bananas and blueberries.

Aura

For poolside or in-restaurant eating and tropical cocktails, Aura is the place to be. Whereas we did not have time for a complete meal right here, a number of the favorites amongst workers are the meat barbacoa tacos ($24) and the grouper ($26) served with mojito tartar, marinated tomatoes, lettuce and fennel and apple salad.

Nevertheless, we did benefit from the guacamole ($15) poolside, which was not too dense and never too creamy however full of taste. I additionally beloved that it did not simply include tortilla chips however crispy plantains and cassava chips as properly. I may have gone for a number of rounds of this!

CW Prime

The crown jewel of eating on the St. Regis, CW Prime, blew me away from the second we arrived.

Earlier than dinner, we spent somewhat time within the small speakeasy referred to as the Spirit Room. Right here, there is a discreet button that reveals an unique cocktail distinctive to that venue. Suppose earlier than you push, although, because the unique secret cocktail, the Caroline 400, runs $400 a glass. And no, that is not a typo.

After drinks, we had been seated in the principle eating room for what could be a meal to recollect.

We began with crispy potato pave ($22), which options heat, crispy layers of potato with truffle aioli, pickled pearl onions and contemporary truffle. We additionally had the crispy, contemporary CW Caesar ($21) that was simply large enough to separate — it may be plated individually to make sharing simpler.

Our wonderful server, Topher, did not simply go over the menu however defined the ideas behind completely different dishes and what makes them nice. I wholeheartedly assume that the storytelling made every dish style even higher.

For our entrees, steak dishes had been the apparent selection, seeing that they’re cooked on a Josper grill. We received the 14-ounce dry-aged prime strip loin ($85), and it was cooked to absolute perfection. Expectations had been excessive, and it was juicy and filled with taste.

Then there was the CW Prime Burger ($50), which I can confidently say was the most effective burgers I’ve ever tasted. It was topped with wagyu beef bacon, tomato protect, shallot jam and aged cheddar, all between a house-made cronut bun. I nonetheless take into consideration that burger to at the present time.

Oshen

I could not resolve what I beloved extra about this rooftop lounge: the views or the burst of taste from every course. I particularly preferred the combined seafood ceviche ($25) and collection of sushi ($24-$28 per roll). Due to easy preparations and contemporary elements, every dish tasted ultrafresh and flavorful.

Right here, you may additionally discover a proficient forged of mixologists who serve up some scrumptious fusion-inspired cocktails and zero-proof drinks all evening lengthy. Whereas each single cocktail I attempted impressed me, the Edo Outdated-Original made with Mars Shinshu Iwai whisky, five-spice bitters and Okinawan brown sugar syrup ($23) was positively my favourite.

The St. Regis Bar

Positioned within the coronary heart of the foyer is the St. Regis Bar, which itself is an artwork piece with a mushy pink and gold hand-painted mural that stretches across the bar and cascades onto the ceiling. A glass of Moet & Chandon Champagne is $35, which supplies visitors only a style (actually) of the posh that is to return.

Each evening at sundown, the St. Regis Bar holds their night ritual: a Champagne sabering. The custom at St. Regis dates again to 1904 when John Jacob Astor IV inaugurated the New York Metropolis St. Regis by ceremoniously sabering a bottle of Champagne. These days, this tradition is widely known nightly at St. Regis properties all over the world, and Longboat Key’s no completely different. And typically, they even let visitors saber the bottle, together with yours actually — with supervision, in fact.

Monkey Bar

The native favourite beachfront Monkey Bar, instrumental to the legacy of The Colony Resort, the place the St. Regis now stands, has been revitalized. Accessible to each St. Regis visitors and locals by means of a beachside entrance, the bar presents a up to date tackle tiki cocktails whereas additionally offering an array of sunshine snacks. Amongst them is the Murf and Surf Canine ($34), a tribute to The Colony’s Murf Klauber and the famend Murf Canine. This up to date model of the traditional scorching canine is decadently garnished with a luxurious twist: beneficiant chunks of lobster.

An array of swimming pools, non-public cabanas and a winding river await

Positioned within the resort’s central courtyard is an space aptly named “The Swimming pools.”

The principle Resort Pool is family-friendly, surrounded by luxurious loungers and has a big jacuzzi with loads of area for a number of individuals.

The adults-only Serenity Pool is additional away and positioned just a few steps away from Monkey Bar and Aura. It has a cascading waterfall and is an ideal retreat for these in search of a quieter escape.

You may as well select to spend the day on the resort’s non-public seaside, the place visitors can use two luxurious loungers included as a part of your each day resort price. The perfect half? You’ll be able to nonetheless count on the identical excessive degree of service you’d get on the swimming pools.

There’s additionally the property’s lazy river, or because the St. Regis prefers to name it, the winding river. I used to be in a position to seize one of many single inside tubes (double tubes are additionally accessible) branded with the resort’s signature print and float alongside.

Though it was not accessible throughout my keep, there’s a cavern tucked beneath the waterfall of the winding river, the place Champagne might be summoned with the press of a button.

Personal cabanas additionally dot the realm, with reservation costs starting from $250 to $550 each day. After searching on-line, nonetheless, I discovered that in peak vacation instances like Christmas week, costs can spike from $800 to $1,000 for the day.

Once we arrived on the swimming pools, our butler, Jennifer, escorted us to our cabana, nestled in the course of the winding river on the turfed Mangrove Island. It supplied comfy seating that would simply match as much as eight individuals, a flat-screen TV, bottled water and loads of towels. There was additionally a protected and a small fridge crammed with sodas and nonalcoholic drinks. You additionally get a devoted pool butler for the day, a first-of-its-kind providing for the St. Regis resort model.

A poolside menu for Aura was additionally in our cabana. It is also only a few steps away from the swimming pools for those who favor to sit down contained in the restaurant for lunch. We ordered the chips and guacamole, which was the proper appetizer to get pleasure from whereas lounging within the Florida solar.

Whether or not you go for a lounge chair or hire a non-public cabana, getting top-notch service is as straightforward as pushing a button. Every chair has a small St.Regis-branded wooden field with two buttons inside, one to name for meals and beverage and the opposite for concierge companies.

Chill out on the St. Regis Spa

The St. Regis Spa spans a formidable 20,000 sq. ft, presenting visitors with an expertise that begins at their distinctive Celebration Bar. Upon approval, I used to be welcomed with a complimentary glass of Champagne, setting the tone for what would come.

The spa is a haven of tranquility, providing a broad spectrum of nature-inspired therapies with avant-garde skincare expertise. The spa additionally has an unique partnership with La Mer and is likely one of the solely two spas within the nation to take action.

Previous to my therapy, I visited the hydrothermal space, which is obtainable to anybody with a therapy booked, to loosen my muscle tissue. It has loads of facilities, together with a Finnish sauna, a eucalyptus steam room that cleanses your senses, a surprisingly pleasant snow bathe, vitality waters, chilly plunges and sensorial showers.

I used to be then introduced again to the therapy room to obtain a beautiful 60-minute rest therapeutic massage ($235) adopted by the Soothing by La Mer facial ($275). I received to choose from a collection of scents to boost my therapeutic massage expertise, and my slippers had been positioned in a hotter, which was a pleasing and much-welcomed shock.

For these inclined towards a extra lively type of rest, the state-of-the-art health heart is outfitted with cutting-edge Technogym tools, catering to all ranges of health fans.

Swim with marine life within the non-public saltwater lagoon

One of the crucial distinctive experiences the St. Regis Longboat Key presents is its 350,000-gallon saltwater lagoon, house to virtually 50 stingrays and greater than 40 species of two,800 tropical fish.

For those who actually wish to immerse your self within the Florida wildlife, I extremely suggest the Below the Water lagoon expertise, the place you possibly can snorkel with tropical fish and feed the smaller stingrays (don’t fret — the stingrays’ barbs are eliminated).

We had two knowledgeable guides for our hourlong lagoon expertise. After signing a waiver and a quick orientation, they gave us moist vests and socks to guard our ft from the rocky backside. We began with feeding and gently petting the small cownose stingrays. Whereas I used to be somewhat nervous at first to take action, our guides made me really feel way more comfy.

Subsequent, we placed on our snorkeling gear and swam by means of the lagoon on the water’s floor. Our guides identified completely different fish and informed us attention-grabbing information alongside the best way. As soon as we reached the opposite facet, we may sit down in shallow water and gently pet the bigger southern stingray species.

The lagoon expertise prices $125 per particular person and is right for swimmers of all talent ranges. Nevertheless, you should be 8 and older to take part within the full snorkel expertise: 8- to 13-year-olds should be with a guardian and 14- and 15-year-olds will need to have a guardian’s signature. Kids beneath 8 can’t swim within the lagoon however can take part within the stingray portion of the snorkel expertise.

Accessibility

Since it is a new construct, I had excessive expectations for accessibility options. The resort solely has valet parking, however there may be loads of room for transfers, and the doorway is totally accessible.

Public areas function extensive areas, permitting unobstructed navigation and spacious elevators for straightforward entry and exit. The eating places, spa and health heart additionally all have accessible entrances which are both positioned straight on the primary flooring or simply accessible by ramp or elevator.

For the reason that swimming pools are a central focus of the resort, I used to be happy to see that every pool and the winding river are geared up with a pool elevate switch system.

Wheelchair-accessible visitor rooms guarantee loads of area, with doorways extensive sufficient to accommodate standard-size wheelchairs and furnishings thoughtfully organized to forestall pointless obstructions. These rooms function roll-in showers with seize bars, adjustable showerheads and lowered fixtures and facilities like sinks and closet rods.

Trying out

Based mostly on my expertise, I felt just like the St. Regis Longboat Key offered all the things one may need from a Florida trip, providing a balanced mix of leisure and rest. The resort’s tailor-made facilities, just like the world-class spa and adults-only serenity pool, supply privateness and tranquility, whereas the array of swimming pools, the winding river and the saltwater lagoon be sure that visitors of all ages discover enjoyment and journey. This splashy new property simply provides to the various explanation why Florida’s Gulf Coast barrier islands needs to be in your journey listing.

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