Where to Stay: Best Areas in Siesta Key

Siesta Key is a barrier island on Florida’s southwest coast and is a popular destination for sun-seeking travelers who want beautiful white sands, bright blue ocean waters, and gorgeous tropical weather.

This stretch of coastline offers incredible sunset views over the Gulf of Mexico, and there are plenty of opportunities to get out on the water and try your hand at kayaking, paddleboarding, parasailing, and many more fun water sports.

 You can also expect lots of fantastic restaurants and bars in the area, so if you’re looking for a destination to relax, indulge, and soak up the sun, Siesta Key could be the perfect place.

There are four main areas in Siesta Key to consider staying in. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each one and highlight some popular Siesta Key hotels and resorts to help you find the perfect accommodation.

Siesta Key Beach for First-Time Visitors

Highlights: Siesta Key Village, The Beach Club, Siesta Key Farmers Market, Turtle Beach

Siesta Key Beach is a small neighborhood but it’s packed with amenities for tourists, making it a fantastic place for first-time visitors to stay. There are lots of local restaurants and bars to enjoy within a compact and walkable area, so you don’t need to worry about driving unless you want to venture out of town.

The beach itself is the biggest attraction here, and no visit is complete without a dip in the ocean. Its pristine white sand is wonderfully soft, and the waters are usually fairly calm, so you can go swimming or kayaking safely. Cycling on the beach and around town is a popular activity and you’ll find plenty of bike rental shops to choose from. Some hotels also offer free bike hire to help their guests get around.

The heart of this neighborhood is Siesta Key Village, which is a hub of eclectic bars, eateries, and boutique stores. Grab brunch, lunch, or ice cream during the day, or enjoy a few cocktails in the tiki bars at night. If you love live music, head to The Beach Club, which regularly hosts musicians and DJs from across the US. Foodies should be sure to check out Siesta Key Farmers Market on Sunday mornings to sample some of the delicious fresh produce that can be found in this region. This is also a great spot to pick up some unique souvenirs crafted by locals.

Given that Siesta Key Beach is the most central and popular part of the island, there’s a great range of accommodation options to choose from. You’ll find a mix of resorts, hotels, condos, and guesthouses.

Where to Stay in Siesta Key Beach

Here are some of the most popular hotels in Siesta Key Beach:

• Capri at Siesta Key is an elegant resort with spacious rooms that include kitchenettes and premium beds. It has a private garden courtyard where you can enjoy drinks or dinner beneath the shade of the trees and a heated pool for you to take a dip. Siesta Key Beach access is just footsteps away via the resort’s pretty private pathway.
• Siesta Key Beachside Villas are set in the very heart of Siesta Key and are just a two-minute walk from the beach. Choose from a regular guestroom equipped with a coffee machine, fridge, and microwave, or a self-catering room with a full kitchen for the home-away-from-home experience. There are hammocks, grill facilities, and tiki huts with seating areas on-site. Plus, you can borrow bicycles, beach chairs, and beach towels for free.
• Siesta Key Beach Resort and Suites is just a minute’s walk away from the beach. There are outdoor pools on-site, as well as laundry facilities, free bicycle rentals, and free beach towel and chair usage. Rooms are equipped with cable TV, coffee machines, snacks, and bottled water, and free Wi-Fi is available in common areas.
• Tropical Breeze Resort is a pet-friendly boutique hotel with a 3-star rating and a cozy, private atmosphere. There are several room layouts and styles available and guests are free to choose their rooms. Beach chair rentals and 2-hour bike rentals are free, and you’re just a short walk or ride away from Siesta Key’s shops and restaurants.

Crescent Beach for Family Beach Vacations

Highlights: Point of Rocks, parasailing, fishing, boat tours

Crescent Beach lies south of Siesta Key Beach and it’s a little quieter and calmer, making it perfect for families. The white sand beach is just as beautiful as Siesta Key’s, but fewer tourists make it easier to relax, build sandcastles, throw frisbees, and paddle in the blue waters. The surrounding landscape is also relatively untouched, so you can take in the unspoiled Floridian coastline.

Point of Rocks is a popular snorkeling spot that lies at the southern end of Crescent Beach. The calm waters here are just a couple of feet deep and visibility is usually very good so you can take in the fascinating coral, algae, shells, fish, and crabs that call the rocks home. If you’d rather look out for wildlife while staying out of the water, book a boat tour or join a cruise to have an expert take you out into the Gulf to spot dolphins and sharks.

A big draw of staying in Crescent Beach is its direct link to the mainland via Stickney Point Bascule Bridge. You can reach Sarasota in less than 20 minutes and iconic Venice Beach in less than 30 minutes. You can also easily venture further afield for day trips to some of Florida’s best-loved cities. Tampa lies 65 miles north and is accessible in one hour and 15 minutes, and it takes less than an hour and 30 minutes to reach Fort Myers, which is 72 miles south.

Where to Stay in Crescent Beach

Here are some of the excellent family-friendly hotels you’ll find in Crescent Beach:

• The Cottages at Siesta Beach is a charming resort with 13 uniquely decorated cottages that range in size from studios to 4-bedroom properties. Each cottage has a full kitchen and private deck, and there are barbecue grills and a pool on-site to enjoy. All of the cottages are dog-friendly and suitable for families.
• Twin Palms is a comfortable 3-star hotel that lies just 400 meters away from Crescent Beach. Its rooms offer pool views from their balconies and are equipped with ovens, refrigerators, coffee machines, satellite television, free toiletries, and free Wi-Fi. There’s also a private garden courtyard and a heated pool to enjoy on the resort grounds.
• Tropical Beach Resorts is a collection of boutique hotels on a single site. There are plenty of on-site amenities to enjoy, including a private beach, an outdoor pool, volleyball and shuffleboard facilities, and beach yoga classes. Rooms vary from classic guest rooms to large suites equipped with full kitchens.
• The Residences on Siesta Key Beach is a waterfront Hyatt hotel with residential-style multi-bedroom accommodations that offer plenty of space for families to stretch out. The beachfront pool is surrounded by lounge furniture and private, shaded cabanas where you can take a lazy afternoon nap. The pool deck overlooks the beautiful Florida Gulf coastline, so you can soak up the sun in style.
• Captiva Beach Resort has 19 rooms and suites available, all of which are kitted out with fully equipped kitchens, living areas, cable televisions, and BBQ grills. The resort is within short walking distance of the soft white sands of Crescent Beach.

Sarasota for Budget Trips

Highlights: Sarasota Beach, The Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota Jungle Gardens, Sarasota Opera House, Mary Selby Botanical Gardens.

Sarasota lies on the mainland, but it’s only a short drive away from Siesta Key. You can expect more affordable rates in Sarasota when it comes to accommodation and restaurants, so if you’re looking for a budget vacation, this can be a great place to stay. Just bear in mind that you will ideally need to have the use of a car to help you get around.

A big benefit of staying in Sarasota is that you’ll have easy access to some fantastic cultural attractions. Sarasota Opera House and Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall are wonderful venues to see live entertainment. The Ringling Museum of Art is home to a huge variety of works from local, national, and international artists, housed in beautifully designed buildings. One of its highlights is the Center for Asian Art, which has the largest collection of Asian art in the United States.

Sarasota has some charming green spaces to explore, including Sarasota Jungle Gardens, Bayfront Park, and Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Plus, you can explore the calm waters of Sarasota Bay when you join a boat tour or fishing charter. There’s also an excellent foodie scene in Sarasota, so be sure to drop into as many restaurants as possible. The Seafood Joint Market & Grill is a particular highlight for those who want to sample the delicious fresh seafood that is in abundance in this part of the world.

Where to Stay in Sarasota

SureStay by Best Western Sarasota Lido Beach is a popular hotel for both business travelers and tourists because it’s a handy two-minute drive away from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. Lido Beach is 6.5 miles away, and the hotel’s location on a major highway makes it easy to get around. Amenities include an outdoor pool, parking, free Wi-Fi, and complimentary breakfast. Rooms are equipped with microwaves, refrigerators, and televisions.

Turtle Beach for Romantic Getaways

Highlights: Palmer Point Park, Blind Pass Lagoon, Turtle Beach Park, beachside picnic areas

Turtle Beach lies on the southern tip of Siesta Key and is a small, quiet, and fairly secluded area. It remains relatively unspoiled by tourism and has a wild, romantic charm that makes it the ideal destination for couples looking for an idyllic beach getaway.

The sand at Turtle Beach is grittier than on Siesta Key Beach and Crescent Beach, but you’ll see lots of pretty native shells lying on the shore. You might also be lucky enough to spot turtles clambering up or down the beach to lay eggs and nest if you visit between March and October. It’s vital that you don’t disturb any turtles or their eggs, so keep your distance and stay quiet to admire these fascinating creatures.

If you’re a keen angler, head to Blind Pass Lagoon to see what you can catch in its rich waters. Those who love the great outdoors should take a walk or kayak to the beautiful hidden beach at Palmer Point Park, which lies even further south than Turtle Beach. It’s a fabulous point from which to watch the sunset. If you’d rather stay put at Turtle Beach, you’ll be pleased to know there are plenty of amenities, including picnic areas, a playground, and a horseshoe pit.

Where to Stay in Turtle Beach

Turtle Beach Resort is an award-winning luxury resort that offers incredible views of Little Sarasota Bay from its secluded grounds. Both suites and cottages are available, and each one has an enclosed patio with a hot tub and hammock for total relaxation. There are also several private decks to sunbathe on and a heated outdoor pool. When you check in at this resort, you can make the most of the gorgeous white sands of Turtle Beach, which is an easy 3-minute walk away.

Book Your Siesta Key Vacation Rental

There are plenty of fantastic accommodations to choose from in Siesta Key’s main neighborhoods, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a hotel, resort, or vacation rental that suits your budget and travel lifestyle. Which part of this Floridian haven will you call home on your next visit?