While the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota is on a marina, it has a good beach club (10 minute drive) and they offer complimentary shuttle service. If you have a car, there's free parking at the club so you don't have to wait and you can then drive to other gorgeous beaches on Lido Key. The pool at the hotel itself is very nice and large enough for laps. Lunch at the beach club is reasonably priced, and the sand is powder soft and white all along that area of the Gulf.
The little town of Sarasota is full of great restaurants and shops, and near the hotel is the John Ringling Museum and park. Absolutely worth a visit. If you go there, be sure to tour the Ringling home, too. The art museum is exceptional and the circus museum is interesting. I like the hotel and beach club, but love Sarasota. If you're a golfer, the hotel has a golf club about 10 minutes inland. A shuttle is available there too.
There are two Ritz-Carlton hotels in Naples, one directly on the beach, the other a golf resort. The beach resort was recently renovated and is gorgeous. The beach is beautiful and the town of Naples is charming with lots of excellent restaurants and art galleries. The resort has a family and an adult pool, as well as a children's program.
Both hotels are excellent and in super towns. Your wallet may help you decide which is right for you.
Both are Virtuoso-member hotels.
Last edited by LindaTerrill; Jul 27, 2017 at 4:01 am
Reason: Added sentence