Originally Posted by
windhund
The Ritz in Sarasota is walkable to downtown, though you have to cross a busy road (with a signal) to get downtown. That Ritz also has a shuttle to St. Armand's, which has tons of restaurants and shops that are within easy walking distance of each other. The shuttle also takes you to their beach club, which was quite nice if I recall. The downside is that you aren't right on the beach. However, the beach club has showers, changing facilities, and lockers.
I have not stayed in that particular hotel, but from 1977 my family has had places in the middle of Longboat Key, across from Publix on the Gulf side; parents, various Aunts and Uncles and cousins, including some still today. All of the hotels have bicycle rentals or loaners and riding from downtown to St Armand's is easy. It is a great area for a family vacation, although the OP would be better somewhere else directly on the beach. There is no such Starriott option in that area. Just wanted to throw the bike thing out there for anyone else who might be considering downtown Sarasota/St Armand's/Longboat.