Our stay at Lido Beach Resort in Sarasota, Florida this past May marked our fifth consecutive year, and I can honestly say it just keeps getting better. This resort has become more than just a vacation spot for my family – it’s our home away from home. I travel with my two young adult daughters and my 80-year-old mom, and every single one of us feels completely cared for and rejuvenated by the time we leave.|From the moment you step foot on the property, you’re greeted with genuine warmth and professionalism. Franchi at the front desk is a standout – gracious, welcoming, and always ready to help with a smile. She sets the tone for what turns out to be a truly luxurious experience. The rooms are immaculately clean and well-equipped, complete with a small kitchen that makes it easy to prepare meals right in your room – perfect for families or anyone who likes the flexibility of cooking.||The on-site restaurant, The Draft, is another highlight. The food is absolutely delicious – fresh, flavorful, and served in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty breakfast before a beach day, a quick bite for lunch, or a laid-back dinner with a view, The Draft never disappoints. And of course, there is the Tiki Bar! It’s the perfect place to unwind with a tropical drink in hand, toes in the pool, and the ocean breeze around you. You have to enjoy at least one Pina Cola per day to get that tropical vacation experience!||The best part of my family's trip is the beach. The sunsets are breathtaking – the soft white sand, crystal-clear turquois water, and a peaceful ambiance instantly relaxes you. The beach and pool staff spoil you, ensuring you have everything you need, from comfy white fluffy towels covering your chairs, ice-cold water to cool you from the hot sun to setting up your umbrellas and chairs so all you need is your sunscreen and sunglasses. Every detail is handled with care, and a lot of that credit goes to Tom, the beach manager, who is truly a star. He works tirelessly under the hot Florida sun, setting up chairs and umbrellas for every guest with a huge smile and unmatched energy. Tom’s kindness and dedication make the beach experience feel nothing short of five-star.||For my family, the view and the staff throughout the resort is what makes this place feel like true luxury. We love how welcomed, relaxed, and cared for they make you feel. They truly spoil us and that kind of service is rare these days.||Another huge plus is the location. Lido Beach Resort is just minutes from St. Armands Circle, one of our favorite places to go for dinner, shopping, or a peaceful evening walk. It’s lively yet charming, with a great mix of restaurants, boutiques, and ice cream spots – a perfect companion to the resort’s tranquil beach vibes.||After five years, I can confidently say this place is a gem. It works for all ages – my daughters, my mom, and I all find something to love here. And without a doubt, we’ll be back next year. Thank you, Lido Beach Resort, for another unforgettable stay – you never fail to make it feel like paradise! See...
Read moreMy wife and I stayed at the Lido Beach Resort last week celebrating our 25th anniversary. It was our first time staying at this resort. My short review is: exceeded our expectations, hope to return next year, great facility, amenities, and staff were all excellent. If it is within your budget, don't hesitant. Just go ahead and book your reservation. The resort, overall location, and the beach front are all incredible! (Am puzzled as to why Google has this listed as only a 3-Star hotel rather then 4 Star.) The longer versions is: a) our room was a "Beach Front King Junior Suite" and it directly faced the beach and Gulf of Mexico. We were located about mid-way up in the taller building. The room was very spacious and the open space contained a living room area, bedroom/dresser area, and a kitchen area with full size refrigerator, dishwasher and kitchen table and chairs. There is a safe in the room to store your valuables. b) the balcony was very spacious and has a small round table and two rocking chairs. Was wonderful sitting outside having our morning coffee while taking in the fantastic views of the beach and water. c) For us, early May was the best time to go. The weather was glorious and the peak season crowds had left several weeks earlier. d) The hotel provides a shuttle to St Armands Circle for shopping/dining. We mostly chose to walk as it is only 0.9 mile away and it is a pleasant walk along the water. Even walked at night and felt safe. e) You have your choice of either valet parking or Self-parking. I prefer self-parking and chose to do so during our stay. The self-park garage has seven floors. Hint: If your room is on floors 1 thru 7 in the tower building, your car can be mere steps away from your room. f) ALL of the staff we interacted with were courteous and went out of their way to be helpful. g) Plenty of towels provided in the room. Towels for the pools and beach are available down by the pool. No issues finding available lounge chairs at the two pools or on the beach. Note there is a separate $15 fee to have an umbrella setup on the beach. h) One minor issue we noted is that the slider to our balcony was very difficult to slide open/close. Not sure if this is the case with other rooms or not. An elderly or physically challenged person would have a difficult time with it. i) The kitchen area had a Netspresso coffee machine. I believe you can request a Keurig machine if you prefer regular coffee instead. j) Do try having breakfast or dinner at the Driftwood restaurant. It is on the 8th floor and has wonderful views of the beach and surrounding area. In summary, this was a very important occasion for my wife and I. We are so pleased that we chose...
Read moreMy husband and I just got back from a 5 day babymoon and had the time of our lives! The Lido Beach Resort staff went above and beyond to make us feel completely relaxed and taken care of, and every day we saw smiles from the valet to the waitstaff to the cleaning crew.
We stayed at the Palm Tower and enjoyed the beautiful view of the beach out our balcony. The cleaning crew were very kind and sent up twice the usual amount of water for us, which I appreciated greatly as I'm pregnant and need the extra fluids! Our room was immaculately clean with fine attention to detail, like decorated tissue paper designs and organized coffees and teas.
The beach is spectacular! The sand is well manicured and the ocean water warm and aquamarine. The waves were also quite gentle. We requested beach chairs and an umbrella a few times and every staff member at the rental hut made it so effortless. The guests were all as happy as we were, and extremely respectful - one guest asked permission to another guest to quietly play their radio. It was so nice to see.
We didn't use either of their 2 pools, but loved they had ADA pool lifts at both the family and adults only pool. That accessibility feature showed just how much they think of every guest.
We enjoyed the food and drinks at the 8th floor Drift restaurant and the Tiki Bar near the pools. We had breakfast and dinner at Drift and both times, were taken care of by Michael. He made both occasions spectacular and was extremely attentive, as well as friendly. Their breakfast potatoes were irresistible! Dinner at Drift was very romantic with the intimate table and incredible western view of the beach with the sun setting over the water. The Tiki Bar had good food and great drinks! The hostess, waitress, and bartender were all wonderful as well.
I love their text service feature - if you need anything or have questions, they are a text away! It also served as a great announcement vehicle, as one morning we were alerted to a possible sea turtle nest sighting and a slight delay with the beach chair/umbrella services so that potential nests could be marked and not disturbed. I love the respect they have for not only their guests, but for their wildlife.
Their shuttle service to St. Armands Circle was so easy! And every driver that picked us up and dropped us off was extremely friendly.
This was a trip of a lifetime for both of us, and we are SO grateful to every member of Lido Beach Resort that turned this trip into an unforgettable and spectacular experience. Thank you...
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