Destinations

St. Regis Longboat Key overview

I could also be biased, however as a born-and-raised Floridian, I can confidently say the Sunshine State is among the finest locations to trip in the US. The draw of Southwest Florida has all the time been plain: serene seashores, picturesque sunsets and tropical climate practically 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 pieces there’s to like a few Florida trip and elevates it.

Whereas the worth for a keep right here could 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 checklist of the perfect new accommodations in 2024.

Associated: The most effective St. Regis accommodations for probably the most luxurious resort stays

What’s the St. Regis Longboat Key?

LAUREN WASSUM/THE POINTS GUY

Celebrated as probably the most vital improvement within the area in additional than 50 years, the St. Regis Longboat Key was one in every of probably 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 stuffed 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 parts 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 provided with an in depth array of top-notch facilities and its signature butler service.

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The way to e book the St. Regis Longboat Key

LAUREN WASSUM/THE POINTS GUY

The St. Regis Longboat Key affords 9 totally different room and suite sorts. Charges for superior rooms, which common round 470 sq. toes 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. toes. 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 verify are completely breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico that you would be able to get pleasure from out of your non-public terrace. When checking varied dates all through the calendar, suite availability for level redemption can fluctuate relying on the season, however anticipate 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 will need to use one of many bank cards that earn probably 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 Categorical® Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at accommodations collaborating within the Marriott Bonvoy program; automated Platinum Elite standing; and 25 elite evening credit per yr towards the next tier.
  • Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Categorical® Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at accommodations collaborating within the Marriott Bonvoy program; automated Gold Elite standing; and 15 elite evening credit per yr towards the next tier.
  • Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at accommodations collaborating within the Marriott Bonvoy program; automated Gold Elite standing; and 15 elite evening credit per yr towards the next tier.
  • Marriott Bonvoy Enterprise® American Categorical® Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at accommodations collaborating within the Marriott Bonvoy program; automated Gold Elite standing; and 15 elite evening credit per yr towards the next tier.
  • Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit score Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at accommodations collaborating within the Marriott Bonvoy program; automated Silver Elite standing; and 15 elite evening credit per yr towards the next tier.
  • Marriott Bonvoy Daring® Credit score Card: Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at accommodations collaborating within the Marriott Bonvoy program; automated Silver Elite standing; and 5 elite evening credit per yr towards the next 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 placement

As quickly as we approached the St. Regis, it felt like we might entered an unique island getaway; it is among the few accommodations you will discover on Sarasota’s barrier islands. There have been workers exterior, 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 way of the outsized foyer doorways, we have been instantly welcomed by a glowing mosaic St. Regis emblem on the ground. Once we seemed up, our gaze went straight to the grandiose floor-to-ceiling home windows that look out onto the Gulf of Mexico.

In case you’re touring to the St. Regis by air, Sarasota Bradenton Worldwide Airport (SRQ) is the closest airport. Airport transfers should not out there, 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 want touchdown at Tampa Worldwide Airport (TPA). Nevertheless, the drive will take about an hour and a half, and you’ll anticipate to pay round $200 for a taxi or ride-hailing service, so chances are you’ll need to lease a automobile as an alternative. Valet parking on the St. Regis is $55 every day, with electrical automobile charging stations out there.

Moreover absorbing the solar at one in every of 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 outside procuring and eating district that’s effectively on its technique to restoration following Hurricane Helene.

The resort can also 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 environment. I extremely advocate visiting the close by Ringling Museum, which gives an enriching cultural tour, showcasing numerous artwork collections and superbly manicured gardens. With its pink-walled exterior and Italian-style design, the museum appears like a literal palace from the Renaissance interval — and can also 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 way of the totally different displays. You may 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 ground 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.

LAUREN WASSUM/THE POINTS GUY

Past that may 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 way 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 on your swimsuit. The workers additionally observed my husband and I had glasses, so that they added some St. Regis-branded glasses cleaner on one in every of 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 lots to select from in the case of eateries and bars on the St. Regis Longboat Key. The resort’s seven eating venues are numerous and vibrant, with each providing a novel culinary expertise. From an indoor steakhouse with a hidden speakeasy to a rooftop Japanese-fusion lounge overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, every eating possibility provided its personal distinctive expertise, full with curated decor, making it a memorable and might’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 every 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 model, hash browns, alternative of meat, roasted tomato and toast. I am a creature of behavior in the case of 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, among 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 liked that it did not simply include tortilla chips however crispy plantains and cassava chips as effectively. I might 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 a little bit time within the small speakeasy often known as the Spirit Room. Right here, there is a discreet button that reveals an unique cocktail distinctive to that venue. Assume 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 have 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 totally different dishes and what makes them nice. I wholeheartedly assume that the storytelling made every dish style even higher.

For our entrees, steak dishes have been the apparent alternative, 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 have been excessive, and it was juicy and filled with taste.

Then there was the CW Prime Burger ($50), which I can confidently say was top-of-the-line 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 today.

Oshen

I could not resolve what I liked extra about this rooftop lounge: the views or the burst of taste from every course. I particularly preferred the blended 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 will 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 Previous-Long-established 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 around the globe, and Longboat Secret is no totally different. And typically, they even let visitors saber the bottle, together with yours really — 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 way of a beachside entrance, the bar affords 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 folks.

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 searching for a quieter escape.

LAUREN WASSUM/THE POINTS GUY

You can too 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 every day resort price. The most effective half? You’ll be able to nonetheless anticipate the identical excessive degree of service you’ll 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 interior tubes (double tubes are additionally out there) 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 could be summoned with the press of a button.

Personal cabanas additionally dot the realm, with reservation costs starting from $250 to $550 every day. After shopping on-line, nevertheless, 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 midst of the winding river on the turfed Mangrove Island. It provided comfy seating that might simply match as much as eight folks, a flat-screen TV, bottled water and loads of towels. There was additionally a protected and a small fridge stuffed 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 want 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 lease 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 providers.

Calm down on the St. Regis Spa

LAUREN WASSUM/THE POINTS GUY

The St. Regis Spa spans a powerful 20,000 sq. toes, 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 remedies with avant-garde skincare know-how. The spa additionally has an unique partnership with La Mer and is among the solely two spas within the nation to take action.

Previous to my therapy, I visited the hydrothermal space, which is out there to anybody with a therapy booked, to loosen my muscle tissues. 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 select from a collection of scents to boost my therapeutic massage expertise, and my slippers have been positioned in a hotter, which was a nice 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 gear, 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 affords is its 350,000-gallon saltwater lagoon, house to virtually 50 stingrays and greater than 40 species of two,800 tropical fish.

In case you really need to immerse your self within the Florida wildlife, I extremely advocate the Underneath the Water lagoon expertise, the place you may snorkel with tropical fish and feed the smaller stingrays (don’t be concerned — the stingrays’ barbs are eliminated).

We had two knowledgeable guides for our hourlong lagoon expertise. After signing a waiver and a short orientation, they gave us moist vests and socks to guard our toes from the rocky backside. We began with feeding and gently petting the small cownose stingrays. Whereas I used to be a little bit 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 way of the lagoon on the water’s floor. Our guides identified totally different fish and informed us attention-grabbing details alongside the best way. As soon as we reached the opposite facet, we might sit down in shallow water and gently pet the bigger southern stingray species.

The lagoon expertise prices $125 per particular person and is good 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 not swim within the lagoon however can take part within the stingray portion of the snorkel expertise.

LAUREN WASSUM/THE POINTS GUY

Accessibility

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

Public areas function large 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 immediately on the primary ground or simply accessible by ramp or elevator.

LAUREN WASSUM/THE POINTS GUY

Because the 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 raise switch system.

Wheelchair-accessible visitor rooms guarantee loads of area, with doorways large sufficient to accommodate standard-size wheelchairs and furnishings thoughtfully organized to stop 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

Primarily based on my expertise, I felt just like the St. Regis Longboat Key offered all the pieces one might 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 make 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 checklist.

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