When the St. Regis Longboat Key opened in August 2024, it marked the most significant development —and frankly, the arrival felt overdue. I’ve spent decades vacationing with my family on this barrier island, and it is exciting to see this property change the luxury hotel market change entirely, adding Sarasota to our list of the best luxury resorts in Florida for families.
Occupying 18 acres where the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort previously stood, the St. Regis brings five-star travel to Longboat Key, a sleepy barrier island just off Sarasota. The location sits approximately 15 minutes from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) and 90 minutes from Tampa International (TPA).
You’ll be captivated when you examine the lobby’s 11.5-meter Droplets sculpture flanked by three aquariums and design details that reference circus magnate John Ringling’s legacy through rope-clad chandeliers and an oval ballroom resembling a circus tent. The high season runs November through April when Gulf Coast weather delivers sanctuary from colder climate, though I prefer March through May for warmer ocean waters.
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St. Regis Longboat Key pools & beach
The pool complex cascades across multiple levels, anchored by a winding lazy river flanked by cabanas that proved legitimately entertaining rather than just functional. The main family pool balances energy and relaxation effectively, with cascading water features and ample shallow areas for younger children.
A separate adults-only pool provides necessary respite for couples or parents stealing quiet moments, though I found the family-friendly atmosphere throughout the property so well-managed that the segregation felt less essential than at properties where children dominate every space.
What genuinely distinguishes this resort: the 500,000-gallon saltwater lagoon housing nearly 50 stingrays and 2,800 tropical fish across 40 species. I participated in the Under the Water Lagoon Experience—an hour-long snorkeling session where you actually feed cownose stingrays (barbs removed) and swim among tropical fish. The guides made me comfortable despite initial nervousness, and families with children as young as eight genuinely engaged in marine education.
The property thoughtfully positions two Aldabra giant tortoises (Jack and Rose) in viewing areas by the pool where children can observe them safely. It’s educational without feeling didactic, entertaining without becoming a theme park.
The private beach stretches along powdery white sand with sun loungers, umbrellas, and beach service that anticipates needs without hovering. Gulf sunsets from this vantage point deliver exactly what Florida beach vacations promise.
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Room Selection
The 142 standard rooms span Superior (limited views), Deluxe (partial ocean views), and Grand Deluxe (full ocean and resort views) categories. I stayed in a Caroline Astor suite that felt genuinely comfortable for a family, with floor-to-ceiling sliding doors opening to a balcony overlooking pools and Gulf. The interiors employ gray and brown coastal tones that feel contemporary without being trendy, and the walk-in closet provided storage capacity rare in standard rooms.
The three-bedroom Presidential Suite occupies the fifth floor with three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and oceanfront positioning that commands premium rates but delivers genuine presidential-level space. Connecting rooms are available throughout room categories, providing flexibility for families wanting proximity without shared sleeping quarters.
All rooms feature signature St. Regis butler service—it doesn’t feel intrusive, but is a genuinely helpful coordination of activities, dining reservations, and those small requests that make travel with children more manageable.
The Sachajuan toiletries in reusable bottles signal the property’s sustainability efforts, and every room includes private terraces with Gulf views that justify the splurge over neighboring Florida properties.
If you book your hotel through Luxe Recess, you will receive complimentary VIP perks like resort credits, a welcome amenity, daily breakfast for two per bedroom, and you will be placed in the highest priority category for upgrades. Learn about these perks.
Kids Club
The Kids Club offers programming that balances structured activities and independent exploration. Sand sculpting classes, marine education tied to the lagoon experience, and age-appropriate crafts can keep the kids occupied while parents can utilize the spa or enjoy adult dining.
The club welcomes children ages 5 to 12, with activities scaled appropriately. What I appreciated: the integration with the resort’s unique assets. Children learn about the stingrays they’ll encounter in the lagoon, understand Gulf Coast ecosystems, and participate in conservation discussions that feel genuine rather than performative.
Professional babysitting services can be arranged care for families wanting in-room support or parents planning evening activities.
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St. Regis Longboat Key Spa
The 20,000-square-foot spa commands an oceanfront position with indoor and outdoor vitality pools, 14 treatment rooms including couples suites and an oceanfront cabana, steam and sauna facilities, and thermal experiences.
Elevated touches include the vitality pools with varying temperatures and hydrotherapy features, the oceanfront relaxation room where you genuinely want to linger post-treatment, and thoughtful touches like warmed slippers and adjustable treatment tables. The spa offers services for teens aged 16 plus.
The on property beauty salon provides full services, and complimentary fitness classes run throughout the week, from beach yoga to aqua aerobics in the vitality pools.
dining
The St. Regis Long Boat Key offers multiple dining venues spanning the signature CW Prime steakhouse, Riva’s coastal Italian cuisine with handmade pasta bar, Aura’s Latin-inspired poolside grill, Caroline’s cafe, the Monkey Bar tiki concept, signature afternoon tea in the St. Regis Bar, and Ocean serving the Champagne Sabering ritual each evening at sunset.
CW Prime delivered one of the better steaks I’ve experienced in Florida, with classic steakhouse execution and Gulf views that enhanced rather than distracted. Riva became our breakfast destination daily, with the buffet offering genuine variety and the ability to watch pasta preparation counter-side providing entertainment for both adults and children.
Aura proved ideal for casual poolside dining, the Latin American menu provided welcome variety from typical poolside burger-and-taco monotony.
The nightly Champagne sabre at Ocean became our sunset ritual, as this is a brand wide tradition I’ve enjoyed at many of their properties.
The ST. Regis Longboat Key has Personality
It’s worth mentioning the hotel’s partnership with Vilebrequin—a French luxury swimwear brand—which created an exclusive capsule collection featuring whimsical Longboat Key motifs (circus tents, turtles, marine life) sold only at the on-site boutique, with coordinating cabanas and beach games reinforcing the playful design language throughout the property. My favorite touch? The genius custom inner tubes used for the lazy river. This should be replicated at all resorts.
The St. Regis Longboat Key provides complimentary Bentley town car service on first-come basis around Longboat Key and to St. Armands Circle’s shopping and dining. Downtown Sarasota (20 minutes) provides cultural attractions including The Ringling Museum complex with an art museum, circus museum, and Ca’ d’Zan mansion tours.
This property is one of our preferred partner hotels with exclusive travel advisor rates (and we’re a Virtuoso agency in addition to publishing this magazine). Our clients get complimentary daily breakfasts, resort credits, and—based on availability—upgrades, early check-in, and late check-out. Don’t leave vacation money on the table!
If you would like to book this property with these VIP amenities at no cost to you, we invite you to become a Luxe Recess Insider and have access to our hotel booking tool.
Final Thoughts
The St. Regis Longboat Key succeeds as a Florida luxury resort where it matters—substantive design details and personality, unique amenities like that extraordinary saltwater lagoon, and solid dining.
What keeps me coming back to Longboat Key is its beach, truly the best on the Gulf Coast.