The St. Regis Longboat Key has opened and with it comes a new chapter for Sarasota and the entire west coast of Florida.
Set between the Gulf of Mexico and a calm 500,000 gallon saltwater lagoon, the resort feels both natural and inevitable. It brings refined design and thoughtful service to a coastline known for soft sand and easy sunsets but not always known for high-end hospitality. Until now.
Arrival at the port cochere sets the tone. Light and sea air fill the open spaces. The design is quiet and fluid. Nothing tries too hard. Everything feels intentional.
A new chapter for Sarasota
Sarasota has long been the cultural capital of the Gulf Coast with top-tier arts, a rich architectural legacy and beaches known around the world. What it lacked was a true luxury coastal resort that matched the character of the city.
The St. Regis Longboat Key fills that gap. It blends quiet sophistication with a strong sense of place. The experience is calm warm and coastal. For locals it also offers an elevated staycation close to home.
The resort covers 18 acres between the open Gulf and a protected lagoon. Guests move between ocean views and quiet water features. The layout invites slow walks and quiet moments. Sunlight dances on the lagoon and the views shift as you explore. Nothing feels rushed.
Design with purpose
The design nods to Sarasota’s architectural heritage. Open corridors, wide glass lines and sculptural lighting echo the Sarasota School of Architecture. Natural tones and soft colors warm the interiors. Curves mirror the shoreline.
Nothing feels showy. Everything feels chosen. The result is peaceful and modern.
Light moves through each space. Water, stone and glass work together. Every angle frames another view.
Service that understands you
The service is what defines the resort. Staff anticipate needs before guests voice them. The tone stays warm and genuine.
Suites include butler service that feels easy rather than formal. Help appears when needed and steps back at the right moment. Luggage unpacking, dinner arrangements and small comforts happen smoothly.
Rooms open to private terraces with wide Gulf views. Interiors feel clean and residential. The privacy and quiet make each suite feel like a home by the water.
Dining worth the trip
The culinary program alone could draw visitors.
CW Prime delivers seafood and steaks with precision. Riva offers coastal Italian dishes that feel bright and fresh. The St. Regis Bar sets the mood each evening with soft lighting and skilled bartenders.
A nightly sabrage ritual takes place along the waterfront. Guests gather at sunset as champagne is opened with a saber. It is simple and celebratory and quickly becomes a favorite moment of the day.
Wellness with intention
The 20000 square foot spa is a calm retreat with treatments using La Mer products. Hydrotherapy pools face the sea.
The lagoon also creates its own version of wellness. Guests float between small islands and shaded cabanas. Staff arrive with chilled towels, fruit or a drink at the perfect moment. Time slows down.
Why it matters
The St. Regis Longboat Key sets a new standard for the Florida Gulf Coast.
For travelers it confirms what locals already knew. The region deserves a place among the top luxury destinations. The resort brings the refinement seen in Palm Beach, Naples and Miami but keeps the warmth that defines Sarasota.
For Sarasota it becomes a marker of confidence. It raises expectations for future development and delivers a signature experience that draws visitors who want high quality without losing the local feel.
The property is already influencing design, hospitality and real estate conversations across the region. It signals that Sarasota is not only a cultural city with beaches but a rising luxury destination.
Takeaway
This is more than a new hotel. It is a new benchmark for the Gulf Coast.
Every detail feels intentional. Every space feels calm and modern. The resort honors the landscape and meets the expectations of today’s luxury traveler.
It is where elegance meets comfort, where modern design meets coastal quiet and where every sunset feels worth slowing down for.
It is the kind of place guests return to again and again as the Gulf sparkles just beyond the terrace and the warm air carries the scent of salt and possibility.