Guest User
May 24, 2024
My husband and I were in Sarasota for a quick overnight to look at some properties for a 2025 winter rental. Although our stay was one night, we chose the Ritz due to the wonderful experience we had there over a Thanksgiving holiday before the pandemic. We fell in love with this location, the main property being in a downtown area with so much to do (museums, theatre, shopping and dining). They also had a bus shuttle to their Lido Beach Club, just down the road, minutes away. Lido Beach by far is one of my top 5 beaches ever visited and the Ladies and Gentlemen at Lido Beach gave above and beyond service which provided a most memorable stay...we couldn't wait to get back! We arrived late Tuesday after a long day/night in Naples where we were warmly greeted in valet, again at the door and they also rolled out the carpetat the front desk! Everyone was so genuine and really did want us there, making sure we knew they valued us and were available to help in any way! We went to our room, a beautifully appointed Bay Suite and were welcomed by this artfully prepared seascape chocolate shadow box, it was incredible and everything was handmade...and delicious! Then we made our way to the Club Lounge just in time for a drink and a snack, again were warmly greeted and the team could not have been nicer and offered to make any drink of our choice. LOL, I can't recall what I had although I recall it was very good and hit the spot after a very long day! We sat outside on the deck overlooking the canal, watching a dolphin come in and make it's way out. It was such a perfect setting! It was well after 7PM and we had a special visitor! Mr. Sherwin, Hotel GM made his way to our table to introduce himself and welcome us back! We were so impressed and had a wonderful conversation about this special property and several other Ritz Carlton's that we have visited throughout the years! It meant a lot that he would take the time to visit and truly made us feel that we were important to him...and it showed throughout our stay - the Ladies and Gentlemen at RC Sarasota are indeed special! We made our way back to our room to watch the magnificent sunset, talking non-stop about how wonderful E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E was here...and enjoyed our special treat (although didn't want to touch it as it was so beautiful!). The next day we went to the Ritz Carlton Beach Club on Lido Key, was just as beautiful as we remembered...the pool, the beach set-up, the tiki bar and overall service! Sadly we didn't have time to dine at the restaurant, had to get back and get ready for our flight home...which we almost missed as we just didn't want to leave (squeezed in 45 minutes at the hotel pool, perfect size and setting! I wanted to give our special thanks to Mr. Sherwin and the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Ritz Carlton Sarasota and Beach Club properties for going above and beyond to help make our short visit such a special one...and we will be sure to return again very soon!