A Gulf Coast Haven : A Luxurious Experience at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

By Meghan Forte | April 7, 2024

Imagine, a picturesque getaway, that is a paradise for the whole family or for a romantic couple’s vacation. The most exclusive and luxurious experiences in Florida are at The Ritz Carlton, within a  piece of paradise,  in charming Sarasota, Florida.  Social The Lifestyle Magazine, was honored to be given the inside scoop from the historic Ritz-Carlton, and in particular, for the Sarasota location: 

Meghan Forte: What kind of exclusive activities are available to Ritz -Carlton guests? 

The Ritz Carlton, Sarasota : The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota offers exclusive amenities and unparalleled luxury experiences, including:

The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Sarasota: Awarded Hemisphere’s Best American Spa and certified luxury on Forbes’ 2023 Travel Guide, the already beloved luxury spa has recently undergone a floor-to-ceiling redesign of all 17 treatment rooms, a reimagined guest entrance and reception area and state-of-the-art amenities and lounges. Drawing inspiration from the coastal charm and cultural heritage of the region, The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Sarasota offers a tranquil setting and unparalleled service. The spa now boasts a healing waters room, sauna, steam room, outdoor relaxation terrace, and brand-new vitality pool.

• The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club : An 18-hole, par-72 championship golf course designed by Tom Fazio. Unique amenities and services include:
  • The Caddie Concierge program, where a personal caddie provides professional course strategy and design information, as well as chilled, rum-and-lime-soaked oshibori towels, fresh-cut Florida citrus fruit, and preferred refreshments throughout the game. 
  • A full-service Grand Clubhouse with The Golf Club Grille and Bar, attendant-serviced gentlemen’s and ladies’ locker rooms, and award-winning golf shop.
  • The Lion’s Den, the final three holes of the course, are some of the hardest consecutive holes in Florida. This trifecta is comparable to The Snake Pit at CopperHead and The Bear Trap at PGA National. Players that complete each hole in par or better receive a prize from the golf shop celebrating the achievement.

• The Kids Play & Learn Program, which provides complimentary rentals & lessons with paying adults.

• The Ritz-Carlton Beach Club: Exclusive access to white sand beaches at The Beach Club on Lido Key. This tranquil Beach Club paradise on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico features an authentic Tiki Bar, heated zero-entry pool, private cabanas poolside, luxurious daybeds beachside, beach activities and elevated ladies’ and gentlemen’s locker room facilities. The Lido Key Tiki Bar offers a high-end Tiki experience where patrons can enjoy bottles of Moët Ice or Veuve Clicquot alongside Baja blackened fish with the Gulf’s freshest fare.
• Jack Dusty Coastal Cuisine and Crafted Cocktails: The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota’s Jack Dusty, a fine-dining waterfront restaurant featuring their own blend of liqueurs, freshly-caught Gulf shrimp and elevated signature cocktails. The restaurant’s award-winning signature drink The Siren (the brainchild of Ingi Sigurdsson, formerly of The Aviary in Chicago) features sparkling wine, St. Germaine, Gin or Vodka, along with fresh lemon juice and grapefruit and cranberry juices. It is tap poured from a keg and fresh-batched every two days. Guests can also enjoy complimentary Grog shots at 5 p.m. in honor of the “8 Bells and All is Well” tradition, signifying the bells tolling at the docks as the ships arrived home from a safe voyage for the day. The restaurant recently developed a new drink menu inspired by the vibrant flavors and rich culture of Sarasota.
• The Ritz-Carlton Club Level: For guests who pay a premium, The Ritz-Carlton Club Level and Lounge features continuous culinary and beverage offerings throughout the day, personal service from a Concierge and access to exclusive experiences.

Meghan Forte:  Why is a wedding or special private event unique, luxurious, and one of a kind, at The Ritz?  Also, how does the staff or team assure high quality to guests? 

• The Ritz Carlton, Sarasota:  The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota offers a variety of picturesque venues perfect for many occasions. With enchanting indoor and outdoor spaces, multiple venues, and most importantly the Ladies and Gentlemen who bring elevated sophistication and unmatched hospitality to every Ritz-Carlton experience. The property is also equipped with their own team of specialists, consisting of talented chefs, creative event designers and dynamic floral artists who are ready to create truly memorable events. Event spaces include:
• The Sunset Terrace at The Ritz-Carlton Beach Club: A stunning setting for catered parties and events. This open-air patio offers panoramic views of the beach, the Gulf of Mexico, and sunsets. (Max capacity: 300)
• The Lawn at The Ritz-Carlton Beach Club: Located directly behind The Ritz-Carlton Beach Club and steps from the beach, The Lawn at The Ritz-Carlton Beach Club is perfect for weddings, rehearsal dinners and or engagement parties. (Max capacity: 200)
• The Ritz-Carlton Ballroom: With sparkling crystal ring chandeliers, the elegant Ritz-Carlton Ballroom is a sparkling and inviting environment perfect for large weddings and special events. (12,000 sq ft)
• The Healing Garden: Overlooking the sparkling waters of Sarasota Bay, The Healing Garden is an intimate outdoor area with an oval walkway situated around beautiful, green grass. (2,300 sq ft)
• The Ritz-Carlton Ballroom: With sparkling crystal ring chandeliers, the elegant Ritz-Carlton Ballroom is a sparkling and inviting environment perfect for large weddings and special events. (12,000 sq ft)

Meghan Forte: In your experience or opinion, what makes the location of The Ritz in the City of Sarasota so unique? 

The Ritz Carlton, Sarasota: Sarasota is both an exciting urban destination and an elegant coastal retreat. The property stands in the center of downtown Sarasota, allowing travelers to easily enjoy all that Sarasota has to offer while unwinding with the most luxurious amenities. Soak up the sun along Sarasota’s white-sand beaches. Treat yourself to diverse dining, enriching arts and culture, shopping districts of all sorts and natural Florida fun. Sarasota County has a variety of attractions for everyone’s enjoyment, including natural science aquariums, shops and art galleries, and the impressive art collections of the Ringling Museum located on the grounds of John and Mable Ringling’s winter home. Visitors can also catch a performance at the Sarasota Orchestra (home to the Florida West Coast Symphony, the oldest continuing orchestra in the state of Florida), or stroll the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, a living museum a living museum that brings global, living treasures to the public for study, conservation, and enjoyment of the natural world.

Meghan Forte: What kind of spa experiences can a guest explore in the coastal haven of The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota? 

The Ritz Carlton, Sarasota: The newly renovated 20,000 square foot luxury spa, The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Sarasota, offers a new tranquil setting to relax and rejuvenate. The floor-to-ceiling redesign of its 17 treatment rooms, reimagined guest entrance and reception area and state-of-the-art ladies and gentlemen’s locker room and lounges was unveiled at the end of 2023. This April, the completion of the second and final phase of the rejuvenation project will include a new healing waters room, sauna, steam room, outdoor relaxation terrace, and brand-new vitality pool. 

The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Sarasota offers guests rejuvenation and relaxation in a tranquil setting, with design and treatments inspired by the coastal charm, artistic vibrancy, and rich heritage of Sarasota. The striking new design seamlessly blends modern sophistication with luxurious tranquility. Each of the 17 redesigned treatment rooms are named after flora and plant species native to Florida, evoking a sense of connection to the local environment. The concept embodies decadence and a harmonious design, where guests can indulge in a sensory journey that transcends time and place.

The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Sarasota’s treatment menu incorporates locally sourced ingredients and innovative techniques into its expansive list of more than 45 curated services including hydrating facials, anti-aging treatments, massages, nail and makeup services, and rituals designed specifically for men. Alongside the renovation, all-new 100-minute services have been introduced, encouraging guests to slow down and escape from the relentless fast pace of modern life. In partnership with LaFlore and Osmosis Beauty, the spa will also be offering two new facial experiences, complementing the spa’s most popular HydraFacial service and core line of ESPA products.

The newly reimagined Healing Waters offers an unparalleled haven for wellness seekers. Distinguished as the sole spa in the area with its distinctive specialized space, Healing Waters stands as a beacon of rejuvenation. Featuring a revitalizing vitality pool, invigorating sauna, and soothing steam rooms, this exclusive retreat sets itself apart, providing guests with an unmatched experience tailored for ultimate relaxation and holistic health benefits. The vitality pool, with its heated water, precision jets, and underwater massage elements, offers targeted hydrotherapy for a truly indulgent experience. Designed to promote relaxation, stress relief, and improved circulation, Healing Waters embodies a sanctuary for revitalization and well-being.

For a holistic wellness retreat, guests at this premier luxury resort can also enjoy wellness during every aspect of their stay by booking one of the property’s Pure Rooms. The property partnered with Pure Wellness, the practice leader in guest room programs for hotels, to convert 10 of its King Balcony Guest Rooms into Pure Rooms. These rooms were expertly designed and engineered to provide the wellness-minded traveler a guest room experience that promotes well-being, sleep, and rejuvenation. Through a comprehensive, eco-friendly, and patented seven-step process that includes deep-cleaning, treating all surfaces and equipment, and installing a medical-grade air purifier, The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota’s certified Pure Rooms offer purified air, a hypoallergenic environment, and allergy-friendly bedding.

Meghan Forte:  In your experience, how do exquisite dining experiences at The Ritz, Beach Club, or at Jack Dusty’s bring people together for an unforgettable nautical eatery experience?

The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota: Embark on a culinary voyage like no other at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, where the unmatched nautical eatery experience awaits. Indulge in a symphony of flavors inspired by the bounty of the sea, expertly crafted by our award-winning chefs while enjoying panoramic views of Florida’s sunny Gulf Coast. From the freshness of the catch to the elegance of the presentation in true Ritz-Carlton fashion, every moment of this nautical eatery experience is unforgettable. 

The resort’s signature restaurant, Jack Dusty fuses coastal sophistication with local traditions. Situated on the marina in The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, this convivial restaurant is known for its delicious seafood and laid-back ambiance. 

At The Ritz-Carlton Beach Club guests will find another tranquil environment to take in our white-sand beaches and fresh air. Named for the rare Kemp’s ridley sea turtles that frequent the beach, Ridley’s Porch offers a relaxed waterfront dining experience centered on locally inspired dishes.

Combined with the open-air tiki bar experience at The Lido Key Tiki Bar located at The Ritz-Carlton Beach Club, guests have endless opportunities to dine bask in an unforgettable nautical culinary experience.

Thank you , to the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, the marketing team and staff, for sharing your expertise of what makes a stay unique and unforgettable. It was a privilege to discover more details about the coastal gem, that is The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.If you’re seeking upscale luxury, exquisite quality, and unforgettable memories, The Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota offers a refined coastal experience like no other.

Contact Information: 

1111 Ritz Carlton- Drive, 

Sarasota Florida, USA 34236 

Fax +1 941-309-2100 

Ritz Carlton, Sarasota Website

Ritz Carlton, Sarasota Instagram 

Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, Facebook Page 

Ritz-Carlton Facebook Page 

Ritz Carlton, Sarasota Link Tree

Careers at The Ritz-Carlton