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Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach

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Traveller (1187)
Room & Suite (366)
Pool & Beach (71)

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About

#39 of 58 hotels in Sarasota
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
The Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach draws its inspiration from the culture, flavor, and style that is Sarasota, FL, and Lido Key. Just a half-mile from the entertainment and lifestyle center of St. Armand's Circle, your well-appointed resort room is near the very best the City of Sarasota has to offer. Hang out and relax by the Gulf-front resort pool area and drink up the sunshine. Or find a peaceful place to sit and enjoy the warm waters of The Gulf of Mexico on our pristine, white sand beach. From the moment they wake up until the moment they flip off the lights and gaze at the night sky from the guest room balconies, our guests enjoy the services and amenities expected of a beachfront resort.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free internet
Pool
Bar / lounge
Beach
Boating
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Paid private parking on-site
Parking
Wifi
Pool / beach towels
Outdoor pool
Heated pool
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Outdoor dining area
Vending machine
Poolside bar
Canoeing
Water sport equipment rentals
Fishing
Tennis court offsite
Free shuttle or taxi services
Shuttle bus service
Business Centre with Internet Access
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Baggage storage
Gift shop
Non-smoking hotel
Sun deck
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun umbrellas
ATM on site
24-hour check-in
24-hour front desk
Self-serve laundry
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Room features
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Room service
Coffee / tea maker
Refrigerator
Flatscreen TV
Bath / shower
Safe
Seating area
Telephone
Iron
Private bathrooms
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
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Room types
Ocean view
City view
Pool view
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
3.0 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Ocean View
Family
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
1,861Review43Q+A100Room tips
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Michelle M wrote a review 15 Mar
1 contribution
Do not let the pictures fool you. This place is preparing to be demolished and the owners have not maintained it too well for many years. We had a room with a courtyard view. From the outside it looked great. The inside smelled bad, the faucet in the tub was leaking, there was black dirt within all the grout in the shower and behind the door. When maintenance came, they tightened the faucet and then said it was fixed. As soon as they walked away, the faucet was leaking again. It was very uncomfortable. The pools were beautiful and it looks like they were taken very good care of. The staff was very very nice. Other than that, no, don’t go there unless you don’t mind sleeping in nastiness.
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Date of stay: March 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Dandestraveler wrote a review 11 Mar
Riverhead, New York24 contributions2 helpful votes
+1
This resort was clean and nice. It is not a luxury resort by any means but if you are looking for a nice beach location that has a retro feel to it, this is the place. With the resort fee you get a access to beach towels, beach chairs already on the beach, Tiki bar ( not a swim up bar), nice restaurant that has a decent menu including starters like shrimp cocktail or a entree such as, fresh fish, or catch of the day, burgers, or a steak. Outdoor seating is nice and you might even get a visit from a resident bird. Service was very good. It’s a nice place to take your significant other or family! You can even take your small pet if you like. The beach is right walking distance straight out from some of the rooms.
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Date of stay: March 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: The pool is. Ice but not heated. Restaurant prices are about the same. We stayed put and were...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Jan B wrote a review Jan 2024
Indianapolis, Indiana8 contributions
What just happened here?! We’re buffaloed. We’ve stopped at their bar and also ate lunch a couple of times the past week. So we’re at lunch today and the receptionist ploughs up to us and asks our room number. We explain we’re just here for lunch, she presses the room number issue, we tell her we walk over from our condo to enjoy the lunch and the bar. She leaves without explaining her weirdness. Not the way to get guests! Some staff said the hotel has a big drainage issue, too…the entire facility is due for major renovation this May. Good to know; you’ll want to make reservations elsewhere.
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Date of stay: January 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Major renovation to begin May 2024.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Mike F wrote a review Nov 2023
Lapeer, Michigan14 contributions15 helpful votes
My wife and I stayed at the Sandcastle Resort while in Lido key for a family wedding. We enjoy staying on the waterfront so we upgraded our rooms. While The View was spectacular, the rooms were average at best. They were clean, but old and worn. There was actually paint peeling from our bathtub. Some of my family stayed at the sister resort about a half mile away. That was truly a four-star resort. I struggled on my rating between a two and a three and decided to be generous. The staff was incredibly helpful, friendly and efficient. I would rate them a five. The owners need to make a significant investment to truly make this a three star resort.
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Date of stay: November 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Just know what you are getting.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Gail G wrote a review Oct 2023
1 contribution2 helpful votes
My experience was wonderful. After flooding from the recent hurricane staff was always working on getting things back up to par. Room had new carpet and drapes. Very clean. Staff were all so nice and friendly. Meals at the restaurant were delicious. I love the pool area and being right on the beach. Beds were comfortable. If you are looking for a fancy ritzy hotel don’t come here and bash it. If you are looking for a quant and charming hotel with amazing staff this is the place. Thank you Sandcastle for a wonderful vacation.
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Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2 Helpful votes
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Julio V wrote a review Oct 2023
2 contributions1 helpful vote
+1
We booked a room to stay with my wife and two kids. The hotel's photos portrayed a picturesque scene with a small sailboat and beautiful rooms, but the reality was quite the opposite. The moment we arrived, we felt completely deceived. When we inquired about the sailboat, we were informed it was just for show. The rooms were old and poorly maintained. Throughout our entire stay, there was a pile of sand in the hallway that remained untouched. I took several photos as evidence, as they best illustrate the stark difference from what was advertised. We truly felt swindled.
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Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Find a better place
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
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Cmatthews191 wrote a review Oct 2023
Tampa8 contributions3 helpful votes
This resort is nice. The beds are comfortable, the rooms are clean, beautiful pool area, staff are friendly and of course it's right on the beach. If you're looking for the Ritz, this place is not for you. If you're okay with an Old Florida experience then you won't be disappointed.
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Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Richelle b wrote a review Sept 2023
1 contribution1 helpful vote
+1
I read some of the reviews and I don’t understand the experience they had. There was four of us, my parents, 13 yr kid son, who has super powers (autism) so it’s hard to keep him engaged. By no means is the a contemporary hotel which is what I lived about it. Our room was on bottom furtherest from main building want to say 105 but it doesn’t matter. It was on the end which was nice since there was a tiki hut n chairs we could go sit at or just sit in front of our room. Having the outside shower close was great. No sand in our room. The room was very clean. I LOVED we had a thermostat on the wall to control air. In fact, it was great not even hearing the air run all night. Most room have those units you have to keep playing with and hear them run all night. Nope! It was quiet. We also had two entrances. The back door lead to the parking lot. And yes they did have mattresses in the big bin but so what. Just means some rooms got new ones. The property was spotless and there was no smells. The room had touched of a time gone by. The door facing the public space had a window on it. I liked opening up and having the ocean air come in without having to open the door. The room size was nice. We weren’t tripping over each other. If you were staying longer, there was ample storage. We were driving Florida for 7 days. Each night a different hotel. I honestly wished we would if stayed one more night here. I had the best sleep. I know there were ppl around but never heard them. Never heard ppl walking in room above us. The only thing I wished we had was a microwave in the room BUT that actually didn’t turn out to be a problem. I was told the lobby has one I could use. As I was walking around I saw a building that said laundry so I thought I’d go in and take a look. This had to be the biggest guest Landry room I had ever seen!! And there was a huge microwave in there so it saved me a walk. I don’t recall how many machines were in there but we could I’d done a weeks with for the four of us in the same time as doing one. I wanna say like 6 washer n dryers. This was for the guests not the resort to use. Inside was also restrooms. You could follow a small hall and come out to the main area. On our side, there was a nice big yard where they had shuffleboard. The outdoor chair were nice. The main area was a shocker!! I have never seen TWO BIG POOLS!!! One was 7ft deep. The other, no clue. Kids were playing but they weren’t bothering anyone. If you didn’t like it, you coukd move to the other. Clean towels were ready for you along with iced cold bottled water. There was even a life size chest board. A tiki hut served drinks. I will say the bartender was not that nice. I had questions about the food menu. You could eat outside by the pool or inside. He told me to go inside if I had questions. Hmmm but that didn’t get to me. I took my son to the beach which was a very short walk. I’m used to seeing umbrellas n knowing u have to rent them. I coukd be wrong but when I asked about them, the young man said no charge. (Double check that). You would be hard pressed not to find something to do here. Also ask about the history of the place. A dog was the owner of it for awhile!! No cap! They do have a shuttle that will take you where the action is. We decided not to eat there and check out other places but we drove ourselves. FYI the key is like 2.5 miles long by one half mile wide. You could walk. We started out I guess late. It was around 8:30 and finding a place was difficult for us due to closing times. We ended up crossing bridge n found a place. I just added that in. We had to chose between watching the sunset or going to eat. This time of year it’s one or the other. We actually should of just ate there. But it was nice seeing lido keys nightlife which really isn’t lol. We got back around 10:30. I wasn’t sleepy yet n we needed ice so I took my son to go with me. We walked out that front door and there were red lights on the paths. I happened to bring a very bright flashlight this trip so my son n I coukd walk the beach at night. I grabbed that only to make him feel comfortable. I liked the red lights. If it helps the turtles I’m for it! Since it felt like we were the only ones there, we just walked the whole area. Didn’t feel scared. It was peaceful in fact. And to hear the waves softly…. Made me almost wish I had a man friend lol but I had my best friend so I was glad to share those moments with him. As I stated in the beginning of my novel, this is not your contemporary hotel. As I sat in the chair in front of our room, I could picture families staying here for their vacation. It was as close as to living in the 50’s as I will ever get. I don’t mean the whole place looks like it got stuck in that time, it was the little things you don’t see anymore. A mirror on this arm thing that pulled out. The window in door. Little things. Lastly, after son went to bed, I went back out to put his swim trunks on the chair. I sat for a second. I coukd not believe how quiet it was. No cars, no bugs, no ppl, no music. No airplanes not even the ocean (only because of where I was). It wasn’t scary or eerie by no means. I’ve never experienced being outdoor and not hearing a thing. Ohhhh gotta mention this. Upon check in, I had asked for extra towels. We all know how some places will give you like 2 n then sign your name in blood for those extra. I forgot his name- he asked how many. I said we’ll women usually like two big towels soooo 4? He goes ok would you like them sent now or wait a lil bit until you get settled. I thought mom would want to rinse off so I said now. By the time wr got to our room, the young man was there with towels in hand. I mention that because they just acted like anything we needed was no problem. The front desk was amazing. Felt like we stayed a week and got to know them and they us. Not that we went up there. It was only at check in n check out. We stayed 40 mins more as I used the computer and the gentleman told us the history of the place. We knew nothing about this part of Florida. We usually go down to key largo or key west. I dunno how we happened upon this key or this place but it was one of my favorite places out if the whole trip!!! This would be a great place for a family reunion, family n friends vaca, a wedding, or just like us, a family of 4. I would take just my son n self back here. I’ve been home 2 weeks now and I’m still thinking of that place. I even googled to read more of its history. The gentleman up front even told us things you won’t get in google-fir instance, she’d make the guests get out of the pool while she did her laps. Well I’m done. If you stay here, I hope you find it just as enchanting as we did. I hope you enjoy having a quiet sleep without hearing the air conditioner rattling n on all the time. Besides the bartender, everyone else was exceptional! (Sorry for mistakes. It was to long to long correct them all )
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Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: If your looking for a place to just enjoy, this is it. You will want to put away your cell phone...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Melissa S. wrote a review Aug 2023
20 contributions3 helpful votes
+1
This is the cutest little gem! Quite old school like the old beach movies. It’s kept clean, the beach is mere feet away, there’s TWO pools, towels and cold bottled water provided for guests, a cute patio bar and a decent restaurant. Check in was quick and painless. Timothy was amazing! Great prices in their little gift shop, too!
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Keep your arm band with you all the time so you can get your bottled water to stay hydrated.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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kwhitehou wrote a review Aug 2023
Wolverhampton, United Kingdom2 contributions1 helpful vote
Awful. Room needed redecorating from top to bottom. Beds were uncomfortable. Mattress was flat the one side. Dirty mattresses piled high in the car park. Only good thing about the hotel was that is offers a shuttle into st armands circle. Would never stay here again!
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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PRICE RANGE
S$233 - S$410 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
helmsley sandcastle sarasota, sarasota helmsley sandcastle, helmsley sandcastle hotel sarasota
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel
LOCATION
United StatesFloridaSouthwest Gulf CoastSarasota
NUMBER OF ROOMS
179
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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SANDCASTLE RESORT AT LIDO BEACH: UPDATED 2024 Hotel Reviews, Price Comparison and 1,367 Photos (Sarasota, Florida) - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach
Which popular attractions are close to Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach?
Nearby attractions include Silver City Sarasota (6.9 km), Siesta Beach (4.6 km), and Lido Beach (0.4 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a pool, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
Which room amenities are available at Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, a flat screen TV, and a refrigerator.
What food & drink options are available at Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and a poolside bar during their stay.
Is parking available at Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach?
Yes, free parking and paid private parking on-site are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach?
Conveniently located restaurants include Arcade Monsters Lido Beach, Drift Kitchen & Bar, and Turmeric Indian Bar And Grill.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Are pets allowed at Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Does Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers a business centre, meeting rooms, and a banquet room.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish.
Are there any historical sites close to Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Phillippi Estate Park (5.4 km) and Burns Court Neighborhood (4.5 km).