The St. Regis Just Opened a Luxe New Beach Escape—Here’s What Blew Me Away Most

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The St. Regis Just Opened a Luxe New Beach Escape—Here’s What Blew Me Away Most originally appeared on Parade.

The secret’s out: St. Regis Longboat Key Resort is one of Sarasota’s best new luxury hotels. It’s sure to be a low-key escape for A-listers avoiding the Miami scene. Just shy of its one-year anniversary, the 18-acre property is the largest development on the island in over 50 years.

Nestled on Sarasota’s barrier island, the sprawling resort is a beachfront paradise. Upon my arrival, I couldn’t believe I was in Sarasota and not at an exclusive resort in the Caribbean. Of course, the St. Regis brand has a sterling reputation and is virtually synonymous with sumptuous accommodations, but I was floored by the attention to detail and level of sophistication.

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Before I walked through the doors, the first thing I noticed was a couple of bronzed turtle statues near the entryway. Little did I know that these aquatic creatures would be a prominent theme throughout my stay at the oceanfront property.

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Once inside the lobby, I was captivated by the shiny grand piano, stunning circular bar and soothing color palette. It felt like I’d stepped onto the set of what Hollywood would depict as a quintessential luxury resort.

Why You Should Trust Me on Luxe Hotel Reviews

When it comes to luxury travel, I’m a trusted source. I’ve stayed at some of the most exclusive hotels in the world. From five-star establishments with tuxedo-clad butlers to being driven around in Bentleys, I’ve experienced and reviewed countless luxury properties over the course of my career.

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While I’ve had innumerable impressive stays, I always provide unbiased reviews based on my personal experience.

The Rooms: Ocean Views and Elegant Touches

With 168 guest rooms, including 26 suites with terraces, the property offers striking views of the ocean and pristine white sand beach. I stayed in a Grand Deluxe Oceanview guest room, which was nothing short of exquisite. Upon entering my room, I was delighted to see a relatively long corridor leading to the bed and living area. I’ve always had an affinity for hallways; they remind me of my childhood home growing up in Chicago.

The 545 sq. ft. space felt light and airy. Plus, it had a large balcony overlooking the pools and, of course, the ocean blue. The overall decor evoked beach vibes, with wood plank flooring throughout complemented by neutral, warm-toned furniture. My room and every guest room at the St. Regis Longboat Key feature a luxurious rainfall shower, a freestanding bathtub,and a spacious closet.

When I wasn’t relaxing on the terrace, I enjoyed lounging on the ultra-comfy couch. It was situated right in front of the sliding doors for easy access to glorious sunrises and even better sunsets.

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The airy ambiance reminiscent of the beach extends beyond guest rooms and is also found in the hotel’s wide hallways. Plush carpeting boasting varying shades of blue and beige reminded me of beautiful waves crashing into sandy shores.

Dining: What to Expect From Their Elevated Menus

Thanks to the exceptional culinary offerings, St. Regis Longboat Key’s guests will never go hungry. The resort offers seven dining venues, giving guests a variety of options to satisfy their taste buds and quench their thirst.

The hotel’s signature restaurant, CW Prime, features steakhouse classics. Since I’m a die-hard seafood fan, I ordered the halibut, which was beautiful as it was delicious.

Riva is the property’s coastal Italian all-dining pasta bar where guests can watch a chef prepare fresh pasta counter side. This restaurant also serves as the buffet breakfast in the mornings. I dined there every day for a hearty breakfast.

Aura was by far my favorite restaurant. It’s an elevated, open-air, tropical version of a poolside grill with Latin fare. From fish tacos to adobo chicken skewers, this is the place for light yet delectable bites. Being a ceviche lover, I was pleasantly surprised that the bold, Peruvian flavors rivaled those I’ve had of the authentic dish while visiting Peru. Plus, I had a limonada de coco, the best and most refreshing frozen mocktail that I’ve ever tasted. It was a creamy coconut-based drink with tangy hints of lime that exploded in my mouth with every sip.

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Oshen, a rooftop lounge with picturesque ocean views, is another dining venue for guests to enjoy. Its dishes infuse Peruvian ingredients shaped by Japanese techniques. It’s also the go-to spot for drinks and music in the evening. Guests also flock to the restaurant to capture spectacular, Instagram-worthy sunset views.

Near the pool, there’s a tiki bar called Monkey Bar, which serves cocktails and bar snacks. Caroline’s is the on-site cafe that offers a mix of specialty drinks, snacks, fresh pastries and of course, coffee.

The property’s lobby bar in the living room rounds out the dining and drink offerings. Mixologists concoct mesmerizing cocktails that are not only fun to watch being made but are also delicious. It’s the perfect place to meet before or after dinner.

Related: I Stayed at Palm Beach’s Most Instagrammed Hotel—Here’s What It Was Really Like

Family-Friendly Meets Luxury

As a mom of two, I’m always happy when there are plenty of things for my kids to do on property. Thankfully, the St. Regis Longboat Key has several options. One of the biggest draws for families is the lagoon wildlife experience, which comprises a 500,000-gallon habitat with nearly 50 stingrays and nearly 3,000 local reef fish spanning scores of native species.

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The lagoon offers an educational and immersive experience for guests of all ages. The property also offers a Reef Rangers Children’s Club, which gives them an up-close-and-personal look at the wildlife in a safe environment.

Kids will also get a kick out of meeting “Jack” and “Rose,” the two resident Aldabra tortoises. I met these two reptilian sensations and was shocked by their strikingly different personalities.And if you’re like me and wondering if they’re named after the iconic characters from the hit movie Titanic, surprisingly, they’re not.

After making some new friends, kids and families can head over to one of the pools and take a relaxing ride in the lazy river. Adults will notice the mauve motif on the inner tubes, adding a polished touch that ties back to the charming, overall aesthetic.While my kids didn’t travel with me on this trip, I plan to return with them in tow.

Special Touches

Of course, luxury property options abound along Florida’s coastline, but unique amenities and collaborations are what set them apart. For the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort, one of the highlights is its partnership with Vilebrequin, the luxury French swimwear brand popular among celebrities like Jay Z and David Beckham. Known for its exceptional craftsmanship, it complements the property’s commitment to refined design and luxurious accommodations.

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In celebration of the partnership, the brand curated a capsule collection of swim and resort wear, including a playful nod to unique aspects of Sarasota like circus tents, turtles and other marine life, that is exclusively sold at the on-site Vilebrequin boutique.If guests can’t get enough of the cheerful design illustrated on the swimwear, they’ll be delighted to find the one-of-a-kind motif outdoors with Vilebrequin’s branded cabanas, beach games and more.

I admired the bathing suit’s fun details. It’s whimsical but still tasteful and sophisticated. Plus, the fit was perfect and comfortable. No tugging or pulling.

Another special touch that I appreciated was the St. Regis Spa’s partnership with La Mer. As only one of two spas in the world with a partnership with the luxury skincare brand, it offers a luxurious 90-minute treatment that targets all visible signs of aging through expert massage and stimulating drainage techniques.

I indulged in this once-in-a-lifetime facial and couldn’t believe how it left my skin looking more vibrant and the softest it's ever felt. The facialist told me that my glow would continue to shine for days to come. Skeptical, I didn’t think it was possible, but she was right. I received compliments on my skin from people who didn’t have a clue that I had recently had an extravagant facial.

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One other unique highlight for me was the pool butler. I’d never seen a friendly butler decked out in a tuxedo jacket passing around drinks and snacks while wading in a pool. It was a first, but hopefully it won’t be the last.

What Blew Me Away the Most

Although St. Regis properties are known for their excellent service and stellar accommodations, I was still enthralled by the exceptional hospitality. From the moment I walked through doors, I was met with unmatched friendliness and genuine warmth that can’t be taught or faked.

I was greeted by name by the staff throughout my stay, which made me feel special and not like another faceless guest. The property has a masterful way of making guests feel welcomed and at home even if you’re miles away. For me, that’s priceless.

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The St. Regis Just Opened a Luxe New Beach Escape—Here’s What Blew Me Away Most first appeared on Parade on Jun 27, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.