Have you ever wanted to dine in Italy? Relax in a Finnish sauna? Enjoy a British afternoon tea? Or even indulge in luxury facials loved by the French?
Then you certainly need to add the newly-opened St. Regis Longboat Key onto your travel bucket list.
This gorgeous beach haven in Sarasota, Florida, promises to provide a slice of refined luxury and glamour in the area’s coveted barrier island - but also happens to deliver a taste of Europe without the lengthy flight.
I enjoyed a stay at the lavish 18-acre property just weeks after Hurricane Milton caused havoc in the area, but I would never have been able to guess it when walking through the pristine lobby towards the picturesque pool area below - which leads out to the equally idyllic white sand beach.
Much effort - and cost - has gone into getting the resort up and running again in record speed, and guests will surely be thankful that they won't have to be delayed with the opportunity to enjoy this gem of a property.
As soon as I touched down at the airport, I was picked up in the resort’s signature dusty rose Bentley - a part of the property’s house car service for guests.
Just a short 20-minute drive later and I was sipping champagne on the balcony of my ocean-facing suite, marveling at the stunning views of the pools, salt-water lagoon, and white sand beach down below.
As one would expect, guests barely lift a finger while staying at the resort; my luggage had been magically transported to my suite.
As for the room, it boasted floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, which allowed every ounce of sunlight to stream into the neutral-toned room.
The delightfully cozy furniture do their best to make you want to just stay in the room and enjoy the complete peace that comes with it, but I couldn’t resist spending most of my time taking in the incredible views of the Gulf.
For those able to splurge on the John Jacob Astor Suite - a nod to the St. Regis' legendary founder - and the Katherine Klauber Suit, the unparalleled oceanfront views almost make it feel like you are onboard a luxury yacht and enjoying a European sailing holiday just like the A-listers.
But who needs to trek overseas when you can have legendary sunsets, a immaculate private beach, and the winter sun that has made it a firm favorite with 'snowbirds' over the decades right here in the US.
Indeed, a trip down to Florida during the winter months has long been a regular occurrence for East Coast residents looking to escape the harsh winter chill.
However, the newest St. Regis has taken inspiration from the area's own European influence in order to deliver a unique getaway experience.
Europeans first explored the Sarasota, Florida area in the 16th century, and then circus legend John Ringling cemented the connection by pouring a small fortune to establish the burgeoning city as a cultural hub with clear Mediterranean influence.
This resort continues to his mission, with impressive efforts taken to help transport guests to different parts of the world.
Starting with the restaurant Riva (which means 'shore' in Italian), where I couldn’t help but enjoy breakfast on every possible morning throughout my stay.
The bright archways that lead into the restaurant - whose food is inspired by the culinary traditions of Northern Italy and the Adriatic Coast - almost transports you across the globe.
Grabbing a table in the outdoor area is a must, as it will leave you thinking that you are somewhere in the Mediterranean while you enjoy your morning espresso.
When I tucked into my divine lobster benedict and looked out towards the beautiful Gulf of Mexico on that first morning, it truly felt like I was enjoying my meal somewhere on the Amalfi Coast.
Guests who choose to sit indoors during breakfast get a front-row view of the chefs hand-making the pasta that will be used to serve lunch and dinner later in the day.
The menu boasts fresh seafood dishes and authentic Italian classics, all made with high-quality seasonal ingredients by the dedicated kitchen staff.
Other restaurants on the property include Latin American inspired Aura, Japanese and Peruvian fusion spot, Oshen, and the crown jewel steak house, CW Prime.
At the latter, premium steaks and the freshest seafood are cooked in a kitchen which boasts a Josper grill - a revolutionary charcoal oven created in 1969.
The resort flies in the coal needed for the grill from Barcelona so guests truly are getting the most authentic experience - and boy do you taste the difference.
The chef explained how much time and research went into deciding which cuts of meat would be used in the restaurant and every bit of effort was worth it.
My ribeye steak was the best I have ever had - and I do not make that claim lightly.
I would also be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to shout out the Apple Pie on the desert menu.
It was actually more like an apple crumble due to the fact the hot apple filling was surrounded by a sweet crust in the shape of a small globe.
Covered in a caramel sauce and served the most delicious ice cream, this might have been the best apple crumble I’ve ever had.
In fact, I haven’t stopped raving about both the apple pie and the steak in the weeks since my visit.
Elsewhere, the steak knife made in France, the delicious dessert wine from Hungary, and the Panettones direct from Italy are just some other elements of Europe woven into so many parts of the dining experience.
The resort also has Caroline's Coffee Bar, which sees expert baristas serve artisanal coffee - including exclusive signature blends - and offers up a selection of freshly made pastries to make it feel like you are grabbing breakfast from a fancy French café.
Meanwhile, the elegant tradition of afternoon tea is available in honor of the rich legacy and customs of the House of Astor, but is also a great option for those wanting to feel like a British aristocrat.
In many ways, every part of a stay at the resort will have you feeling like royalty - especially the world-famous butler service which has been a cherished hallmark of the brand for over a hundred years.
The team is dedicated to providing discreet, personalized, and anticipatory service to ensure that each guest's distinctive preferences are understood and fulfilled - and at Longboat Key the staff deliver unparalleled customer care for guests.
Something that I’m sure even King Charles might be impressed by is the resort’s new Aqua butler service - which sees guests having glasses of bubbly delivered to them by a butler in the water.
Whether you are chilling in the cabana by the Winding River Pool, or floating in the water, the personalized champagne service is delivered directly to you in a first for the St. Regis brand.
It’s this level of luxury that has helped the brand stand out for so many years.
Elsewhere, the spa is another jewel in the resort’s crown. The 20,000-square-foot beach-front retreat boasts 14 treatment rooms and a hydrothermal area.
It also features a Finnish sauna, a snow shower (yes, you read that right), a eucalyptus steam room, a cold plunge, and sensorial showers that can help you wash away stress using three different settings: Atlantic storm, polar mist, or Caribbean storm. Just take your pick!
The spa also features a one-of-a-kind outdoor vitality pool with six specialized hydrotherapy pods overlooking the Gulf.
In keeping with the European theme, this specific location has partnered with French brand La Mer to provide treatments by specially certified staff.
In fact, it is one of just two resorts in the US that offers luxe services such as the 90-minute Genaissance facial.
The treatment targets all visible signs of aging through expert massage and stimulating drainage techniques, resulting in skin that looks smoother, plumper, more radiant, and energized.
French skincare is known for being some of the best in the world, and now you have a chance to get that flawless glow that’s coveted all over the globe.
If you aren’t able to go for a La Mer treatment, they also offer treatments using Sothys Paris products, which will still leave your face revitalized and refreshed.
What I loved most was the way my facialist talked me through the entire 75 minute experience, sharing great tips about what to do going forward to help my skin’s specific needs.
The massage nearly changed my life - and I could happily have spent all of my time in the spa if given the chance.
Something I hadn't expected to love so much was the resort's saltwater lagoon experience.
Home to more than 40 stingrays and over 2,800 fish, the huge 350,000-galoon lagoon is managed by marine biologists.
When you book the experience, they will take you on a marine life snorkeling tour, where you even get to help feed the very friendly stingrays.
If you aren't keen to get wet, then you are free to watch along from the viewing area, which gives you an aquarium-style view of the daily life for the 40+ species of fish.
Afterwards, be sure swing by and visit Jack and Rose, the resort's resident Aldabra tortoises - named after the famed Titanic film characters due to St. Regis founder John Astor's tragic passing aboard the ship.
Though the idea of leaving the resort is the last thing on your mind while you're enjoying everything that they have to offer, you absolutely must head into Sarasota and explore the area.
Thanks to the efforts of circus legend Ringling and his wife Mable, Sarasota has long been celebrated as a cultural hub within the States.
He set out to make Sarasota a place to treasure the arts, and the greatest success from that mission is the famous John and Mable Ringling museum.
Many have said that a visit to the large art collection will leave you feeling like you’ve just spent time in the Louvre, and after taking in the grand collection of European artwork that he collected during his life - I have to agree.
This coming spring, a previously unseen collection of work from Cyprus will be put on display - proof that there is still so much more to enjoy from Ringling's outstanding collection.
Something that almost manages to best the art is the incredible courtyard, which was specifically built to give the impression that you are somewhere in Italy.
Elsewhere, the Sarasota Opera House is a historical building that is constantly showcasing amazing performances, while the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens at the historic Spanish Point offers serenity with its expansive floral display.
As I returned to the resort, I couldn’t help but wonder if Ringling would be proud to know that his vision of bringing European art and culture to Sarasota has not only succeeded - but it has since become such a key element of what makes the area so special all these decades later.
At the end of my stay, I was left with no doubt in my mind that I would be back again to escape the hustle and bustle of city life for another chance to channel the laidback vibes of Europe.
Rooms at St. Regis Longboat Key start from around $730 a night. For more information, visit marriot.com.
Read more 2025-01-17T16:41:25Z