Sarasota, Florida

Helmsley Hotels

The Helmsley Sandcastle was my pick for the perfect, inexpensive holiday weekend getaway. I booked several months in advance for the Memorial Day weekend when I saw a Florida resident rate of $99 poolside advertised. 2 weeks before we went I saw northside rooms advertised for $69 (resident rate). When we got to the hotel around 4pm on Saturday we were pleasantly surprised when the clerk said he would upgrade us to the owner's favorite room, oceanside! I was glad then I had gone with the more expensive room and had been eligible for the upgrade.

The room was perfect! Coffemaker, hairdryer, refrigerator, and balcony on the second floor of five. The hotel has outside hallways and stairs, just fine when you are tracking in sand from the beach right outside your door. It was a crowded weekend, with a nice mix of mostly families and couples. Saturday night they had a buffet cookout around the pool. They also had a nice indoor restaurant and a pool bar. The hotel had everything you need, but without being pretentious. After all, who wants to get all dressed up just to go to the beach? I hate having to walk through a fancy hotel lobby when I am wet and in my bathing suit, here we just rinsed our feet off at the beach shower stop and scooted up the stairs and into our room.

The location of the hotel was great! We were at the end of the Key, just up from the South Lido Key Park. Watch out for the racoons, they are everywhere! Just a short drive up the street is St. Armands Circle shopping and dining.

The best part is the BEACH itself! And the sunsets! And the sandcastles!

The restaurant has open sides leading to its patio seating, which affords you the benefits of air conditioning and people watching at the same time. The menu is Cuban (and Russian) inspired. It is a very popular spot, so I would recommend making reservations.

This is a must see attraction during your visit to Sarasota. There are several attractions in this one spot. The Art Museum, the Circus Museum, the house "Cà d'Zan" (house of John), the gardens, the shop, and the little Gazebo Restaurant.