On Location: Site Selection in Sarasota, Fla.

All photographs by Lizzie Wilcox

In early September, we visited Sarasota, also known as Florida's Cultural Coast. Less than a month later, Hurricane Milton slammed the Gulf Coast, destroying homes, leaving millions without power, and ripping the roof off Tropicana Field, home of baseball's Tampa Bay Rays, in nearby Tampa Bay. After months of recovery efforts, Sarasota once again is ready to welcome visitors. Travelers can reach the destination by flying into Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, which recently reached 60 daily nonstop flights.

The Westin Sarasota

Home base for the week was the Westin Sarasota, a 255-room hotel with more than 12,000 square feet of meeting space. The 19th-floor rooftop lounge and pool deck can be booked for private events and offers sweeping views of Sarasota Bay. Down in the lobby, signature restaurant Evoq features a Korean-forward menu, with dishes such as beef tenderloin in a bulgogi marinade, bibimbap with pickled vegetables and a rice noodle bowl in a spicy red curry peanut sauce. Inside tip: Try the delicious blackened grouper with soy-braised greens and kimchi atop a bed of grits.

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

In the same complex as the Westin, the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, offers 276 rooms and 60,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event venues. Aside from traditional team-building resort activities — such as golf outings and spa treatments — groups can set out on a number of adventures from the property's dock, including boating, fishing or catamaran excursions. Speaking of spas, theirs was completely redone in 2023. If the standard Ritz-Carlton amenities don't provide enough of an elevated experience, the Moët & Chandon champagne vending machine is sure to satisfy even the bougiest of attendees. 

In a coastal destination like Sarasota, seafood is king. And what better way to enjoy it than at Jack Dusty's overlooking the canal, one of the resort's restaurants? Choose between starters such as the torched jerk salmon and smoked fish dip, and entrees from a Southern shrimp and grits, to a Hawaiian ahi tuna poke bowl. Don't worry, there are also options for carnivores and vegetarians.

St. Regis Longboat Key

Over the bridge in Longboat Key is the just opened St. Regis. The highly anticipated resort is a destination in and of itself, with 166 rooms, 69 residences, seven restaurants, three pools and more than 31,000 square feet of conference space. An onsite lagoon experience rivals that of any established aquarium, featuring a massive tank full of tropical fish, a tortoise habitat and shallow pools for swimming with stingrays. The signature St. Regis butler service is one of many amenities offered, and there's even a Bentley ready to take guests anywhere within a three-mile radius.

The Resort at Longboat Key Club

Down the street — or beach — is the Resort at Longboat Key Club. Part of the Opal Collection, the property's 229 rooms and suites and 12,000 square feet of meeting venues were renovated in 2020. Spanning more than 400 acres, the campus consists of 22 tennis and 8 pickleball courts, plus 45 award-winning holes of golf, making it a gorgeous setting for either events or incentives. Dining options abound with five food-and-beverage outlets, such as Latitude, a fine-dining establishment overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, and Portofino, specializing in classic Northern Italian cuisine.

Lido Beach Resort

Sister property to the Longboat Key Club, Lido Beach Resort features 10,000 square feet of event space, which was updated in 2020. The 223 accommodations range from standard rooms to two-bedroom suites with full kitchens, dining areas and a large balconies. The beach bums of the group can enjoy the property's 300-foot stretch of sand, while the sailors can get their sea legs on with a sunset cruise or a scuba-diving lesson.

Voco Sarasota

A four-story boutique hotel, the Voco Sarasota features 95 rooms and 1,150 square feet of function areas. Gatherings also can be held at the recently renovated pool deck: This lush oasis surrounded by palm trees feels like you're in someone's backyard more than at a hotel. Offshore Tapas and Wine Bar serves myriad plates, from risotto-stuffed mushrooms and pesto scallops to steak chimichurri and bacon jam meatballs. Previously the Hotel Indigo, the property was rebranded in 2023.

Art Ovation Hotel

Part of Marriott's Autograph Collection, the Art Ovation Hotel fits right in on Florida's Cultural Coast. The property has a rotating art collection that changes every six months, and all pieces on display are available for purchase. Furthermore, a different artist-in-residence works onsite each week in the lobby gallery, which can be booked for events and also is used as a backup space for rooftop gatherings during inclement weather. The artists work from 4-8 p.m. every day and attend a reception on Fridays to discuss their creations. All 162 rooms are equipped with sketchbooks and pencils should the motif of the property spark inspiration. More than 12,000 square feet of conference space are available for groups.

Hyatt Regency Sarasota

Demolition of the 294-room Hyatt Regency Sarasota is expected to begin in the late summer or early fall of this year, to be replaced with a Thompson hotel, another brand from Hyatt. Plans for the new property include roughly 175 rooms and 10,000-13,000 square feet of event venues. A 32-slip marina will remain intact for water recreation. The Hyatt Regency will be fully operational until construction begins.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Sarasota

The 180-room Embassy Suites Sarasota opened in December 2018. An outdoor pool deck occupies the eighth floor, while the ninth floor is home to all 3,646 square feet of meeting space. Guests and attendees should definitely take advantage of the nightly evening reception with complimentary snacks and beverages.

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

John Ringling's legacy is much greater than the circus empire that he created with his brothers; he was also an art collector and real estate developer. The Ringlings left their 66-acre estate to the state of Florida so that it could be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. The heart of the property is the Ca' d'Zan: a 36,000-square-foot, Mediterranean Revival-style mansion with stained glass windows and marbled patios. Built in 1926, the home began operating as a museum in the 1940s. The building itself is not open for events, but the waterfront patio can hold up to 250 guests. The grounds also contain a Circus Museum, the historic Asolo Theater, the Museum of Art — featuring more than 600 pieces that Ringling collected — and the Bayfront Gardens, complete with a replica of Michelangelo's David.

The Ora

Open since April, The Ora is one of Sarasota's newest event venues. With more than 15,000 square feet of indoor meeting space, options include the 9,500-square-foot ballroom and the 1,100-square-foot gallery, plus the outdoor Plaza terrace. For food and beverage, The Ora has an exclusive catering partner and their kitchen is completely kosher. The venue also is home to the Chaifetz Holocaust Memorial and Education Center, which debuted late last year.

Sarasota Art Museum

By now, it's apparent that the destination is all about the arts. Approximately 20 years ago, the former Sarasota High School was transformed into the Sarasota Art Museum. Today, there are 15,000 square feet of dedicated gallery space, an auditorium, an outdoor plaza and about a dozen classrooms that are fully equipped with the latest A/V. While the museum is great for events, it also offers team-building opportunities, such as art and pottery classes.