Tim Gilligan, CFA

Review of The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

Sarasota in the winter is fantastic but here's wha...

Sarasota in the winter is fantastic but here's what I wish I knew before staying at the Ritz Carlton. The property doesn't offer a "market" to buy food, drinks, snacks and shops/restaurants are not within walking distance. The Ritz forces you into their very pricey restaurant, Jack Dusty. You want a bottle of water, you'll pay $8. No healthy options for a quick bowl of fruit, salads, etc. The meals are very expensive, greasy, fried, buttery, salty and it's a quick way to feel gouged and gorged. Additionally, be prepared for $30 a day for parking and $30 a day for a resort fee. The beach is a bus ride from the hotel where the shuttles run every hour to and from. On a holiday weekend, the bus couldn't accommodate everyone so a number of people had to wait for the next bus. Once at the beach, it is absolutely beautiful but here again, only food and drink options are through the hotel where the food options aren't healthy and very pricey - it's essentially bar food. No market for a meal bar, snack, drink. If I knew this going into the trip, and accepted it, I would be okay but not knowing this, I felt duped and taking advantage of because at every turn, they knew they could charge more because no other option was within walking distance. I'll go back to Sarasota but not this hotel. I've been to much better run RC hotels. Also, not to the fault of the hotel but there's ample construction happening on the grounds adjacent to the hotel. Condos and other buildings are being constructed causing traffic and wonderful views of cranes.