The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort Set for Summer 2024 Opening on Florida’s Gulf Coast
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts has officially announced that reservations are open for the highly anticipated opening of The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort, a beachfront oasis slated to open in Summer 2024. Developed by Unicorp and meticulously designed by SB Architects, Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA Miami) and Dutch East Design, Longboat Key marks the only St. Regis opening in the U.S. in 2024, setting the tone for the brand's expanding resort portfolio, known for redefining the best addresses around the world.
Nestled on Sarasota's most coveted barrier island, just beyond the city's charming downtown, thriving food scene and rich cultural attractions, sits The St. Regis Longboat Key over a sprawling 18 acres of beachfront paradise. Forging the way for Longboat Key's future as a must-visit destination for luxury travelers, the resort will be a destination in and of it itself with exquisite design and guest rooms, legendary sunsets, exceptional culinary offerings, an immersive marine experience, and the unparalleled personalized service that St. Regis is known for.
"This is not just another hotel opening; it represents a new era in luxury travel to the Gulf Coast," said Winfred van Workum, General Manager at The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort. "Longboat Key is a rare beach locale that boasts an understated elegance, unparalleled natural beauty and rich cultural heritage all in one place."
The hotel's interiors, designed by HBA, were inspired by the destination's natural elements of the sea, sand, waves and wildlife with imprints of Sarasota's historical legacy of John Ringling's circus and performing arts culture. Soaring floor-to-ceiling windows give way to stunning coastal views, immediately giving guests a sense of place. Subtle but thoughtful design elements throughout the property acknowledge the destination's heritage; from elegant rope-like chandeliers to the oval-shaped Astor Ballroom reminiscent of a circus tent and at the iconic St. Regis Bar, a latticed circus cage surrounds a hand-painted mural created by William Savarese, our homage to the legendary King Cole Bar at the iconic St. Regis New York flagship location. Contemporary artwork like the property's two mosaics, one at the front entry comprising over 350,000 mosaic pieces and a second on the rooftop with over 750,000 hand-laid tiles, each create a captivating and intricate design and sense of surprise and discovery throughout the property.
The hotel's 168 guest rooms, including 26 suites with terraces, beautifully highlight the ocean views, striking a perfect balance between warm color tones that evoke a sense of home and a light, airy ambiance reminiscent of the beach. Enhanced by uniform wood plank flooring throughout, each guestroom features a luxurious rainfall shower, a freestanding bathtub, and a spacious walk-in closet. The 4-bedroom Presidential Suite provides a residential feel with a generous living area, private dining room, and an impressive terrace, all overlooking the ocean and sunset views.
A New Level of Amenities
The resort's amenities begin before stepping foot through the front doors with 800 feet of private, white sand beach, multiple swimming pools and luxurious cabanas, and a 475 ft. long winding river with cascading waterfalls leading into the grotto, a private sanctuary complete with jacuzzi jets and champagne service at the touch of a button. An under the sea lagoon wildlife reserve comprises a 350,000-gallon habitat with nearly 50 stingrays, three different species and over 2,800 local reef fish spanning 50 species and two Aldabra tortoises, offering guests a meaningful connection to nature. Additionally, the resort is offering a Reef Rangers Children's Club. The property will tie in the Reef Rangers Children's Program to offer educational and immersive experiences.
Spanning 20,000 square feet of oceanfront property, the St. Regis Spa is primed to rival any destination spa on the East Coast. Upon entering the spa, guests will be greeted by a Celebration Bar so grand that it elevates the moment to a special occasion before checking in. Guests at the St. Regis Spa are ushered in not by a mundane check-in, but by the transformative experience of The Celebration Bar. The bar offers a stylish yet cozy atmosphere, where beverages are crafted using the finest champagne and locally sourced ingredients. Fresh-pressed juices, sparkling water, fragrant teas, and effervescent cocktails come together to create a unique gathering place on the spa journey. From body to skincare, a wide range of signature treatments incorporates natural ingredients and the latest skincare technology. An expansive hydrothermal area features a Finnish sauna, a eucalyptus steam room, a snow shower, vitality waters, a cold plunge, and sensorial showers. The extraordinary Relaxation Lounge leads guests to a terrace with an infinity-edge vitality pool overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Additionally, guests can take advantage of the state-of-the-art fitness center, equipped with Technogym equipment and salon facilities, catering to both guests and residents alike.
A Culinary Destination at St. Regis Longboat Key Resort
Seven culinary venues, each embodying revered St. Regis traditions and various social functions, mirroring the Astors' hospitality and legacy as the original house of celebration, feature designs by interior design firm Dutch East Design and HBA, ensuring a distinctive experience at every turn. Upon entering the lobby, The St. Regis Bar is the focal point and will become the resort's living room, a place to gather over drinks and entertainment with piano and other performances. The hotel's signature restaurant, CW Prime, will feature expertly prepared steakhouse classics from premium cuts of aged beef, fresh seafood, and salads with theatrical tableside preparations. In The Spirit Room, a private cocktail speakeasy experience with exclusive on demand service to CW Prime's mixologist via a secret call button will be available by reservation only. Riva, coastal Italian dining will focus on high quality, seasonal ingredients and will have an interactive and exclusive pasta bar where a chef will be preparing fresh pasta counter side. The property's multiple indoor/outdoor dining experiences include Aura, a sophisticated interpretation of an open-air pool grill with Latin American fare inspired by the tropical surroundings and the vibrancy of Latin American culture.
Oshen, a rooftop lounge with picturesque views of the water, will be exclusively open to hotel guests serving elevated cocktails and seafood-focused small plates and raw bar dishes with a Japanese and Peruvian influence. Monkey Bar is an ode to a beloved local destination that attracted all walks of life including artists, writers, politicos, and celebrities. The St. Regis Longboat Key's reimagined Monkey Bar will offer tiki cocktails and limited bar snacks including a "Murph Dog," named after longtime Colony owner Murray "Murf" Klauber. For breakfast or all-day refreshments- the hotel's cafe Caroline's will offer a mix of health forward specialty drinks and dishes as well as coffee, espresso, tea and homemade pastry indulgences.
With over 34,000 square feet of flexible meetings and events space, The St. Regis Longboat Key will follow the brand's legacy as a gathering place for celebrations, events, and meetings of all kinds.