Hotels

The beaches here are virtually lined with condominiums, many of which are actually all-condo projects operated as hotels. Among the rental agencies requiring stays of less than a month are Argus Property Management, 2477 Stickney Point Rd., Sarasota, FL 34231 (tel. 941/927-6464; fax 941/927-6767; www.argusmgmt.com); and Florida Vacation Accommodations, 4030 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key, FL 34228 (tel. 800/237-9505 or 941/364-9505; fax 941/364-1830; www.vacationinfl.com).

The hotels below are organized by geographic region: in downtown Sarasota, on Lido Key, on Longboat Key, and on Siesta Key. The high season is from January to April. The hotel tax here is 10%.

Downtown Sarasota

Most visitors stay out at the beaches, but cost-conscious travelers will find some good deals on the mainland, such as the Best Western Midtown, 1425 S. Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41) at Prospect Street (tel. 800/722-8227 or 941/955-9841; fax 941/954-8948; www.bwmidtown.com). This older but well-maintained motel is 2 miles in either direction from the main causeways leading to the keys. Winter rates are about $99 for a double room, dropping to about $69 during off season.

Downtown's top hotel before the opening of the Ritz-Carlton , the Hyatt Sarasota, 1000 Blvd. of the Arts (tel. 800/233-1234 or 941/953-1234; fax 941/952-1987; www.sarasota.hyatt.com), is adjacent to the Civic Center and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, and within walking distance of downtown shops and restaurants.

Most other chain motels are near the airport, including Quality Inn (tel. 800/228-5151 or 941/355-7091), Days Inn (tel. 800/329-7466 or 941/355-9271), and Comfort Inn (tel. 800/521-2121 or 941/351-7734). All stand side by side on Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41) near the FSU Ringling Center for the Cultural Arts and the Asolo Center for the Performing Arts.

The Neglected Island

Most people are familiar with Longboat Key, but what they don't know is that it's actually part of Old Florida collectively called Florida's Gulf Islands. In addition to Longboat, there's Anna Maria Island, a place where the streets are sand swept and the white beaches are dotted with pastel-colored cottages. It's the kind of community where the hottest spot in town is an ice-cream parlor. Hop on the Manatee Trolley, and you can explore the island at its highest speed limit -- 25 mph. Everything in Anna Maria is slow paced, which is just how the locals like it. There are no high-rises -- the town won't allow anything to obstruct the million-dollar view of the Gulf. For peace and quiet, this is where it's at. No big hotels exist here, just mom-and-pop establishments like the Anna Maria Beach Cottages, 12 Oak Ave. (tel. 941/778-1503), owned by Britisher Nigel Brown and his wife. Here you can disappear into your own world, relax by the pool, walk the beach, or retreat into your cozy cottage. It's spectacular -- none of it should be neglected by visitors ever again. Palm Tree Villas, 207 66th St. (tel. 941/778-0910; www.palmtreevillas.com), is another great getaway featuring one- and two-bedroom villas just a shell's throw away from the beach.

For more information on the Gulf Islands, check out www.flagulfislands.com. Anna Maria, Longboat, and Bradenton (on the "Mainland") are connected by bridges.