Nightly rates from $116
Rate and special offer based on Check-in: Jun 4, 2012 Check-out: Jun 7, 2012
Hotel Overview
Reviewer score
3.6
out of 5
110 reviews
Great trip!

We were in sarasota for a destination wedding at a different resort a short walk up the beach. Our... See full review

  • Traveler dude
  • May 22, 2012
Super Beach Vacation

The hotel was in a fantastic location with numerous amenities! Restaurant was convenient and... See full review

  • Sungal
  • Apr 28, 2012
Lido Key hotel with great views and a private beach

With 600 feet of white sandy beaches on Lido Key, the Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel has lots to offer those looking for fun and relaxation in Sarasota, Florida. This 3-star hotel overlooks the Gulf of Mexico and guests can grab a free lounger or rent a cabana to enjoy the surf, the amazing sunsets, or rent a bike and head up to St. Armand's Circle for fine dining and shopping. Business travelers will appreciate the hotel's meeting rooms, business center and free Wi-Fi Internet access. After a busy day, unwind with a game of shuffleboard on the deck.

Highlights
  • Private beach, complimentary beach loungers
  • Located next to Sarasota's popular South Lido Park
  • 2 heated pools, bike and cabana rentals
  • Shuffleboard, volleyball and Ping Pong
  • Free Wi-Fi Internet access
Rooms

The 179 guest rooms at the Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel are decorated in the colors of Florida: bright neutral tones, splashes of key lime and salmon pink, and floral accents. The spacious rooms all have a mini fridge, safe, TV, tea- and coffee-making facilities and complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access. Some rooms feature stunning views over the Gulf of Mexico.

Features

Located on the white sandy beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, the Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel offers resort-like accommodations and an ideal spot to enjoy the sun. Guests enjoy fabulous recreation opportunities with shuffleboard, bike rentals and two heated pools. Head to the private beach out front, where guests can rent a cabana or soak up the sun with complimentary loungers. Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel offers meeting facilities, a business center and free Wi-Fi Internet access.

Dining

Sandcastle Coffee Shop serves breakfast and lunch both indoors and outdoors. Candlelight Restaurant and Lounge features cocktails and dinner. Enjoy a drink and snack by the pool at the Sandcastle Pool Bar, open daily from 11:30 a.m. until dusk.

Transportation
  • Sarasota bus service (SCAT) (Outside hotel)
  • Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (7.5 mi/12 km)
Attractions
  • South Lido Park (Adjacent)
  • St. Armand's Circle (1.2 mi/1.9 km)
  • Mote Marine Laboratory (2.5 mi/4 km)
  • Marie Selby Botanical Gardens (4.2 mi/6.7 km)
  • Sarasota Jungle Gardens (6 mi/9.7 km)
  • John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art (6.9 mi/11.1 km)
  • Siesta Key Beach (9.5 mi/15.3 km)
  • Myakka River State Park (23 mi/37 km)
Business
  • Meeting facilities for up to 225 guests, banquet space for up to 160
  • Audiovisual and conference equipment available
  • Business center
  • Free Wi-Fi Internet access
  • Complimentary daily morning newspaper

Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel Rooms

Standard View Room
This room does not offer a view of the gulf of mexico or the pool. Complimentary wireless Internet access. Direct-dial phone with voice mail. TV with complimentary HBO. Compact refrigerator and coffee/tea maker. Complimentary newspaper. Two upholstered chairs. Bathroom with shower/tub combination, interior and/or exterior vanity, and makeup/shaving mirror.
Gulf View Room
Two double beds. Gulf of Mexico view. In two- or four-story building. 324 square feet. Complimentary wireless Internet access. Direct-dial phone with voice mail. TV with complimentary HBO. Compact refrigerator and coffee/tea maker. Complimentary newspaper. Two upholstered chairs. Bathroom with shower/tub combination, interior and/or exterior vanity, and makeup/shaving mirror.
Poolside Room
Two double beds. Pool view. In one- or three-story building. 288 square feet. Complimentary wireless Internet access. Direct-dial phone with voice mail. TV with complimentary HBO. Compact refrigerator and coffee/tea maker. Complimentary newspaper. Two upholstered chairs. Bathroom with shower/tub combination, interior and/or exterior vanity, and makeup/shaving mirror.

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Hotel Map

Area served
Sarasota
Nearby airports
Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport - 8 miles, Tampa International Airport - 60 miles.
Area description
Corporations/Industries, Electro Corporation - 9 miles, Hi-Stat Manufacturing - 10 miles, Klockner-Bartelt Manufacturing - 10 miles, Sun Hydraulics - 9 miles, Tropicana Beverages - 20 miles.

Amenities

  • Business center
  • Conference Facilities
  • Free parking
  • Handicapped Rooms/Facilities
  • Internet Access
  • Meeting/Banquet Facilities
  • Pool
  • Restaurant
  • Room Service
  • Wireless Internet

Meeting facilities

Meeting Info
Meeting facilities for groups to 225, banquets to 160, audio-Visual equipment.

Dining

Cafe
Open 7am-5pm, casual, Breakfast /buffet.
Candlelight Restaurant
Open 5pm-10pm, casual, innovative menu/salads.
Lounge Bar
Open 5pm-midnight, casual, drinks.
Pool Bar
Open noon-dusk, casual, drinks/hors d'ouvres.

Hotel Policies

Check-in:
1500
Check-out:
1100

Terms and conditions

Rates quoted in currencies other than the hotel's base currency are subject to the rate of the international exchange. Rate may change throughout stay. Rate may reflect average nightly rate. Extra charges may apply. Incidental charges, such as room service, are not included in the rate.

The amenities and/or facilities may not be located at the hotel, but within a reasonable distance, and additional charges may apply for use.

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Guest Reviews (110)

Ratings and reviews for Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel

Overall score

3.6 / 5
110 out of 110
Amenities:
3.7
Room cleanliness:
4
Hotel staff:
4.1
Room comfort:
3.4
Location:
4.6
Value:
3.8

81% would recommend to a friend.

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Review this hotel
Review of Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel

Reviewer score

4
Traveler dude
Cincinnati, ohio
May 22, 2012

Great trip!

We were in sarasota for a destination wedding at a different resort a short walk up the beach. Our hotel was half as much with a nicer section of beach and very nice deep swimming pools and nice pool bar. Staff was very friendly and quick to respond to any request. I would stay at this resort again over the pricier ones any day.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
3
Room cleanliness:
3
Hotel staff:
4
Room comfort:
3
Location:
4
Value:
5
Review of Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel

Reviewer score

5
vptoledo
Durham, NC, USA
May 3, 2012

Excellent hotel

this hotel was very good, nice beach , the only observation is that were not enough beach umbrellas on the beach next to the hotel

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
5
Room cleanliness:
5
Hotel staff:
5
Room comfort:
5
Location:
5
Value:
5
Review of Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel

Reviewer score

5
vptoledo
Durham, NC, USA
May 2, 2012

Excellent hotel

Excellent hotel, next to a beautiful beach, the price is very good. Very clean, the only problem was that there not enough sun umbrellas available in the beach.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
5
Room cleanliness:
5
Hotel staff:
5
Room comfort:
5
Location:
5
Value:
5
Review of Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel

Reviewer score

4
Sungal
Cincinnati, OH
Apr 28, 2012

Super Beach Vacation

The hotel was in a fantastic location with numerous amenities! Restaurant was convenient and breakfast was always tasty. Our family had a relaxing, fun time. Staff was very helpful. Accommodations were somewhat cramped but very clean.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
4
Room cleanliness:
3
Hotel staff:
4
Room comfort:
2
Location:
4
Value:
4
Shopping tip: Short drive from hotel

St. Armands Square is a short drive and you will find many restaurants and exclusives shops there!

Review of Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel

Reviewer score

4
Danx
Indiana, USA
Apr 10, 2012

Week in FLA

Very nice old-style Florida Hotel. Friendly staff. Good location. We usually stay in a condo on Siesta Key at Florida's no. 1 beach and would definitely stay here again. Easy access to our favorite shopping and dining area, St. Armands. I would like to see earlier access (say, 8 AM) to the beach chairs. I would recommend this hotel to our friends.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
4
Room cleanliness:
4
Hotel staff:
4
Room comfort:
3
Location:
5
Value:
4
Dining tip: Short walk from hotel

For a short walk (or for a small tip to the hotel's driver), you can get to lots of dining and shopping options at St. Armands from this hotel.

Review of Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel

Reviewer score

3
No1Bemo
Northern Indiana
Apr 3, 2012

Excellent Location on Beach

Greatest aspect is that the amount of Beachfront for the number of guests is fantastic; several sites North, the beach chairs are anywhere from 3 to 5 rows deep.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
3
Room cleanliness:
3
Hotel staff:
4
Room comfort:
3
Location:
5
Value:
3
Shopping tip: Short drive from hotel

Armand Circle is close. Hotel offers complimentary transportation to Circle.

Review of Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel

Reviewer score

1
Kayakman
Swansea, MA, USA
Mar 31, 2012

Our forth stay not worth it 8(

This time we went for the least expensive room knowing it wouldn't have a good view. It was in the back of the north side facing the parking lot. I ever new they had rooms here. The room was dated at best and other than newer rug and bathroom tiles it need a face lift. Peeling paint, peeling wall paper old and chiped furiture. When i called they said it was recently updated ??? NO it wasn't then they said it was a cheaper room. My mistake I didn't thing cheaper = old run down. But Great beach front!

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
2
Room cleanliness:
2
Hotel staff:
4
Room comfort:
1
Location:
5
Value:
1
Dining tip: Short drive from hotel

St. Armands Circle

Review of Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel

Reviewer score

5
13456
Shelby Township, MI, USA
Mar 25, 2012

perfict getaway-fantastic beach

From the welcome to the checkout,service was fantastic. Victoria and Paul were always there and helpful. The room was clean and comfortable and the beach was the highlight. Would return in a second.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
4
Room cleanliness:
5
Hotel staff:
5
Room comfort:
4
Location:
5
Value:
5
Review of Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel

Reviewer score

4
AMAL
Michigan, USA
Mar 22, 2012

Beautiful location

Hotel staff was fantastic, friendly, helpful. Location was excellent.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
4
Room cleanliness:
4
Hotel staff:
5
Room comfort:
3
Location:
5
Value:
3
Shopping tip: Short drive from hotel

St Armands Circle was a great place to shop and eat.

Review of Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel

Reviewer score

3
ABMW
Canton, MA, USA
Mar 21, 2012

location,location,location

Very nice older hotel,great pools,steps to ocean,nice staff. Could use flat screen tv's at pool bar

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
3
Room cleanliness:
4
Hotel staff:
3
Room comfort:
3
Location:
5
Value:
4
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