Are there any nice family resorts in the area? (Sarasota: condominium, hotels)

[bryfraz]

Hi,

My wife, 15 year old daughter and I have been coming to the area for several vacations and know it well. We have always rented private homes, Venice, Siesta, Anna Maria Island, St Armands/Lido, etc. with a private pool, often bay/canal-front. You only get so many vacations so we have been willing to save and splurge. We have a poodle mix around 15 pounds that makes searching hard, but that we always take.

Well this year things have changed. My daughter is bringing other 15/16 year old friends and they want to be in a resort community with other teens, community pool(s), activities, maybe riding around in golf carts, gated for safety, etc. I can find these type resorts in droves around Destin, Hilton Head, but we love our Sarasota-area beaches and sunsets. Prefers homes-based resorts to high-rise but flexible, and has to be pet-friendly.

Anything like this around the area?

Thanks in advance,

Bryan

[SoFLGal]

I can't really think of any area around here that's going to have an abundance of teens in a vacation area, where there's things to do.

Your biggest problem is going to be finding an available place, anywhere, during season. The next issue is going to be bringing the dog.

Wish I could come up with some ideas but I'm kinda empty on this one. The best you're going to get is probably going to be Siesta and I wouldn't say there is an abundance of teens there.

[kg813]

I agree with SoFLGal; it's hard to find anything in the area with tons of teens...

As for the pet issue, I'd check dogfriendly.com; they have a few hotels listed for Sarasota that I think might work for you. Are you set on Sarasota? If not, the TradeWinds resort in St. Pete is very nice and allows dogs (with additional fees).

Another avenue might be airbnb.com or vrbo.com, they both offer 'pet friendly' accommodations that you can filter by.

Good luck!

[KillerKoala]

Take them to Disney World and drive to beach.

[Cardiff by the Sea]

I was think a cruise might fit the bill.

[Ladywithafan]

I agree with the cruise & Disney options ~ otherwise the closest you will get to "resort" would be Lido Beach Resort or the Ritz neither of which will allow pets. Good luck with Siesta Key ~ we've been booked up since October at the condominium where I work. If you come with your pet and attempt to sneak him in which could result in eviction, there is a pet hotel by the Sarasota/Bradenton airport.