This week marks a significant milestone in Sarasota County’s history as The St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, a prestigious brand under Marriott International, is set to unveil its latest gem—The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort. Touted as “one of the country’s most luxurious beachfront resorts,” this is the largest development on Longboat Key in over half a century.

The unveiling ceremony, scheduled for Friday, August 16, 2024, will offer an exclusive preview of the property as it “soft opens” to the public. Guests will have access to select rooms, five waterfront restaurants and bars, and a spa with signature treatments, all while enjoying breathtaking oceanfront views. The resort’s full grand opening is anticipated for late September.

Located on the prime real estate that once housed the iconic Colony Beach and Tennis Resort, The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort has been under construction since late 2021. The resort spans 18 acres with 800 feet of private beach, offering a luxurious beachside retreat. With 168 rooms, multiple pools, cabanas, a 21,320-square-foot oceanfront spa, and a unique saltwater lagoon featuring stingrays, tortoises, and tropical fish, the resort aims to become the first Five Star resort on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Room rates average $1,200 per night.

Dining at The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort is set to be an experience in itself. The resort boasts four main dining venues: the steakhouse CW Prime, Northern Italian restaurant Riva, Latin American-inspired Aura, and the rooftop lounge Oshen, which serves Asian fusion cuisine. Additionally, guests can enjoy drinks at The St. Regis Bar, The Monkey Bar, and the resort’s café, Caroline’s. While most dining venues will open on Friday, CW Prime and Oshen will be reserved for the grand opening in September, with Oshen being exclusive to hotel guests and members.

The St. Regis Spa, spanning 20,000 square feet of Gulf-front property, will also open this week. Guests are greeted by the Celebration Bar, offering beverages crafted from champagne and locally sourced ingredients. The spa’s signature treatments incorporate natural elements and advanced skincare technology, while the expansive hydrothermal area features a Finnish sauna, eucalyptus steam room, snow shower, vitality waters, cold plunge, and sensorial showers. Guests can also unwind in the Relaxation Lounge, which leads to a terrace with an infinity-edge vitality pool overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, or make use of the state-of-the-art fitness center equipped with Technogym equipment and salon facilities.

The opening of The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort represents a new era of luxury on Longboat Key, setting a high standard for beachfront resorts across the country.