The 6 Best Resorts in Longboat Key Florida | Beachfront for 2025
We analyzed all the beachfront options and found the best resorts in Longboat Key Florida for travelers looking to unwind, recharge, and experience a little slice of upscale coastal life.
Longboat Key, situated along Florida’s balmy Gulf Coast, is, well, kind of the perfect mix of relaxation and refinement.
This barrier island stretches for about 11 miles and is, in a way, known for being way less hectic than its neighbors like Siesta Key or Sarasota, yet it’s still packed with seriously good beaches, luxury properties, and very polished dining.
It’s almost like the spot that people who love quieter, more upscale beach days naturally gravitate toward.
The water is usually warm and calm, the beaches are powdery and soft, and there are a bunch of tennis courts, golf fairways, seafood restaurants, and art galleries nearby that make Longboat Key resorts really feel like mini-vacation hubs of their own.
Table of Contents
Methodology
To determine the best resorts Longboat Key has to offer, we carefully reviewed thousands of recent guest reviews across Google Reviews, TripAdvisor, and Expedia.
Then, our editorial team ran those insights through a proprietary rating system we developed to balance service quality, amenities, location, room features, and family-friendliness.
We gave more weight to resorts that offer direct beachfront access, modern design updates, and onsite food and drink options that were highly rated. After narrowing it down, these are the six best resorts in Longboat Key Florida that consistently rose above the rest.
The 6 Best Longboat Key Resorts – 2025 Full Guide
6. Longboat Bay Club
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Only a 3-minute walk from Gulf beach access
- Features 2-bedroom, 1,600 sq. ft. suites with private screened balconies
- Oversized pool, tennis courts, and marina views
This resort is a bit tucked away on the bay side, and honestly, that’s part of its charm.
Longboat Bay Club offers a more residential, casual luxury feel with incredibly large 2-bedroom suites that feel more like actual condos than hotel rooms. Each suite comes with a full kitchen, washer/dryer, and those screened-in patios that are great for Gulf breezes without the bugs.
There’s no restaurant onsite, but it’s not a big deal because there are several highly-rated eateries within a 5-minute drive.
The beach is just across the street, literally about a three-minute walk, and although you’re not beachfront, you still get great access.
The pool is pretty generous in size and surrounded by loungers, and there are courts for tennis and shuffleboard that make it great for families or even extended stays.
It’s a low-key kind of place that feels more like a home base, which some travelers actually prefer over full-service resorts.
5. Sea Club 1 – Most Affordable
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Direct access to private beach area
- Studio, 1-, and 2-bedroom units with kitchenettes
- Heated outdoor pool and barbecue patio
- One of the most budget-friendly resorts in Longboat Key FL
Sea Club 1 might be small, but it’s also incredibly well-loved for what it offers at a lower price tag than most other resorts Longboat Key has to offer.
It’s one of the few beachfront properties where you can book a stay for a reasonable price during peak season and still be right on the sand. Rooms here are simple but very clean, typically equipped with kitchenettes or small kitchens.
That makes it an easy pick for longer stays or guests who prefer to cook a bit rather than eat out for every meal. The pool is heated and surrounded by a few shaded spots, and there’s even a communal barbecue area for guests.
While this isn’t the place for luxury seekers, it’s almost ideal for travelers who want direct access to the beach, reliable Wi-Fi, and a peaceful setting without paying premium rates.
It’s quiet, family-friendly, and usually booked solid by repeat guests who’ve been coming for years. Plus its affordability makes it one of the best resorts in Longboat Key FL for those on a budget.
4. Gulf Tides of Longboat Key
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Oceanfront and bayfront units with private balconies
- Direct beach access with lounge chairs
- Onsite shuffleboard, heated pool, and bikes available
Gulf Tides of Longboat Key kind of flies under the radar, but in a way, that’s what makes it one of the top resorts Longboat Key has to offer.
The property is split between oceanfront and bayfront buildings, both just steps away from the sand. You can book a studio or a 1-bedroom unit, most of which have a cozy, condo-style setup with kitchens, living areas, and balconies.
Guests consistently rave about how clean the units are and how easy it is to walk straight from your door to the beach loungers.
The resort provides towels, umbrellas, and bikes, yes, bikes, which is great because Longboat Key is one of those places where cycling is actually pretty popular thanks to its long flat roads.
It’s not ultra-fancy, but it’s definitely more upscale than budget properties and is often considered one of the best Longboat Key resorts for guests looking for a relaxing stay with all the essentials covered.
3. Zota Beach Resort – Top Value Pick
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Direct Gulf-front location with private beach
- Boasts 187 rooms and suites, many with Gulf views
- Infinity-edge pool, wine bar, and onsite restaurant
Zota Beach Resort is the kind of retreat where modern design meets relaxed beachfront ease, which is why we think its one of the best Longboat Key resorts in terms of value.
It’s significantly larger than many other Longboat Key resorts, which gives it a few advantages, like a full-service restaurant called Viento that gets great reviews, an infinity-style pool with private cabanas, and a wine bar that actually has a sommelier on staff.
The rooms are super contemporary, with clean lines, bright interiors, and most come with balconies overlooking either the Gulf or the resort’s beautifully landscaped pool deck.
This resort really stands out for its combo of location and service level without the insane price tag that some others charge.
Families like the easy beach access and spacious layout, while couples go for the beachfront rooms and drink menus. It’s arguably the best value among all the resorts in Longboat Key Florida if you want that classic upscale beach resort experience but without going all out budget-wise.
2. The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Gulf-front, 17-acre luxury resort property
- Multiple gourmet dining venues and high-end spa
- Signature butler service and 166 private rooms/suites
The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort is, without exaggeration, the newest and most glamorous addition to the Longboat Key resorts scene.
This place is on a whole other level when it comes to beachfront elegance. Built on a sprawling 17-acre plot right on the Gulf, it features high-end everything, which makes it one of the most luxurious resorts in Longboat Key FL available today.
Multiple restaurants, butler service, spa treatments using premium products, and a design that’s both ultra-modern and incredibly coastal.
Each room has smart controls, rainfall showers, and balconies, while the suites bump it up with added space and even soaking tubs. The pool setup includes lagoon-style water features and adult-only areas, so it’s perfect for romantic getaways.
While families are welcome, it really skews more toward adults looking for pure relaxation and culinary experiences.
Honestly, it might be the most high-end option currently in Longboat Key Florida, and it’s also the most buzzed-about. Naturally, prices reflect that, but for travelers who want first-class everything, this resort is very, very hard to beat.
1. The Resort at Longboat Key Club – Top Overall
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- 410 acres of beachfront, tennis, and golf course land
- Multiple pools, 8 restaurants and lounges onsite
- Full-service spa, fitness center, and marina
The Resort at Longboat Key Club is, frankly, in a class of its own, which is why we think it is the best resort in Longboat Key.
It’s basically a mini city that just happens to sit on the Gulf of Mexico. Guests get access to a private beach, an award-winning 45-hole golf course, and a marina with over 250 slips.
Rooms and suites come in all sizes, many with Gulf or lagoon views, and the décor is chic but coastal, with light woods, ocean tones, and massive windows.
This is one of the few beach resorts in Longboat Key FL that really balances luxury with full-on activity options.
Want a tennis match before dinner? There are 20 Har-Tru courts. Prefer a sunset cocktail instead? There are multiple lounges, plus beachfront dining. The spa is well-rated and offers a full menu of treatments from facials to body wraps.
Families will find plenty of space here, too, since the pool areas are large, the beach is spacious, and the resort often offers kids’ programs during peak months.
It’s really the full-package kind of resort that brings travelers back again and again, and for good reason. Among all the best resorts in Longboat Key Florida, this one takes the top spot with ease.
