Forbes winner – Aerial view of Longboat Key town and beaches in Manatee and Sarasota counties along the central west coast of the U.S. state of Florida – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Unwind
The USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida Dining and Entertainment Team currently discusses a Forbes article after a report about the top new eateries that debuted in 2024.
The “Top 12 Destinations for 2025” list in Forbes Travel Guide features places from all around the world. “From Asheville to Amsterdam, these hot spots should be on next year’s itinerary,” the 1917-founded American business journal wrote in an article published earlier in December.
Australia, North Africa, and South Asia are among the places on the list. Also highlighted are a number of vacation destinations in the United States, including a small, little-known Florida island.
Forbes lists Longboat Key as one of the top 12 global tourism destinations for 2025.
Since Longboat Key’s Dry Dock Waterfront Grill, which overlooks Sarasota Bay and is one of the island’s most well-known and highly regarded restaurants, was recently named one of OpenTable’s Top 100 Restaurants in America for 2024, the entire barrier island has secured a coveted place on Forbes Travel Guide’s “Top 12 Destinations for 2025.”
The Forbes article concentrates on the Sarasota side of Longboat Key, specifically The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort, even though it includes portions of Sarasota and Manatee counties on Florida’s west coast. The opulent hotel, which opened in August, offers guests large suites with coastal accents, several waterfront restaurants and bars, and a spa with a variety of specialty treatments. It also overlooks the Gulf of Mexico and a private white sand beach.
‘Tranquil barrier island off the coast of Sarasota’ is how Forbes describes Longboat Key.
“No matter your travel motivation — from Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans to Amsterdam’s 750th birthday — you will find a place to visit” is what Forbes says of their list of the best places to go in 2025.
According to the description, Longboat Key is a “tranquil barrier island off the coast of Sarasota.”
“Here, visitors will discover 12 miles of soft white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and nature preserves,” says Jennifer Kester, a Forbes contributor. “But the secret is out with the opening of The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort, the only hotel from the brand to debut in the U.S. in 2024 and the largest development on the island in 50 years.”
Longboat Key is where?
Longboat Key is a barrier island that crosses both Manatee and Sarasota counties on Florida’s central west coast. It is located immediately south of Anna Maria Island, between the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay. When Sarasota County broke away from Manatee County in 1921, the island was split between the two counties.
Longboat Key, which is part of the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota metropolitan area, was founded as a municipality in 1955 and is nearly equally divided between the two counties. About six miles northwest of Sarasota’s downtown and its well-known Bayfront Park sits the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort.
What is The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort’s typical room rate?
The St. Regis was built around three years ago on the prestigious Longboat Key land that was once home to the renowned Colony Beach and Tennis Resort. It now provides visitors with an 18-acre beachfront retreat with 800 feet of private beach.
A flowing river, many pools and cabanas, and a saltwater lagoon nature experience with stingrays, tortoises, and tropical fish are all aspects of the 168-room resort, which was temporarily shuttered after Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused only little damage. The St. Regis stated at the time of its inception that the average room fee was $1,200.
Is The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort open to the public for dining?
The steakhouse CW Prime, the Northern Italian eatery Riva, the Latin American restaurant Aura, and the rooftop lounge Oshen, which serves Asian fusion food, are the resort’s four primary eating options.
Additionally, there is The St. Regis Bar, The Monkey Bar, and Caroline’s Cafe, the hotel’s cafe.With the exception of Oshen, which is only accessible to hotel visitors and St. Regis members, all of the eateries and bars are available to the public.
Stories that matter are our priority. At Florida Insider, we make sure that the information we provide our readers is accurate, easy-to-read, and informative. Whether you are interested in business, education, government, history, sports, real estate, nature or travel: we have something for everyone. Follow along for the best stories in the Sunshine State.
Chris began his writing as a hobby while attending Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. Today he and his wife live in the Orlando area with their three children and dog.
