Helmsley Sandcastle, Sarasota Details

Property Name: Helmsley Sandcastle
Hotel Chain Name: Vantis Hotel Group
Address: 1540 Ben Franklin Dr
Number of Rooms: 179
Number of Floors: 4
Longitude & Latitude: -82.57, 27.30
Room Types Available: Northside View, Standard no view
Bed Types Available: 1 King, 2 Doubles
Number of Photos: 76

Weekday Room Price Range: $116 to $259
Weekend Room Price Range: $116 to $259
Promotions: Room type: Gulf Front room :: Summer Vacation Sale! Stay 1 nights, save 35% + Free Wireless Internet, Free Parking on 06/19/2012, Room type: Gulf Front room :: Summer Vacation Sale! Stay 1 nights, save 35% (on select nights) + Free Wireless Internet, Free Parking on 06/30/2012, Room type: Gulf Front room :: Free Wireless Internet, Free Parking on 07/01/2012

Star Rating: 3.0
Average Review Rating: 4.27
Number of Customer Reviews: 295
First Customer Review Date: 04/12/2006
Last Customer Review Date: 04/16/2012

Recent Helmsley Sandcastle Review: "I have stayed here now twice and both stays were very enjoyable. My wife and I visited here for the entire week after the 4th of July this year and had a great time. I purchased a poolside room but was delighted to find they upgraded us to a gulf-front room for the week. The hotel is nice and has been there for quite awhile. It has external corridors  and is "Old Florida" style....I like it. It is not a big highrise hotel. The beach is one of the best in Florida. The location is great. Their pools are great. They have a pool bar and an open air patio to eat breakfast and lunch. We ate out a lot(St. Armands, etc) but did eat in the hotel restaurant one night which turned out to be very nice. The service and food were great and the prices were reasonable. The menu was generally upscale, but if wanted a burger it was on there too. It had something for everybody. The seafood specials that night were great. My wife and I enjoyed our stay so much that my brother and I spent one last night of our week on Lido Key there before having to leave the next day. We were staying in a condo further down the beach all week but stayed one last nt. again at the Helmsley Sandcastle. Had breakfast there a couple mornings and took advantage of one last day on the beach and their pool. Lounge chairs are provided on the beach complimentary and umbrellas can be rented for 10 dollars/day(well worth it when in the hot Florida sun all day!) They also have kayaks and hobie cats for rent. The hotel was in good shape(although old) and had been recently renovated. I was happy with my stays both times and look forward to another stay(s) there in the future."


Check-in Time: 3 PM
Check-out Time: 11 AM

Restaurants Near Helmsley Sandcastle: Starbucks, Subway
Attractions Near Helmsley Sandcastle: Free WiFi Hotspots, Park, Attractions, CO-OP Network, Bridge
Other Hotels Near Helmsley Sandcastle: Lido Beach Resort, Lido Islander, Holiday Inn Lido Beach, Sarasota, Siesta Beach Resorts And Suites, Longboat Key Club And Resort
Recreation

Recreational activities are centered on the resort's 600-foot private beach. Favorite pastimes include swimming in the Gulf of Mexico or enjoying a game of volleyball on the white sand. Available for rent are personal watercraft, kayaks, small sailboats, and bicycles. Use of beach chairs is complimentary.

In the courtyard are two outdoor pools with lounge chairs and a sundeck. The complimentary fitness center includes a treadmill, stair machine, stationary bike, and free weights. A video-game arcade shares space with the guest laundry.

Across the street, the Gulf of Mexico, Sarasota Bay, Big Pass, and Brushy Bayou border South Lido Park. Activities include bird watching, scenic outlooks, nearby running trails, and canoe and nature trails. Bobby Jones Golf Club, 8.5 miles from the resort, is open to the public.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or near the hotel; fees may apply.

  • Aerobics nearby
  • Basketball nearby
  • Bicycle rentals on site
  • Bird watching nearby
  • Boating nearby
  • Boat launch nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golf - driving range nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Golf - miniature nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Kayaking on site
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Parasailing nearby
  • Personal watercraft
  • Pilates classes/instruction nearby
  • Playground nearby
  • Rowing or canoeing on site
  • Running track/path nearby
  • Sailing on site
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Segway rental/tour nearby
  • Shuffleboard on site
  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Swimming on site
  • Table tennis on site
  • Tennis nearby
  • Volleyball on site
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby
  • Yoga classes/instruction nearby
    • A short guide to Longboat Key

    A barrier island off the southwest coast of Florida is Longboat Key. It is chiefly residential.

    Dining at Helmsley Sandcastle

    Sandcastle Coffee Shop - Off the pool area. Indoor and outdoor dining. Casual American fare. Breakfast and lunch.

    Candlelight Restaurant and Lounge - Seafood, steak, and other American cuisine. Dinner. Lounge open from early afternoon to late evening.

    Floridian Sidewalk Café - Open-air dining. Casual American fare. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

    Sandcastle Pool Bar - Light fare and cocktails. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres, 4 PM–6 PM. Open mid-morning to dusk (weather permitting).

    Room service - Available from early morning to late evening.
    Terms & conditions

    Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on hotel policy.
    Government-issued photo identification and a credit card or cash deposit are required at Check-In for incidental charges.
    Special requests are subject to availability upon Check-In and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.

    Notification and fees

    The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, Check-In, or Check-Out.


  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 10.00 per night

    • The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

    Services
  • Complimentary newspapers in lobby
  • Concierge services
  • Fitness facilities
  • Free parking
  • Laundry facilities
  • Multilingual staff
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Room service (limited hours)
  • Security guard
  • Self-parking
  • Arcade/game room
  • ATM/banking
  • Breakfast available (surcharge)
    		•
    Property Facts
  • Check-In time is 3 PM
  • Check-Out time is 11 AM
  • Minimum Check-In age 21
  • Pets not allowed
    		•
    Business & Event
  • 24-hour front desk
  • Audio-visual equipment
  • Banquet facilities
  • Business services
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Event catering
  • Multiple conference/meeting rooms
  • Multiple small meeting rooms
    		•
    General
  • Air-conditioned public areas;
  • Ballroom(s);
  • Bar/lounge;
  • Coffee shop or café;
  • Elevator/lift;
  • Gift shops or newsstand;
  • Number of buildings/towers 7;
  • Number of floors: 4;
  • Number of rooms: 179;
  • Patio;
  • Picnic area;
  • Private beach;
  • Restaurant(s) in hotel;
  • Swimming pool - outdoor;
  • Wireless (high-speed) Internet access - complimentary
    • Check-In time starts at
    Check-Out time is
    Pets not allowed

    Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on hotel policy.
    Guests must show current government-issued proof of identity at the time of Check-In.
    Photo identification and credit card or cash deposit are required at Check-In for incidental charges.
    Special requests are subject to availability upon Check-In and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.

    Know before you go

  • Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on hotel policy.
    Government-issued photo identification and a credit card or cash deposit are required at Check-In for incidental charges.
    Special requests are subject to availability upon Check-In and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.

    • Overview
    Location

    This Sarasota hotel sits on 600 feet of white-sand beach that meets the Gulf of Mexico. South Lido Park, St. Armands Circle, and Mote Marine Aquarium are within two miles.

    Hotel Features
    The Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel has a private beach, two outdoor pools, and a fitness facility. Lounge chairs and umbrellas are complimentary, and cabanas are available at a surcharge. The Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel has a restaurant, a bar/lounge, and a coffee shop/café. Room service is available during limited hours. Guest parking is complimentary.

    Hotel Rooms
    Amenities featured in Hotel Rooms include hair dryers, coffee/tea makers, and complimentary newspapers. Hotel Rooms have cable/satellite television with premium TV channels and HBO. All Hotel Rooms provide refrigerators. Hotel Rooms are accessible via exterior corridors.