Upgraded us to a beach front room which was very much appreciated. The location of this hotel is amazing for the price. So it’s not new but the location more than makes up for it.

Nothing

Location was great. The entire staff from groundskeepers to check-in were professional and courteous. Paid for a breakfast there on one morning. Food was the best breakfast I've ever had at a restaurant. No one ever gets eggs over easy right. Mine were perfect. I was upgraded to a poolside room because of the guest ahead of me was such a problem for everyone. Thank you. Free bottled water. Wow! My cousin lives close by and it was nice he was able to park there as a guest so I could spend time with his family on the beach without a big hassle of travel/parking arrangements. Rumor is it will be torn down and replaced. Nice I got to stay at place with an old Florida vibe before none are left and it's corporate greed or nothing.

The room was definitely outdated and the bathroom needed upgrades/repairs. However, it was always clean and comfortable. No coolers on the beach. You offer free bottled water but walking up from the water's edge every time a two year old needs water is not relaxing. Also, if you have children in the group at the beach it's not like you can run up to the tiki when the adults want a drink. Not saying just alcohol but any thing other than water.

This hotel still has the old Florida charm. So it's not a hotel with a lot of fancy, shiny architecture. Instead, you really enjoy the contact with the very friendly staff and the other guests. We have been here regularly for several years since the 90s. The restaurant has had an update as far as the menu is concerned. Very nice! Some of the rooms have gotten new carpet and .... yes, some of the appliances need an update. Still, this is a hotel with everything you need. Beach chair and umbrella are included in the price. There is free parking. I hope it will still be there on my next trip to Florida. I would miss this quaint hotel. Hoping it doesn't get sold to condo developers or some other fancy shiny impersonal hotel.

The elevator needs an update as some other appliances, but remember: it takes a lot of money to update everything at the same time. I rather have the owners do it slowly and not loose this hotel to a developer. I will thus try to come again. You will not find a nicer hotel directly at the beach in this area or most other Florida beach areas.

Initially disappointed in our room. Leaky toilet above dripping into/on our toilet below. Management adjusted our room providing very nice accommodations for our second night and rescinded the first night's charge. This made up for the initial disappointment and was very much appreciated. Responsive management made a big difference. The shuttle bus was also great way to reach St. Armand's. Very short waits, comfortable and convenient.

See above on our first night...otherwise was a great stay. Location is A1+

My family and I loved that Sandcastles is right on the beach with beach towels, umbrella and beach chairs provided. The 2 pools are large and enjoyable. Loved that a shuttle (free of charge) transports from the resort to St Armand's Circle and back every half hour or so or when needed. An added bonus is that free water bottles are provided too. This was our 2nd time staying here, and we will be back for sure!

It would be wonderful if Sandcastles provided a complimentary continental breakfast. The breakfast offered is too pricey for us.

White sand beach, large room with balcony (sea view). Sunbeds and sun umbrella for free of charge. New beach towel for every day. Two large pools, we really loved it. The beach is beautiful and peaceful. You can find microwave, ice maker and laundry at the property as well, if you need it.

The location was amazing and beautiful! The room was clean and tidy with extra towels, blanket and pillows. There was a pre chilled mini fridge, coffee maker, bottled water, ice bucket and normal room amenities. There was plenty of vending machines available with assorted items including ice cream. The lobby had an array of things for sale for your convenience including more ice cream in a freezer chest and souvenirs. The restaurant staff, bar staff and chef were all amazing as were the food and drinks. The pools were clean, heated with plenty of lounging equipment and towels. The beach was absolutely beautiful with lots of private beach to lounge around on with equipment to do so. they have plenty of parking both outdoors and indoors with code and parking pass. The pics on google maps are relatively accurate for the most part except I’m guessing they used the most favorable looking ones. There is a shuttle from the resort to the downtown area and back but it stops after midnight. there is a free local shuttle that will bring you to many locations around Sarasota as well.

The maintenance was a bit lacking. naked nail heads sticking out of surfaces a couple of inches in many places along the balcony. The room door and handle looked like someone tried kicking the door out from the inside. The light fixture on the balcony outside of the room was broken and dangling. There was no microwave in the room. the outside bar, indoors bar and restaurant close pretty early and as follows, outside 8pm and indoors 9pm. they give you these wrist straps to clamp on your wrist for guest identification. The tv’s mounting was broken and tipped precariously downward on the stand. Electrical outlets were few and occupied by room fixtures. The beds in my opinion were very firm leaving me with stiff and sore limbs in the morning.

The Sandcastle Resort is one of two beach hotels left on Lido Beach. Everything else has been torn down and replaced by condominiums. The Sandcastle has the most beautiful private beach I have ever seen in my travels around the world. You cannot find this kind of view and access at this price point anywhere else, in my opinion. It is pristine, well groomed white sand with an unobstructed view of the Gulf of Mexico…an almost impossible find anywhere you travel. I have read the other reviews. Frankly, most of the writers don’t seem to appreciate the gem they have found. Yes, the building is old and the rooms are worn out. It is clean but desperately in need of an update. But that is not going to happen because it was sold four years ago and, when the permitting process is done, it will be torn down and replaced by a new and fancy 306 room hotel which will cost you har more money. If you are at Lido for a fancy hotel, reserve down the street at the Lido Beach Resort. But, if you want a place to hang your swimsuit and spend the rest of your time enjoying the magnificent beaches and sunsets, this is a great place. We will continue to return until, sadly, it is gone. With it will go the kitsch of 1950’s beach resorts because this lovely old lady is the last of her kind.

I don’t love the fact that the property is worn down and will be torn down but she is wonderful for what she is. If your goal is to stay on a fabulous beach and you can appreciate her for what she is, you will have a lovely time.

The staff was exceptional. Everyone was very helpful and cheerful. The food at the tiki bar was very good and the breakfast too. I liked the idea that we didn't have to travel to get a bite to eat. And the shuttle service was a real plus. We didn't have to travel and get a parking space.

I brought my dog with me and really had to travel to find some grass for her to go on. I always pick up after my dog immediately and it would have been nicer if there was a dog walk close to the room.

The location is the best you can get, the resort is getting old and will be knocked down in the next couple of years so they resort who owns it charges lots of money for a shabby building which years ago had many amenities like room service and bikes to ride but no more yet they still put a daily service fee on the bill but most of the services don't exist anymore. Staff is always great, my family has been going there for over 40 years so it will be sad when it gets knocked down. There will be no more 2-4 floor motels on the beach anymore, only high-rises.