A Sarasota city known for its relaxing atmosphere and picturesque scenery made the Forbes list.
LONGBOAT KEY, Fla. — A Sarasota town made Forbes' list of top 12 travel destinations for the coming year.
Longboat Key is a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico that is listed alongside other major world cities such as Amsterdam and the Maldives.
The island is known for its stunning beaches and nature reserves. Forbes authors note the 12 miles of white sand beaches and turquoise waters.
“Unless you're a local, you may not be familiar with this quiet barrier island off the coast of Sarasota,” the report states. It also highlights a new hotel called The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort.
It is the brand's only hotel to debut in the United States in 2024. It is also the largest development on the island in 50 years, according to the report.
The luxury hotel includes 168 rooms and suites as well as restaurants, a spa, several swimming pools and a lazy river. The photos show the beautiful beachfront hotel with stunning views.
It even has a 500,000 gallon lagoon for divers with 40 rays and over 2,000 local reef fish. Forbes Travel Guide also introduces the resort and offers a list of hotel highlights as well as restaurants and amenities.
Visitors can also enjoy a variety of outdoor activities outside of the resort, such as boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing. The island offers a peaceful getaway but is just a short drive from downtown Sarasota.
Other places in the United States that made the list include New Orleans and Santa Monica. You can read the full list here.
