I recently spent two days at The Resort at Longboat Key Club in Sarasota, Florida. The Resort has 223 guest rooms, six restaurants and lounges, 45 holes of championship golf courses, award-winning Tennis Gardens with 20 Har-Tru clay courts, Mind and Motion fitness studio, 291 slip marina, oceanside swimming pool, and more. Sarasota is well known for its white-sand beaches, cultural activities, dining, shopping, nature, and eco-tourism. The climate of the central Gulf coast area of Florida is tropical and sunny, with occasional showers.

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Shortly after I arrived on the property, I attended a private tennis lesson. I hadn’t played tennis in years and this was my first private lesson! The instructor informed me that although you don’t get a “true bounce” on Har-Tru clay tennis courts, they are much easier on your body over time, making them more ideal.

Dinner was at Portofino Restaurant & Grill. My party sat outside and enjoyed a beautiful view of the marina. This restaurant didn’t have any plant-based/vegan options. However, the chef was kind enough to make me a custom vegan pasta dish with mushrooms, asparagus, red onion, carrots, zucchini, and summer squash,

THE JOHN AND MABLE RINGLING MUSEUM OF ART
On the second day of my trip I spent the morning at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. This was my favorite part of my trip! My group had a tour of the Ca’ d’Zan mansion, Mable Ringling’s Rose garden, and Rubens Galleries. There is also a solarium where you can take yoga meditation classes. Unfortunately, there are no photos allowed inside the Ca’ d’Zan mansion. Our tour was led by James Ingram, Assistant Director of Visitor Services. He was extremely knowledgeable and personable. I highly recommend that you request him if he is available. I’ll be sure to return to check out the Ellis Japanese Tea House.

TAVERN AND WHISKEY BAR
My group of travel and food writers ate lunch at the “Tavern & Whisky Bar.” I ordered “The Spinach and Kale Power Protein Salad”— spinach, kale, tomato, cucumber, carrot, red onion, quinoa, radishes, dried cranberries, edamame, and spiced pumpkin seeds. I added avocado to my salad for an extra dose of healthy fat. This was really filling, and contained ingredients simple enough to recreate at home.

SARASOTA HOLISTIC BEACHFRONT SPA
After lunch I had an amazing hot stone massage at the Spa! I prefer hot stone massages because the heat allows for the tissue to loosen up and accessed on a deeper level without the painful pressure you may experience during a traditional deep tissue massage. Hot stone massages can also help increase range of motion and decrease scar tissue.

SANDS POINTE LOUNGE
On the last night we dined at Sands Pointe Lounge. This was by far the best dining experience I had at the Resort at Longboat Key Club in terms of service, food, and ambiance. The chef’s here were very flexible and open to making substitutions, including swapping butter for olive oil.

ROOM SERVICE
On the last morning of my stay, I slept in and opted for room service. I ordered a fruit platter with blueberries, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, pineapple, strawberries, and raspberries, with a banana mango smoothie on the side. My only critique about breakfast is that vegan options were very limited. There are no non-dairy creamer or yogurt options, so be sure to bring your own if needed. Fruit, smoothies, coffee, and tea seem to be the only selections available.

Clearly, there is plenty to eat and plenty to see at Resort at Longboat Key Club. Between, golf, tennis, the fitness center, the beach, shopping, and site seeing around Sarasota, you will not be bored! If you have any questions about my experience, don’t hesitate to leave me a comment below.