By Pettingell Professionals
Part of what makes life on Florida's Gulf Coast genuinely special is the easy access to world-class relaxation, and the Sarasota spas and luxury spas Longboat Key residents and visitors enjoy reflect just how far this region's hospitality scene has come.
As the number one real estate team in Florida for more than fifteen years, having closed over $400 million in sales annually in both 2024 and 2025, we spend our days helping clients find the right home across every corner of this market. Wherever our clients end up, we love pointing them toward the experiences that make this lifestyle so rewarding, and few things capture that better than a great spa day.
Here are the ones we recommend most.
Key Takeaways
- The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort raised the bar: Its 20,000-square-foot spa, opened in October 2024, is one of only two spas in the world with a La Mer skincare partnership and represents the largest development on the barrier island in over fifty years
- The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Sarasota delivers downtown luxury: Recently renovated with a marble-and-millwork refresh, this 20,000-square-foot spa overlooks Sarasota Bay and offers more than 100 treatments
- Opal Spa at the Resort at Longboat Key Club offers island tranquility: With nine treatment rooms and island-inspired services, this longtime favorite remains a top choice for resort guests and club members
- Sarasota spas and luxury spas Longboat Key: Whether a client is settling near Roger Pettingell's waterfront listings, Thomas Arbuckle's downtown Sarasota properties, or Kelly Rosenberg's country club communities, exceptional relaxation is always close at hand
The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort: A New Standard for Luxury Spas Longboat Key Has Ever Seen
The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort, which opened in October 2024 as the only St. Regis property to debut in the United States that year, brought an entirely new caliber of spa experience to the barrier island, and it has quickly become the benchmark for luxury spas Longboat Key residents talk about most.
- A 20,000-square-foot spa: Set within an 18-acre beachfront resort, the spa anchors a property that represents the largest development on Longboat Key in over fifty years
- An exclusive La Mer partnership: The St. Regis Spa is one of only two spas in the world with a partnership with the luxury skincare brand La Mer
- A full coastal wellness experience: Beyond treatments, guests have access to a 500,000-gallon saltwater lagoon for snorkeling, oceanfront sunset rituals, and the resort's signature Oshen experience, rounding out a wellness day that extends well past the treatment room
For clients considering a move near Longboat Key's barrier island communities, the arrival of the St. Regis has genuinely elevated what luxury spas Longboat Key can offer, and it is consistently the first recommendation we make to anyone new to the area.
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Sarasota: Downtown Refinement on the Bay
Set along the marina of Sarasota Bay, the Ritz-Carlton Spa in downtown Sarasota recently completed a six-month renovation, its first major transformation since the hotel opened in 2001, and the result has reestablished it as one of the most sought-after Sarasota spas in the region.
- A complete design transformation: The spa's previous dark wood accents were replaced with textured wallpaper, ambient lighting, and gleaming white marble flooring with geometric tile patterns
- Over 100 treatments: The spa's comprehensive menu includes ten varieties of facials, HydraFacials using LED light therapy, and treatments using the local probiotic skincare line LaFlore
- The Healing Waters experience: Guests can retreat to separate men's and women's lounges featuring whirlpools, steam rooms, and saunas, plus an outdoor relaxation terrace with garden views and light spa cuisine for unwinding between services
For clients settling into downtown Sarasota with Thomas Arbuckle, the Ritz-Carlton Spa's central, walkable location makes it one of the easiest luxury experiences to build into a routine.
Opal Spa at the Resort at Longboat Key Club: An Island-Inspired Retreat
Opal Spa at the Resort at Longboat Key Club has long been one of the island's most beloved wellness destinations, offering an intimate, island-inspired sanctuary that has earned its place among the area's most trusted luxury spas Longboat Key has to offer.
- Nine treatment rooms and two relaxation rooms: The spa's calming layout is designed to support a full menu of island-inspired treatments tailored to each guest's individual wellness goals
- Customized service philosophy: A team of experienced spa practitioners tailors each treatment specifically to the guest, rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach, reflecting the resort's broader emphasis on personalized luxury
- Part of a complete resort experience: Set within a property that also features a legendary golf course and award-winning tennis gardens, Opal Spa allows guests to round out a wellness-focused day with additional resort amenities just steps away
Opal Spa's quieter, more intimate setting makes it a strong choice for clients who want the luxury spa experience without the scale of a brand-new mega-resort, and it remains a perennial local favorite on Longboat Key.
FAQs
Are these Sarasota spas and luxury spas Longboat Key open to the public, or only to hotel guests?
Access varies by property. The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Sarasota is generally available to outside guests in addition to hotel visitors, while Opal Spa at the Resort at Longboat Key Club is open only to resort guests and club members. The St. Regis Spa typically welcomes both resort guests and outside visitors for treatments, though booking well in advance is recommended given strong demand since the resort's 2024 opening.
Which spa is closest to Sarasota's waterfront and island communities that Roger Pettingell specializes in?
Both the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort and Opal Spa at the Resort at Longboat Key Club sit directly on Longboat Key, making them the most convenient options for clients in or near the island communities Roger Pettingell focuses on, including Longboat Key, Bird Key, Lido Key, and Casey Key. The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Sarasota also maintains a beach club presence on Lido Key, giving waterfront residents a downtown option as well.
Do any of these spas offer day passes or treatments for residents who are not staying overnight?
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Sarasota and the St. Regis Spa both generally accommodate day-use guests for individual treatments, making them practical options for residents of downtown Sarasota or nearby communities like Lakewood Ranch and Laurel Oak who want an occasional luxury spa day without an overnight stay.
Contact Pettingell Professionals Today
As the number one real estate team in Florida for over fifteen years, with more than $400 million in annual sales closed in both 2024 and 2025, we know this region from its waterfront estates to its downtown condos to its country club communities, and we love sharing the lifestyle details that make this market so special.
Reach out to us at Pettingell Professionals and let's find the right home for the lifestyle you are building.
