Sandpiper Inn

Loved this place. Small, only 11 units. So clean. Owner obviously is proud as he took us to our unit and showed us around. Gardens are beautiful. Beach is so private and clean and just GORGEOUS! Location is wonderful — can get to Lido Key in 10 mins one way and Anna Maria Island the other way in about 5 mins. Great bike lanes, snorkeling, shopping, etc… Units have a full kitchen and your only private patio. Very quiet. Will be back…

I was staying at a resort outside of Tampa, FL when I stumbled upon this place. I will definitely stay HERE instead, if I ever get back! It is perfect!
My aunt and uncle stayed here to get a quiet vacation while in Florida for my sister’s wedding. They searched hard for a place like this, and finally found it. This hotel (more like condos or town houses) has about 10 units built in a southern style architecture. It reminded me of the Alamo. They are either a one bedroom, or studio, but both are nice (studios are slightly cheaper). They are well maintained and look nicer/​feel more comfortable than your typical hotel room.
The front door of all of the units looks out to a small patio in front of a beautiful garden. The garden feels like a small botanical garden complete with a miniature waterfall. It is great for a cocktail hour in the shade (especially in July).
There is a covered, community area for the residents staying there that is located with an ocean view. It is complete with tables and chairs. Some of which you can even take oceanside if you promise to bring them back. They also provide lounge chairs and umbrellas for the beach.
The ocean is not dirty with oil yet! Beautiful white sands that are extremely clean. The water here is crystal clear. (Much different from the murky water I experienced at the other resort.) We spent time walking the water-​line during low tide. We found our first sand dollars!
The wildlife is great as well. We had birds stand 20 feet away and watch us swim! We got to walk by a sea turtle nest on our way to the water (oddly enough, this caused us to not be allowed to turn on lights outside — look it up if you are curious, it’s interesting). My son stepped on a crab which proceeded to pinch him. He obviously didn’t like it much, but when we went back to look at the crab that got him, we saw that it was covering up two baby crabs. Not an experience you get every day! My dad also saw a soft-​shell crab crawling across the sand.
The down– (or up-​) side to this location is the «quiet time.» It is a county law here that all noise needs to stop at 10 P.M. The restaurants close at this time too. Sandpiper takes these rules seriously. Good for a quiet vacation, not a party one.
So, if you need a place around Sarasota, this is most definitely it. However, don’t plan on late nights. Plan on early mornings to enjoy your time here. Stop down to eat the great food at the BeachHouse restaurant about 10 minutes down the road. Say hi to my son’s nemesis crab for me!