Tropical Beach Resorts

Tropical Beach Shores consists of 70 units across five buildings. Buildings are light beachy colors like coral, light blue, and yellow, and are set off by colorful flowers and lush tropical foliage. There is a small office, with fresh beach towels and travel brochures, where guests check in. Public walkways throughout the property are covered in seashells, and lead to designated picnic areas with grills -- including a tiki-style hut with large table for groups. Dolphin statues greet guests at the rectangular pool, where guests can sunbathe on blue-and coral-colored lounge chairs. Both pools on the property are gated and surrounded by tropical greenery and large palm trees. Families with kids are the primary guests here (though weddings are popular here), and divide their time between the beach and the pools.

The hotel is located a quarter-of-a-block from Siesta Key Beach. Several restaurants are within about a five-minute walk -- including Captain Curt's Crab & Oyster Bar and City Pizza. Yoga Sanctuary is a 10-minute drive away, for guests who want to practice daily (the hotel offers free beach yoga twice weekly). Within a 25-minute drive of the resort are the Asolo Repertory Theatre and Ringling Museum of Art. Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is about a half-hour away.

The property offers apartment-style accommodations, including studios, and one- and two-bedroom units. All have living rooms, full kitchens with modern stainless steel appliances, and covered outdoor seating areas. Homey comforts include pillow-topped beds with white duvets, flat-screen TVs and DVD players, and iPod docking stations. The Sundeck Studio has a semi-private rooftop. Decor is cozy, with leather couches, wood ceiling fans, touches of wicker and rattan, and colorful accents. None of the rooms here are beachfront, but most offer a lush, tropical garden view. All rooms are keyless entry come with in-room safes, energy-efficient recessed lighting, and large bathrooms with either walk-in showers or shower/tub combinations. Some suites have jetted tubs.

Tropical Shores offers family-friendly amenities, such as two deep and heated swimming pools, shuffle board courts, and outdoor dining areas with grills. The hotel also has access to a private area of Siesta Key beach, and offers free beach chair rentals and beach towels. Guests can join beach yoga sessions twice weekly, and hotel staff can arrange paddle boat and kayak rentals. On-site features include laundry facilities, vending machines, and free Wi-Fi and parking.