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Reviews of Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach

3 out of 5
Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach
1540 Ben Franklin Dr, Sarasota, FL

Reviews

7.0

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 409 out of 1351 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 355 out of 1351 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 227 out of 1351 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 171 out of 1351 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 189 out of 1351 reviews" "

6.8/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

7.0/10

Amenities

5.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

6.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Brenda

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Beach access with free chairs, towels and umbrella. Tiki bar, restaurant small store if you need sunscreen, readers, etc. Two pools! This place was built in 1955 and from what ive been is scheduled to be torn down eventually and replaced with bigger and better therefore minimal repairs are being made. Rite now great price compared to surrounding hotels with beach access.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

John, ocean city

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great spot on beach. I received an email for pre -checkin so arrived at 1pm to relax by pool and was told I was on priority list, was notified at 340pm my room was finally ready but was disappointed to see sign at front desk saying checkin was 3pm
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Meghan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely little secluded spot
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Barbara

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Our room was clean, staff helpful, location great. The outside of the building needs care on the upper floors. I didn’t realize the resort fee couldn't be waived through my booking with Expedia. We are part time residences of Florida, spending 4 months a year. I took all my paperwork to show and was told no.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tom

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Paula

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Brian at the bar and Rae Rae at the front desk are so fun and welcoming! I visit twice a year and I’ll miss the old charm when the renovations occur. I won’t be able to afford to stay then.😢
Stayed 9 nights in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

Debra

Liked: Staff & service
Right on the beach
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

Vicki L.

Travelled with group
Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Pool area was top notch. Pool very clean and grounds were kept clean. Bar at pool was very nice and restaurant was excellent. However, rooms were in bad condition. Bathrooms were very outdated and rusty around tub and toilet. Toilet was difficult to flush and floor was not very clean. Carpets were very dirty. Elevators walls were held together with electrical tape and floors were dirty and broken in places.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Frank, Cusseta

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It was right on the beach, which was really nice. The staff very friendly. Shuffleboard, ping pong, pool, tiki bar. We enjoyed our 1 night stay.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

Marjorie, North Canton

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The Beach is gorgeous!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

6/10 Okay

anthony M

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very dated and run down rooms. You are paying for the location on the beach.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

4/10 Poor

Chris

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
I have been traveling to sarasota/ lido beach for about 31years (I’m 34). I love the area along with everything that surrounds it. I call it my second home. Traveling to this area is starting to become costly hence y we chose to stay at the Sand castle. All in all the personnel was great besides the manager telling me the resort is 70 years old and that’s why it’s in the condition it’s in. I understand the resort is getting torn down in September of 24 but I figure they would spend a little more in the areas that needed to be tended to. I would figure to make the customer feel a little more comfortable. The bathrooms were horrendous they are old and I understand that but when you have to hold the “tub stopper” up with rigging dental floss to a valve in the shower just so it doesn’t fill with water that’s strike one. Two I would want to wash my daughter in it let alone my dog in there because of the chipped paint, & a dirty looking floor of a tub. Final thing was a part that the Resort had this previous Friday only to park an enormous tent in our view of the beach. For what I paid I expected a bit more than feeling like I was paying for a cheapo motel.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

Joseph

Travelled with partner
Grounds, pool area very nice. Room was outdated
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kristin

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Service was great and view on gulf side was breathtaking.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

6/10 Okay

Samantha

Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
The property is very old and needs upkeep. Our toilet cover was broken, there was black mold in our bathtub and hairs all over the shower walls. The facilities and location are great but it needs some work.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kristi

Travelled with family
Liked: Amenities
Great place
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

James P

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property was close to shopping and dining.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Donna, Hawthorn Woods

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The pool area was great! The outdoor bar and food service was great! Very good food at the restaurant too. The beach was beautiful! Free towels water chairs and umbrellas!! Room: The mattress was terrific. Nice sitting area. Bath was outdated and cabinet walls need replaced . The outside is in need of update/ paint etc.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

4/10 Poor

Toni

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kathryn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Christina

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Staff, guest, location and amenities (pools, shuffle board/ping pong, beach, restaurants, shuttle) were excellent. Property is run down and some rooms not usable (room 245). We enjoyed room 227 and would like to return. Sadly this resort will be torn down and replaced.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

randy k

Travelled with partner
Liked: Amenities
Loved the location. Ocean right outside my door. Def needs updated but would def stay again
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Richard

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent place to stay 👌
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024

6/10 Okay

Deann

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Very outdated resort. While there they swapped out white plastic patio chairs for dirty green ones. Very old buildings and not kept up inside. Pool area and tiki bar outside very nice. Rooms are very old, dirty and things falling apart. Furniture inside the room was stained and broken. Patio’s are combined w your neighbors. Nice shuttle to town.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

6/10 Okay

Andrea, Portland

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice being right on the beach. Maybe have dividers on the decks to allow more privacy. Could use a little upkeep. Staff very friendly.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

mary ellen

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The reviews of this property made me hesitant to reserve here. We were pleasantly surprised!! Yes it’s dated, yes it’s old Florida, but it offered everything we were looking for at a price lower than surrounding properties. The staff were so friendly and helpful, the king bed in room 141 was the most comfortable we’ve had in any hotel, the pools were enjoyable and the beach just a few steps away. The resort fee covers beach chairs and umbrellas which were readily available. We had breakfast there both mornings and it was delicious and fairly priced. Bottom line: if you are looking for a comfortable no frills place on Lido Key, this is it! We will be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Steven

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Ok
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Melissa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

David

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Old fashioned charm without the high rise hassle. Walk out the door and go to the pool, restaurant, and beach. The beautiful beach was great!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Clay

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Allyn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We love this Hotel & its staff! I love the old Fla style! Yes, it’s older but clean!!! This is our 2nd visit here & enjoy the pool, beach, restaurant!! Thank you to Chris, the housekeeper for us during our stay(356). So kind & caring!!! Rose Marie at the front desk.. so kind & caring as well!! The staff is wonderful! Love the location, being able to use the shuttle or trolley. I like the other guests who value a quiet, laid back, relaxing time while proving excellent customer services. Was sad to leave!
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Christine

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Friendly, everyone made all experiences great, no bad times, hate to see this go
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Connie

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
This is an older property but was clean and had everything needed for a great vacation. Pool is huge with so many lounge chairs. Large tiki bar right by pool and only steps from beach. They provide beach lounge chairs and umbrellas and towels and cold bottled water at no extra charge. The food was outstanding as was all the staff !! Loved our stay in our poolside room !!!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lillian

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
We thoroughly enjoyed the location and the nostalgia of the place but could tell that no one really cares about it. I’m almost certain it’s in the process of being sold. So much maintenance needs to be done. Location is ideal.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

4/10 Poor

SHELLI

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
We stayed in room 225 from 2/27 to 3/3 2024 A) our room key hardly worked B) only one outlet in room would charge a phone. C) updates needed to outside of building. Otherwise A great resort
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024

4/10 Poor

Mark

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Martin

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Loved the location and beach access. Room carpeting and bathroom facilities need updating.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Delaney, Woodbourne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
It’s an older hotel that could use updating but it’s reasonably priced and has great amenities, especially if you are flying and will need towels, beach chairs, transportation around the area. The staff are friendly and the pools are very nice. I would recommend this hotel.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Lindsay

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The rooms need upgraded. The laundry service on site was convenient. The pools and location on the beach is great! The resort fees are ridiculous (on top of the room cost).
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

6/10 Okay

Raymond, Woodbury

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
ANTS!! In the room. Broken doors. Tub water faucet can’t be shut off. I see why it’ll be demolished. But it’s sad that it’s a bygone soon. Last of history.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Edward

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Peggy

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great place loved how close the ocean was to our room 100 yards and there is beach
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

2/10 Terrible

Steve

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Old,very high priced for what you get. Understand it's going to be torn down, best idea.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Diane

Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Melissa

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Beach access and property amenities were great!
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

John

Breakfast was awesome Nice beach front room
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Shelley

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The property is an "Olde Florida" resort and could use some updating, but it was clean and every staff member that we walked passed or dealt with directly were very nice and attentive. Would stay here again!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

6/10 Okay

Walter

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Restaurant food and service was excellent. Keycard usage was terrible averaging about 15 tries to open door AFTER maintenance tried to fix problem. Bed mattress was old and soft with almost a hole in the middle. Available shuttle service to St. Armonds was convenient and good. The hotel is old and run down…charging a resort fee on top of the room charge is ridiculous.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Lisa

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The place was nice. Staff were friendly. Very relaxing time.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Richard

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
outstanding
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024