Travel Planner: Sarasota, FL

This beautifully landscaped property is one of the best places to play golf in the state, and among the top tennis resorts in the country. Water is the test on both golf courses, which have excellent pro shops. Hobie Cats, kayaks, and deep-sea charters are available. If you just want to chill, check out the hammocks between buildings 1 and 2. All rooms have balconies overlooking the golf course, beach, or private lagoon where manatees and dolphins are occasionally spotted. Golf and dining facilities are for guests only. Pros:

upscale vibe; lovely grounds.

service can feel snooty. www.longboatkeyclub.com. 23 rooms, 95 suites. In-room: a/c, kitchen (some), Internet, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurants, bars, golf course, pool, tennis courts, gym, spa, beach, water sports, children's programs, laundry facilities, business center. Credit cards accepted.

Developers like to say that this hotel is circus magnate John Ringling's realized dream, and it certainly has a style the impresario would have coveted. Fine artwork and fresh-cut flowers decorate marble-floored hallways. Rooms have marble bathrooms, and private balconies with views of the bay, the marina, or the downtown skyline. A private 18-hole Tom Fazio-designed golf course is 12 mi northeast of the property on the Braden River. A European-style spa and guest-and-members-only beach facility on Lido Key, about 4 mi away, make this city resort full-service. Vernona restaurant serves regional organic cuisine and overlooks yachts in the marina. Pros:

Ritz-style glitz; lots of amenities.

long distance to golf course; not on the beach. www.ritzcarlton.com/resorts/Sarasota. 266 rooms, 30 suites. In-room: safe, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurants, bars, golf course, pool, tennis courts, gym, spa, children's programs, some pets allowed. Credit cards accepted.

Popular among business travelers, the Hyatt Regency is contemporary in design and sits in the heart of the city across from the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Rooms have some high-tech touches, such as flat-screen televisions and docking stations for MP3 players. All overlook Sarasota Bay or the marina and the lagoon-style pool and hot tub, which have waterfalls flowing into them. The higher floors have the best views. Your concierge will arrange fishing, golfing, and even babysitting. Pros:

great location; stellar views.

chain-hotel feel. www.sarasota.hyatt.com. 294 rooms, 12 suites. In-room: Internet, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurants, bars, pool, gym, laundry facilities, some pets allowed. Credit cards accepted.

Built in 1925, making it the same vintage as the Don CeSar, the Vinoy is a luxury resort in a quiet, quaint neighborhood. Thoughtful renovations keep its yesteryear glamour and place on the National Register of Historic Places. Some of the units are cramped by today's standards, so ask for one of the spacious rooms for more comfort. Those on the bay side have better views of Tampa Bay. A tiny bay-side beach several blocks away is good for strolling (but not swimming). Transportation is provided to better beaches 30 minutes away. Other offerings include access to a Ron Garl-designed golf course with a stunning clubhouse, an expansive marina, and pool attendants who deliver drinks. Pros:

charming property; friendly service; close to downtown museums.

pricey; not on the beach. www.vinoyrenaissanceresort.com. 345 rooms, 15 suites. In-room: Internet. In-hotel: restaurants, bars, golf course, pools, tennis courts, gym, spa, laundry facilities. Credit cards accepted.

A massive pool complex with a 15-foot waterslide and a sandy beach are part of the allure of this sprawling resort. But 72 holes of golf, including the challenging Copperhead course, are the real magnets. Bald eagles and herons are sometimes seen on the grounds, which are beautifully maintained. Guest suites are in 24 two- and three-story lodges tucked among the trees between golf courses. Some of the roomy suites have balconies or patios. Innisbrook has enough restaurants and lounges to make it self-contained, though there are other dining options in the area. Pros:

great for serious golfers; varied dining options.

far from attractions. www.innisbrookgolfresort.com. 620 suites. In-room: a/c, kitchen (some), Internet, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurants, bars, golf courses, pools, tennis courts, gym, spa, laundry facilities. Credit cards accepted.

If you can't get enough golf and tennis, here's your fix. Saddlebrook is one of west Florida's top resorts, largely because it has so many things in one spot—36 holes of championship golf; the Arnold Palmer Golf Academy; 45 clay, grass, and artificial-surface tennis courts; a Harry Hopman tennis program; a full-service spa; a fitness center; and a kids' club. Varied accommodations include one- and two-bedroom suites, making it a good place for families. Pros:

away from urban sprawl; great choice for the fitness minded.

a bit isolated. www.saddlebrookresort.com. 540 rooms, 407 suites. In-room: safe, kitchen (some), Internet, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurants, bars, golf courses, pools, tennis courts, gym, spa, children's programs. Credit cards accepted. Rate includes: Some meals.

On the shore of Kings Bay, this two-story plantation-style resort is on 232 acres near nature preserves and rivers. Although the resort's exterior looks like that of a huge Southern mansion, the rooms are more comfortable than palatial, with blond-wood furniture and wall-to-wall carpeting. Some rooms have patios. Condos and villas have views of the golf course. The Plantation is popular among upscale, older yuppies. Pros:

good location; perfect for nature lovers.

stuffy vibe; basic rooms. www.plantationinn.com. 126 rooms, 2 suites, 5 condos, 12 villas. In-room: a/c, kitchen (some), Internet, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurants, bars, golf course, pool, tennis courts, water sports. Credit cards accepted.