#359 - "Cirque St. Armands Beachside" in Sarasota, FL

Beachside Hotel in Sarasota

Last April, Don and I made a detour on a trip, so I could spend time in Sarasota and stay at this unique beachside hotel.

Planning beachside anything is always a win. But I was plain eager to just spend the night in Sarasota. I have fond memories of childhood summers spent in this fabulous Circus Town!

The Cirque & Circus Decor

In 2025 I heard about the freshly renovated hotel, with the long name. I was drawn to the French word for circus! I love a good circus theme anytime, anywhere. But the idea that this hotel's decor was inspired by Sarasota's connection to Ringling Bros. Circus, made it all extra intriguing. The town became the winter home to the Ringlings and their circus, in the 1920s.

I read about the hotel's sophisticated circus-themed design. "Art Deco Meets the Big Top." They did it well! Nothing kitschy. No creepy clown figures or sawdust. Guests don't need to be big circus fans (like me) to relax in the lobby, restaurant or guest room. 

Location

The hotel's location was a huge plus. It was just a short walk from the upscale shops and restaurants at St. Armands Circle. The St. Armands district was actually developed by circus magnate John Ringling, in the 1920s. 

Location to Lido Beach was even closer! 

​Holiday Inn Postcard

The 7-story hotel first opened as a Holiday Inn, in 1970. In this image you can see the pool beside the parking lot and an entrance facing the wide sandy beach. 

The exterior doesn't look over-the-top fancy, but I would have loved it if my family had been able to stay here when we visited in the '60s and '70s. Most of our memories involve worn out motels near Sarasota Bay.

Changes

When Don and I arrived at the hotel last April, the building looked pretty similar to the image on this postcard.  However, they no longer have a 7th floor restaurant. 

There is no drive-up area facing the beach. And there's certainly no iconic neon Holiday Inn sign.

Finding Cirque

In fact we never found a sign at all. (coming later maybe) But GPS guided us through a beautiful neighborhood, directly to a parking lot facing away from the gulf. 

We walked up the ramp through some pleasant landscaping. The building looked fresh and attractive. I could see the top floor restaurant had been turned into guest rooms.

Greeters!

There were no doormen or valets, but we saw some other greeters wearing formal bowties. 

This pair of green lions gave us a little hint that we might be stepping into a hotel filled with fun surprises.

I should have asked if these lions were given names.

Lobby

Once inside we were greeted by welcoming desk staff and fabulous decor.

Behind the classy looking counter, I spied lots of circus related accents. There were no funky circus collectables from flea markets. We've seen a lot of that when visiting a few overdone circus-themed hotels and restaurants. 

Fun at Check-In

I had fun reading this sign while we checked in. I learned that my Circus Name is "Binzo The Thrilling Baton Twirler!" Silliness! I love it!

The best thing about check-in was finding out that we'd been upgraded to an ocean view! After a little more chatting at check-in, I learned that what I'd written in the comment section, (while booking online) had gotten some attention. I'd totally forgotten that I'd written anything, but then recalled my little ramble. I'd mentioned that I was excited to be staying in Sarasota for the first time since childhood... and that I was delighted about the classy circus themed decor... Jillian at the desk added, "Oh yes, we really do read and appreciate these comments!" 

Circus Inspired
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I'd seen photos on the internet, but I was blown away by the bright and creative design! The ostrich feather chandelier reminded me of costumes in the Roaring Twenties. That was when John Ringling first fell in love with Sarasota and thought of making the town the winter headquarters for the circus.

Geometric patterns on the carpets and floor, felt lively and whimsical!

The fabrics were full of circus fun!  Pillows with animals... smooth velvet, reminding me of luxurious show curtains! The ceiling even felt a bit like a circus tent.

The cage-like chairs had me imagining lions!

Elevator

After a brief look around the lobby, we headed up in one of the 2 elevators.

If we'd gotten stuck in either elevator, I would have been thoroughly entertained with the vintage photo art!

Lights & Stripes!

The elevator doors opened and I stepped out grinning ! Showtime! Gotta love some bright lights! 

We followed the striped carpet and paused at the Hydration Station!

There was a water dispenser, a drawer holding bags of ice, plus a bowl of oranges on the counter. All in a nicely designed little nook, off the hall!

Stepping In

​I stepped into the room and paused again. The entryway offered a dramatic walkway towards the ocean-view balcony!

But before stepping into the room I had to admire the dressing space, holding robes and a padded bench, over a set of drawers. And more circus art of course!

Calm Colors

The view was enough to relax any traveler. But the soft gray and sandy brown tones in the room felt heavenly. The muted tones made the ocean blue color pop!

I appreciated all the handy "stuff" from the cushioned bench at the foot of the bed...

...to the coffee maker and refillable water containers. I of course loved the framed circus photos and the small sculpted performer. These classy tidbits kept my favorite theme alive, without overwhelming!

Comfy

The bed and linens were comfy and the built-in headboard was just the right amount of soft. 

Besides 2 cushioned desk chairs, there was super cozy corner chair, with light.

​The bathroom was lovely. Bright white towels and classy black & white tile designs.

And those vintage photographs kept right on entertaining.

12 Hours Apart

The balcony was the icing on the cake. The gulf-view rooms were a bit pricey, so we hadn't booked one. Yet suddenly we were looking across the road towards sand and sea.

The first photo was taken around 7:30 in the evening. The other was taken 12 hours later. Very quiet times in April!

The Midway

After checking out our room, Don and I headed back down and grabbed a window table at the Midway Lobby Bar.  

4:00 was a little early to start Happy Hour, but we were offered complimentary cocktails with our check-in.

Each champaign cocktail came with a playful surprise! An orange Popsicle!

Don gifted me his, so I had a double Popsicle beverage... which I don't recommend. After a bit of messy fumbling, my drink turned into a Mimosa. Which I guess is nothing to complain about.
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Games 

We hardly needed more entertainment, but if we got bored there were games. I spotted a wooden ring game, on top of the striped table.

A very serious looking chessboard was tempting guests to come sit and play for a couple hours. 

Planning Place

Across the room I spotted 2 chairs facing a desk and an enormous mural of elephants. I believe this was the concierge desk where we could sit and inquire about visiting the Ringling Museums or other Sarasota attractions.

But without the conceirge, I was happy to just sit a moment and study the nearby shelves, filled with bright and tidy circus knickknacks of course. Mostly I stared at the elephants. I've spent many an hour pondering the worries of circus animals in history. But on this day I only sat and admired the incredible beasts.

Post Happy Hour

It was just after 6:30 when Don and I returned to the Midway. The bar's Happy Hour had ended but there was a lively crowd lingering.

I ordered the "Levitate" cocktail which included some tropical flavors... rum, coconut, banana syrup... Tasty, but I did not levitate.

Don ordered a martini with his choice of olive stuffings. He went for the gherkin stuffed olives. Which maybe was an odd choice.

​It became apparent that most of the Happy Hour folks around us, were locals who knew each other. They all seemed to be enjoying gourmet popcorn in cute cups. I jumped up to investigate and found a retro popcorn cart had rolled into the lobby. I was pretty excited to get a couple complimentary cups for our table!

More Exploring

After a while we headed for a door past the bar, to check out the pool area. I paused to admire the mini carousel inspired jars, holding drink garnishes.

The Ringmaster Poolside Bar offered a shady outdoor area.

There were quite a few guests enjoying the deck chairs.

I returned early in the morning to take photos, without intruding on lounging guests.

I loved the playful yellow striped umbrellas. The cushioned lounge chairs actually looked comfortable. ​

The pool shape was changed during renovation. Instead of a dull rectangle, the design looks a little like 3 connected circles. Just like a 3-ring circus!

​I also found additional chaise lounges, down a few steps.

A nice space for guests who don't like beach sand or pool splashes.

Dramatic Dinner at Ringside

Long before our 7:30 dinner reservation, I stopped by to chat with Amanda, who was standing at the podium outside the restaurant.

I've never seen such velvety drama at the entrance to a dining room!

Amanda was delightful. She was as enthused about the hotel's themed decor as I was. She let me have a peek behind the curtains before the Ringside Restaurant opened.

Amanda encouraged me to take a look at the table options. It was hard to pass up a cozy table nook with curtains. But I asked to book a table near a window instead.

View

The view would have been a little better if we'd been up a few floors. But around 8:00, I could spot the sun setting, just behind Don.

We took our time studying the menu. 

Before discovering the tasty options inside, I had to admire the menu design itself. Classy and magical on the cover...

Inspiring words on the inside! "A place that forbids you to take anything seriously."

Don and I enjoyed the view along with a shared Caesar salad. Our trapeze artist friend seemed to be joining us from above.

Design
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The decor that surrounded us made the meal extra memorable. Such an intriguing mix of vintage circus decor and luxurious furnishings.

As I absorbed flavors, I absorbed the fine decor. Circus murals and velvet and zebra fabric, stripes above and geometric shapes below!

It seems fitting that we should dine in style, since the Ringling Brothers made sure their circus staff ate on china and tablecloths in the dining tents!

Onion Skillet Bread

This appetizer was as over-the-top-fun as the decor was over-the-top snazzy!

Parmesan, honey whipped butter, warm asiago fondue! Don was even applauding and he doesn't love bread.

​I ordered Crispy Skin-on Scottish Salmon! Pan-seared, sweet potato & hazelnut hash, crispy kale, blood orange reduction!  

Much more appetizing than my photo. The flavors were pretty amazing! Don's pan-seared diver scallops were mouthwatering. 

The festive dining room was quiet and empty by the time we finished.

We left happy!

Nighttime Peek
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​I took a quick step outside to peek at the pool before heading up to our luxurious room.

The air felt perfect. I could have slept on one of those lounge chairs.

Morning

In the morning I let myself explore just a little more. 

I should have grabbed some coffee to enjoy the chairs and games on the west side of the building. A pedestrian walkway has replaced the old drive up entrance, so it's pleasant and quiet.
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Just a few steps across the street and I was on the beach. So calm!

If we'd had one more day, we would have had time to take advantage of the hotel's sister property. Just steps away, Gulf at Lido Beach Resort had lots more beach and dining options to enjoy. But it was time to head back across that white sand and pack up.

​What's Notable?

I had my cake and ate it too, at The Cirque! I love a whimsical theme, but usually I have to give up luxury for that. Most themed hotels are weird or worn or uncomfortable. I'm almost always happy to give up luxury to enjoy a unique stay, but didn't have to here.

I loved the decor!  Luxurious, tasteful decorating with playful circus woven in. Even though colors and murals and designs were bold, it was never overwhelming. The gracious staff, top notch food, the beach location and the clever decor... all in perfect balance! Like the best circus act!

Next time we will book more than one night!