Blog articles from Sarasota/Longboat Key

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A gourmet dish featuring grilled octopus served in Ringside, Cirque St. Armands newest Sarasota restaurant.

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10 Best New Sarasota Restaurants to Visit in 2025
Whether you’re a local foodie or planning an upcoming visit, this insider’s guide reveals the most anticipated restaurants to open in Sarasota, Florida, including Opal’s own Ringside restaurant at Cirque St. Armands Beachside. Read More
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Opal Sol or Opal Sands? A Guide to Clearwater Beach’s New Resort Duo
Considering a stay at either Opal Sol or Opal Sands? Here are the essential things you should know about Opal Collection’s new "sol" mate properties – including what makes each resort unique, their shared resort amenities, and which one best suits your unique stay. Read More
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Stone Crab Season in Florida: What to Know & Where to Get It
Beloved for their delicate, sweet meat, Florida stone crabs dominate minds and menus from October to May. Here’s why they’re so sought after and the best places to get your claws on, well, these delicious claws. Read More
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5 Digital Detox Retreats Designed for Distancing
We live in a noisy world with so much content vying for our attention. If you’re looking to distance yourself with a digital detox retreat, we have five worthy – and diversly different – picks in Opal destinations. Read More
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Best Beaches in Florida: Why Delray Beach Was Voted Number One in 2024
Scenic, natural, and accessible – these are just a few of the reasons Delray Beach was deservedly awarded “Best Beach in Florida” in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Read More
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10 Experiences to Level Up Your Next Opal Escape
Opal Collection resorts and hotels are more than just luxurious places to lay your head. From private chef-led culinary events to hands-on outdoor adventures you’ll be raving about for years to come, here’s how our collection can craft and connect you to indelible experiences that discerning travelers covet. Read More
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Whether you're planning where to go next or what to do on an already‑booked vacation, discover the travel destinations with Opal

A marina filled with various boats, including a private yacht charter, docked on calm water. The sky is partly cloudy, creating a serene atmosphere. Palm trees and a few buildings are visible in the background, reflecting in the water.

The Group Boating Getaway Guide to Longboat Key

When you think of your last vacation, chances are, your mode of transport to your destination – an airplane or car – was less than exciting. That’s just never the case when you vacation by boat. The whole experience is an adventure bookended by the beauty of the ocean. Whether… Read More

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florida ghosts

Ghost Stories and the Haunted History of Florida

A chill is rarely in the air in Florida – except when learning about some of the spookiest ghost stories found along its coasts.   Voodoo Doll [Key West] While his tale was inspiration for the 1988 horror film Child’s Play, in reality, there’s no ghost story, just a… Read More

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Aerial view of Sarasota reveals a narrow strip of land with a sandy beach separating the green-tinted ocean on the left from a dark blue river or lagoon on the right. The landscape, nestled in this coastal paradise, is dotted with dense green vegetation and a winding dirt path.

10 Reasons to Visit Sarasota, Florida

While the circus may be its cultural signature (and there’s nothing wrong with that), there’s more to Sarasota than just Ringling and trapeze art. 1. Pristine Mid-Century Architecture Few realize that Sarasota is home to some of the country’s finest examples of mid-century modern architecture. Architectural enthusiasts that are in… Read More

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Bloody Mary drink festival

Save the Date: 2015 Drink Festivals

The typical brewfest or wine event gets a fresh makeover at these events in OPAL destinations. Photo © The Bloody Mary Festival February Clearwater Beach Uncorked [Clearwater Beach, FL] It’s a beach party not to forget: Two days walking barefoot through Florida sands,… Read More

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OPAL Collection Weddings

The Opal Seaside Florida Weddings Guide

White-sand beach weddings are a part of every Opal hotel experience. They also, however, offer some experiences brides won’t find anywhere else in Florida. Stress-Free Zone Along the Gulf of Mexico in Naples, Edgewater Beach Hotel helps you find some inner-Zen before the ceremony in its Serenity Suite. Overlooking the… Read More

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