OverviewLocated in between Interstate 75 and the Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, the Hampton Inn Sarasota - 1-75 Bee Ridgeis suitable for road travellers who prefer a well-priced hotel with a free breakfast, easy highway access and an outdoor pool.
This hotel has 121 air-conditioned guest rooms, each offering one king bed or two queen beds, free Wi-Fi, cable TV, a coffeemaker, a desk and lapdesk, a hair dryer and an iron and ironing board. A microwave and mini-fridge can be requested. Allergy-friendly rooms are available.
Wheelchair-accessible rooms are available upon request, and the hotel provides an elevator. Both smoking and non-smoking rooms are available.
The hotel also offers an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a fitness centre, a business centre, 1,200 square feet of meeting/banquet space, guest laundry facilities, vending machines, a free continental breakfast and free parking. A complimentary reception is offered Monday through Thursday, where snacks and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are served. Pets are not permitted.
Millers's Ale House less than a 1-minute walk south of the hotel, while Bee Ridge Square offers shopping roughly a 6-minute walk south. Sarasota's waterfront and city centre can both be reached in about 18 minutes by car, and Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) is a 25-minute drive northwestward. (All distances and travel time estimates: Google Maps)
Verified with a front desk agent: Free Wi-Fi, free parking, pets not permitted, wheelchair accessible. (Call Date: July 25, 2013)
The GoodThe majority of the reviews sourced for this analysis were positive, with much praise going to the hotel's rooms, value, breakfast, staff and location.
Many guests complimented the hotel's accommodations. They described their rooms as clean, well equipped, spacious and well decorated, with comfortable beds and linens and fast Wi-Fi connections.
Numerous reviewers were pleased with the hotel's value, and described the rates as economical, reasonable and affordable. The hotel's free breakfast was cited as adding to the hotel's worth.
The hotel's breakfast was praised by several lodgers, who described it as tasty and fresh, with lots of hot and cold choices and good coffee. One guest remarked, "Breakfast was amazing! Fresh fruit, waffles, western omelet, bread, cereal, sausage, milk, and juice".
The hotel's staff were also praised by several reviewers, who characterized them as friendly, accommodating and attentive. One patron noted, "Everyone that I had contact with that was associated with the hotel was VERY helpful when I needed it". It should be noted, however, that a few guests had complaints about the staff (see below).
Some lodgers enjoyed the hotel's location. They described it as safe, and close to restaurants, downtown, a grocery store, the beach, highway access and entertainment.
The Bad
While the majority of reviews consulted for this analysis were positive, there were a few complaints about noise transfer and the staff.
Some guests had complaints about noise disturbances during their stay. They reported noise in rooms near the elevators, traffic noise, noise from guests in adjacent rooms and the hallway and some plumbing noise.
While the majority of lodgers were pleased with the level of customer service they received, a few reviewers had complaints about the staff. They found them to be unfriendly and slow during the check-in process.
Expedia.com guest reviews rated the hotel 4.5 out of 5 with a 96% recommendation rate from 179 reviews.
TripAdvisor.com guest reviews ranked the hotel #12 of 47 Sarasota hotels with an average rating of 4 out of 5 from 145 reviews.
Booking.com guest reviews rated the hotel 8.2 out of 10 from 21 reviews.
The author called the hotel on July 25, 2013 to verify some information.
