Cirque St. Armands: A New Sarasota Hotel with a Circus-Sophisticated Spin
Sure, it has the classic hallmarks of an Opal: signature hospitality, the best in food and beverage, and a prime location just steps from the beach. But when you see the collection’s newest reimagined Lido Beach hotel, you just can’t deny, there is something oh-so singular about this property that masterly blends sophistication, spectacular, and surprising.
Whether you’re visiting an Opal hotel or resort in the rustic Adirondacks of New York; the seaside hamlet of Rockport, Maine; or the white-sandy sun-kissed stretches of South Florida, you’re bound to experience it. What’s “it?” The property’s vibe and atmosphere that pays tribute to the destination that it resides in, intentionally honoring and immersing guests through colors, patterns, cuisine, and other furnishings and finishes.
But perhaps no other Opal property has embraced its local flavor quite like what you’ll encounter at Cirque St. Armands Beachside, located on Sarasota’s scenic barrier island of Lido Key just steps from the beach and a short stroll from St. Armands Circle. Because not only does this property, which premiered in March 2025, celebrate Sarasota’s iconic circus heritage – it reimagines it in fresh modern ways.
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A QUICK LOOK: SARASOTA’S CIRCUS ROOTS
If you’ve never been to Sarasota, you might not realize that this Gulf Coast city, just south of Tampa, offers more than scenic barrier islands, a beachy atmosphere, and an average of 255 sunny days a year. It’s also famously known as the “Circus Capital of the World,” thanks to a deep-rooted circus heritage that began when John Ringling – one of the founding brothers of the famous Ringling Bros. Circus – fell in love with the city in the 1920s. So much so, he decided to establish his circus winter headquarters here, drawing performers, trainers, and animals from around the world to work on refining their acts in the mild Florida winter. Today, several iconic circus landmarks live on throughout Sarasota – most famously The Ringling Museum of Art, Ca’ d’Zan (a stunning Venetian Gothic mansion and former home of John and Mable Ringling), and St. Armands Circle (a sophisticated shopping district with a fascinating history developed by Ringling).
THE HOTEL’S VIBE: CIRCUS BUT NOT CLICHÉ
If the Big Top brings to mind the image of melancholy clowns and the scent of roasted peanuts, Cirque St. Armands really isn’t that. “There are nods to the circus heritage everywhere, but they are presented in a very elegant, Art-Deco-meets-Roaring-Twenties-inspired setting,” says Milos Davidovic, regional GM for the hotel. In fact, so many of the elements feel like they intentionally draw from Ringling’s nearby Ca’ d’Zan mansion, including playful geometric tiling, ornate columns, drapery-framed entryways, sculptural hardware and finishes, fluted pathways, and statement furniture pieces. “It’s really a very sophisticated design, but there are these sprinkles of playfulness. It feels unexpected and it turns heads. There is nothing else like it in the area – or the state of Florida for that matter.”
As for the luxuriously appointed accommodations, queen-, king-, and one-bedroom configurations boast floor-to-ceiling windows with views from the beach to the bay. And, naturally, the art-deco-meets-circus aesthetic remains strong, translating to a neutral color palette of soft greys, whites, and sandy beige tones accented by rich, earthy textures of bronze, brown, and gold. Clean lines give way to minimalist décor like antique black-and-white photos of circus performers training in Sarasota during the 1920s and ’30s. And, as a nod to the Ringling Brothers’ early roots in Baraboo, Wisconsin, many rooms feature poster-sized pages from The Baraboo News, chronicling the circus magnates’ activities from 1875 to 1918.
UNEXPECTED EAT & DRINK: FROM ARRIVAL & ON
“The food and beverage theme is just as thrilling as the circus heritage,” says Davidovic. “Ringside, the hotel’s signature restaurant, is going to be one of the most unique and exciting new places to dine in Sarasota for its unexpected, picture-worthy drinks, décor, and dishes.” Picture-worthy indeed: A wall of floor-to-ceiling windows reveal panoramic views of the beach, billboard-size murals showcase trapeze artists doing daredevil acts, and five private dining booths peek out from behind sumptuous velvet drapery. The setting meets its perfect match in the menu, serving up a delicate balancing act of bold flavors and Gulf seafood favorites – think char-grilled octopus, pan-seared Scottish salmon served over a bed of sweet potato and hazelnut hash, and dry-aged rib eye served with parmesan potato gratin and garlic-wild mushroom ragout.
Guests will also be delighted by the cocktail menu, which can also be found (along with light bites) in Midway, the lobby lounge, and Ringmaster, the pool bar (to open later in spring). Not just because they’re creative concoctions, but because everything is made in front of you. We’re talking hand-shaken, plenty of muddling, and the use of fun equipment like dehydrators for garnishes, cream whippers for creating foamy and flavorful toppers, and even smokers. For a real show, we suggest ordering the Blueberry Fog, a blend of blueberry vodka, pressed blueberries and lemon, and St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur topped with “sea foam” (it’s made from egg whites, blueberry purée, and more St-Germain). Or try the Cold Rush, a spin on a whiskey sour with honey syrup and bee pollen in place of sugar and made from Basil Hayden bourbon.
And the creative food and beverage keeps a-flowin’ for the duration of your stay. “When guests check-in, they will be greeted with a really fun carnival-themed cocktail or mocktail in a fun Gastby-esque glass that sets the tone right away for what’s to follow,” explains Davidovic. In-room amenities are not yet finalized but might include options like gourmet cupcakes set in a Ferris Wheel stand, caramel popcorn piled high in wildly patterned paper cones, boozy milkshakes, and more.
Whatever you do, be sure to make a stop at the gelato cart, which will eventually be parked on the pool deck (which will be premiering at a later date). “We’ll have options to infuse your gelato flavor with a spirit of your choice, and there will also be other surprises like champagne popsicles or frosé,” adds Davidovic.
INVENTIVE AMENITIES & PROGRAMS: POOL, BEACH & PRIVATE TOURS
Scheduled to open in spring of 2025 (a few months after the hotel initially opens), the pool is shaped like three-interconnected rings (designed to bring to mind a “three-ring circus” and an homage to the hotel’s logo).
But, of course, this is Cirque St. Armands Beachside, so when it’s beach time, guests have two options at their fingertips: to enjoy Lido Key’s public beach just across the street from the hotel or take advantage of exclusive access to a 300-foot secluded stretch of beachfront at sibling Opal, Lido Beach Resort, just half-a-mile away (the resort offers a shuttle). In fact, guests get access to all of Lido Beach Resort’s amenities, including two additional gulf-front swimming pools; the resort’s popular thatched-roof and bamboo-lined tiki bar; and the signature eighth-floor restaurant of Drift, offering expansive 180-degree views of the Lido Key coastline extending to the north.
Lastly, be on the lookout for special packages and programming. “We’re only in a brainstorming space at the moment,” says Davidovic, “but we’re planning to offer private, curated tours to The Ringling.” If you’re not familiar with The Ringling, it’s an entire campus that you could spend days exploring located about a 20-minute ride from Lido Key in Sarasota proper. The former home of John Ringling, the 66-acre estate consists of the State Art Museum of Florida, the Circus Museum, Ca’ d’Zan, the Bayfront Gardens, and the Asolo Repertory Theatre. “We’re thinking charcuterie and other refreshments to enjoy during the ride to and from, but then our concierge would also be your personal docent at the site, taking you to certain sites, buildings, exhibits, or galleries based on what you want to see,” adds Davidovic. “Your own personal ringleader.”
LOVE THE VIBE?
There’s more where that came from. Check out the designs of other Opal properties that have been refreshed in recent years:
