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Blog articles from Sarasota

3 Days to Save on ALL Your 2027 Stays

We’re not just offering the widest stay window with savings across the entirety of 2027; it’s also the lowest rates you’ll find in the next calendar year. Period. Now until Wednesday night, lock in up to 31% off all Opal Collection hotels and resorts.
After that, it’ll be another year before you see savings like this again.

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Two people sit close together on a rocky surface, overlooking a scenic landscape with clouds and a colorful sunset sky—a perfect moment to enjoy the peace of shoulder season, as shrubs and trees line the edge of the rocky area.

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6 Best-Kept Travel Secrets of the September-October Shoulder Season
From beachfront bites (at a fraction of the price) to backcountry hikes, these are the signature experiences you’ll only find across Opal destinations during the golden stretch of September through October.
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A split image showing a white modern house with lawn and patio furniture on the left, and a luxury hotel with balconies and a pool surrounded by loungers and greenery on the right.

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A Tale of Two Historic Hotels & Their Unique Reinventions 
On opposite coasts, two new Opal Collection additions are taking opposite approaches to history. One reinterprets the past through new construction. The other preserves a storied legacy through thoughtful reinvention.
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A man and three children, all wearing swimwear, run and play together on a sandy beach with Sandpearl Resort in the background.

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Best Family Beach Resorts in Florida
Planning a family beach vacation to Florida? From morning splash time to sunset s’mores, Opal Collection offers a variety of beach resorts up and down the coast that take the hassle out of family vacations.
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The view of Frenchman Bay from Bar Harbor

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A Coveted Coastal New England Road Trip
The beauty of a multi-day, 220-mile road trip up the craggy coast from Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Bar Harbor, Maine isn’t just the plethora of enticing pit stops along the route – from high culture to scenic coves. It’s also the way that Opal properties serve as your easy and convenient overnight waypoints for piecing together one epic coastal cruise.
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A serene beach scene unfolds in Clearwater, Florida, with a long pier extending into calm, blue waters. Sandy dunes with patches of grass grace the foreground. The clear sky holds a whisper of clouds near the horizon, while small structures dot this idyllic attraction on the pier.

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Must-See Clearwater Florida Attractions You Never Knew About
Think you’ve experienced all of Clearwater Beach? This list of hidden gems might make you think again.
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A father and daughter play in the gin-clear waters of Jupiter, Florida.

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6 Best Crystal-Clear Water Beaches in Florida that Rival the Caribbean
You don’t need a passport to frolic in the blue waves identical to what you’d find in everyone’s favorite tropical sea. You just need these favorite Florida beaches.
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A family enters the lobby at Hutchinson Island Beach Resort & Spa.

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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.
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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

An aerial shot of the sparkling blue waters of Siesta Key near Sarasota, Florida.

Why Sarasota Is America’s #1 Town to Visit in 2026, According to CNN

In July 2026, CNN Travel named Sarasota County No. 1 on its list of America’s Best Towns to Visit. The beaches certainly helped, but the real answer lies in an unusual mix of circus history and serious arts, rare botanical collections and wild mangroves, an increasingly notable dining scene, and some of Florida’s most celebrated shoreline.

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A man in white attire walks along a wooden pier under a sign that reads Juno Beach Park Fishing Pier, Juno Beach, Florida.

Best Vacation Destinations in Florida

The quest for the best Florida vacation destinations is a common inquiry – and deeply researched topic – among our guests. So we did the legwork to deliver these curated selections tailored to various travel interests.

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

Best New Sarasota Restaurants to Visit

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.

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A couple enjoys a wine dinner

5 Activities to Celebrate Leap Year 2024

Leap Year 2024 is upon us. Which means an extra day to dedicate towards enjoying something that you, otherwise, might not have had time for. And we have just the activities and events across Opal destinations to check out on this bonus day, February 29.

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