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All things Siesta Key. Stories, news, and event information about Sarasota, Florida's beautiful beach.
Tripadvisor Ranks Siesta Key the #2 Best Beach in the U.S. for 2022
It’s no secret that here at Best Western Siesta Key, we know that Siesta Key Beach is one of the best in the country! However, this isn’t just our opinion as our beautiful and picture-perfect beach has taken the #2 spot on Tripadvisor’s annual Travelers’ Choice Awards 2022 Best of the Best Beaches. While many of our local residents and frequent visitors to Sarasota and Siesta Key are not surprised, we are thrilled to share this news and welcome new guests to see why this beach is so special and peaceful.
Siesta Key Is Celebrating Big News
Tripadvisor has just ranked Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota, FL #2 in the U.S. and #14 in the World on their list of best beaches, and we are celebrating! Last year, in 2021, the annual Travelers’ Choice Awards ranked Siesta Key #17 in the U.S. The catalyst for rising 15 spots to #2 in 2022 comes from a slew of positive authentic reviews posted to Tripadvisor throughout 2021.
The beach that holds the #1 spot in the U.S. is Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area in Hawaii. Siesta Key previously beat Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area when it held the title of the #1 Best of the Best Beaches in the U.S. by Tripadvisor in 2020, 2017, and 2015.
Florida is Home to Nine of the Best Beaches in the U.S.
In addition to Siesta Key Beach, eight beaches in Florida made the Top 25 Travelers’ Choice Awards 2022 Best of the Best Beaches in the U.S., including the closeby Clearwater Beach (#24 in the U.S.), St. Pete Beach (#22 in the U.S.), and Treasure Island (#19 in the U.S.). During your visit to Siesta Key, you can easily take a quick day trip to these amazing beaches and see for yourself why they deserve a place on the list. The other five Florida beaches that made the top 25 include Panama City Beach (#21), Fort Lauderdale Beach (#18), St. Augustine Beach (#14), Henderson Beach State Park in Destin (#12), and Pensacola Beach (#11).
Dr. Beach Has Ranked Siesta Key as #1
Siesta Key has also been recognized as the Best Beach in America by Stephen Leatherman, AKA Dr. Beach in 2020, 2017, and 2011. Since 1991, Dr. Beach has been ranking the top ten beaches in America based on a score out of 250 points. Beaches can earn up to five points within 50 various criteria, and Dr. Beach awards these points during the busy season to make the competition even more fierce. His criteria revolve around physical factors such as the sand softness and material, water temperature, number of sunny days, the color of the water, surf conditions, water cleanliness, wildlife, noise, crowds, public safety, amenities, and beach cleanliness.
What Makes Siesta Key the Best Beach?
Some of the best things about Siesta Key Beach start with its warm, calm, refreshing, turquoise waters. The surf makes it comfortable for parents and children or for those who simply love relaxing and floating in the water without drifting too far. Siesta Key Beach is also conveniently located near Siesta Key Village and a range of popular restaurants and nightlife. Right on the beach, guests will enjoy concessions at the large and relatively new pavilion as well as colorful lifeguard stands that make it easy to locate your friends and family. We know there is so much more to love about Siesta Key Beach, but unfortunately, we don’t have the space to list it all in a single blog post!
About Siesta Key Sand
We do, however, need to talk about perhaps the most infamous factor that puts Siesta Key Beach on the map – its white quartz sand. According to a spokesperson for Tripadvisor, “Travelers have been raving about the white powdery sand in Tripadvisor reviews, calling it a ‘great beach for people watching, sunsets, breakfast/morning walk on the beach and finding sand dollars.’” Not to mention, Dr. Beach says, “It’s almost like a sin to walk out here with your shoes on. If you can’t feel that cushy sand under your feet, you’re missing a lot of the experience.” Many Siesta Key visitors come to dig their feet in the cool, smooth, squeaky white quartz sand and even believe it contains magical powers.
Whether you like to visit Siesta Key regularly or are looking forward to planning your first Siesta Key vacation, we cannot wait to welcome you to one of the best beaches in the U.S. and around the world! Here at Best Western Siesta Key, we are always celebrating our favorite beach on Florida’s Gulf Coast.