For anyone who’s a sucker for a great rooftop, downtown Sarasota does not disappoint. Water, boats, bridges and high-rise office complexes make for an incredible view when seeing things from the highest point possible.

I first heard about Art Ovation Hotel when exploring the rooftop scene in downtown Sarasota. Though not the tallest rooftop in the area, Art Ovation certainly has a motif all its own, full of distinctive qualities that easily compensate for any height that is missing.

Upon check-in, I immediately signed up for the hotel tour taking place in five short minutes. We were offered a glass of wine while we waited for our guide, Robyn, who serves as the Cultural Curator on site. Robyn then proceeded to walk us not only through the lobby filled with magical pieces of cubic art from Alexander Solotzew (perfect for Sarasota’s circus scene), but also to a separate hallway lined with different pieces in the artist’s studio. From watercolors to photography, from digital art to drawings and sketches, numerous renderings of artistic flair filled the space in a variety of colors and styles.

Also on display were one-of-a-kind pieces of the Berlin Wall, with soft pastel shades painted on top of the harsh concrete. Interestingly, the pieces were named Welcome to the City and Open an Iron Curtain — with both works exuding different messages despite the same concrete canvas.

Although the art inside Art Ovation is a noteworthy attraction, the live music in the lobby, energetic bar and excellent food at Overture Restaurant and Gallery Lounge certainly held their own. An added perk includes free beach chairs, towels and an umbrella for use at one of Sarasota’s neighboring beaches as part of the hotel’s resort fee.

And as you may have guessed, the view from Perspective Rooftop Pool Bar surpassed my expectations. I took several photos of the view and was highly impressed with the vegan wrap loaded with roasted peppers, hummus, artichoke hearts, spinach and quinoa. It was the perfect meal on a sunny summer day, overlooking the marina and other buildings in the city.

Rooftop lovers and art lovers will likely both have a fond affinity for Art Ovation. Because the collection changes every few months, new pieces fill the hallways and offer a different artistic expression on a frequent basis.

But the view from the top never goes out of style.

— Carrie Cox, account executive