The only The St. Regis to open in the United States in 2024 happens to be in my backyard.

The St. Regis Longboat Key opened last August; and although she remained closed for a small amount of time after hurricanes Helene and Milton, the resort has been busy ever since.

After seeing the initial pictures of the resort via LinkedIn and Instagram, my first opportunity to experience The St. Regis Longboat Key came in early April. A short, 40-minute drive from my home in Sarasota, I couldn’t wait to experience the resort in person.

The resort spans 18 acres, has 168 guestrooms and 800 square feet of private beach access. On the interior, its nod to Polynesian design brings a welcoming vibe to an otherwise simplistic décor. A grand piano sits on the main open lobby floor. Several seating areas take advantage of the wide-open ocean view to the west. The Lobby Bar is an easy gathering area both comfortable and elevated. In summary, quiet luxury screams loud at this destination.

Rather than a traditional meal at one of the seven on-site eateries, I arranged for a girlfriend and I to enjoy High Tea on Saturday afternoon. I was eager to see how the experience played out and what delicacies were served.

We were seated just near the bar in the main lobby and quickly offered Champagne. For several reasons we decided to stick with Pellegrino and reviewed the variety of teas with Stephanie, our server. Once we narrowed our choices, she brought several ramekins with different leaves and buds for us to smell before making our final selection. We both chose The Des Lordes, an Earl Grey blend with bergamont oil, which Stephanie suggested would pair well with both our sweet and savory selections.

The food pairings were split into savory and sweet treats, with the savory items inspired by the Museum of Art in Sarasota and the sweet bites aligning with the Circus Museum. Between the sweet and savory platters, scones with clotted cream and jam were served (with the white chocolate raspberry scone winning top placement from me).

Each bite had something exquisite to offer. On the savory side, the chicken liver mousse on whole wheat toast was exceptionally flavorful. And on the sweet side, the animal cracker cheesecake featuring cheese custard stole the show.

The presentation of both platters was light and whimsical, surprising and delighting all of us enjoying High Tea in the room that particular afternoon.

Once tea was complete, we headed toward Monkey Bar on the beach for a quick beverage as the sun started to set. We also paused for a few minutes to enjoy the Lagoon, housing more than 3,000 marine animals local to Florida (including some very friendly manta rays).

Impossible to see it all in one afternoon, I’ll have to come back to get a better glimpse of the two giant tortoises (named Jack and Rose) who live near the lagoon. A day poolside also involves butlers who can arrive at your cabana at the touch of a button, as well as a seven-minute ride through the lazy river. Finally, you can bet I’ll be back at The Spa for a variety of thermal treatments in addition to a massage and facial.

Always worth the wait, any trip to The St. Regis Longboat Key is nearly guaranteed to result in relaxation. Should you choose, High Tea will likely be a highlight as well.

— Carrie Cox, account executive