While you probably won’t see elephants, fire throwers or tigers roaming the hallways, you will find luxury, sophistication and top-notch service at the area’s newest boutique hotel, Cirque St. Armands Beachside.  Sarasota has long been considered the “Circus Capital of the World,” a legacy that began in the 1920s when John Ringling of the Ringling Brothers Circus chose the city for his winter headquarters. That rich heritage is still felt throughout Sarasota today, and nowhere is it more playfully reimagined than at Cirque St. Armands Beachside, Opal Collection’s newest boutique hotel on Lido Key. Just steps from the white sands of Lido Beach and a two-minute walk to St. Armands Circle, the circus-inspired hotel pays homage to the legacy of John Ringling.  

The design is very much a balance between the whimsical elements of the circus theme with the luxury and sophistication expected from the Opal brand of hospitality. “Our nods to the circus are presented in a very elegant, Art-Deco-meets-Roaring-Twenties-inspired setting,” explains General Manager Melissa Kaplan. “In fact, 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 a very sophisticated design, but there are sprinkles of playfulness.” Even the hotel’s pool references the classic circus three-ring format, and Cirque’s logo reflects this concept with three interconnected circles.

The circus theme continues with Ringside, the hotel’s signature restaurant, along with Midway, a lobby lounge and Ringmaster, the poolside bar. At Ringside, guests dine beside billboard-sized black-and-white circus murals and in velvet-draped private booths with beach views. The menu features bold Gulf Coast flavors, including dishes like bone-in ribeye with mushroom ragout and tomato-tarragon butter, pan-seared Gulf grouper and char-grilled octopus in spicy brava sauce. “Each plate is really a work of art,” Kaplan says. The restaurant currently offers a weekday happy hour from 4:30 to 6:30pm, which is popular with locals and hotel guests alike. There are also plans in place for some fun future programs, like live music by the pool and perhaps some local circus performances in the lobby.

Although it is a smaller property of just 135 rooms, the hotel caters to both leisure and business travelers with upscale amenities that offer both comfort and convenience to suit a wide range of needs. For business travelers who plan to be in the area for longer term (more than seven nights), the hotel offers exclusive extended stay rates. As part of the prestigious Opal Collection—now 28 properties strong—Cirque brings the brand’s signature blend of standout hospitality, luxury and experience to Sarasota. “There is nothing else like it in the area—or in the state of Florida,” Kaplan notes. 

Looking ahead, the hotel plans to offer curated private tours to The Ringling Museum, located about 20 minutes away. “We’re imagining charcuterie and refreshments on the ride over, and a concierge who acts as your personal docent based on your interests,” Kaplan says. “It’s a bit like having your own ringleader.”