Ellie and I spent 3 nights at Sun-N-Fun Carefree Resort, Sarasota in Florida. It was a wonderful way to start the summer! Sun-N-Fun hosted us for 3 nights.
Sarasota, Florida is located on the Gulf Coast about an hour south from Tampa. The Sun-N-Fun Resort, located conveniently on “main street”, provides easy access to restaurants, nearby shopping and the beach. The resort is not beachfront, but it offers so many amenities that you may not even miss the beach. This resort offers affordable fun in the sun for those looking to visit Sarasota. Prices and crowds will be higher in January-March because it is peak season. It’s important to note that I cannot say whether it would receive 5 stars during peak season.
Sun-N-Fun allows guests to bring their own tent or trailer, or rent a mobile home. We stayed in an apartment with two bedrooms and a large screen porch. We shared a kitchen with a dining area (no dishwasher), a living room, and 1.5 bathrooms. Ellie enjoyed having her own bedroom and half-bath. The space was great! It had a huge shower. Families with young children may want to request a unit that has a bathtub ( , or try this).
I was looking forward to a rustic camping experience reminiscent of my childhood, complete with spiders, campfires, and some kind of swimming hole. What we received was not what I expected at all. This resort has impressed me so much that I have given it my first ever 5-star rating in terms of value and experience. I travel a lot, and this is the first time I have said it.
Sun-N-Fun has received a 5-Star rating
You’ve probably discovered a hidden gem when you arrive at a destination and are disappointed to leave. Sun-N-Fun Sarasota has earned my 5-star seal of approval
AccommodationsThe mobile homes for rent at Sun-N-Fun have the latest technology. The mobile homes are in good condition and have fully-equipped kitchens. The units are fully equipped except for sunscreen, toiletries, and food. The two-bedroom units offer 500 square feet air conditioned living space and 400 square feet screened lanai.
Amenities The resort shines! Ellie loved the outdoor pool! We also played ping-pong, ping-pong, carpetball, shuffleboard and putt-putt golf. Tennis, volleyball, playgrounds, hot tubs, and a private stocked pond are also included. For a small additional fee, guests may add access to the indoor waterpark, the giant waterslide or the gym. The waterslide is a lot of fun. The other activities were not tried. The pool has a restaurant and bar, making it easy to plan our day.
ValueOur unit rents out for $900 to $1,000 most summer weekends. It’s a 2 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom apartment with a full kitchen, living room and dining area for less than $1000! Smaller units cost less. You’ll find it hard to find a vacation deal that is better with all the amenities included.
Location: This expansive resort is located on Fruitville Rd. Sarasota. Interstate 75 is close by, making it convenient to reach. The resort is located near downtown Sarasota, with all of its attractions. It’s also only an hour away from Tampa.
Staff:From our arrival until check-out, we were impressed by the passion of the staff to serve guests at the resort. We asked for directions in the office when we wanted to buy ice-cream. It is not an exaggeration to say that five staff members had a heated discussion before recommending the best ice cream. Seriously! Ellie’s collection was already complete because we left before the water slide opened on our last day. The staff gave it to her anyway. In this state, pixie dust must be blown south and west!
5 Stars, Really?
A resort can earn 5 stars if it offers spacious accommodations, friendly customer service, and an affordable price, along with a long list of amenities. Ellie’s smile throughout the entire stay spoke volumes. Service was the deciding factor for me. Each staff member was friendly. One of the staffers stopped by to chat even when we were playing a game of putt-putt. He asked Ellie who was winning, and gave her some “tips” on how to beat me. Ellie was quickly recognized by lifeguards, who greeted her every time they saw her with a smile.
This resort exceeded my expectations and blew me off the floor! It gets a 5-star review for that.