The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort

The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort offers a list of "always complimentary amenities." Not only is the word "complimentary" not used often in the vocabulary of many resorts, when it is, it is often used with phrases like "for a limited time" or "seasonal special." Not so, with The Colony. Guests at the The Colony may enjoy complimentary use of the fitness center, spa facilities (with whirlpool, sauna and steam room), tennis courts and much more. Award-winning, year-round supervised children's programs including Tiny Tots Tennis for young children are also complimentary. No wonder The Colony was recently named as the No. 1 Resort for Families by TENNIS Magazine.

It's hard to believe that a resort as large as The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort could be family-owned and operated. Although they have a staff of more than 300, Dr. M. J. "Murf" Klauber and his daughter Katherine Klauber Moulton share the responsibility of the resort operation.

It was in 1969, when "Murf" Klauber purchased what was called The Colony Beach Club, it was an 18 acre patch of sand, 110 oddly assorted bungalows and a couple of concrete tennis courts. Today it is a top tennis resort with 208 handsomely appointed, fully equipped villa suites and 26 "specialty accommodations" ranging from charming cottages, directly on the beach, to glamorous duplex penthouses.

Beach & Tennis

The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort was aptly named, because both the beach and tennis facilities are notable. The Colony was recognized as the No. 1 Tennis Resort in the United States by TENNIS Magazine for eight consecutive years — 1996 - 2004.

The white sand private beach on the Gulf of Mexico is available for the ultimate enjoyment of The Colony's guests. Complimentary chaise lounges, thatched shade huts and complimentary beach towels are available at the pool deck. A beach volleyball net is located on the north beach.

The heated freshwater swimming pool is located beach side, complete with complimentary towels. The children's playground is located just south of the swimming pool, but management hasn't turned this resort completely over to families with children. Although pool hours are 8:00 a.m. to sunset, adult swim time is set aside from 8:00 to 9:00 each morning.

Other beach side activities include a variety of fun water toys including hobie cats, windsurfers, kayaks, aqua cycles, boogie board, rafts and snorkel sets that are available for rent.

Tennis courts — all 21 of them — are always free. The tennis staff provide a free game matching service for adult guests who want single or doubles matches at their level. A staff of professionals give innovative and fun lessons and clinics to guests of all ages and ability levels.

Accommodations

If a picture can paint a thousand words, then these pictures could write a book. The one- or two-bedroom suites are decorated with charm, comfort and style. Fresh flowers and tropical plants set the mood that says welcome, come stay a while.

Special VIP suites located directly on the shore of the Gulf of Mexico, feature two and three oversized bedrooms and baths. One-bedroom Lanais and Clubhouse Suites are reserved exclusively for adult guests to enjoy the serenity of the sand, sea and sunsets.

Families are at home in either one- or two-bedroom suites with a living room, dining room and convenient European-style kitchen. The suites include a master bath with its own whirlpool and steam shower and separate mirrored dressing area, making these suites a popular couples choice as well.

Daily maid service and private balconies are an added bonus.

Meeting Facilities & Weddings

Meeting rooms can accommodate groups from 10 to 250 and even boasts a private dining room named The Presidential Dining Room. It was named after President Bush's visit in 2001. Catering for events and meetings is available.

The Colony also offers one-stop shopping for busy brides who want a spectacularly romantic setting for their weddings. Everything from flowers to photography to the wedding cake can be taken care of by the staff. Even hair, make-up and a bit of pampering is possible for the wedding party the day of the big event!

Restaurants

The resort's famed waterfront restaurants — The Monkey Room, Monkey Room Bar, Monkey Room Patio and The Colony Dining Room — have received numerous culinary accolades, including the Florida Trend Golden Spoon Award, Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and the DiRoNA Award.

Information and Directions

Rates, value packages and Internet specials are available online.

The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort is located at 1620 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key.

The Colony is just off the coast of Sarasota, on Florida's West Central Coast, just south of the Tampa Bay area. Sarasota is easily reached from either I-75 or US Hwy 41. If you're flying, The Colony is just nine miles from the Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport or 72 miles from Tampa International Airport.

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