Palm Bay Club or Surf & Racquet Club

Question

Trying to decide between these 2 properties. I do not see any recent comments. Going in May; 4 of us. Want something with gulf view and easy walk to restaurants. Any advice would be great. Thanks

Answer

Great question. Choosing between Palm Bay Club and Surf & Racquet Club on Siesta Key depends a lot on what you value most — beach access, view, walking distance, and amenities. Here’s a detailed comparison and some thoughts to help you decide.

Palm Bay Club (Siesta Key)

Location & Access: Palm Bay Club sits beachfront/bayside on Midnight Pass Road. According to the Siesta Key Chamber, it’s directly on the Gulf side, and there’s private beach access.
Amenities: Two heated pools (one on the bay, one nearer the beach), hot tub, fitness center, tennis courts, fishing pier, and more.
Units & Views: Condos vary — some overlook the Gulf, but many are bay-side. For example, a 2-bedroom unit on the third floor overlooks the bay and has a balcony.
Walking / Proximity: About a 4–5 minute walk to Siesta Key public beach (or close to it, depending on the unit). Palm Bay Club is also fairly accessible for local dining and transportation around the island.
Vibe: Resort-style but relaxed — great for families. Some of the buildings are older (built in the 1970s), so units can vary in how “updated” they feel.

Sarasota Surf & Racquet Club (Siesta Key)

Location & Access: Located at 5900 Midnight Pass Road, and very well-situated close to Crescent Beach and Siesta Key Village.
Amenities: Two heated pools (one beach-side, one courtyard), three tennis courts (plus pickleball), fitness center, a beach pavilion with BBQ/picnic area, and a recreation room.
Units & Views: 1- and 2-bedroom condos. Buildings W, Y, and the Tower have partial or full Gulf views. For example, Unit T0503 in the Tower has a partial Gulf view.
Walking / Proximity: Very walkable to Siesta Key Village and Crescent Beach. The property is more integrated into the island’s beach and village life.
Vibe: More of a classic “resort condo community” — good for families, active stays (tennis, beach), and those who like a mid-tier but full-service condo property. Because it's a condo community (not hotel), there may be more variation in how units are furnished depending on the owner.

Which one to pick based on your priorities:

For a true beach-front feel and resort-style amenities: Palm Bay Club may be slightly better because of its bay & beach pools, pier, and very close beach access.
For better walking to restaurants / Siesta Key Village, plus more variety in unit views: Surf & Racquet Club is ideal. Some units offer gulf views, and the property is more centrally located relative to the village.
If tennis, pickleball or an active stay matter: *Surf & Racquet* has more developed court amenities.
If you want a very relaxed, resort feel with more shared “resort-style” common areas: *Palm Bay Club* wins.

One more note: When booking, check specific unit photos and details (“Gulf view” vs “bay view”) — both communities have a mix, and the exact feel of your stay (especially the view) depends heavily on which condo you book. Also, if you’re going in May, availability may be better than peak season, but condo communities often have minimum stay requirements, so check carefully.

Overall, Palm Bay Club leans more “classic resort-style with great pools and a peaceful feel,” whereas Surf & Racquet Club offers a slightly more “community condo” vibe with very good amenities, strong location, and some direct gulf views. Both are excellent — it comes down to what feel and priorities matter more to you.

Palm Bay Club or Surf & Racquet Club

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