Venice, Florida, is on the Gulf of Mexico, an 80-minute drive south of Tampa. Venice’s Esplanade North runs parallel to a black sand beach. The beaches around Venice are unusual in that the sand is almost black and made up of fragmented fossils.
The esplanade has only one hotel on it, but there's a selection of lodging in and around historic downtown Venice. Additionally, Venice is a 20-minute drive from the 57 square miles of the Myakka River State Park, which includes wetlands, forest and prairies.
Overlooking the Gulf of Mexico and just a few steps from the beach, the Inn at the Beach is on Esplanade North. The hotel is surrounded by gardens and has an outdoor pool fringed by mature palm trees. The hotel has 49 rooms, some equipped with kitchens.
Although the inn provides a complimentary breakfast in the lobby, there is no on site restaurant. Nearby dining options include the Cassariano Italian Eatery and the Back Eddy Bistro, which serves Cajun dishes with international influences.
Five blocks in from Esplanade North and the beach, the Historic El Patio Motor Hotel is set in a downtown Venice building from 1926, which the Miles family has operated as a hotel since 1949.
For breakfast, guests can try the Uppercrust Organic Cafe, a few doors from the hotel. Other restaurants within walking distance include the Bushido Sushi Bar and La Dolce Vita, serving Italian food. For a drink after dinner, the Old Venice Pub is one block away.
A little over a mile from Esplanade North, the Island Breeze Inn is housed in a 1951 building equipped with modern amenities. It has 21 rooms and an outdoor heated pool. Restaurants in the vicinity include the Cafe Venice Restaurant and Wine Bar, which serves an international fusion menu, and Ntino’s Restaurant Pizzeria.
Try some ocean fishing from the Venice Fishing Pier, which is a five-minute drive from the hotel. Sharky’s on the Pier serves fresh fish and features a terrace where you can marvel at Florida’s famous sunsets.
Just under two miles from Esplanade North, the Veranda Inn of Venice features a garden courtyard with a swimming pool. The onsite Kingfish Cafe serves drinks and snacks by the pool as well as offering room service.
Nearby eateries include the Gold Rush BBQ, Pelican Alley, offering locally caught seafood, and Bogey's, serving a bar menu. The Venice Little Theater, which stages drama, music and comedy, is a three-minute drive from the hotel.
