Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/281176
TripAdvisor® has announced that Siesta Key Public Beach and Lido Beach have won spots on its list of the top 25 U.S. beaches. The recognition came as it released its 2014 Travelers' Choice Awards. Siesta Public Beach earned top honors in Florida and was third in the nation behind two beaches in Hawaii — Lanikai in Kailua on the island of Oahu and Ka'anapali in Lahaina on the island of Maui — Visit Sarasota County, the county's tourism office, noted in a March 18 news release. Siesta was the only beach not in Hawaii among the top six on the list, according to the Travelers' Choice Awards website. Lido Beach was No. 22 on the U.S. list. "We are thrilled to share this news," said Erin Duggan, director of brand for Visit Sarasota County, in the release. "We are honored so many visitors to our shores love their expe- rience here and are willing to share it with others. " "TripAdvisor hosts more than 150 million reviews by travelers," the news release points out. More than 100 accommodations are listed on TripAdvisor's page for both the Siesta and Lido beaches. In 2011, Siesta Public Beach was named the No. 1 Beach in America by Dr. Stephen Leatherman — aka Dr. Beach. It was rated a Top 10 Family Beach in 2013 by National Geographic Traveler, and it was named one of Conde Naste's Traveler's top white sand beaches in Florida earlier this year, the release adds. TWO BEACHES WIN TRIPADVISOR TRAVELERS' CHOICE AWARDS Siesta Public Beach has just put another proverbial feather in its cap, winning TripAdvisor honors. Photo by Rachel Hackney Sarasota News Leader March 21, 2014 Page 74