Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota up for sale?

Don't be surprised if the next major Gulf Coast hotel deal involves the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.

Coffee Talk hears the Kansas-based owners of the 14-year-old Sarasota resort have hired the commercial brokerage firm Jones Lang LaSalle to market the hotel and its amenities.
If a sale occurs, it likely would be for at least $100 million, based on property assessments and other prominent sales of luxury properties.

The Ritz-Carlton's owners, managers and brokers all declined to comment. But several commercial real estate brokers tell Coffee Talk the hotel is for sale.