Five-Diamond Fever

A Dallas-based real estate investment trust's estimated $171 million deal for the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota resort is a sign that investors believe the current tourism surge will continue into the foreseeable future, experts say.

Ashford Hospitality Prime Inc.'s purchase of the 266-room luxury hotel, affiliated private beach club property on Lido Key, 325-acre golf course and clubhouse near Lakewood Ranch and spa and members' club will represent the largest lodging-related sale in Sarasota history, and would rank among the top resort sales ever along the Gulf Coast.

It also signals that investors remain bullish on luxury properties in Florida because of their relatively limited supply and high barriers to developing new product.