Longboat: the virtual reality

Pretty, warm and romantic.

It may sound like a profile on Match.com written by a user in hopes of scoring a dream date.

But, it’s actually the way users of social-networking and travel-review websites describe Longboat Key.

Social-networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest tend to show the best side of the Key.

Type in #longboatkey on the microblogging site, Twitter, and you will find mostly Tweets advertising real-estate listings or written by users who want to broadcast to the world that they are heading to the beach. (In Twitter-land, the # symbol is called a “hashtag,” and it’s used to categorize posts and see other posts by topic.)

Same goes for Pinterest.

Users add the Key’s luxury homes, sunsets and weddings set against the backdrop of a beautiful white-sand beach.

You wouldn’t guess that the beautiful beach is the subject of many debates: white sand versus gray sand, along with erosion control and how much it should cost. Or the ongoing legal battles surrounding two of the resorts that have been the site of so many of those weddings: the Longboat Key Club and Resort and the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort.

When it comes to Facebook, users also tend to write how much they love about the island.

Steve Schewe, owner of Steve’s Fitness, created a Longboat Key Facebook page in 2009 both to promote his business and the area. The page is now under Schewe’s name but amassed more than 5,000 Facebook friends as a Longboat Key page.

Schewe said that most people talk about the positive side of the Key on Facebook.

“In the two years I had it, I never really once had someone say something negative,” he said.

It’s not surprising that social-media users focus on the fun stuff about Longboat Key.

Photos of Longboat Key Town Hall — where many of the island’s squabbles take place — wouldn’t look good on anyone’s Pinterest page.

You couldn’t sum up a Key Club or Colony battle in Twitter’s 140-character limit; and posting about the latest back-and-forths might get you unfriended from Facebook.

You’re more likely to find debates about the merits and drawbacks of Longboat Key from travel-review websites, on which users seek input about accommodations, restaurants and attractions to seek out and whether they should visit Longboat Key or check out another beach, such as Siesta Key or Venice.

Some of the reviews are glowing.

A Yelp.com reviewer recently described Longboat Key as one of his favorite spots, calling it “remote” and “unspoiled.”

“It is referred to as ‘the private island’ because public access to its beaches is extremely limited; one lone beach on the entire Key means that you can enjoy yourself in relative solitude, staking out a patch of sand that seems miles from your nearest neighbor. It seems everyone you’ll meet is either a resident of or renting on Longboat Key.”

But, to others, that private feel takes on another meaning:

“Longboat Key (is) mostly snobby and not meant for tourists,” a TripAdvisor.com user wrote in response to a question from another user, who described herself as 50 years old and wondered whether she and her husband should stay on Longboat Key or Siesta Key.

That description didn’t sit well with another user.

“Snobby?” she wrote, listing the many accommodation options beyond condominiums on the Key. “Sure, you’ll find some just as you would find them in Sarasota, or Augusta, or wherever. But you’re also going to find some friendly folks and others who just go about their everyday lives.”

Another user added further input.

“50 is a very interesting age in Sarasota, because on Longboat Key, you will feel very young, however, on Siesta Key, you will fit right in.”

Travel website users don’t seem particularly interested in Longboat Key politics, although a few have expressed concern about one issue: the new Publix — and, specifically, what they will do without it until December. Like Longboaters, they’re curious about whether it will eventually include a liquor store.

When it comes to travel websites, Longboat Key hasn’t hit primetime.

Longboat Key is mentioned on the Wikitravel Sarasota page, which states that John Ringling intended to build a Ritz-Carlton hotel at the site where the Longboat Key Club is now located.

Frommer’s Travel Guide website frommers.com also lists Longboat Key destinations on the Sarasota page. In its beach section, it describes the many public facilities available for other beaches but notes about Longboat Key:

“ ... you won’t be able to hit the beach there, as private houses and condos block access to the Gulf. However, do drive the length of Longboat Key and admire the luxury homes. Then take a right off St. Armands Circle onto Lido Key and North Lido Beach.”

(Note to Frommer’s: Longboat Key actually has 11 public beach access spots, although they’re better hidden than most.)

But many of the reviews are pretty accurate:

Looking for nightlife? Longboat Key probably isn’t your place.

A place on Longboat Key that spring-breakers and 20-somethings would enjoy?

Maybe you should consider Siesta Key, instead.

A “quiet little beach place” for the dates of March 26 through March 29 “that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg”?

A VirtualTourist.com responded that he has a friend with a penthouse condo overlooking the water.

“ ... I’m not certain the arm and the leg would be enough, but I’ll ask her for recommendations.”

Social-media plug-in
Facebook
With nearly 1 billion users, Facebook is the mother of all social-networking sites.

Stay plugged in to the latest local news from Sarasota and Manatee counties by liking YourObserver.com.

For the latest Longboat Key-specific news, like the Longboat Observer Facebook page.

Twitter
On Twitter, everything is short and sweet.

The microblogging site limits all posts — known as “Tweets” in Twitter-speak — to 140 characters.

For the latest Longboat Key-related tweets, follow Longboat Observer Managing Editor Kurt Schultheis at twitter.com/Kurt_Observer and City Editor Robin Hartill at twitter.com/Robin_Observer.

Pinterest
Pinterest is a virtual pinboard site that allows users to “pin” their favorite images from around the web.

Users create pinboards of images of things such as dream vacations, fantasy homes, recipe ideas and favorite fashions.

At our new Pinterest page, pinterest.com/observergroup, you’ll find boards such as “Living in Paradise,” “Home and Garden,” and “In the Kitchen,” featuring some of our best photos, along with photos from other sites.