81 Oaks in Sarasota, FL

Pros

• The building is beautiful.
• The facility offers a spacious open lobby and dining areas for residents to eat, drink, and socialize.
• The residents are friendly and happy.
• The community is dog-friendly with regular pet therapy sessions for memory care residents.
• The dining room is open all day, enabling residents to eat on their own schedule and socialize with others and friendly servers.
• A new executive director and team are professional, enthusiastic, and engaged with residents daily.
• Things feel noticeably better at the community since the leadership change.
• Executive Chef Anthony is a welcomed presence, and residents enjoy his meals and desserts.
• The rooms are spacious and beautiful, and the facilities (game room, library, gym, salon, spa, and movie theater) are spectacular.
• The dining room serves delicious food and the staff are friendly and helpful.
• 81 Oaks is described as a beautiful, five-star community with welcoming, smiling staff.
• The calendar is packed with events and activities, including socials, classes, and movie nights.

Cons

• The memory care unit is understaffed.
• Residents in memory care are living in unsanitary conditions.
• They refer loved ones to Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital and do not offer other options.
• No one greeted visitors at the reception desk.
• The food was reported as bad, and dirty dishes were not promptly cleared.
• The staff were seen gossiping about each other and including residents, indicating a lack of professionalism.
• The administration is terrible and does not communicate effectively with staff.
• The building reportedly has rodents despite being new.
• The facility was described as awful and not worth recommending.

Review

81 Oaks is best suited for active, socially minded seniors who want a stylish, resort-like setting with abundant opportunities to dine, mingle, and participate in a robust activity calendar. The community shines for residents who embrace a lively campus, where open dining areas, large common spaces, and a dog-friendly environment foster daily connection. Families that value visible staff engagement, easy access to meals, and the chance to join their loved ones for lunch will find the experience particularly appealing. A strong management presence now under experienced leadership also makes this a compelling choice for those who want reassurance that the culture and operations are continuously improving.

Alternatives are worth considering for residents with higher needs for memory care staffing stability and meticulous housekeeping. A few reviewers flagged concerns about the memory care unit, pointing to perceived staffing gaps and sanitation lapses, and one family warned against relying on this campus for certain referrals. For families prioritizing absolute consistency in response times, fewer administrative hiccups, or a quieter, less bustling environment, a smaller board-and-care model or a memory-care-focused community might deliver a more predictable experience. Those who require a highly regulated, low-stress setting with minimal personnel turnover may opt for other Sarasota options.

The strongest positives at 81 Oaks offset many of the potential downsides. The building itself is repeatedly praised as beautiful, with expansive lobbies and dining spaces that invite residents to eat, drink, and socialize. The dining program stands out - open all day, supported by a full-service executive kitchen and an acclaimed chef - producing meals that residents and visitors frequently describe as excellent. The atmosphere benefits from a genuinely warm staff presence; families note smooth interactions with servers and a generally friendly, welcoming team. The recent management transition to an enthusiastic executive director and her team is emphasized as elevating the resident experience, with tangible improvements in engagement, professionalism, and daily care.

Amenities and programming reinforce the practical appeal. Beyond dining, the campus offers a game room, library, gym, salon, spa, and a movie theater, plus private dining rooms and versatile spaces for gatherings. The calendar is described as packed with socials, classes, and events, ensuring opportunities for socialization and personal growth. Residents speak highly of the living quarters - spacious layouts with ample storage and large windows - along with convenient services like pet-friendly amenities and nightly or weekly activities that appeal to families seeking a well-rounded lifestyle for their loved ones. The sense of "home" is repeatedly highlighted, with residents and visitors expressing confidence in the overall operation and the people running it.

Nevertheless, the cautionary notes cannot be ignored in decision-making. For memory care, the concerns about staff coverage and sanitation insist a deep, up-close assessment before committing. If MC care is central, request current staffing ratios, tour the unit at various times of day, and speak with direct caregivers and supervisors about accountability and routines. Observe responsiveness across shifts, and verify maintenance and housekeeping standards to ensure a consistently clean, safe environment. On the administrative side, a few reviews flag slower or less attentive service and inconsistent reception experiences; prospective residents should meet the executive director, ask for direct assurances about communication channels, and review service standards with a critical eye.

In the end, 81 Oaks represents a compelling, high-end option for Sarasota seniors who crave social engagement, excellent dining, and a polished, lively campus atmosphere. The combination of beautiful facilities, a vibrant activity roster, and a hospitality-forward staff creates a strong case for choosing this community when the priority is an active, connected lifestyle. The key caveat centers on memory care and administrative consistency. For families with memory-care needs or for those who require faultless reliability in day-to-day operations, it is prudent to compare alternatives or to demand transparent, current assurances before deciding. When those conditions align - and especially for those who want a confident, chef-driven, community-oriented living experience - 81 Oaks stands out as a top Sarasota choice.

This area of Sarasota, Florida offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to seniors looking for a vibrant and convenient lifestyle. With several places of worship nearby, residents have easy access to spiritual support and community engagement. There are numerous restaurants and cafes within a short distance, providing plenty of options for dining out or enjoying a cup of coffee with friends. The proximity of various physicians, pharmacies, and hospitals ensures that healthcare needs can be easily met. Additionally, the presence of parks allows for outdoor recreation and relaxation. And for those who enjoy entertainment, there is a theater close by for movies and cultural events. Overall, this area provides seniors with a range of resources to support their well-being and enjoyment of life in Sarasota.

Places of Worship

• Sarasota Baptist Church (1.3 miles)
• Church Of Hope (5.1 miles)
• Church of the Palms (5.9 miles)
• St Thomas More Catholic Church (6.5 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (2.7 miles)
• Miller's Ale House - Sarasota (2.8 miles)
• Arby's (2.8 miles)
• Gecko's (3.3 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (3.5 miles)
• Evie's Tavern on the Range (4.1 miles)
• Nick's Bar (4.4 miles)

Cafes

• First Watch #112 (2.8 miles)
• Starbucks (4.6 miles)
• Starbucks (5.5 miles)
• Starbucks (6.5 miles)
• Munchies Cafe (6.7 miles)
• Panera Bread (7 miles)

Physicians

• Sarasota Neurology (2.8 miles)
• Intercoastal Medical Group, General and Vascular Surgery Colon & Rectal Surger (2.9 miles)
• Kennedy White Orthopaedic Center (2.9 miles)
• Gulf Coast Obstetrics & Gynecology (2.9 miles)
• Doctors Hospital of Sarasota Orthopedic Center (2.9 miles)
• Sarasota's Clinic for Ears, Nose and Throat (3.3 miles)
• Dermatology of Coastal Sarasota (3.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• Cooper Drug (2.9 miles)
• Walgreens (3 miles)
• Prime Pharmacy (3.2 miles)
• Walgreens (3.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.5 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (4.7 miles)

Hospitals

• All Children's Specialty Care of Sarasota (3.1 miles)
• Homesights Consulting (5.4 miles)

Parks

• Urfer Family Park (3.7 miles)
• Nathan Benderson Park (6.9 miles)
• Osprey Junction Trailhead (6.9 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Sarasota 12 (6.2 miles)