<p>Thinking of a quick trip to Naples for a few days in a few weeks. Looking for a nice place on or near the beach. Has anyone stayed at the Ritz Carlton? (not the golf one). Thoughts? Happy to hear suggestions on things to do, restaurants etc. I know it will be hot, that’s ok.</p>
<p>It’s hard to top the Ritz! Are you traveling with family or a couples retreat? We have family in Naples and Marco Island. On Marco Island, I would suggest the Marco Beach Ocean Resort, it is a luxury one and two bedroom suite resort. You can take air boat rides in the Everglades, visit Naples Zoo, shop for antiques on 5th Avenue, visit Rookery Bay, visit the Nature Conservancy and take a boat ride through the mangroves, air boat ride around the thousand islands, canoe and kayak. Lot’s of fishing boats available, you can also rent a pontoon boat and go shelling. Wonderful places to eat. Corkscrew boardwalk and sanctuary is about 45 minutes away on the other side of Naples. There is outlet shopping nearby as well.</p>
<p>Ecmom, thanks for the reply. Actually just my husband and I are going. The purpose of the trip is to go down and check out the area. My husband is interested in buying a second home in a more favorable tax state. We will look around with that in mind but if I am going I wanted to stay at a nice place and find out some recommendations of things to do, places to eat etc from those that have been. Thanks for the ideas, anyone else?</p>
<p>The Ritz is very nice.</p>
<p>My family is going to Naples for the first time in a few weeks, also. On the recommendation of a colleague of my husband’s, we are staying at La Playa.</p>
<p>On Marco Island, I’ve stayed at the Marriott Beach Resort a bunch of times with my family summertimes…it’s very nice. I like the Marco beach better than Naple’s Vanderbilt beach. Marco though is removed from most of the action mainland in Naples–there’s not much to do on Marco Island other than go to beach or fish if you’re into that. When you’re looking at housing in Naples area, be sure to check elevations above sea level–many areas of old Naples are low. Marco Island is all very low and would get wiped out entirely with a big hurricane and tidal surge. Enjoy your trip!</p>
<p>We stayed at the Marco Marriott too and loved it. I would highly recommend that as well. We stayed at the LaPlaya in Naples, it was ok if you get a tower room facing the ocean. We, unfortunately, got stuck in a room overlooking the garbage cans, seriously. The staff was not that great either. We were there with DH’s company and spent a LOT of money there and they were downright rude to us. Don’t tick off the people writing huge checks… It’s down the beach from the Ritz, which is nice, but the beach was weedier there but the beach is so big it doesn’t really matter. Bring shoes for the beach, water shoes, the sand is crushed shells and not so nice on your feet.</p>
<p>About 3 years ago we stayed here: Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort . It was very nice and just north of Naples in the town of Bonita. It has a beach that you take a boat over to because the shoreline is protected. I know that sounds like a hassle but it really wasn’t and it was very relaxing on the island. Dolphins are often seen on the ride over to the island.</p>
<p>IrishMary,
I sent you a PM on another matter, but here is some input on Naples</p>
<p>The Ritz Carlton Naples Beachfront is a lovely resort in North Naples. *We have enjoyed all the restaurants on the property, but Gumbo Limbo is our favorite. Nearby is The Mercato, <a href=“http://www.mercato.com%5B/url%5D”>www.mercato.com</a> *a mixed commercial and residential complex with shopping, restaurants and Silverspot Cinema which has a full service bar and restaurant inside, which is a great place to beat the heat or the afternoon downpours.</p>
<p>Also in North Naples are the Waterside Shops *[Home</a> Page | Waterside Shops](<a href=“http://www.watersideshops.com%5DHome”>http://www.watersideshops.com) * *With Nordstroms, Saks, Pottery Barn and plenty of restaurants, we call it “Water-spend.” Our favorite place for dinner there is Brio’s.</p>
<p>Head south on US 41 to Olde Naples. *The Inn on Fifth *[Naples</a> Resort Hotel | The Inn on Fifth | Naples, Florida](<a href=“http://www.innonfifth.com%5DNaples”>http://www.innonfifth.com) *has a whole different vibe than the RC, but is on a street with lots of restaurants, galleries and boutiques. *The beach is a few blocks away, better to drive than walk. Chops City Grille is our favorite downtown restaurant. We also like Bistro 821, Tommy Bahamas, Bice and Campiello’s.</p>
<p>Other places in town we enjoy are Noodles, Sushi Thai, Food and Thought, the Turtle Club and USS Nemos. *</p>
<p>There are plenty of things to do in Naples. The art museums at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts has exhibits now, but the orchestra is on hiatus for the summer. * I believe the Naples Players have a production on now, and there are the Botanical Gardens, the zoo, and the Nature Consevancy to name a few.</p>
<p>Please excuse the typos. I’m on my iPad and it has it’s limitations.</p>
<p>Be sure to try the Key Lime gelato at the Ritz! The best anywhere.
And go to Dock’s Beach House for the sunset.</p>
<p>Corkscrew Swamp. Boardwalk, so comfortable for great birding and nature watching. Lots of canopy, so not too, too hot. Do bring a hat, though.</p>
<p>Either the Ritz or LaPlaya…both are right on Vanderbilt beach(and those aren’t weeds on the beach…they are protected sea oats…and only at the edge of the beach so they don’t hinder your walking/playing!)
Many nice places have been mentioned above…but be sure to eat at the Turtle Club (right on the beach between the Ritz and LaPlaya!) I love the yellow tail…if it isn’t on special…just ask and they will usually be able to make it for you)
Randys on 41 is also a tradition…super fresh seafood/fish…and simply the best key lime pie around…in a very casual atmosphere…
Have a wonderful trip…I think Naples and it’s beaches are a little slice of heaven!</p>
<p>So funny, I read this thread and I wondered what I was missing. I had a friend who lived in Naples for 3 years, and she said it was dirty, dangerous, and full of crime and garbage, though there were some interesting historical sights.</p>
<p>Then I reread the title. Naples, FLORIDA, not Italy…now I see why you would want to visit there for 2 weeks!</p>
<p>I know nothing about Naples, Florida, but…just got this special for the Bellasara Hotel in my inbox. Certainly a 4 diamond hotel with a suite for $109/night is worth looking into. Doubt it’s on the beach because you’d think the pictures would show it, but probably most everything in Naples is near the beach.</p>
<p>[Hotel</a> in Naples - Naples Florida Hotel - Travel-Ticker](<a href=“http://www.travel-ticker.com/details?slotid=2&r=Y&dealId=qio8zffch3gv0o2oye2t&cid=4f8de871d94470f94547b8ec29fd3fe0&inputId=&subLinePosId=0]Hotel”>http://www.travel-ticker.com/details?slotid=2&r=Y&dealId=qio8zffch3gv0o2oye2t&cid=4f8de871d94470f94547b8ec29fd3fe0&inputId=&subLinePosId=0)</p>
<p>We go to Red Sox spring training every year–stay in Naples rather than Ft Myers. We’ve stayed at both Ritz Carlton hotels–prefer the one on the beach. If you are really into golfing, you might prefer the golf resort. Also stayed at the Waldorf Astoria Naples, and the Hyatt at Bonita Springs–outside of Naples–closer to Ft Myers. I think if you are thinking about buying a second home there, you might want to stay at one of the resorts on the beach–which seemed IMO to capture the feeling of the area. Restaurants we liked: Citrus (lots of local/Gulf seafood), Tru-luck, Bistro 821, Cafe Lurcat (sp?).</p>
<p>We spent a few weeks in Naples a couple of winters ago in a VRBO townhouse a mile or so east of town. I do want to caution that most everything in Naples is not necessarily near the beach, including available parking. There’s a lot of time/resident restrictions near the beaches so it may not be possible to find a space within a few blocks during the season. Plan to go early!</p>
<p>I have to admit one of our favorite places to eat was the Taste of Chicago hot dog stand at the corner of Airport Pulling Road and Estey Avenue; not sure if it’s still there! Our favorite place to grocery shop was Wynn’s Market near Olde Naples; a great place to get picnic food for the beach (or cooking, if you end up staying somewhere with a kitchen). We liked the Tommy Bahama restaurant patio on Third Street, and Jane’s Cafe on Third for breakfast.</p>