Tag Archives: Naples

Little Palm Island
Amelia Island, Clearwater Beach, Florida, Florida Keys, Miami Beach, Naples, Orlando, St. Augustine, Stay, Trip Ideas

Florida’s Best Valentine’s Getaway Surprises

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Resorts all across the sunshine state roll out the bubbly and the rose pedals in anticipation of Valentine’s Day. Couples seeking a romantic getaway have many options, as numerous properties offer special perks and incentives on romantic getaway packages. From this rendezvous roster, we’ve selected a sampling of unique, memorable and even decadent choices that go beyond the expected, and elevate the getaway experience to new heights.

Island Escape

No time for a trip to Tahiti? Book a Love, Island Style package at Little Palm Island Resort & Spa in the Florida Keys. This private palm-shrouded island once doubled as a South Pacific movie location, and still looks the part. Receive a dozen long-stemmed roses upon arrival, sip champagne in a soaking tub on the deck of a thatch-roofed bungalow, enjoy a private sailing trip in tropical waters, and cap the day off with a private beachfront dinner. The program is available through the month of February.

Little Palm Island Resort

The bungalows of Little Palm Island are nestled into a garden landscape, and feature private terraces with soak tubs and outdoor showers. Photo: Sammy Todd Dyes/Little Palm Island

Montage Moments

The Amelia Amore package at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation packs in enough togetherness elements to create a rom-com movie montage. Start with a horseback ride on the beach, a couple’s paddleboard session, and a sunset cruise on a luxury yacht. Linger over a private dinner, and then toast your memories at a custom champagne station. This special pairing is offered through Feb. 25. 

Amelia Island Omni

Amelia Island Plantation sits on 1,350 acres on a barrier island off the Northeast Florida coast, offering oceanfront accommodations, championship golf and a full-service spa. Photo: Omni Amelia Island

Water Romance

In addition to romantic getaway staples— strawberries, champagne, rose petals and robes— the Plantation at Crystal River can offer an additional enticement to a romance package: sparkling water. This liquid isn’t served over ice however, and instead bubbles up from underground reservoirs to fill spring basins that become wintertime havens for manatees. Guests of the Plantation can come face to face with these gentle aquatic giants on a personalized in-water encounter cruise. Romance and encounter packages are ongoing, but manatee encounters are more likely in winter months. 

Rock Star Love

Get rock star treatment in Miami’s fabulous South Beach district with the Lovers Rock package at the Nautilus. You will be picked up by private limo, and find personalized his and hers spa robes and a refresher of Perrier-Jouët champagne waiting in your ocean-view room. Enjoy a couple’s massage on the balcony, take in the sights on a helicopter tour of Miami, and linger at a personal poolside cabana with spa service. End the evening with an in-room dinner with wine pairings, rose petals and candles. This ultimate splurge is offered only during Valentine’s week. 

Nautilus Cabana

The heated saltwater pool at Nautilus hotel offers luxurious poolside lounge and cabanas, and is just steps away from the sands of South Beach and the Atlantic Ocean. Photo: Nautilus

A Day in Bed

Check in to a water-view suite at the Edgewater Beach Hotel during the Be Mine at the Beach promotion and you and your significant other can toast on Veuve Clicquot while dressing for an intimate dinner at the resort’s signature Coast restaurant. Next morning, a luxury beach bed and umbrella are reserved for your exclusive enjoyment. After two nights and days of romance and indulgence, you can sleep in to enjoy a late checkout. This package is available for stays between February 10-19, 2017. 

Naples Edgewater Hotel Florida

The pool at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Naples. This all-suite property is located directly on the Gulf of Mexico, fronting a seven-mile stretch of powder-fine beach. Photo: Edgewater Hotel

Stokes and Rubs

There’s no need to compromise with the Valentines Weekend package at Palm Harbor’s Innisbrook Golf & Spa Resort. After the champagne and sweets that await in your executive suite, you can decide whether to start with 18 holes at one of the resort’s four golf courses, or indulge in the complimentary couple’s massage. Whatever comes first, the day will end with a special dinner at the property’s acclaimed Packard Steak House. The package can be booked for one or more nights during the week of Valentine’s Day. 

A Ride Through History

Spend a special weekend in the nation’s oldest city at one of Florida’s most iconic hotels. Casa Monica Resort & Spa offers Love, St. Augustine Style, which begins with the requisite romantic essentials such as in-room flowers, chilled champagne and chocolate-dipped fruits, adds in gourmet breakfasts and makes the evenings memorable with a romantic carriage ride through the heart of the town’s historic district. The package is offered well beyond Valentine’s Day, just in case. 

Casa Monica St Augustine

Built in 1888, the Casa Monica Resort & Spa is a St. Augustine landmark. Following a complete renovation, it remains the area’s premier luxury resort destination. Photo: Casa Monica Resort & Spa

Around the World

Fulfill that promise to give your special someone the world at Orlando’s Mystic Dunes. The resort’s Valentine’s Day Deal includes two complimentary tickets to the Disney theme parks, including the Epcot World Showcase, which features the culture and cuisines of 11 different countries. Back at the Dunes, a luxurious one-bedroom condo provides a haven for relaxation in a private hot tub, or becomes a base for recreation on the 600-acre property, which includes a championship golf course and a water park. Enjoy this special during the month of February. 

Naples Beach Hotel Golf Club
Florida, Naples, Play, Trip Ideas

Naples Best Golf Resorts

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Resort courses are known for their enticing challenges that make the course not only a test of your skills, but also fun to play. Most have the input of big name golfers-turned-designers who leave their signatures on the fairways and greens. The resort courses in Naples have all that plus the advantage of being located in one of the top golf-vacation destinations, where ever-sunny skies and year-round lush tropical foliage make the collection of manicured greens even more impressive.

Naples Florida, Tiburon Ritz carlton golf, Naples best golf resorts

The 18th hole at the Greg Norman-designed Tiburón Golf Club, which is part of the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, Florida. Photo: Ritz- Carlton

Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort Naples

Greg Norman likes to call the resort’s Tiburón Golf Club home when he visits Naples. After all the Australian pro designed the course. Besides creating plenty of challenges that attracted the PGA Tour, he preserved the surrounding wetlands that sit on the northernmost tip of the Everglades, resulting in certification from Audubon International. Golfers can choose from two courses and five tees. On the Gold Course, which measures 7,288 yards from the tournament tees, the par-3 12th hole has an intimidating stacked sod wall bunker and water to the front and left of the green, creating challenging, yet fun, play. On the Black Course, which measures 7,005 yards, highlights include the par-5 18th hole, where not only a dogleg but a fairly large coquina waste area and spectacular lake run the length of the right side.

The Ritz-Carlton golf resort  is clearly a golfers’ retreat, but after a good game who doesn’t love a spot by the pool or a stool at the bar where you can compare notes. And if you’re a seasonal player who hasn’t picked up a club in a long time, you just might want to book a massage at the spa. Rooms are traditional luxe with goose-down comforters, Frette bed linens and views overlooking the sprawling fairways. Although the resort is set three miles from the beach, a shuttle will whisk you to the Gulf waters when you’re ready. 

Naples Beach hotel and golf club

The intense blues of the Gulf of Mexico and lush Florida greenery combine to create a picture- perfect setting for the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club. Photo: Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club

Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club

A family-owned resort, the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club remains under the watchful eye of the Watkins family, which means there’s a lot of TLC. In 1946 Henry B. Watkins Sr. bought the original hotel and 9-hole golf course and today grandsons Michael and Henry Watkins run the property. What began as the first 18-hole course in Naples, set across the street from the Gulf, has been redesigned and refurbished over the decades, with the fairways last spruced up in 2011. Locals love this course, which ranks as one of Southwest Florida’s best public courses, and repeat guests, especially the ladies who like the 5,142 yards from the red tees, find it a must-play. Its holes run so close together that you might want to ditch the golf cart. Doglegs around lakes and towering palm trees make it a challenging and pretty course.

Besides golf, the resort has tennis facilities, a family pool along with an adults pool, and Naples’ only sunset bar that actually rests on the edge of the beach so you can dig your toes into the sand, drink rum and Coke and watch the sun disappear into the horizon. The rooms have a relaxed tropical vibe that you won’t find in most other Naples’ hotels. Lime green and shades of blue play up fish and sea coral patterns on throw pillows and bed linens, and wooden plantation shutters add a touch of beach-cottage style to the decor. 

Naples Florida La Playa Golf

For golfers who enjoy hitting over a water hazard, the Robert-Cupp designed course at La Playa Beach & Golf Resort in Naples provides great challenges. Photo: La Playa Beach & Golf Resort

La Playa Beach & Golf Resort

Perfectly manicured fairways flanked by Florida’s mangroves give the course at La Playa Beach & Golf Resort a mesmerizing effect, mirroring the exquisite landscaping that surrounds the hotel. An early morning tee time almost guarantees sightings of turtles, ibis and anhingas. The Bob Cupp-designed 6,900-yard, par-72 course is surrounded by a gently sloping terrain and 14 lakes and water features. It also has a David Leadbetter Golf Academy for anyone who wants to spend the whole day in this natural setting honing their game. Just a nine-minute ride from the resort, the course welcomes morning golfers with fruit and pastries—a nice touch.

Golfers who prefer more intimate resorts book at La Playa, which was elegantly refurbished in 2010. Think crystal chandeliers and floral patterns in the lobby. Rooms boast canopied beds draped by white privacy sheers hanging to the floor and bathrooms with tub- side windows looking out on the Gulf of Mexico. Plenty of palm trees wrap the pool area, and nestled in between them are cabanas, with deep-cushioned recliners, ceiling fans and a teak dining table and chairs, where you can spend the entire day. 

Marco Island Florida, Marriott golf

The Rookery Course at the Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort, Golf Club & Spa is nestled into Florida wetlands, where numerous species of birds reside. Photo: David Hall/Marco Island Marriott

Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort, Golf Club & Spa

Just south of Naples, Marco Island is a gem of a vacation destination, often in the shadow of more popular golfing spots. But for any player looking for two great courses to challenge their skill set, the Marriott Beach Resort delivers big time. Considering that the island borders on Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands, a region of the Everglades brimming with wildlife, golfers can expect to play on fairways where bird-watching can easily become a second pastime. The Rookery, which actually means bird sanctuary, is a course nestled in shallow wetlands where waterfowl thrive, and its 7,100 yards promise generous fairways and oversize greens. The course also has five tees. Its sister Hammock Course is another natural beauty; it attracts players of all levels with its greens that offer a variety of approach shot options.

The resort is spacious, so if you’re traveling with non-golfers, they will be just as happy as you are on this tropical island. There’s something happening on the resort’s 3.5-mile crescent-shaped beach any time of day, from morning power walks to daytime paddleboarding to sunset finales. You can choose a guest room in the towers with floor-to-ceiling windows and a door that leads to a balcony for magnificent Gulf views or opt to be just steps from the beach and pool with a stay in a lanai suite, a one-story unit that feels like a cottage on the water’s edge. 

Naples Grand golf club waldorf astoria

The 11th hole at the Naples Grande Golf Club, part of the Waldorf Astoria Naples, allows players to navigate the course’s waterways. Photo: Gregory Heisler/Naples Grande Golf Club

 Naples Grande Beach Resort

The Naples Grande Golf Club at the Beach Resort was designed by Rees Jones to retain those parkland features appreciated by the more traditional golfer. It’s one of the area’s few courses that’s not in the shadows of looming residential homes and high-rises, so golfers can definitely enjoy the green space—Florida pine hammocks, live oak and grand cypress trees. Played from the back tees the course measures 7,078 yards, but isn’t as intimidating as one would expect. Navigating the waterways is a part of the design and challenge of this course. For those who want a lesson, the Durland Golf School offers instruction.

One of the nicest things about staying at the Waldorf Astoria Naples is the boardwalk hidden in the thick mangroves that skirts the property. A morning stroll to the beach, past Tarzan-like vines and giant ferns and through a shady tunnel of tangled branches, puts you in touch with Florida’s nature. The views from the top floors overlook Naples’ waterways and canals, where red-tiled roofs poke out of thick greenery and watercraft line the docks. Consider booking a room with a coastal view, not only for its panoramic vista but also for its generous size at 465 square feet. Crisp white linens and neutral tones give the décor a relaxed airy feel that’s perfect for a Florida stay. 

Naples Pier, Florida
Florida, Naples, Plan, Trip Ideas

Naples: 10 Reasons to Go

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There’s a slew of reasons to visit Southwest Florida’s most elegant town, but our favorite ways to experience Naples include a game of golf, shopping Fifth Avenue South, dining under the stars, a rendezvous with the arts and always a trip to the beach where the sun, surf and sunsets never disappoint. This town set on the Gulf of Mexico seamlessly blends its 10-mile beach with a stylish urban setting that like a magnet attracts more millionaires than almost any other city in the country. Year-round residents, seasonal homeowners and snowbirds alike find Naples to be irresistible, especially during the winter months known as high season. The result is a meticulously kept town with some of the most expensive real estate, classiest golf clubs and wealthiest individuals.

1  Exquisite Golf Courses

Greg Norman designed the courses at the Tiburón Golf Club, part of Naples’ Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, and to this day the Australian pro golfer still considers it home. PGA TOUR events like the Franklin Templeton Shootout have been held here, and President H.W. Bush even played a round at Tiburón. Simply put, it’s where the powerful and wealthy come to play. But that’s only one of the fine courses you’ll find in Naples. This corner of Southwest Florida has boasting rights to some 90 courses, so naturally it likes to claim the title: Golf Capital of the World.

2  Fifth Avenue South

For a fresh take on shopping and eating, visit the indie boutiques and restaurants in downtown Naples. No chain stores here. A gathering spot of sorts, this five-block stretch of Fifth Avenue South dazzles with one sidewalk café after another, and if you come on the right night, street musicians add rhythm to your walk. Besides clothing shops, this pedestrian-friendly street has art galleries, an antique shop or two, and public squares with gardens and local art displays.

3  Third Street South

One of the coolest neighborhoods, Third Street South, named so after the main street that runs through it, is where you’ll find a mix of historic cottages and sophisticated manses, high-style designer boutiques and a municipal fishing pier. You can walk to it all, and while you’re at it peek into the courtyards where European-style fountains and meticulous landscaping create pretty vignettes. Sip cocktails at an open bar or dine at a white table-cloth restaurant. Day or night, this neighborhood is buzzing.

4  Beach Time

Find Naples’ Municipal Pier and you find the beach. A hot spot on weekends, the pier draws fishermen of all sorts who wheel their gear down the 1,000-foot-long pier to cast a line. Just below on the shore, kids play volleyball and families lounge about on the soft sands and wade in the warm water. Nobody leaves before dusk because the Gulf has a reputation of presenting spectacular sunsets.

5  Resorts that Spoil

You know that if a town can support two, not one, but two Ritz-Carlton properties, its roster of guests includes the rich and famous. And Naples no doubt attracts the stars in search of R&R, especially in high season (November to April). So here’s the lowdown on the biggies, starting with the Ritz-Carlton Naples and Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, followed by LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, Waldorf Astoria Naples and Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club. If you haven’t made your millions yet, visit during summer when rates are reduced or pop in for a cocktail or dinner at these resorts.

6  Gateway to Nature

Sitting just north of the Everglades region, Naples is a great home-base for day trips into Florida’s more wild terrain. Hike the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, 26,000 acres with a cypress forest where panthers, bobcats, black bears and other wildlife roam. Or explore the trail into the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Kayakers can paddle deep into the Ten Thousand Islands on overnight camping excursions.

7  Artis-Naples

Cultural finds are plentiful in this Gulf city, starting with a visit to the Artis-Naples complex. This is the home of the Naples Philharmonic, so performances of classical music top the list, but Broadway shows, jazz quartets and so much more can be enjoyed here. It’s also the home of the Baker Museum, where the contemporary artwork, including the Persian Ceiling by glass artist Dale Chihuly, dominates the collection.

8  Boat to Your Island

Imagine finding your own private island if only for a couple of hours. Renting a boat and plying the waters from Naples down to the Ten Thousand Islands is one of the best ways to soak in Southwest Florida’s natural beauty. In this undeveloped region, that perfect white beach could be just around the next mangrove islet.

9  Flora and Fauna

Not one to trek the forest trails in search of wildlife and exotic species? No sweat. Naples brings the flora and fauna to you. At the Naples Botanical Garden you can walk through a tropical paradise and learn about the plants of Florida, Asia, Brazil and the Caribbean. Stop at the Naples Zoo, known for its family of cats—cheetahs, leopards, tigers and lions—plus the intriguing fossa, a rare catlike carnivorous mammal from Madagascar.

10  Architecture Row

Whether it’s the architecture or the lure of what millions can buy, a drive south on Gordon Drive to ogle Naples’ magnificent estates is a fun outing. Peek between the perfectly groomed sea grape trees and tall billowy oleanders for a glimpse of the turrets, columns and wrought-iron details that give these homes their regal appearance.

 

gale south beach, best boutique hotels in florida
Amelia Island, Florida, Key West, Miami, Miami Beach, Naples, South Beach, Stay, Trip Ideas

Top Boutique Hotels in Florida

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Big is not always better, especially when it comes to finding the right accommodations. We scoured the state to find the places that offer all the amenities you need for a great vacation in a setting that’s just the right size. So if you prefer more intimate hotels, where you don’t have to wait in long check-in lines or fight for a poolside lounge, then these Florida gems are perfect for you.

Gale South Beach

Photo: Gale South Beach, Best Small Hotels in Florida

The Gale South Beach’s rooftop pool provides views of art-deco architecture and the Atlantic Ocean. Photo: CoreyWeiner/The Gale South Beach

Transforming two 1940s art-deco hotels into one very cool SoBe hot spot is what put the Gale South Beach on the hipster map. The five-story boutique hotel sits on the corner of 17th Street and Collins Avenue, right smack in the middle of the scene with neighbors like the iconic Delano and the oh so trending SLS Hotel. Walk into a lobby where elements of art deco—a chrome backlit front desk—blend with modern white leather chairs and mirrored windows. Black-and-white photos of 1950s Miami Beach are a nostalgic reminder of a former heyday. The hotel’s 87 rooms have raised ceilings for spaciousness, and balconies with faux green-leaf walls provide a glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean. Enter through the former Regent Hotel on James Avenue and you’re in the cozy Regent Cocktail Club where mixologists whip up retro drinks like Negronis and Mai Tais. As for the beach? It’s just across the street. 

Inn on Fifth, Naples

Inn on Fifth, Naples Fl

The Inn on Fifth’s prime location offers easy access to downtown Naples restaurants and boutiques. Photo: Inn on Fifth

This elegant three-story hotel sits on Fifth Avenue South, downtown Naples’ palm tree-lined six-block shopping-and-dining stretch. Despite its urban location, the Inn on Fifth is just minutes away from the white-sand beach and fishing pier thanks to a complimentary shuttle. A 2013 redo and expansion gave the hotel a fresh modern décor of red and gray with geometric accents, along with a second building across the street. Book a second-story poolside room and sneak out the door at midnight for a hot-tub soak. If you really want to splurge, the Club Level suites in the new building are huge with balconies overlooking the avenue. Everything old is new again at this meticulous gem in Old Naples. 

The Reach, Key West

The Reach Resort, Key West

Located on Key West’s quieter side, The Reach has private balconies with direct ocean views. Photo: The Reach Resort, Key West

Set off from all the hustle and bustle of Duval Street, Key West’s main drag, The Reach is an intimate and sophisticated hideaway. Painted a cheerful yellow with white trimming, the four-story Waldorf Astoria property sits on the Atlantic Ocean. Cross the front yard—a carpetlike lawn with rows of palm trees, delicate flowers and a life-size chess set—to reach the private beach (the 450-foot-long stretch is a real find on Key West), where a weather-worn pier with its own gazebo extends into the water. It’s the ideal spot for sunset gazers. Crisply decorated rooms, with contemporary furnishings that blend neutrals with bursts of orange and rust, have balconies that look out over the ocean or courtyard. The pool below was designed for sunbathing, and there’s no competition for a lounger since the resort has only 150 rooms. Contrasting with the property’s sunny island vibe is the hotel’s Strip House restaurant. Red walls, mood lighting and provocative photography that picks up on the steak house’s name make for a cozy, and somewhat seductive, dining experience. 

Elizabeth Pointe Lodge, Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island

Elizabeth Pointe Lodge, Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, Florida

A Nantucket vibe and direct ocean views make Elizabeth Pointe an attractive year-round escape.  Photo: Elizabeth Pointe Lodge

Deviating with the Sunshine State’s tropical image, this northeast coastal hideaway on Amelia island surprises with its 1890s Nantucket shingle-style main house. Enjoy coffee in a rocking chair on the big wraparound porch facing a shore populated by long slender sea oats and the roaring Atlantic Ocean. Whether you stay in the main house where a turn-of-the-20th-century décor mirrors the Victorian homes in nearby downtown Fernandina Beach, or opt for a room in the newer West Indies-style Ocean House, the relaxed elegance of Elizabeth Pointe Lodge is always present. With 13 miles of beach right in front of you, a sunrise or moonrise stroll is always in order. 

Bentley South Beach

Photo: Bentley South Beach

The Bentley is just steps from all of the action, dining and nightlife of Ocean Drive.   Photo: Bentley South Beach

Across the street from the Atlantic’s shore, the Bentley South Beach sits on the corner of Fifth Street and Ocean Drive. It’s a favorite with Europeans and South Americans who appreciate the smaller surroundings. Yet despite its size, all of the rooms, from studios to one- or two-bedroom options, are designed as suites with living space. Plus you score a kitchenette where you can prepare your own mojitos. The Bentley is one of the few SoBe hotels to actually have a rooftop pool, in fact make that a lap pool where you can get some serious swimming in or just cool off with a nice soak. The views of sunrises and sunsets are a bonus. If you’re the beach type, stroll over to the hotel’s private beach club, where beach butlers set up your lounger—as well as serve you cocktails. Located near the edge of the less frenetic South of Fifth (SoFi) neighborhood, the Bentley is walking distance, past art-deco buildings, to landmark restaurants like Joe’s Stone Crab and celeb-fave Prime One Twelve. Or you can head north into the heart of Ocean Drive, where alfresco tables spill onto sidewalks and music blares from crowded bars.