Family Weekend Stay at the Newly Remodeled Ritz-Carlton Naples

Location

The Ritz-Carlton Naples is located about 50 minutes south of Ft. Meyers, Florida. The best airport to fly into is Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), but Naples Municipal Airport is another option if flying by charter. The drive from RSW is about 40 minutes. For this trip, my husband and I rented a car because we were traveling with our infant, but the hotel offers $75 taxi transfer (one-way) with a reservation. If you choose to drive as we did, the hotel offers valet service only for $35/day. Electric car charging stations are available.

Room Categories

There are both standard and suite room categories available with coastal or ocean views. Guests can also choose to book a club room in either category. For this trip, my husband and I opted for an Ocean Front view with a balcony–my husband loves a good view and the sunsets over the water did not disappoint. Most room types have a balcony, although I would not say the balcony is safe for young children unattended. Rooms start at 434 square-feet and our Ocean Front King Room included a loveseat, small dining table, vanity table and coffee bar with a small fridge. Upon arrival to our room, there was a crib with blankets and other infant necessities were available upon request such as microwave and diaper pail.

The Property

The newly renovated Ritz-Carlton Naples property is stunning. Upon entering the lobby, guests are greeted with a sleek bar and large windows showcasing the property and beach view. The hotel has eight restaurants, two pools (one family and one adults only), a spa with fitness center, several shops, an arcade and beach access via boardwalk. In addition, guests also have access via shuttle to the sister property Ritz-Carlton TIburon which has four additional restaurants, the reservoir pool with a waterslide and children’s splash area, golf course and a second smaller spa. We never felt the need to leave the property during our stay as everything we needed was easily accessible on site and there were lots of things to do and explore.

The pool was expansive with plenty of poolside seating with umbrellas and poolside food and drink service. We enjoyed laying by the pool with our infant and ordered lunch while he napped. The water is heated, so even in the unpredictable January weather we were able to take a swim. The attendant set up our chairs with towels and offered water and sunscreen upon arrival. In addition to the main family pool, there is also a small baby pool and an adults only pool area with hot tubs, so guests will always be able to find a chair to lay out and enjoy the Florida sun. In addition to the standard pool chairs, cabana’s with indoor and outdoor areas are also available for a fee. Similarly, beach chairs are also available with towels and umbrellas and guests can rent beachside cabanas that overlook the ocean for a fee.

Restaurants

The property has eight on site restaurants: Moka, Gumbo Limbo, Dusk, The Grill, The Lobby Bar, Sofra, Nolita and H2O.

Each day for breakfast, guests have an option of a seated restaurant offering buffet or a la carte options or quicker offerings from Moka, the lobby coffee bar. We sampled both, but were a big fan of the buffet that included a wide array of pastries, warm selections and an omelet station. The buffet selection also included coffee and tea which was needed early in the morning for parents traveling with a young infant. There was almost always a line to be seated for breakfast, but it moved quickly and the staff was thoughtful and engaging for guests as they waited. After breakfast, I often still picked up a latte at Moka–the coffee was fantastic!

Daily for lunch and drinks, we ventured down the boardwalk to Gumbo Limbo, the hotel’s restaurant overlooking the beach. It was often busy, but we did not have trouble getting seated quickly. All tables overlook the water in this open air casual fare restaurant. My husband loved the lobster quesadilla and I recommend the fish tacos, but I have to say that the frozen coconut mojito outshined the food.

Upon arrival, we opted for an early dinner at Sofra which featured Eastern Mediterranean food. The restaurant is open air and opens up onto the pool. The food was delicious and I highly recommend the cauliflower and the lamb as well as the fresh baked bread.

During our stay, we also had dinner in both the Lobby Bar which featured excellent cocktails, a high-end atmosphere and tapas style plates and The Grill, the hotel’s steakhouse. The food at the Lobby Bar was delectable and rich – we shared the wagyu sliders, truffle fries and artichokes followed by some decadent chocolate desserts. I will crave the truffle fries for years to come!

It was bold of us to take an infant to a steakhouse, but both my husband and I are foodies and we could not give up the opportunity to try the Grill which was curated by Chef Carlos Zermeno. The steaks were cooked to perfection and I highly recommend ordering the daily souffle at the start of your meal for dessert!

The Spa

Because we were traveling with an infant, it was important for us to be able to relax on our vacation, so my husband and I both enjoyed a tranquil spa service. The spa is located towards the front of the property and features a fitness center that is complimentary for guests. Guests enjoying the spa also have access to a relaxation room, rooftop pool, sauna, steam room, whirlpool, and experience shower. My facial and massage were exactly what I needed to relax during my stay and the small snacks and treats such as granola and nuts in the relaxation room were a nice added bonus. I can say that the facial was one of the best I’ve ever had!

I recommend The Ritz-Carlton Naples to families or couples looking for a warm and relaxing getaway. It is a high quality luxury resort with incredible service, and numerous restaurants and ammenities right at your fingertips. You never need to leave the property to have an incredible vacation!

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Naples, Florida. In need of further inspiration? Check out Angela Poulin’s guide, Food and Fun in Naples, Florida.