Exploring Florida: The Ritz-Carlton, Naples

Even with a brief start in New England, and quite a while in Dallas, TX, I’ve lived in Florida more years than I have not.

Growing up in paradise was incredible. Curtis and I had the kind of childhood that is lived outdoors. We could drive a boat before we could drive a car. Last summer we moved from my sister, our sweet friends and and a full life in Dallas, TX to make a home near all of our parents in Bradenton, FL. Bradenton is a short drive from my hometown of Sarasota and just two bridges from the beaches of Anna Maria Island, a vacation destination for people around the world. We’re tough critics when it comes to beaches and the Gulf of Mexico has us spoiled. Florida is enormous with a variety of destinations all with their distinct personalities and opportunities. You could pick one favorite place and visit year after year and never get bored. Growing up where we did, we barely felt the need to venture beyond the Florida we knew. My family didn’t go to Miami until I was 13 and it wasn’t until I was 18 that I made it down to the Keys. But with each trip outside of our comfort zone I fall in love with my home state more and more. There is so much to do and see and the vacation options are endless.

I get asked for Florida recommendations often and it is my pleasure to speak to our beautiful Sunshine State and help friends find their perfect vacation destination. I’ve decided to do an Explore Florida travel series and speak to my own recent Florida vacation experiences – starting with what is fresh in our mind after our trip two hours south to beautiful Naples, Florida. This wasn’t my first time, but it was my favorite thanks to the incredible experience we had at The Ritz Carlton -Naples. Since Curtis and I could only get away for one night, we limited our time to rest and relaxation on the resort property which absolutely was the right experience and I would direct any of my friends looking for a family-friendly, or romantic getaway, to this fabulous hotel. The best news is, it is a year-round destination so whether you’re looking to head somewhere this weekend or planning for the future, The Ritz-Carlton Naples will be perfect!

Here’s why we loved it and why we’re definitely coming back with our girls as soon as possible.

LOCATION & PROPERTY

Just two hours drive from us it was the perfect distance to feel like we were removed from day-to-day life and truly on vacation – but not too far that it cut into our limited time away. Out-of-state travelers can find easy flights into nearby Ft. Myers at Southwest Florida International Airport – there’s even a non-stop flight from our old stomping grounds, DFW.

The Ritz-Carlton Resorts of Naples has two resort options – one beach and one golf. We stayed at the beach resort but accidentally pulled into the gorgeous Golf resort before arriving at our correct destination which ended up being a short drive. I learned that guests of the golf resort can also use the beachfront hotel for pool and oceanfront access and there’s even a shuttle between the two properties for convenience.

Though we were there for a romantic getaway, we saw tons of precious families enjoying themselves. It is such a kid-friendly property and being located right on the beach with beautiful pools, it will be easy for us to come with the girls since you can quickly get to and from your room for a break in the day. The resort’s section of beach was stunning and felt private – the endless view of the gulf is exactly what anyone wants in a Florida vacation.

The little boy in Curtis is constantly searching for Florida wildlife. We saw dolphins, tarpons, and pelicans in the Gulf and the little pond that guests walk over to get to the beach is an ecosystem unto itself and the perfect place to experience even more true Florida wildlife. We saw gar fish, soft-shelled turtles, and gopher turtles. We were shocked to find Basilisk lizards roaming the property, otherwise known as “Jesus lizards” because of their ability to walk on water. Margaret will be thrilled to see all of these Florida animals in person.

ROOMS

Our beachfront suite was stunning and everything we could want in a romantic getaway, but it is also an idea layout for a family. The room setup has a separate living area with a large pull-out couch. This floor plan helps everyone get better sleep when juggling the very different schedules of two adults, one four-year-old and one infant. The balcony means that after the kids go to bed we can sneak outside and spend time together without worrying we’ll wake the girls. We can’t always swing this layout and have strategies for making it work in a traditional shared room set up – but the Ritz is always accommodating and makes sure either way we have cribs, rollaways and whatever we need to enjoy our vacation and sleep well. What’s more, the special touches we love at every Ritz-Carlton are endless and even with our babies home at “Camp Grandparents”, the hotel sent up fluffy pink robes in their sizes for us to bring back with us. After we went down some friends of ours followed with their two little boys and they’d set up an indoor camping experience for them. How cute is that?

FAMILY FUN

The resort is an endless opportunity of family fun. The pools are beautiful and while Curtis and I spent most of our time in the 18+ relaxation pool, we saw the family pool buzzing with activity with games and presentations scheduled daily. There were swim diapers, tiny chairs for kids to use, sunscreen and aloe, and a stocked pool-side store with any must-have swimming necessities and toys. Nearby are games for big kids – or kids at heart. A ping pong table, pool table, and foosball with corn hole was set up near the basketball court. Nature’s Wonders is a unique feature of the property. The aquarium and touch tank filled room has an open house each day for all guests and is available for the Ritz Kids they offer for little guests ages 5-12. We met up with Ranger Greg who was kind enough to spend some time with us walking around the property helping us spot Florida creatures and explaining what a day at Ritz Kids looks like. I was ready to sign up myself and we know Margaret will be the biggest fan. Days with the Ritz Kids includes fishing and nature walks on the beach, crafts and games, and lunch. This signature Ritz feature is available for ages 5-12 and you can find out more here. Another super special family fun detail was their photography concierge where you can schedule a free, professional photography session on the beach and around the property. Curtis and I entertained this idea because in true mom and dad fashion we don’t have enough pictures of just the two of us since we’re always behind the camera. But we’ll definitely take advantage of this when we come back with the girls.

BEACH

The beaches in our backyard are stunning and so we’ve grown to be tough critics. This resort’s beachfront location has that Gulf Coast “wow factor” and we were treated to fluffy white sand and turquoise water. The endless coastal view is the jewel in the crown of this property. We are big fans of beach lounge chair living and couldn’t think of a better way to relax than soaking in this sun and beautiful view, listening to crashing waves, taking in ocean air and sipping on a great cocktail. But there are tons of activities on the beach for those in search of more adventure and we saw families and couples alike taking out jet skis, banana boats, parasailing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and snorkeling. To help you have fun in the sun all day, there is sunscreen, water and helpful servers ready to get whatever you need – they’re always coming around with special frozen treats and cool towels.

FOOD

We stayed on Club Floor and were blown away by their food and drink offerings. Each staff member greeted us personally and helped us with everything we needed – even offering a complimentary Spa Day Pass so that even when we had to check-out of our suite, we could continue enjoying ourselves on the beach and have a place to clean up before hitting the road. Since traveling with young kids we’ve found the Club Floor to be more valuable than ever. At their ages, there is no additional fee but the perks are especially perfect for the girls. Each food presentation includes kid-friendly fare, and if not we’ve always found the staff quick to find whatever our little ones need. They always have a high chair, they spoil our girls with toys and treats, and when we want a little extra time to enjoy our meal or beverage, the cozy feel of the Club Lounge- especially of the Ritz Naples – is perfect for the girls to roam around. This property in particular went above and beyond to cater to the smallest patrons. There were games, puzzles, and books free to be used both in the club or checked out if desired. Same for adults – the library had so many great reads you could just grab and take down to your beach chair.

Despite tasting every Club Floor Presentation, we also found time to try some restaurants on property and we’re so glad we did. Aside from Gumbo Limbo’s delicious drinks, the stunning view and fabulous Florida menu were a real treat. We loved the ceviche, lobster quesadillas, and blackened grouper sandwich and their Mai Tai’s were my personal favorite. By the pool we were treated to delicious spa smoothies and their skinny margaritas were the perfect cocktail hour refreshment.

After hearing the bell at Gumbo Limbo signal the sunset on our perfect day, we headed to Dusk for some of the best sushi we’ve ever had – the kind that I am craving now that I am home and would definitely drive two hours to enjoy again as soon as possible!

IN THE AREA

The Ritz-Carlton Naples is the kind of property one could easily travel to and never leave the grounds. But if you’re visiting Florida and looking to round out your trip to the Sunshine State, a key part about this location is that it is close to a variety of quintessential Florida adventures. For example, history buffs can jaunt over to the Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Ft. Myers. Or check out the nearby Florida Everglades. I found this link to be especially helpful and of course the resort’s concierge is very knowledgeable. The hotel’s website is full of nearby family friendly activities like the Naples Zoo and C’Mon Golisano Children’s Museum. But truly the property is a destination all on its own and should you be looking for an authentic Florida vacation that has the opportunity for both luxury and adventure, I highly recommend checking out The Ritz-Carlton Naples – we sure can’t wait to get back!