The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
Hotel · Pelican Bay
280 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, Naples, FL 34108
Highlights
Oceanfront luxury hotel with refined spa, dining, pools
Oceanfront luxury hotel with refined spa, dining, pools
"The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, is a longtime family favorite. Thanks to a $100-million renovation, the five-star resort on beautiful Vanderbilt Beach has even more to offer guests of all ages." - Travel + Leisure Editors
"This decades-old Gulf-front resort feels more like a lively, relaxed country club than a formal hotel: families swarm the renovated, spiraling family pool while attendants hand out fries and daiquiris, the game lawn hosts cornhole and kids’ workshops, and pop-up treats (made-to-order guacamole carts, carnival-style popcorn) keep the mood festive. A $100‑million post‑Hurricane Ian overhaul—by Cooper Carry and Parker Torres Design—added the 14‑story Vanderbilt Tower and refreshed the Italianate original into a cohesive, airy coastal aesthetic. There are 474 rooms (smallest about 434 sq ft) with balconies, marble baths and upscale touches like grasscloth headboards and Diptyque amenities; about 150 suites or queen rooms include bathtubs if you want one. The Vanderbilt Tower includes 70 club‑floor suites with access to a 4,000‑sq‑ft club offering dedicated service, four daily buffet presentations, complimentary Champagne tastings and a cookie bar. Dining options span eight outlets—from a formal steakhouse and sleek sushi bar to the toes‑in‑the‑sand Gumbo Limbo on stilts (famous for its daily 1,500 sweet‑and‑savory coconut shrimp) and the lighter Mediterranean newcomer Sofra, where shareable plates like hummus with onion crisps, heirloom tomato salad with barrel‑aged feta, grilled sea bream and vegetarian manti stand out. Water is central: multiple pools (family, adults‑only with in‑water loungers, and a lap pool), rentable air‑conditioned island‑named bungalows with butler service, a 51,000‑sq‑ft spa with 32 treatment rooms (Sea Holistic massage uses herbal poultices and a local salt scrub), a 24‑hour fitness center with trainers, and a shuttle to a neighboring property for golf and family water recreation. The property is ADA friendly (59 compliant rooms and accessible dining) and sits directly on the Gulf of Mexico, a short drive from Fifth Avenue South, Waterside Shops and the Naples Botanical Garden; it’s also part of AmEx Fine Hotels & Resorts and Virtuoso for added booking value." - Jacqui Gifford Jacqui Gifford As the editor-in-chief of Travel + Leisure, Jacqui Gifford is always on the next plane. She constantly scouts for new hotels, shops, and restaurants to give readers the latest news and trends, and frequently appears as an expert guest on television networks, including NBC, CBS, ABC, CNBC, and MSNBC. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Another beachfront beauty, The Ritz-Carlton, Naples is better than ever after emerging from comprehensive renovations in 2023, with a brand new tower and Champagne lobby bar among the many upgrades."
"Recently reopened after an extensive transformation, this Gulf Coast retreat offers picturesque ocean views, dedicated poolside butlers, expansive suites, heated saltwater pools including an interactive children’s splash pool, and private beachfront cabanas stocked with beverage service, snacks and fresh fruit. Families can also enjoy water sports like parasailing, kayaking and paddleboarding, while Club Level perks include a well-stocked library, games, and an impressive candy collection." - AFAR
"This U-shaped property with two Mediterranean-style towers overlooks the Gulf of Mexico and is near the Naples Zoo. Antiques and artwork embellish interiors, as do Waterford chandeliers and Asian carpets. The resort’s daily interactive environmental programs for children include nature walks, microscope time in the kid-size lab, and field trips. Rooms in buttercream and light green have dark-wood furniture. Nibble on fresh nigiri rolls at the Sushi Bar; Gumbo Limbo’s bar is "the best place for a burger on the beach. I also love to drink something tall and cool, and order the Key lime pie there—it’s the best around—while watching the sun set!"
