The Ritz-Carlton, Naples

Beautiful property on the beach. We booked an Oceanfront Room with a balcony. The room was beautiful, comfortable. We were met by bellman, Kevin at check-in. Kevin helped to resolve a request that my husband had arranged with the concierge staff. My husband had called the concierge staff earlier in the week to arrange for flowers and a bottle of wine to be in the room as a surprise for me when we arrived. Kevin went down and spoke to the concierge staff and they were immediately brought up. My husband felt that the concierge staff dropped the ball on this one. It would have been nice if we had heard from them about what happened. We dined at Dusk, Nolita, Gumbo Limbo and The Grill. Dusk was great for a simple bite to eat on our first night there. Shout out to Megan K., manager at Nolita. Megan sent a cute little gift to our room after hearing our airline travel troubles getting to Naples for vacation. We enjoyed having Marsha, Linda and Kelly as our servers for breakfast at Nolita. The sticky buns and pastries on the breakfast buffet were scrumptious. Dinner at The Grill was wonderful. Matthew was very knowledgeable about the preparation of the menu items. My husband was impressed with the excellent Lobster Bisque, made in house. My husband had the filet of sole which was filleted table side. Very impressive. I had the Salmon. It was excellent. It was unfortunate that a couple brought an unhappy toddler to dine in this fine dining restaurant and our dinner was interrupted by the frustrated crying out of the child. We had crab cakes at Gumbo Limbo, they were delicious enjoying them dining on the beach. Shout out to Nickesha, our housekeeper that did turn down service on our last night. She left towels shaped like swans and a get well note for my husband. I very much enjoyed staying at this wonderful property right on the beach with wonderful restaurants. While I enjoyed having the oceanfront room with the balcony, one draw back was the almost nightly events being held in the courtyard below. Our first night there, a Kentucky derby themed party for a company was being held with a Kentucky blue grass music. Would have loved to have enjoyed the sunset on the balcony minus the music that no one at the event seemed to be paying much attention to. There was another event the next night. Finally on our last night, the courtyard was quiet.

We have stayed at the following Ritz Carlton's: Maui, Dove Mountain, Orlando (1-night), Cayman, Cancun, and in Aruba. The other locations were for more than 3-nights. Each Ritz (but for Aruba -- great location, great staff but that Casino threw off the vibe...) lives up to its name and this one is no exception. It's EXPENSIVE though -- seemingly more than a regular type of Ritz. But, if you are spending $1500/night on a couple queen beds and view it better really be nice. And this one is! Staff really friendly in that natural flowing Ritz way (not overeager, but helpful and informative when needed). Like even someone at the beach bar, when I asked about when the pool at the golf/water park Ritz closes...admits they didn't know, called a manager immediately to figure it out, and during the wait for the manager was able to make casual small talk about the resort, our trip. It's that small thing which counts. At either rate, this Ritz can have it all so easily: -both a heated salwater pool and great food/excellent pool service AND the lazy river/big slide water park they got a shuttle to -excellent food. The Mediterranean place makes its own hummus (so delicious). The Italian place did the basics like pizza and pasta so well. The waitress even let me try 2-different wines before letting me select one! -- like that never happens. -really nice beach. Ok, it's not Carribean blue like Cancun (but that's not swimmable or wade-able water) or Aruba (really nice, but it's more shallow bathwater than actual beach/waves) but it can turquiose-y (when seen from the room) -- and more importantly it's about 4-5ft shallow a decent ways out. In the 4/25 the water in the Gulf was around 75. My girls (16, 9) -- rarely play "together" much but they spent hours in the actual Gulf together and felt comfortable. The sand is not expansive but it's walkable. -gorgeous sunsets each night. (not a Ritz thing :)) but they play a horn or something when the sun officially disappears -rooms are refurbished recently and the usual Ritz spaciousness. We paid around - gulp -- $2500/night during spring break for an ocean front 1-bedroom suite (worth it for a real separated bathroom for the aforementioned girls) -- and we can afford it but we are not wealthy enough where that feels easy to do. The view of the water is close and rather imposing -- as you look deeper/slightly farther out you can appreciate the turquoise water easier. (understand that 90% of the guests here are likely in the "easy" to spend category -- and so you know that demo -- beautiful, friendly, wealthy -- is around) -You can go from room to beach or pool quickly (4-6 minute walk). The microenvironment on this barrier portion of Southwest Florida is the everglades so you the bridge takes you over mangroves where you can see an exotic crane or in our situation (a baby alligator was in the baby river that has a bridge you walk to the beach too) -- the staff said a big one really does not come by and if it does they do handle it. -concierge helpful in booking Everglades Air Boat Tour _________________________ Small things for improvement: -it was nice to have very yummy cookies and coffee in the lobby -- but why only during a short period versus continuously (it's a nice touch like that which goes a long way) -lobby feels nice but too sterile (but not sure how they fix that) -? not so expensive??? (ok it's a Ritz but still...not sure what's going in society but upper 5% wealth is not balking at the $1500/night for a regular type room). -more prominent and scheduled resort level pool/beach activities. They got some but for larger families more would be nice. But that's really nitpicking. It's a great Ritz and great Staff. The Gulf Coast beaches are varied and this one has its own charm. Sarasota/St. Pete/Clearwater each have their own charm and characteristics. But, really an excellent Ritz experience that makes you love the product/class but yes very expensive.

We are back for an awesome two night stay celebration for my wife's 55th birthday celebration!!! Check in was nice and smooth, no issues, after the front desk realized that we were in the Club Level Rooms and escorted us to the Club Lounge to get checked in. MANNY took care of business and we had rooms 955 and our guests had room 958 in the new tower. After checking in the room we went straight to the pool and had a few hours before dinner at Nolita's which is on the grounds of the Ritz-Carlton. Great Pizza with the Caputo double 0 flour and pasta and the best service from bartender/waiter ALBERT who took care of us. Second night was dinner at The Grill. Eight family and friends on a nice round table in the corner in which we had before. Fine dining, great wine list, terrific menu, superb service from our server OBED, great to see LAMAR CHEATHAM, Sommelier, and BRIAN WELLS, GM. Love this restaurant. The Club lounge had awesome breakfast, lunch, and light snacks at dinner time. All gourmet, great taste, plenty of great picks, and terrific service from CLARIET, HAROLD, ELSMERALDA, NANCY, WALTER, who remembers how I like my eggs!!! The pool has the best pool attendant. WATSON also remembers us and took care of business!!! Bellmen and valet are the best. Quick efficient, and we all needed the help!!! Juan, David, Sergio, etc. Overall, we love this R-C. A really great place to celebrate my wife's birthday!!! Can't wait to come back in the summer!!! We will be back!!!🎂🎂🎂🥂🥂🥂

First time in Naples, so definitely first time staying here. It was on a business trip with my husband‘s bank. Our room was on the 14th floor with a beautiful view of the ocean. Two very comfortable queen beds with plenty of pillows. Large walking space. Beautiful balcony with two chairs and a table. Nespresso coffee machine, which was fabulous. And in room safe. Large closet. Ironing board, large TV. Small small extremely small refrigerator . Might hold four or five standup drinks. Lots of storage space. Separate area with a vanity and a huge bathroom with step in tub. water pressure was low for tub but wasn’t an issue. shower heads were great. I think we might’ve had a handicapped accessible bathroom, but it was perfect . two sinks and all the amenities you need in a bathroom. Our curtains for the room opened and closed with a button by the bed, which was extremely convenient as well as very cool. Temperature was great. No noise was heard on our floor. As we live only three hours away, we were able to bring our own fan to block out noise. I’m not sure if the hotel has some, but that is always a good idea to ask. I cannot imagine they wouldn’t. Elevators were very fast. Gift shops are very expensive, but that’s what you expect. Coffee shop has good selection of coffee,gelato, and lovely pastries. Pricey but it is the Ritz…. Lexiss checked us in and she could not have been more professional and courteous. We got champagne on check-in. Lobby is gorgeous with a bar and the ballrooms are huge for any function you may need. The courtyard is beautiful and that is where our function was held that evening. The catered food there was on point and could not have been more delicious. The flowers/landscaping are beyond beautiful. Bell service was fast. Car service was fast. courteous and professional. There is a family pool and an adult pool. I did not visit but I heard they were fabulous. There is a beach side bar called gumbo limbo that had great food and a gorgeous view. The ocean there can’t be beat, and there are umbrellas and chairs to rent. I don’t know if we’ll ever get the opportunity to stay here again, but I would stay here in a heartbeat, and I’ll highly recommend it for someone who wants an elegant extremely upscale experience. Could not have been more pleased.

Worst Ritz I’ve ever stayed at. The room has a pipe that blows exaust outside that is so loud that you can’t even sleep. Front desk doesn’t even care. Hard to believe given I’m staying 5 nights at a super expensive rate. Worst Ritz ever staying at Hilton next time