It's true! Don't believe the media, Naples Florida is back to life and thriving post Hurricane Ian that hit this area back in the Fall of 2022. The hotels, the beaches, the stores, the restaurants, everything is back to normal and I'm here to tell you exactly where to go and what to check out during your next visit!
This was my first time visiting Naples and I was truly impressed with all that there is to do and see here and I definitely did not have enough time to do it all, so stay tuned for an update with even more things to see and do there!
The Edgewater Beach Hotel
If you’re looking for that perfect relaxing beach vacation in Naples, this is the hotel for you. This high-end luxury hotel is an all suites hotel that is just steps away from the beach. You heard that right, all of their 119 rooms are suites, so that means it is perfect for the long or short term guest that wants a kitchenette and a living/dining room area in their room. Plus, every suite has a balcony that will give you city, beach or pool views. You feel right at home while staying at the Edgewater with their family oriented staff as they keep that local Florida charm alive and well, especially with the fresh cookies and milk that are in the lobby every afternoon. But start your day in the lobby with a coffee from the coffee bar before dining at their restaurant, Coast, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The other dining option is their Reflections Pool Bar which is where you can enjoy a snack or lunch with a delicious cocktail while taking in the views of the pool and the Gulf. Beyond the food, guests can enjoy yoga on Saturday mornings and there are bicycles available to rent throughout your stay. The Edgewater also offers free shuttle rides to and from 5th Avenue so you can get in on the action without worrying about parking! To get a further look inside the Edgewater, watch my hotel tour video here.
The Capri Inn
For the traveler who wants to be in on all that 5th Avenue action, The Capri Inn, is where you’ll want to stay since you will be steps away from all the restaurants, stores and fun that is happening on 5th Avenue. The Capri Inn is a boutique style hotel from the Opal Collection which will make you feel like you’ve been transported to a bed and breakfast in the heart of Savannah with its quaint decor and charm. The coolest addition to The Capri Inn is the private cottage that is on site. The cottage is a perfect private oasis for the traveling family or group of 4 with its two bedroom, two bath, kitchen area, living room and more!
Where to eat:
As soon as you approach The French, you will forget that you are in Naples and think you are at a corner cafe in Paris with the way they have their outdoor seating designed along with the decor inside the restaurant. As a part of the Campagna Hospitality Group, Chef Vincenzo Betulia does an incredible job of bringing Paris to The French. I truly enjoyed eating the Escargot and the Roasted Duck Leg Confit and if I planned ahead I would have ordered the Chocolate Soufflé for dessert but since I didn’t have the extra 20 minutes to spare, I got the Praline Mousse Chocolate Cake that was just as delicious.
Coast
The restaurant inside The Edgewater Beach Hotel, Coast, was wonderful for breakfast and lunch. Everything was always so fresh and enjoyable. For breakfast I especially enjoyed their pancakes that I had them make with chocolate chips and blueberries. For lunch, I highly recommend any of their bowls but I particularly enjoyed the Grilled Salmon Bowl.
I was only in Naples this visit for a short period of time, so here are some places I plan to check out next time I’m in town; Truluck's Ocean's Finest Seafood and Crab, D'Amico's The Continental, and Sails Restaurant.
Where to Shop
Sure, you can go to 5th Avenue South or Third Street South but I prefer a more unique, one of a kind shopping experience, like going to Shady and Katie on Central Avenue. Shady and Katie is a mother-daughter ran boutique, sharing their favorites in clothing, accessories, shoes and more. The store inside is just as vibrant as it’s lime green exterior, which makes it hard to miss when driving down Central Avenue. Beyond their boutique in Naples, their items are available for purchase online, which keeps their fans across the country very happy!
What to Do
Something I have been wanting to do for the longest time, especially now that I live in Florida is to go jet skiing and I finally had the chance to do it with Bonita Jet Ski and Parasail. They are located just 30 minutes north from where I was staying at the Edgewater Beach Hotel on Bonita Beach right behind Doc’s Beach House Restaurant. I signed up for the 2 hour jet ski dolphin tour, which started in the Gulf of Mexico and then we rode back into Estero Bay which is where we saw the dolphins! It was so cool watching the dolphins come up close to the jet skis and wanting to swim in the waves that they were making. My guide, Kemal, knew exactly where to go to see the dolphins and how to get them to stay with us for more of our ride, he also provided us with history and facts about the area along with making sure we felt safe and comfortable for the extend of our tour. This was another fantastic tour that I found through Tripshock! For a better look inside my Bonita Jet Ski tour, watch my video here.
Naples is a city that has so much to offer and on my next visit I am looking to visit the Naples Botanical Garden and the Baker Art Museum, take a sunset boat ride and explore the rest of downtown Naples! So until that happens I hope that these tips help you on your next visit to Naples, Florida!
Comments
Post a Comment