HELP! Naples for Spring Break
 

For some reason, I have had one heck of a time planning our spring break trip...yes, it is January 26 and I do not have air or hotel reservations. I have had us going to Mexico, Naples, Sandestin and now back to Naples.

Here's the situation: two children, 9 and 10 who enjoy swimming, biking, hiking, museums, art galleries/museums, aquariums, and zoos. My issue with just going to a beach area that really only offers beach life is that we will get bored (plus my 9 year old is a red head!). My kids love to go to the beach, but after several half days at the beach, I know they will be looking for other activities. My husband loves to golf and is planning on golfing 3 to 4 times on this vacation. We all love art, beautiful scenery, great food, historic places, and variety. My family; however, is saying that they want to go on a layed back vacation in which we are not on the go all of the time. So, I am looking back to Naples. Here's my dilemma...I refuse to pay $450+ per night for a hotel/resort room. I would like to be on the water or near the water, or so I can see the water from our hotel, but I will sacrifice this for a very nice hotel with a great pool that has a good location. With my husband golfing, I would like the flexibity to go places with my children and not have to drive. I have been reading posts here for Naples, but most of the focus is on the resorts, and I have read trip advisor, but I guess the pool piece is missing for me.

We are going April 2-9. Thank you in advance for your suggestions. So, does it sound like Naples is a good fit, and if so, which hotel?

This is a tough one, I don't think I need to tell you that Naples is an expensive area and that is top season. I just looked at some of the hotels near downtown and beach like Escalante, Bellesera, or the Inn on Fifth, and you're at that $400 price or close even for those. The best I can think of is The Park Shore Resort -- it does have a great pool and area and you can get a full one bedroom apartment for 4 people then for about $200 a night. It's not real close to a lot though for walking, but then Naples really is a car town. I do believe the Naples Trolley stops there or nearby, and that would take you downtown, but would have to check that out.

I didn't check the beach motels on Vanderbilt, The Vanderbilt Beach Resort, or the Vanderbilt Inn. They are on the beach and should be a little under $300. But again, other than the beach there's not much to walk to.

Thank you, Patrick for your information. The tripadvisor group loved Park Shore. I called and they are 20 minutes from downtown Naples, so I will need to ponder this one. As for Escalante, the last 4 or more tripadvisor responses were scathing! I have looked at Bellesera and you are right about the $400/night rate.

So, what's a girl to do?

By the way, Patrick, I am going to Portland over President's Weekend - last minute, my husband has business there so we are tagging along. Anyway, I just booked our air today. I was cruising the Portland hotel information and you were giving advice there. Did you retire in Naples or a work related move? How are you adjusting since it is an entirely different lifestyle? Oh, I digress! Have to take my daughter to art academy. Thanks again, for your input. I am a difficult customer!

If Naples does not work out you may want to consider Sarasota. It's about 90 minutes north of Naples. Great beaches. The Ringling Art Museum, the Mote Marine Aquarium, Myakka State Park, Spanish Point (historical), plenty of golf, art galleries, GWIZ (children's science museum). Tampa is about one hour north, Tampa has a great zoo (Lowry Park Zoo) and the Florida Aquarium.

Check out St. Pete Beach. The Tradewinds is a reliable spot for families. I've heard nice things about the Alden, with pools and tennnis courts. We like the BonAire which is a casual place but without the resort amenities.. And of course there's the Don CeSar Hotel, your children will think they're landed in a fairyland at this classic Mediterranean castle. There's lots to do in this neck of the woods. Or lay low and enjoy the beach! Definitely cheaper than Naples. Some terrific museums and lots of stuff for your kids out the whazooo.

Hi,

We just got back from a week in Naples where we stayed at the Bellasera. We wanted a condo b/c we were with my parents and 5 month old baby. I got a terrific rate on Travelocity ($210/night) for the two-bedroom condo. The hotel quoted me $295.

I think there are lots of activities that your kids would enjoy (Caribbean gardens and zoo, Everglades swamp tours, etc.). Good luck!

I think you got your signals crossed on my giving advice regarding Portland. I've recently been asking some questions, as I'm going this summer, and have only been there twice before. Unless maybe in an older post I gave recommendations for a hotel or something from my minimal experiences there.
I've lived in Naples since 1977, when it was a spot in the road, and I was practically a youth!

Tandoori Girl is right about cheaper alternatives. EVERYTHING is cheaper than Naples these days.

The real problem is that there is very little in Naples proper on the beach except for two places -- The Edgewater and the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Resort. Even there, you don't walk to much. It just isn't that type of community where there are lots of restaurants and shops along the beach -- mainly homes and then further north, condominiums.

Hi Patrick ;;) Are you keeping warm? Jeez, what a winter it's been.

I was working on my post when jacolis posted. Good idea about Travelocity. Although they are also quoting $400 for the 2 bedroom at BellaSera for your dates. What one pays here in January, and what one pays in April are two very different things.

But Travelocity yielded a couple of ideas. I was surprised of rates below $300 at the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf -- which even allows your husband to play golf right there!! And it is on the beach. A bit of a walk to other things, but possible.

And at the low end of the price spectrum is the Comfort Inn on the bay. This is on Fifth Avenue, admittedly 12 blocks from the beach, but easy walking distance to Fifth Avenue shops and restaurants. The Bayfront development with a number of good restaurants is right next door, and Tin City is right across the street, as well as the boat launching spots for cruises.
It sure meets the needs for having things to do close at hand. And they have rooms as low as $145 a night. Bay view rooms are more -- not sure if you call if they have bay view with two doubles. Not a bad place at all. I've seen rooms there -- actually a step up from what you might expect from a Comfort Inn.

Tandoori Girl, we hit a pleasant 77 today, but it is 58 now. The evenings and mornings are chilly. I've turned heat on nearly every morning for a week to get the chill off, something I almost never do. For entertainment we go out and watch the wheel on the electric meter spin when we run heat here.
But great afternoon convertible weather!

Yes, it was nice here today too, finally. The convertible is dry-docked -- we've all got flus and the last thing I want is wind in my hair. Husbands sick, son's sick, even the dogs sick! I've been thinking about all those people who post asking if they can swim in the water in January in florida. Teehehehe.

I'd enjoyed all those days with the meter on idle. Our electric is at least twice what it was last year. Those hurricanes I guess, everyone's trying to make back their losses.

Tampa's all giddy -- the "Donald" is building some condos downtown. I have a feeling we'll all be seeing more of him. And everybody else from NY. Scarlett opened the flood gates :-d

Did you see the NY Times article this week about Naples restaurants? There's a post about it on chowhound.

Eclectic review from the Times...style reminded me of a tame Seymour Britchky, my all time fave restaurant reviewer.

The Dock: ode to grouper sandwich
Bleu Provence: gushing over ambience, references to Nice, etc.
Ritz Dining Room: fawning and funny review
Pinscher's Crab Shack in Bonita: comparisons to Joes in south beach...claw-wise.

LMF



http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/23/travel/23tab.html

New York Times review was an eclectic one.
The Dock for grouper sandwich.
Bleu Provence: gushing review sounding like Seymour Britchki
Ritz Dining Room: fawning
Pinscher's Crab Shack: comparison to Joes in Miami at least claw-wise.

check it out:

wierd. both pre and post edit posts came through. Sorry. LMF

LMF, I thought that was your own little two thumbs up :-d

Those were strange reviews in the Times. Would they make you want to go to those places or avoid them? I really wasn't sure which in most cases.

Mosey:
Naples is beautiful, and definitely layed back. My folks have had a condo there for years & we have visited various times with my son, so I can offer some suggestions for kids - but most will involve driving. During the winter months Rt 41 is total gridlock. Full of "snowbirds" like my folks. However, it starts to empty out in April.
You might want to check into the possibility of renting a condo? Most have their own pools and many are associated with a golf course. But again, you will have to drive to the beach or anywhere other than the pool!As for activities for the kids, the Carribean Gardens is small but fun (used to be Jungle Larry's!) - It's been years, but they used to have a lion/tiger show & an elephant ride,etc. There used to be a small conservatory near there too with local wildlife exhibits. The beach by the Naples pier has rest rooms & a snack bar on the pier. The kids can fish off the pier too. Parking can be somewhat of challenge though. Further South there are some places for miniature golf & go-carts. If you really feel like driving - the Edison & Ford mansions/museums are really interesting - 45 minutes North in Ft Meyers.
Hope that helps.