Naples - Condo advice
 

We have previously holidayed in Naples from the UK renting a house through Virgin Holidays in the Briarwood estate.
We are planning to return to Naples this summer but with two daughters aged 17 and 13 I thought it might be nice to stay somewhere they might have more of an opportunity to meet some people their own age.
So I thinking towards condos.
I have looked briefly st Falling Waters - pool area looks great but it's a big complex, does it get really crowded (in August)? Also Park Shore Resort, but don't know too much about this one.
I was wondering if any of you super Fodorites had any thoughts on this for me!

Welcome back to Naples, annethered.

There are two Falling Waters. One is way out on east 41, the other, newer one is on north 41. I wouldn't stay at the east one -- it's a long way to the beach or anything else. Although not that much further than Briarwood.

In fact, I can't imagine either being a source of your daughters meeting friends. Those units are mainly older retired couples and "starter" condos for younger professionals. I don't think many of them are used for holiday rentals.

Park Shore Resort is fun. I'm never sure how many other teenagers they'd meet, but I think the opportunity is greater than at the other places, and certainly "closer" to everything.

Another thought. How long are you staying? There are the condo/apartments at the hotel/resort-like Bellasera which is within walking distance of Fifth Avenue. Starbuck's outdoor terrace is THE place for teens at night -- and seems to be a sort of international crowd at that. This place is very upscale and currently quite expensive but worth a shot checking out for summer rates, and perhaps a weekly special rate.

www.bellaseranaples.com

Hello. We have stayed once or twice a year at the Park Shore Resort for over 20 years. My inlaws live near, so it is very convenient to them, but we have come to really like the place and kick ourselves that we didn't buy a unit then. It is very well located in that you can walk to at least 6 or 7 restaurants, grocery, drug/liquor store, doctor, dentist, etc. It is also very near alot of shopping and the beach. It is not right in the heart of the commercial bar/restaurant/gallery area, which is about 20 minutes away. The pool area is nice, there is a hot tub, and the deck area near the pool has grills, should you want to fix steaks or whatever. There is also a small restaurant on site that is good, but with limited hours of operation (others are so close it really is moot). Most of the condos have been renovated, but not all have been. There is also access to the on/off trolley, which stops in front several times a day. I think the location is super and would highly recommend it. I'm sure you can find more deluxe places, but this is great for the price.

babs, funny story. When the Park Shore Resort was brand new (early or mid 80's?), and my design business/retail store was quiet close, I had a good client who was the secretary for two brother local attorneys. They each bought a unit for investment and I decorated them both. The secretary made clear that they must be exactly alike as she didn't want any comments from either one that they liked something better in the other one. When I mentioned I could do some nice accessories and wall prints from my stock and save some money, the answer was "no". Even every picture in the two units had to match, so I had to specially order two of everything I used, something I rarely did, as I liked stocking different and original things. I've often wondered if those two units have ever been redone in all those years.

I love that story! Those two could have been a case study for sibling rivalry. By this time those units would be pretty dated w/o periodic updating. If they live there full time (which quite a few people do) they may still be enjoying your work. I have no idea, to be honest, if everyone updates, or just the ones in the rental pool. Glad you're familiar with the place...we really like it. Naples almost feels like a second home to us - just wish we'd bought a condo ;)! (You gave me my chuckle for the day on the other post - very cute!)

Hmmm.. thanks Patrick and Babs.

I will check out Park Shore Resort again and also Bellasera.

I may have to re-think this a little. Perhaps hotels may be a better option but we do like the independence of our own place. Part of the reason we love to holiday in the States is being able to wander round the supermarket and pick up different stuff to cook and try at home. Are we sad? I think my 13 year old likes to imagine she's in a Hilary Duff movie (!) so you can that's a lot to live up too!!

Thanks again for your advice though.

One of the nice things about Park Shore Resort is the Publix grocery store within walking distance. I love that store! We don't have a Publix where I live so I feel the same way as you. There is also a small market that carries organic/natural foods in the same shopping area. It has a small cafe as well. I may have made this place sound old, but it is nice. Since it is not brand new, the rates are a bit lower than some of the other newer places, which we see as a plus. Gives us more to spend on other stuff. The management takes very good care of the place. Some people live there year round, some are 'snowbirds' who come part of the year, and there are some there for short stays. We have two sons, so the two bedroom, two bath, multiple tv's, and fully equipped kitchen have been great for us. By the way, the pool area can only be accessed with a key, so no one can wander in. The place has a very secure feel to it.

Maybe we were unclear, but both Park Shore Resort and Bellasera have kitchens.

I might be ill-informed (and will count on others to tell me so :D) but when I was in Naples last March there were a large group of kids the girls' ages near the pier because the surf is strong there and they were having a skimboarding competition (flat wooden boards to skim the shore waves). There were some cute boys there IMO 8-)). Unfortunately, I don't know the hotels in that area to recommend one but I guess that would be the downtown area.

OK, Tandoori Girl, you said you'd count on others to tell you were misinformed, so here I am. LOL.
Actually it must have just been a very odd day you were here if there was enough surf for the kids with the skim boards. I think I can count on both hands the number of times that's happened in the 28 years I've lived here. The "surf" there usually consists of about 1 to 2 inch "waves" lapping against the beach. And I rarely see teens around the pier, or at least no more than a few scattered ones that you'll see anywhere on the beach.

Meanwhile, I don't know your age, but what were you doing cruising these cute 13 to 17 year old boys at the pier??? Shame on you! LOL

Teehehehe. OK, I'm much much older than 17 or 13. But those boys were really cute, Patrick! It reminded me of my halcyon youth when the boys would throw us off the piers in Lakeland and we'd giggle all the way to the bottom of Lake Hollingsworth, blub, blub.

Like I said, it was a competition. The local teen radio DJ was broadcasting so that's probably why the group was there. And tnx to Patrick for setting you straight on my misinformation -- and for doing it soooo sweetly ;;)

Once again my thanks Patrick and Babs.

The Bellasera looks fantastic - just right for mum and dad (!) but girls think the pool area maybe a bit small. We shall have to negotiate our priorities (tail wagging dog etc!).

Will definitely check out the Park Shore too - sounds a possible.

As for you Tandoori Girl? Well, I must admit I do check 'em out as they arrive for my daughter (I've 6 sleeping on our living room floor tomorrow night) but frankly too many spots and too much testosterone!!