christm

Also - if Naples (as looks likely) - accomodation.

Patrick mentioned the The Escalante - which looks nice.
Just wanted to ask about 3 other hotels I can get for the same price.
Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club,The Registry Resort and The Edgewater Beach Hotel.
What are they like?

Thanks

Martin

Italiano

The Naples Beach Hotel and Golf club is very Nice good location right in the center of Naples nice pool and Restaurant Great sunset views & Dining .

Patrick

In reply to your other three listings:
Edgewater is a small and nice property where rooms do have a great view of the beach (and is right on the beach). It is close to 5th Avenue, but not a friendly walk (dark at night and no sidewalks). But fine if you have a car.
Naples Beach Hotel is near to that same location. Frankly it is often called one of "God's waiting rooms" because when it is not filled with conventions, the average age really tends to the senior citizen. Not very inspirational for a honeymoon. My mother loves going there for brunch because she fits right in with her rolling walker.
The Registry Resort is a Ritz wannabe, and is nearly as far from downtown as the Ritz. A recent article about the Naples resorts (I think in Travel and Leisure) really berated the Registry, which has been suffering numerous problems.

By the way, I would echo something mentioned above. If you choose the Escalante, I'd strongly suggest a deluxe room or a suite. There have been several reports of the standard rooms being quite small.

bbkay

My parents stay in Naples every winter for several months and I visit them every year. Naples is VERY upper class, refined and lovely. It does have an elder population but if you want rest, beauty, fine restaurants and a community that is first class from top to bottom, than Naples is it.

Have stayed in Palm Beach and was highly disappointed. It was unbelievably expensive and an Island of wealth surrounded by some very poor neighborhoods next to it. Everything in Naples is beautiful. The Ritz is NOT on the beach and there are many hotels that are not. If you are interested in the beach try La Playa or the Registry which are right on the beach. I do know that the Registry was undergowing some renovation last winter. I would check to see if it is complete. The Registry draws a younger crowd as well, which may appeal.

You will want a car while you are here. Most US communities are geared around people having cars. You will enjoy yourself more if you can get around to the different parts of Naples.

Old Naples (the older section of town) is filled with beautiful shops, many restaurants, lots of art galleries. That section has inns nearby but you will be blocks from the beach. Choose what you are most interested in, beach or shopping and stay near your choicest activity. Get a car and visit the other things of interest.

FYI - Naples has a wonderful symphony and theatre center which has big name performers and shows come through. Check it out!

If you want activity you can rent seadoo personal watercraft to take out on the gulf, or parasail or go for a boat ride from the dock/harbor area of Naples. A car will give you the most options. It is NOT like driving in NYC or other big cities, the roads are clearly marked, wide and the speed limit is pretty slow. You will be fine.

christm

Many thanks for the replies. The Escalante it is then. I'll look into room rates and and see if we can afford a deluxe room or a suite.

Thanks for the help guys, I'd have been lost without you

Martin

Italiano

To BBkay The Ritz Carlton is on the beach. There are two Ritz Carltons one that is right on the Beach on Vanderbit Beach Road has been there for 19 years And the other one is four miles away The Ritz golf resort and spa at Tribruon ( Greg Norman built Course)On Vanderbilt beach road & Airport Pulling Road . They have a shuttle bus so you can enjoy both places.

Patrick

Sadly the "PHIL" that is mentioned above for cultural events is closed in July. Summer cultural activities are a little fewer, but do check out The Naples Players at the Sugden Theatre in the center of 5th Avenue South. They do a big musical every summer -- July to August.

christm

Hi all

Well I think 10 nights at the Escalante is just about agreed on. Now the problem is with the 4 nights previous!!
We're going to go to New York for 4 nights first and have no idea where to stay!! - I know this is the Florida board, but you guys have been so good so far (and I have posted on the New York board, but only 1 reply!), so was wondering if any of you had any reccommendations for areas/hotels to stay in. Again, looking for that bit extra special as honeymoon and nights will be spent looking for good restaurants and seeing a couple of Broadway shows so would like to be near that (1st time in New York, subway at night might be a bit scary?)

Any help appreciated

Martin

mclaurie

Just so you know, Martin, there aren't separate boards for Fla. & NY. It's all on the US board. I would suggest looking at the Michelangelo Hotel. It's in the theater district but not in the middle of all the hussle bustle. People seem to like it. I believe it's listed on the Fodor's list of NYC hotels so you can look at Rants & Raves. Also look at reviews on tripadvisor.

If you are young (20s-30s) you might prefer to stay further downtown which tends to be a little younger/trendier. I have no sense of your age or what style place you might like.

christm

Oops...sorry thought there was different forums

Michaelangelo looks ideal. A question though - I'm not really an experienced traveller but on loads of rants and raves (especially for this hotel) it says - they knew it was our honeymoon/anniversary so upgraded us. How do they know??? Is it not a bit rude to just mention it at check-in in hope of getting an upgrade? What's the etiquette?

Thanks

Martin

Patrick

When you first contact and/or book them, you should mention you are looking for something special for your honeymoon. It's another reason to deal with the hotel directly so that information gets passed along. And no, it doesn't hurt to say at checkin "Oh, did we get an upgrade since its our honeymoon?" It's New York, don't worry about being too blunt!!

Oh, and if you have your veil on and rice dripping out of your hair, they'll know!! (Just kidding.)

GoTravel

I couldn't agree more with the suggestion of the Michelangelo in Manhattan for your honeymoon.

Don't get me wrong Martin, Key West is a great place but it just didn't sound like the vein you are in for your honeymoon.

I think Naples is an excellent choice.

christm

Patrick - lol thanks for the advice.
I'll try and 'drop it in' when speaking to the hotels!!! - discreetly, of course.

So after much delibiration it looks like
New York - 4 nights - Michaelangelo
Naples - 10 nights - Escalante

Thanks for the help folks, and I'm sure I'll be back with a load more questions before we go!

Martin

travleis

As for being 'scary', the subways in NYC (in the areas you'll be visiting) are busy, efficient, and really quite safe.
IMO they're not quite as well designed and run as the tube system in London, but not all that different. I don't think you'll feel uncomfortable at all if you're familiar with the system in London.

lesm

Naples is a bit old for a honeymoon. Try Captiva. It's the west end of Sanibel. And there is a great resort, South Seas Plantation, that takes up a huge chuck of Captiva. They have tons of acvitivies, and it is beautiful.

travelingirl

Those who are telling you that Naples is "old people" and you would be bored have obviously not been there for a while or didn't know where to go when they were here. My husband and I are 32 and we have plenty of friends in their 20's who love it here b/c there is a lot to do without the danger and cheesyness of the east coast of FLA. There are great restaurants, nightlife, beaches, shopping,boat trips, etc! Much more thatn on some island in the caribbean where they tell you not to leave the hotel or you might get mugged or worse! The escalante is in a great location! Also, I had friend's who stayed at Edgewater and loved it but you cannot walk to shopping from there (right on the beach) Key West is fun but has gotten raunchy in the last few years - not really a romantic, honeymoon place IMO. Have a great time wherever you choose!