We are a married couple, mid 30's. We would like to stay somwhere near the beaches but within easy walking distance (if poss) of shops restaurants etc. Have looked at the The Trianon, The inn at Pelican Bay, and Doubletree Guest Suites . Can't work out which would be best.
Any suggestions/comments or other ideas very much appreciated! Thanks

Okay, the Doubletree is a long way from anything, including the beach. It's not that you won't go into this area for restaurants or on the way to Bonita Beach, but it is not near a destination and certainly not within walking distance of anything.

The Inn at Pelican Bay is well located a few blocks from the beach tho' farther than I would want to walk on a hot day. But there is ample public parking at the end of Vanderbilt Beach Road, next to the Ritz Carlton. The Inn is across Vanderbilt Beach Road from a shopping center with a good Publix market, bike rentals, an international newsstand, and restaurants at all price points, including Bha!Bha!, a really nice Persian restaurant. There used to be a movie theater there but I don't know if it is still open. I haven't been in the hotel, but I would have looked at it seriously if more family had ever visited at one time than I had room for. On the downside, it is not near night life and it is near the sheriff's substation, so you have emergency vehicle noise.

I did not know the Trianon, so I looked at it on Google maps. It is within walking distance of the evening action on 5th, close to the Bayside restaurants, some of which are good and some not so, and an easy bike ride to the beach. It is in Old Naples, or what is left of it, and there are often events in Gambier Park nearby. Given your druthers, I would be inclined to go here if the reviews are good.

Maybe NeoPatrick, the Naples guru, will see this and can expand.

I agree with Ackislander about the Doubletree (very remote to anything!) and The Inn at Pelican Bay -- OK location for driving, but not really a walking area at all.

The Trianon in Olde Naples (make sure you aren't looking at the one at Bonita Bay) is a nice location (I have to say that, it's two blocks from my house!), and is a nice place as well. Others to look at would be Inn on Fifth (right in the center of activity of Fifth Avenue South and closer to the beach than other options) and Bellasera -- nice little apartments that sometimes have amazingly good rates.

Will you have a car? I'd hope so, regardless of where you stay.

Let me offer a different perspective. I visit Naples about once a year to visit family. They live just East of 41, so not within walking distance of anywhere, and I always stay there.

As NeoPatrick says, you need to have a car regardless. I like to go to different beaches - Vandberbilt is handy and the large parking garage means you can find a place to park. Clam Pass is a favorite as you can ride the tide in and out of the bay, and Delnor Wiggins pass are all nice beaches to visit.

For restaurants you can plan on either 5th ave south, or 3rd street for lots of good options - having car you have your choice of either location.

So I would offer that location of a hotel that is both near beach and restaurants is not a necessity. I'd opt for a comfortable hotel at the right price even if it's on US41, and plan on driving here and there.

Yes, that's true. But one thing I prefer is having lots of dining options within walking distance of the hotel. Why? Well, I'm not really a heavy drinker, but Naples is notorious for road stops for DUIs, and they hand out serious tickets liberally. You don't even need to be driving in an erratic manner when they do a total road block stop -- but it doesn't take much to get a ticket which is a serious matter. One reason I LOVE living within easy walking distance of 5th Avenue South.