Naples with kids
Apr 16th, 2007, 10:43 AM
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Naples with kids
Hi,
I am attending a conference in Naples, FL in mid-February. The conference will be at the Naples Grande. The hotel is offering their basic rooms for $350/night.
I was hoping to take my toddler son with us (and also my mother so we could attend the evening events associated with the conference) so I was thinking that a suite would be better for us (fridge for snacks and milk, separate bedroom). One bedroom suites at the Grande are $625/night. We are able to get a one bedroom suite at the Edgewater Beach Hotel for $425.
I have read a few negative postings here about the Edgewater but would it be an okay place to stay if you were bringing a small child? Is the Grande worth $200 more per night?
We will have a car. Are there any other hotels that are relatively close to the Grande that offer suites or condo type units that are reasonably priced (I know it is high season and rates are going to be high everywhere) besides the Edgewater?
Thanks in advance!
Alex
I am attending a conference in Naples, FL in mid-February. The conference will be at the Naples Grande. The hotel is offering their basic rooms for $350/night.
I was hoping to take my toddler son with us (and also my mother so we could attend the evening events associated with the conference) so I was thinking that a suite would be better for us (fridge for snacks and milk, separate bedroom). One bedroom suites at the Grande are $625/night. We are able to get a one bedroom suite at the Edgewater Beach Hotel for $425.
I have read a few negative postings here about the Edgewater but would it be an okay place to stay if you were bringing a small child? Is the Grande worth $200 more per night?
We will have a car. Are there any other hotels that are relatively close to the Grande that offer suites or condo type units that are reasonably priced (I know it is high season and rates are going to be high everywhere) besides the Edgewater?
Thanks in advance!
Alex
Apr 17th, 2007, 07:16 PM
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Hello Alex,
The Naples Grande and Edgewater Hotel are owned by the same people. They have both recently undergone renovations. The Grande has two pools with a waterfall and slide but in my opinion is always overcrowded. It is a nice property but you must take a tram over a boardwalk through the mangroves to get to the beach. The Edgewater is right on the beach. The pool isn't much like the Grande but the Gulf of Mexico is right at your feet. Also, the Edgewater is closer to downtown Naples where there's a lot of restaurants and shops. So, I'd have to say, in my opinion, The Grande is not worth 200.00 more per night.
Now, with that said, there are many hotels close to the Grande or within a 15 minute drive. Did you check out LaPlaya? Also, not quite near the Grande but only 10 minutes south is Bellasera. It is a great resort with studio, one and two bedroom suites. The two bedroon suite has a balcony and a full kitchen for 400.00 per night. Bellasera is a beautiful property but is not on the beach. They do offer free shuttle to the beach and it is walking distance to 5th Avenue South which is a great area to dine and shop. Another hotel close to the Grande is the Hilton. I have never been inside the hotel but I've heard it's very nice. It is not on the beach however, but on Rt. 41 which is a very busy road.
Go to Expedia and put in Naples as your location and your travel dates. Some hotels will come up as unavailable but that's because it's kind of early to book. Also, since it's so early don't be surprised if rates actually go down.
Good luck!
The Naples Grande and Edgewater Hotel are owned by the same people. They have both recently undergone renovations. The Grande has two pools with a waterfall and slide but in my opinion is always overcrowded. It is a nice property but you must take a tram over a boardwalk through the mangroves to get to the beach. The Edgewater is right on the beach. The pool isn't much like the Grande but the Gulf of Mexico is right at your feet. Also, the Edgewater is closer to downtown Naples where there's a lot of restaurants and shops. So, I'd have to say, in my opinion, The Grande is not worth 200.00 more per night.
Now, with that said, there are many hotels close to the Grande or within a 15 minute drive. Did you check out LaPlaya? Also, not quite near the Grande but only 10 minutes south is Bellasera. It is a great resort with studio, one and two bedroom suites. The two bedroon suite has a balcony and a full kitchen for 400.00 per night. Bellasera is a beautiful property but is not on the beach. They do offer free shuttle to the beach and it is walking distance to 5th Avenue South which is a great area to dine and shop. Another hotel close to the Grande is the Hilton. I have never been inside the hotel but I've heard it's very nice. It is not on the beach however, but on Rt. 41 which is a very busy road.
Go to Expedia and put in Naples as your location and your travel dates. Some hotels will come up as unavailable but that's because it's kind of early to book. Also, since it's so early don't be surprised if rates actually go down.
Good luck!
Apr 18th, 2007, 06:22 AM
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The Hilton is a very nice small for a Hilton hotel, not on the beach but has a pool with small rock waterfalls. Extremely dangerous, but the kids love jumping off them. Yours might be too small for that.
You could also look on a search engine for rental condos in Naples. I am sure there are better or in the price range of Grande. Seems like you have plenty of time to research this since your trip isn't until next year.
You've read my vote on the Egdewater I'm sure! If the Grande is bad overcrowded and it is big, you don't want to see the Edgewater overcrowded. I will have to say that if your priority is the suite the Edgewater is well suited.
You could also look on a search engine for rental condos in Naples. I am sure there are better or in the price range of Grande. Seems like you have plenty of time to research this since your trip isn't until next year.
You've read my vote on the Egdewater I'm sure! If the Grande is bad overcrowded and it is big, you don't want to see the Edgewater overcrowded. I will have to say that if your priority is the suite the Edgewater is well suited.
Apr 18th, 2007, 01:04 PM
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Thanks so much for your responses! I plan to keep checking the rates as the dates get closer. I was just worried that since the conference will be over President's Day weekend, hotels might book up quickly and I wanted to make sure I had at least some type of reservation. I had looked at the Bellasera and it looks really beautiful. I did not know how it would be for kids, particularly very small ones. My son is generally well behaved but he will only be 2.5 by that time and I do not want other guests to be disrupted. La Playa keeps coming up as unavailable on both Expedia and their own website but as you said, it might just be too far in advance. I will try calling them directly. Thanks again!
Apr 24th, 2007, 05:18 PM
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Alex,
There is no reason for you to feel that Bellesera would not be suitable for your little one. It would be perfect and since you have small children it would be more convenient than La Playa since they are designed like condos and not hotel rooms.
Good luck.
There is no reason for you to feel that Bellesera would not be suitable for your little one. It would be perfect and since you have small children it would be more convenient than La Playa since they are designed like condos and not hotel rooms.
Good luck.
