I have reservations in 2 resorts because I cannot decide. I have done a search here and still undecided.

I have a full gulf view at the Ritz Carlton for $649.00 per night with AmEx Fine hotels and resorts. With that we get breakfast every day, and a $75 spa voucher.

The other reservation is at La Playa. I have 9th floor beach front with gulf/beach view for $619.00 per night.

Both hotels look lovely, and I have equal type accommodations at both. I was a little bit concerned because I have read on Trip Advisor that LaPlaya is a bit "worn" and the hotel staff does not seem to care. The difference in price really does not matter, but we are looking for a great beach, and just some R&R, and some decent dining seaside. From the hotels websites, I would prefer LaPlaya as it looks like a more relaxed, casually elegant place....but I just dont know. I really need help in deciding.

Thanks in advance.

We greatly enjoyed our stay at the Ritz in Naples-good service, nice beach, good food, relaxing. I haven't stayed at LaPlaya so I can't compare.

Wow. You're giving us a tough one. There is little doubt that the Ritz is a better property in most every way. But you are right that LaPlaya is more casual and relaxed, and more tropical in feel and appearance. Don't get me wrong, the Ritz isn't so formal that you have to dress up to go through the lobby, but it is more "formal" in almost every way than LaPlaya.

Are you aware that at LaPlaya you are just feet away from the Gulf, right smack on the beach? At the Ritz you are way back from the Gulf as you are separated by a wide expanse of mangroves through which you take a fair stroll on a boardwalk to get to the beach. This might make a difference to you. While during the day it may be nicer to be right on the beach, there's a school of thought that says if you're right on the beach at night you are looking out into a dark void, as opposed to being able to see the lights and the shore north and south.

Regarding dining, while there are two casual dining pavillions -- outdoor spaces at the Ritz, they are very casusal, and I'm never sure if either is open for regular dinner. Their main dining options are within the hotel itself (three choices) but none are really outdoor or tropical -- and two are very formal, dressy options.
At LaPlaya, there is dining facing the beach that spills right out onto the beach itself (we literally got sand in our shoes at dinner). This is the very nice and to use your term, casually elegant Baleen.

Not sure I've helped, but just a couple of thoughts to consider.

Thank you so very very much....your input made my decision. We are looking to be right on the beach, and we are looking for more of a more "barefoot beach" kind of feel.

I was watching the Travel Channel last weekend and LaPlaya was on Great Hotels. It looked just perfect....just was a bit concerned with some of the negative reviews .....but, so what....the place meets our needs.

Thanks again

And if it makes you feel any better, there have a been a few negative reviews of the Ritz as well. I suppose there is no such thing as a perfect hotel for some people. And I also suppose when some people pay those high prices, they like to complain just a little bit more if thinks aren't absolutely perfect.

Be sure to post a trip report and let us know what you thought. You should have a great time.

Thanks again

Your info made all the difference and was just the kind of insite I was looking for.

The hotels are so close togtether it will be easy to enjoy some of the facilities of both.

Grab a credit card and walk down the beach to the Ritz on day, and have lunch there, and take a look around.

Naples is a great place; it seems to me to be the pure definition of casually elegant. Have fun.

BAK

At La Playa you will get the R&R you want. At the Ritz you will have to put up with a lot of kids .You will have a litte more fredom at La Playa to come and go .Also for a great lunch check out Buzz's light house and the Seawitch for after hours .

if you stay at La Playa they have beach front dinning and the Ritz has only a outside deck with an obstructed view of the beach. For beach front dinning you are very close to the Turtle club if you stay and the La Playa about a 5 minute walk south has one of the best outside beach front dinning areas in Naples.

Thank you very much!