Here's my deal, I hope someone can help. Visiting Naples, 3/24-3/31 over daughter's college break. Wanted LaPlaya but didn't know far enough ahead to get the whole week. I can get 5 days there but not sure we want to pack up and move. Have Bellasera as a back up. Both Ritz naples and sarasota, Edgewater Beach, Hyatt Coconut Point are available. Any advice? Is the beach Ritz worth $799? Is it stuffy? Has anyone seen the Edgewater Beach since pool renovations are complete? We like upscale rooms and nice pool but prefer casual dining. I'd really appreciate responses from anyone who has stayed recently in the area at the above properties or any others I may have overlooked. Thanks!

I also answered your other message. Ritz at $799??? Geez. Find out how much Ritz Golf is they have a quick shuttle to the beach resort and you can use all their amenities. You sleep at the golf resort (which is very nice too) and spend the day at the beach resort.
I don't know when the pool at the Edgewater was finished but as of last Aug it wasn't great. Its just very small for the amount of people. It reminds me of a residential pool.

Restaurants: Any in downtown is good. The Irish pub Mccabe is very nice and lively. Truluck, 812 Bistro, Marie Michelles on the Bay. Careful with places like Chardonnay they tend to be old fogie. Walk in to restaurants and scope it out fist then make your decision.
You will love Naples.

Mary..thank you. I ended up posting this basic question several times...getting kind of frantic for input. Thanks for replying to both. I know, $799 for the Ritz seems extreme to me. Coincidentally, I bumped into a friend yesterday who has stayed at the Ritz beach and she said she didn't think it was worth that price so that helped me a lot. (I didn't think so either but when the pickings are slim....lol). I've looked into the Golf resort and it's a real possibility. Apparently Edgewater has added another pool (I think it's a lap pool tho)which might improve things there. But, it's hard to get excited about a small pool after seeing some of the great pools at the 5 stars. You don't know anything about LaPlaya do you? Thanks too for the dining ideas.

I have a friend who has stayed there and she loved it. It is more of a "boutique hotel" ie. small lobby, not so many rooms. Have checked The Registry? I have stayed a couple of times. It is very nice, pretty lagoony pool, and a bunch of restaurants. The only thing is that the beach is a very nice 10 minute walk on a boardwalk thru mangrove preserves. Or you can take the hotel's golf cart shuttle that takes you anytime (5 minute ride). Since we are not the type to go back and forth to our room, we like to stay a few hours at the beach, then the pool, then we are done for the day, we didn't mind it. I would say that The Registry is maybe 1 notch down from the Ritz where Egdewater is like 5. I don't know I just DID NOT like Edgewater ok. I was trying to be kind but the more I think about my experience the more I have to be honest with you! Restaurant at the Edge was expensive too for what it was.
I just went to Regisrty web site and silly me just realized it is called the Grande now.
By the way if you have a car drive down the Gulf SHore Blvd and see the mansions on the beach they are beautiful, if you don't have a car take the trolly tour .

Well, I live in "downtown" Naples so I'm partial to it, but I'd pick the Edgewater where it is so close to all the really good and fun restaurants of Fifth Ave. South and Third Street South.
You will have a car though, right?

You'll also find the beach there less crowded than at the Ritz.

Mary you made me laugh...which made my day!! I appreciate your total honesty, that's what I'm after. Neo...thanks for your input also. Yes, we will have a car. We have been going to the Keys (Marathon) since I was a little girl..I'm pushing 50 so small and intimate doesn't seem negative to me but at the same time, we are going to Naples for a change from what we are used to. We stay in my parent's condo/townhouse in Marathon so it's definately not a resort feel...but the price is right. LOL Thanks so much for all of the comments. If there's anything else to add, I'm all eyes!