WHAT TO DO IN NAPLES, FL.
 

On May 23 my wife & me we´re going to visit our son (internship at The Ritz Carlton Hotel). Any recomendation about Hotels in that area? and any other information about Naples and the surroundings.. thank you very much!

Walk down 5th Avenue and have dinner at Tommy Bahama's - that's my fav in Naples !

Caribbean Gardens is a wonderful nature and wildlife preserve. The interesting shopping/restaurant areas are 5th Ave. South and 3rd St. South (south of 12th Ave.). Tommy Bahama's is on 3rd St.South, and Mangrove Cafe is very good on 5th Ave. South. A day trip to Sanibel Island to the north near Ft. Myers puts you into a slice of the Caribbean.

Do absolutely nothing but relax on a gorgeous beach... love the beach in Naples. My husband and I stayed at La Playa which is right down the street from the Ritz. We loved it!

Nice recommendations! Wich are the two or tree best malls, not expensive.

GMBC, if you want a regular indoor mall go to Coastland Center mall in Naples. A short drive into Estero will take you to the new shops at Coconut Point which is an outdoor mall.

Sorry, Naples and "not expensive" don't go together in the same post.
Actually the Coastland Mall is the largest and most "generic" of the Naples malls. Waterside Shops at the corner of Pelican Bay has become even more upscale than it used to be -- think Gucci and Tiffany. The new Coconut Point mall which will really be gigantic is just opening -- much more to come. It's about 20 miles or so north of Naples, but worth a visit. Blue Water Bistro there is wonderful for either lunch or dinner.

But shopping is certainly more interesting along 5th Avenue South or 3rd Street South. Lots of galleries, home accessories, as well as clothing.

Corkscrew Sanctuary run by the Audubon Society with a long boardwalk through the swamp is a worthwhile trip -- it's about a half hour east of town, off Immokalee Road.

I'm confused by your mentioning your son at The Ritz and asking about hotels. What is it you're looking for and do you want close to The Ritz? End of May is a good time as prices have dropped dramatically. Let us know more what and where you're looking for and I can give some suggestions.

Dear NeoPatrick:
If our son can get a special rate for our stay at The Ritz, we may be there for 2 or 3 days and then need to find other one for other 2 or 3 days.
Special thanks for your advise.
Regards.

Dear NeoPatrick o friends: Hi! please give us some advise after my last post.
Thanks

Hmm. That last post sure disappeared for awhile.

What exactly are you looking for? After some time at the Ritz, what about "downtown" at the Inn on Fifth or at Bellasera or the Trianon?

How much do you want to spend and do you want to stay on or near the beach? Do you want to continue staying up in the north? There are a couple of decent places on Vanderbilt Beach. Or not on the beach, there is the Inn at Pelican Bay, very close to the Ritz.

At the end of May, you shouldn't have to pay and arm and a leg -- maybe just an arm.

GMBC The new Coconut Point Mall is wonderful and well worth a visit. However, if you shop on a budget the nearby Miromar Outlet Mall on Corkscrew Road is terrific.

Thanks. We found a family place yo stay after the Ritz.
Our to do list(not in order) is:
- Relax at the Ritz... will be one with the golf field.
- Beach and fish with my son + day trip to Sanibel Island & Ft. Myers.
- Fish in a lake or river.
- Shop: Miromar & Coastland Center malls.
- Enjoy meals: Tommy Bahama's and perhaps we will prepare something at home. Where's the best hamburguer in town?
Breakfast: My wife love good & healthy breakfasts... suggestions?
Well, take care.

Best hamburger? It's pretty hard to top Cheeburger, Cheeburger. There's on on the North Trail, almost across the street from Borders, P.F. Chaings, etc. There's another right on Fifth Avenue South.
They also have great shakes, malts, and fries.

Best breakfast places in town -- Sunburst Cafe at Pine Ridge and Airport (near Target), Skillet's at Park Shore (behind Wendy's), and the Cove Inn Coffee Shop in the Cove Inn (but don't look for healthy there -- they specialize in artery clogging).

Are you keeping your "family place to stay" a secret?

Je je... the place is a condominium, Pelican Ridge... $60 per night, hows that?
Best regards.

Another vote for the bird sanctuary in Corkscrew Swamp. This is a great way to spend a couple hours. Take advantage of the guides to help you find the birds and you'll have a very memorable experience.

About hamburgers, heard that Five Guys is the best...

I was driving down Kennedy Blvd in Tampa the other day and saw a Five Guys. I just about fell over. I thought it was just a DC thing! Now I hear they are in Naples?

So I did a little checking around, and sure enough, a few years ago, they decided to franchise. Apparently, they are doing a booming business while still maintaining quality. Here's the Washington Post article on them: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...040200723.html

I've never tasted a better hamburger than at Five Guys. And the fries are heavenly. Mmmm!

Five Guys is the best burger in town, hands down. Used to go to Cheeseburger Cheeseburger before my boys moved into town! It doesn't even come close.

And I'd like to second Sunburst Cafe for breakfast. Only drawback is that it's not very big so it can get crowded. But might not be too bad since it's out of season now.

I've driven past that new Five Guys on Pine Ridge, but never heard of them. Now I can't wait to get home the end of July to try it.

Dear friends, final tips after visiting Naples in May:
- The Ritz Carlton Hotels are fantastic for relaxation.
- Breakfast: Skillets (Sunrise CAF 5461 Airport Road North):
Excelent plates, good service. Try the Strawbwerry waffle + benedict eggs. 3 persons: $50.-
- Dinner: Cote D´Azur Restaurant (11224 Tamiani Trail North... Northeast corner of Immokalee & 41) Nice and little french place. Make reservations (tel. 239-597 8867) Good mussels ($10), calamari ($12) lamb chops ($37) and duck ($36) against others. The berries were excelent. Wine: Cht Borie Lalande ($55).