CRUISING down 5th Avenue in a salmon-pink Naples Beach Club electric Moke convertible is the perfect way to soak up the sunshine on Florida’s Gulf Coast. We had just checked in to Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, which recently opened its shiny brass doors after much anticipation.
The lobby features a Pecky Cypress ceiling with a golden palm-leaf chandelier glistening in the sunlight. Tasteful sofas and armchairs in cream and green hues, with botanical-print just-plumped cushions, are set around grey-veined marble coffee tables, while the charming concierge team resemble Ralph Lauren fashion models.
Naples Beach Club
The 220 guest rooms, which include 57 suites, are furnished with rich coastal textures, a nod to the Gulf Coast’s famous shoreline. Bespoke cabinetry in periwinkle blue lacquer reveals a minibar with complimentary snacks, while user-friendly hi-tech lighting enhances the contemporary vibe.
Our room opens out onto a spacious ocean-facing terrace accommodating a daybed and dining table. The white marble bathroom with double vanity unit, walk-in shower and oversized bath are each enhanced with Byredo amenities, and there is a well-appointed walk-in dressing area.
Corner Balcony at Naples Beach Club
Beach front at Naples Beach Club
The property is set in a horseshoe shape, with an expansive terrace pool central to the layout, and a shallow kid’s pool surrounded by air-conditioned beach cabanas with dramatic scalloped orange pelmets and orange and white-striped curtains.
Naples Beach Club is at the heart of an expansive new shoreline development, with the Market Square complex creating a social hub for guests, residents and local visitors. Amenities include the staggering 30,000 square foot Sanctury Spa, a bi-level wellness centre featuring a restorative thermal circuit, a 75-foot rooftop lap pool, a fitness facility designed by celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak, and a dedicated room housing Frame Pilates reformers.
The complex also houses a retail store, a grab-and-go food outlet, a four-lane bowling alley and a private screening room. Later this year, an 18-hole golf course designed by Tom Fazio is scheduled for opening.
HB’s at Naples Beach Club
The Merchant Room at Naples Beach Club
Culinary offerings include the signature all-day dining restaurant, The Merchant Room, with both inside and al fresco tables that overlook the pool and ocean. It is helmed by Minneapolis-based Chef Gavin Kaysen, a two-time James Beard award-winner.
In the evening, the Merchant Room’s lights dim, highlighting the flamingo-filled mural by artist Dean Berger, a homage to Florida’s coastal wetlands. The sumptuous dinner menu highlights local flavours, featuring in-house day-aged steaks, a selection of fresh fish and hand-made pastas.
Sunset at Naples Beach Club
HB’s is a beachfront restaurant celebrated for its fresh daily catches and named in honour of Henry B Watkins, the founder of the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, the legendary property that once stood on this storied seashore. With its dizzying views, it offers the best front-row seat in town for a pre-dinner cocktail. Watching the sky shift from glowing orange to soft pink and then deep crimson before the sun finally fades into the horizon, captures a lasting memory of our final day.
by Amanda Bernstein
Rates start at USD$1,200 per night.
801 Gulf Shore Blvd N, Naples, FL 35102
United States
(239) 944-7600