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Naples in Southwest Florida is renowned for its stunning white sand beaches, impressive art scene, and bustling nightlife. It is one of the most popular areas on the Gulf Coast for a fun city break, and its close proximity to the Everglades National Park makes it an excellent destination for exploring Florida’s fascinating fauna and flora.
If you’re planning a getaway to Naples and are wondering which part of the city to stay in, this travel guide is bound to help. We’ve listed the most popular neighborhoods in Naples for tourists and highlighted some of the city’s best hotels so you can look forward to an incredible vacation in this sophisticated city.
Old Naples for First-Time Visits
Highlights: Naples Pier, Naples Art Association, Gulfshore Playhouse, Naples Depot Museum, Naples Train Museum
Old Naples is the most historic portion of the city center and is where many of the city’s most popular tourist attractions are found. You can take in fantastic 19th-century architecture when you wander around this part of the city, and there are also lots of world-class restaurants, museums, and art galleries to enjoy.
One of the most popular attractions in Old Naples is Naples Pier, which was originally built in 1888. This is an incredible spot for watching the sun set below the Gulf of Mexico horizon, and you might even see dolphins playing in the waters here. Head to Naples Downtown, a waterfront enclave that looks out into Naples Bay, to appreciate its upscale stores and restaurants.
Where to Stay
If you want to be at the heart of the city with convenient access to many of the city’s sights, Old Naples is a great area to stay in. There are several luxurious Naples hotels in this neighborhood that are a short walk from the main sights.
Naples Bay Resort gives casual elegance with spacious condo-style suites with access to a heated swimming pool, poolside cabanas, a fitness center, and an on-site lounge and restaurant. The Cove Inn on Naples Bay offers boutique-style rooms with private patios and fabulous views of Naples Bay.
Fifth Avenue South for Night Owls
Highlights: Cambier Park, Art On Fifth Ave Naples
Fifth Avenue South cuts through the heart of Old Naples and is renowned for its nightlife. It’s lined with bars, restaurants, cafes, and clubs, making it the perfect area for night owls to stay if they want to make the most of Naples after dark.
There are some incredible eateries in the Fifth Avenue South area, ranging from casual grills and burger joints to sophisticated gourmet restaurants and bistros. You can also find an array of bars to suit all tastes, from relaxed Irish pubs to chic cocktail bars.
Where to Stay
Fifth Avenue South is a good option for those who want easy access to both the beach and Downtown. Remember that it’s busy until late, so if you value an early night, it’s not the right area to stay in. There are some great hotels on 5th Avenue and the surrounding streets.
The Inn on Fifth has a cool, boutique feel and offers a pool, a spa, and an excellent steak and seafood restaurant. The Escalante is a boutique hotel with tropical gardens and poolside fountains that give it the charm of a Mediterranean villa.
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Naples Downtown has comfortable rooms with access to free WiFi, free parking, a gym, and an outdoor pool. Hyatt House Naples/5th Avenue provides free WiFi and breakfast and boasts a restaurant, pool, fitness center, and business center.Â
For an upscale stay, consider Naples Bay Resort, which has a host of luxurious amenities on site, including five pools, a spa, tennis courts, a marina, a fitness center, multiple restaurants, and a virtual golf suite.
Coquina Sands for Peace and Quiet
Highlights: Lowdermilk Park, Naples Zoo
Coquina Sands is a beachfront residential area primarily comprised of single-family homes. It’s close to a variety of beautiful parks and offers convenient access to the beach. There aren’t many amenities on offer, but the atmosphere here is incredibly peaceful.
Lowdermilk Park is Coquina Sands’ biggest attraction. This is a public beach and park area with picnic tables, a playground with swings, a volleyball court, and public bathrooms and showers. It’s a popular destination for locals, and it tends to be quieter and more family-friendly than Naples Beach.
Where to Stay
There aren’t any hotels in the Coquina Sands district itself, but if you’re lucky, you might be able to find private vacation rentals. Just outside the area lies Edgewater Beach Hotel, which provides spacious suites with views of either the Gulf of Mexico or Naples City. Another option is Collins Hotel Naples, a three-star hotel with simple, cozy rooms, a free breakfast buffet, and an outdoor pool.
Pelican Bay for Luxury Vacations
Highlights: Ridgewood Park, Clam Pass Park, Vanderbilt Beach, Pelican Bay Community Park, Artis-Naples
Pelican Bay is situated north of Coquina Sands, considered one of Naples’ coolest areas. It consists of slick, modern, highrise buildings situated close to the shoreline, allowing for incredible views of the Gulf of Mexico. The area is loved by Naples residents thanks to its trendy bars, cafes, restaurants, and stores.
Despite its contemporary and ultra-urban architecture, Pelican Bay can also bring you closer to nature. Parks and luscious landscapes surround the area, so it’s easy to take a break from the city and appreciate Southwest Florida’s natural world.
You’re seven miles from Naples City Center when you stay in Pelican Bay, so if you want to spend lots of time in Old Naples, this isn’t the best area to stay in. If you’re looking for an indulgent break in a beautiful hotel with easy access to some of Naples’ coolest bars and eateries, Pelican Bay is a great destination.
Where to Stay
There are some fantastic hotels and resorts to choose from in Pelican Bay. The Inn at Pelican Bay sits at the edge of a tranquil lake and offers gorgeous, classic interiors in its cozy rooms.
Inn of Naples, also known as Hilton Naples, is a grand neoclassical hotel with an outdoor pool, free bicycle rentals, and a free shuttle bus to nearby Clam Pass Beach.Â
Naples Grande Beach Resort has a private beach, a spa, golf and tennis courts, and three swimming pools. The Ritz-Carlton Naples is a luxury hotel with a gym, tennis courts, a golf course, two outdoor pools, and a rooftop bar.
Naples Park for Golfers
Highlights: Vanderbilt Beach, Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, golf courses
Naples Park is an upscale residential area north of Pelican Bay, around 20 minutes away from Old Naples by car. It has a fantastic array of restaurants, stores, and attractions, but one of its biggest draws is its close proximity to many of Naples’ best golf courses. Stonebridge Country Club, LaPlaya Golf Club, and TiburĂłn Golf Club are all nearby.
Since Naples Park itself is a relatively small residential area, its accommodation is limited to vacation rentals. If you want the space and freedom of an entire property rather than a hotel room, consider Naples Park. From here, you can enjoy convenient access to Vanderbilt Beach, Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Barefoot Beach County Reserve, and Lovers Key State Park.
East Naples for Budget Travelers
Highlights: Naples Botanical Gardens, Bayview Park, East Naples Community Park, Sugden Regional Park, Collier County Museum
East Naples is close to both the city center and Naples Municipal Airport, making it a convenient spot for short stays. It’s a chic neighborhood, but since there are fewer attractions here than in Old Naples, accommodation is very affordable. Access to the city center takes less than 10 minutes by car or half an hour by public transport.
There’s lots of green space in East Naples, giving it a lush, relaxing atmosphere. There are several golf courses and parks, but the area’s biggest gem is Naples Botanical Gardens. These beautifully cultivated gardens and nature preserves cover 170 acres, and there are lots of trails and picnic tables available for you to enjoy the space.
Where to Stay
If you’re planning a budget trip to Naples, this is a great area to stay in. The Holiday Inn Express is an affordable hotel with modern rooms, a pool, and a hot tub. SpringHill Suites Naples offers spacious rooms with mini-refrigerators and microwaves for those who want more space than a typical hotel room.
Vanderbilt Beach for Quiet Beach Breaks
Highlights: Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park
Vanderbilt Beach is a small, intimate neighborhood that serves as a quieter alternative to Naples Beach. You can sunbathe, canoe, kayak, and hike in the area. Plus, there are opportunities to take boat tours or launch your own boat to explore the waterways.
There are a few relaxed local bars and shops to enjoy in Vanderbilt Beach, but if you’re looking for lively nightlife, you’ll be limited to the bars and restaurants in the area’s beach resorts. Access to Old Naples for nightlife is easy by car because the city center is just 10 miles away, but keep in mind that public transport to this neighborhood is limited.
Where to Stay
If you’re looking for a vacation where you have convenient beach access and great amenities on-site at your resort, you’ll find exactly that at Vanderbilt Beach, particularly at LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort. It has a host of luxurious amenities, including an 18-hole golf course, a full-service spa, a swimming pool, and on-site restaurants.
Marco Island for Family Vacations
Highlights: Marco Island Historical Museum, Mackle Park, Tigertail Beach, Marco Island Center for the Arts, Briggs Nature Center, Collier Seminole State Park
Marco Island is 18 miles south of Naples City, and it’s a family-friendly paradise for those looking for a beach break. It has gorgeous stretches of white sands, several unspoiled parks, and a host of luxurious resorts to stay in. It is the largest of Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands and the only one to have been developed.
There are great opportunities to get lost in nature when you stay on Marco Island. You can enjoy camping, fishing, boating, and hiking at Collier Seminole State Park. At Briggs Nature Center, you can watch wildlife from the boardwalk, take a shelling excursion, or take a self-guided canoe trip to see the area’s native wildlife.
Where to Stay
There are lots of vacation rentals available in the condos and apartment complexes on Marco Island. For a more luxurious experience, book a room or suite in one of the island’s many resorts, such as JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort or The Surf Club of Marco Resort, both of which offer incredible Gulf views.
Bonita Springs for Nature Lovers
Highlights: Lovers Key State Park, Wonder Gardens, Bonita Beach, Estero Beach Aquatic Reserve
Bonita Springs is a scenic and welcoming community that sits between Naples and the popular coastal town of Fort Myers. There are lots of golf courses and country clubs in the Bonita Springs region, but one of the area’s most popular attractions is Lovers Key State Park.
Lovers Key acquired its name because it was once such a remote island that only lovers made the effort to visit it in search of privacy. The island is now connected to the mainland by road, but it has enough unspoiled beaches and natural space that it rarely becomes crowded. You have the opportunity to rent a boat from Lovers Key to explore the beautiful Estero Bay, which is rich with wildlife.
Where to Stay
There’s a range of hotels and resorts in Bonita Springs to suit a variety of budgets. A popular choice is LaQuinta Inn & Suites Bonita Springs, which offers spacious, pet-friendly rooms with mobile check-in, access to free parking and WiFi, an onsite fitness center, a business center, an outdoor pool, and a complimentary breakfast.
Book Your Stay in Naples, Florida
Now you’re familiar with Naples’ best neighborhoods and hotels, you can get started planning your visit to this Floridian gem!
