Where to stay in Naples Florida – Top areas and best hotels

Naples is undoubtedly the jewel of Florida, where the popular white sandy beaches and emerald green waters make it see the highest visitor numbers on the Paradise Coast.

Its location on the Gulf of Mexico means that there are plenty of beaches and places for you to choose your accommodation from.

And with so many options, it comes to no surprise that is difficult to understand where to stay in Naples, which area works best for a family vacation or for a holiday with your partner.

Naples is packed with beautiful ocean front resorts, has plenty of water sport options, and a whopping 92 golf courses.

Are you looking for the best places to stay in Naples on a budget? Read more below and you will be surprised by a few amazing value options.

This city is such a unique place that visitors from across the pond call Naples their home away from home.

It is time to get deeper and see the best areas to stay in Naples Florida with a few suggested hotels and VRBOs

Old Naples & Fifth Avenue South – The best places to stay in Naples overall

Fifth Avenue South & Old Naples are best places to stay in Naples because: 

• liveliest part of the city
• plenty of cafes, restaurants and bars to enjoy in both the 5th Avenue South and the third street south
• best shopping and cultural attractions
• easy access to and from the airport, or by car
• best luxury hotels
• lovely white sand beach and iconic Naples Pier

The weakest points:

• most expensive part of the city
• parking can be a problem

Old Naples is the area on the Southern side of the city and marks the space where communities first pitched camp more than a century ago.

There’s no ‘fixed boundary’ that will designate the area. Just head towards the beach along Central Avenue and turn left on any of the side streets.

Even better, start your exploration from the Fifth Avenue South, the heart of Old Naples.

There’s plenty to do in Old Naples. For instance, you can check out Gardner Colby Gallery that’s on 3rd Street South.

It has been there since 1994, and is part of the “Art Block” on the street that showcases collections by contemporary artists – from painters and glass workers to sculptors.

The municipal beach in Old Naples is just perfect to get some sun and sand, a beach that keeps going for another 8 miles north with 22 public access points.

At Bayshore Drive stands the 170-acre Naples Botanical Garden that you can take relaxing strolls in.

Go back into history in the Palm Cottage Museum, whose roots go as far back as 1895, now housing the Naples Historical Society.

Your evenings can be spent getting entertained in places like the iconic Old Naples Pub with its great atmosphere and live music.

What about some shopping while on your trip?

Fifth Avenue South is the heartbeat of Old Naples. You’ll find shops, restaurants, all through to art galleries in this commercial hub.

The Shaw Gallery here has been a key part of Naples, featuring American and international artists.

This is the best area to stay in Naples overall.

I already talked about the lovely beach but I forgot to mention also the famous Naples Pier and the palm trees all along the beach that add that Caribbean feeling

Suggested accommodations are

Hotel Escalante

This Mediterranean-style boutique hotel is a mere 2-minute walk from the beach. The setting here is its main appeal, where you get that European feel right on the beach.

Many of the hotel guests are couples on romantic getaways, so kids are few. While here, you get a free continental breakfast, access to an outdoor pool, hot tub with a private feel, and even fitness programs and bike rentals.

Speaking of meals, the ingredients here are sourced straight from an on-site organic garden. You can also take advantage of the hotel’s complimentary golf cart shuttle service.

The beach service comes with towels, umbrellas and full lounge chairs.

Check price at Escalante

Cove Inn on Naples Bay

The inn features three restaurants for you to pick from, an outdoor pool, as well as a poolside bar. The guest rooms themselves are spacious, and they overlook the harbor.

Each room has its own private balcony for you to enjoy the views of the marina. It’s also a lovely spot to watch the sunset from.

The lobby’s Coffee Shoppe allows you to get breakfast to-go to kick start your day touring the surrounding area.

While it’s not a “luxury” resort, Cove Inn does give you great value with its amenities. 

Use the free bike rentals here to navigate Naples during your stay, taking the bikes around town and to the beach.

You can also get beach chairs, towels, and umbrellas for your time at the beach.

Over the weekend, you’ll notice many locals coming into the restaurant since it is a popular spot for hanging out.

Check price at Cove Inn

Bellasera Resort

First, the guest rooms: they each have private balconies which overlook the courtyard.

The 2BR and 3BR suites have fully-equipped kitchens (washers and dryers are also included), and there are separate living and dining areas – making them spacious enough for families.

While here, take a splash in the resort’s heated outdoor pool, enjoy the poolside service, down cocktails at the bar and even take advantage of its fitness centre to work out during your stay.

Several days a week, there’s music at that resort’s Claw Bar Restaurant (main level) and London Club (upstairs). The Bellasera Resort offers concierge services as well.

Check price at Bellasera

VRBO Beach Club on 5th Avenue South

For your Naples staycation, check out this vacation rental on 5th Avenue South.

It has a massive master bedroom – with an en suite bathroom and king size bed, 2 twin beds in the second room for those on a family vacation, as well as a fully equipped kitchen. 

You can access the pool terrace right from the bedroom and living area, making for a comfy stay.

The residence is a walking distance – literally two blocks away – from the beach, and beach chairs and umbrellas are provided.

Check price at Beach Club

Vanderbilt Beach & Naples Park – Where to stay in Naples with family or big group

Naples Park is the best places to stay in Naples because: 

• you can easily find big houses hosting a family stay or a group of friends
• it is perfect if traveling by car (plenty of space to park the cars in the yard)
• proximity to the fabulous Vanderbilt Beach and the Bay Colony Golf Club
• next to Mercato, a shopping complex with a cinema, supermarket and plenty of dining options

The weakest points:

• it is a residential area without any cafe or restaurant around (unless you are close to the Tamiami Trail and Mercato)
• around 10 miles north of Old Naples
• not walking distance to the beach (around 1 mile or over)

There is plenty you can do on your days at Vanderbilt Beach. First of course are the shelling opportunities like other Gulf front beaches.

You can go of course swimming and get into some beach volleyball.

Many of the visitors here enjoy dolphin spotting, and there is more wildlife that you can keep your eye out for, like hermit crabs and diving pelicans.

The sand here is great for the kids to build sandcastles, and the shallow waters allow the little ones to safely play around a distance from the shore.

For the amenities, there are restrooms, foot showers, all through to bike racks and beach wheelchairs.

The onshore breeze that is much welcome over the summer, the bird watching activities as swarms of them come over during the migratory winter months – it adds to the appeal of this North Naples beach. 

For public beach access, there are three main points:

• County Park
• Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park
• Clam Pass County Park.

Given that this is a popular beach, you’ll need to arrive early at the access points to get parking.

This is especially true on weekends, and when the weather is particularly good for beach activities.

Handy tip: the further away you go from the main entrances, the fewer people there are, and if you’re lucky you will even stumble upon nesting sea turtles.  

Here are 3 amazing houses/villas that you should check out

VRBO Waterview Beach Life – 3BR

Feel at home in this luxurious waterfront getaway that overlooks Vanderbilt Bay.

Its open floor plan is designed to add to that spacious effect, and it’s a fully stocked premises with three bedrooms and two baths.

All you need for cooking is available in the fully equipped kitchen, and each of the bedrooms have the own flat-screen TVs, with bed options from Queen Size to Twin Beds.

The heated pool to take a splash in during your stay, a patio with wicker sets to lounge back on, the stainless gas grill for some waterside dining – you get that relaxing holiday feel in this home.

Check price at Waterview

VRBO Beach Daze – 3BR

The owners transformed this ranch-style home into a vacation rental, while retaining the open-air space for visitors to enjoy their stay.

Everything here is massive – from the living room to the bedrooms and the backyard. And yes, it’s large enough to hold an extended family, with extra amenities like a heated swimming pool to enjoy in privacy.

There are plenty of umbrellas and beach chairs to take with you as you head out to Vanderbilt Beach.

Since it’s less than a 20-minute walk to the beach, you can skip the parking troubles that are common at the beach access points.

Check price at Beach Daze

VRBO Best Location 3BR

It’s just a short walk from the beach for when you want that sun and sand, and has a heated pool that you can take a dip in during your stay. The kids will definitely love playing in the pool.

There are floaties, beach chairs and towels available.

The backyard is private, you get to enjoy the tropical setting from the screened-in porch, and also cook up your favorite meals in the fully stocked kitchen.

The smart TV allows you to catch up on your favorite Netflix shows during your trip.

Check price at Best Location VRBO

Lowdermilk Park & Beach – Where to stay in Naples Florida on the beach

Lowdermilk Park & Beach is the best places to stay in Naples for: 

• beach lovers
• distance to the heart of the city, being only 2 miles from Old Naples
• proximity to the zoo and to the Wilderness Country Club & Golf Club

The weakest points:

• not walking distance to Old Naples, you still need a car or a bike
• limited choice of cafes and restaurants around

Lowdermilk Beach is one of Naples’ spots that doesn’t get overcrowded, since it’s a more controlled environment.

It gives you plenty of space to enjoy the sun and sand.

Parking is right at the beach and you have to get there early to secure a spot. Early birds also get space at the Tiki huts.

What’s waiting for you here?

Light waves, shells for those interested in collecting them, dolphin spotting, soft sand underfoot and plenty of amenities – from the grills, restrooms, and public showers where you can rinse off the sand that you pick up during your trip.

Rent beach chairs and umbrellas on site, and even get into some beach volleyball.

There is also a playground and even a snack bar to grab some treats.

Here are two great accommodations in the area:

Edgewater Beach Hotel

When you wake up and pull the bedroom sliders, they open up to the entire ocean in front of you – it’s a pretty great way to start each day of your vacation.

In this beachfront resort, you can secure a room with an ocean or pool view.

The resort is particularly popular for couples, including holding their beach weddings.

The fitness centre allows you to keep up with your workout routine, and there are also on-site shops where you can pick up essentials.

You can bring the kids along as well, as they can enjoy the amenities here – including the pools. You can rent beach chairs, umbrellas and also paddle boards.

Check price at Edgewater

VRBO Luxury house with Jacuzzi – 3BR

The home’s layout has all you need to have a great vacation.

Spacious and well-furnished rooms, fully equipped kitchen with European appliances, a large living room, 3 bedrooms and 4 baths for housing large families, a heated pool, hot tub, and a screened-in lanai for privacy and keeping away the bugs.

There are also beach chairs, towels, coolers and even bikes. 

The living rooms have views of the pool and hot tub – so you can monitor your kids as you lounge back.

Check price at Luxury House

Tamiami Trail – Where to stay in Naples on a budget

Best for: 

• budget stay
• clean no frill accommodations
• plenty of cafes, restaurants and bars to enjoy at the nearby 5th Avenue South (walking distance from the below accommodations)
• travelling by car in Florida

The weakest points:

• lack of character accommodations
• not walking distance to the beach (over 1 mile)

The Tamiami Trail is the southernmost 275 miles of the U.S. Highway 41 (US 41) that cuts Naples in two parts.

West of it is the beach side where you find Old Naples, Lowdermilk Park & Beach and Pelican Bay.

On the east side, you will find East Naples, North Naples and some of the most amazing golf courses in the United States

Along this road, you will find the beast deals in Naples.

Certainly are not the most unique stay but they are clean, they offer a good space and they are perfect for a short stay, or even a long cheap one.

They are all typically in a motel format where you can drive in and park your car, which is a great benefit.

Most offer also a swimming pool, although on the small size.

Both options described below are actually quite close to the Fifth Avenue South and the beach.

If you are after a clean, great place to stay, but certainly not a boutique hotel, these accommodations may be just perfect for you.

Book well in advance, because the value is superb, and they tend to disappear quickly

La Quinta by Wyndham Naples Downtown

When you’re not diving in the Gulf, lounge back in this nice and quiet property – complete with an outdoor pool.

Proximity to Naples’ attractions, shops and restaurants at a pocket-friendly rate is also a plus.

Check price at La Quinta

Lemon Tree Inn

The highlights of the Lemon Tree Inn include its outdoor swimming pool, the courtyard garden, and central location to shops and restaurants.

It’s right next to Tin City and 5th Ave, and the beach is only a 15-minute walk out, and you can cut this short by moving through the church parking lot.

Beach towels are available, as well as rental bikes.

Lemon – the Inn’s resident cat – may pop by during your stay here ‘to say hi’.  Turns out he’s a guest-favorite.

The rooms are fairly large as well, and there’s sufficient water pressure and hot showers.

Check price at Lemon Tree

VRBO Royal Harbor

This cozy Royal Harbor cottage is on a quiet street, while still putting you close to Old Naples and 5th Avenue South.

With a bike, you can ride out to Naples Beaches if you prefer to leave the car behind (around 2 miles out).

There are separate family spaces. Note that it’s a one-bedroom unit, which is also why it’s mainly booked by couples.

The air conditioning is well maintained. There’s cable TV, and you can lounge back on the deck for your morning coffee or relaxing cocktail evenings.

The decor is pretty nice, especially with the crown molding. Pets are also easier to manage here, especially with the yard being fenced around.

Check price at Royal Harbor

Still undecided on your stay in the Florida West Coast?

Check out instead the lovely hotels and rentals of Marco Island, with its unique beaches

Not to mention the lovely hotels and rentals of Siesta Key, with its unique beaches

Or why not a stay in the areas and hotels of Sanibel Island, experiencing its amazing beaches

Best beachfront resorts in Naples, Florida

Here below are the 4 best beachfront resorts you can find in Naples.

I already mentioned the Edgewater Beach Hotel, located in Lowdermilk Beach, just 2 miles from the heart of Old Naples.

Absolutely stunning, with a private beach and a gorgeous pool.

Here are the other 3 beach resorts

Naples Grande Beach Resort (6 miles from Old Naples)

Where to start…a luxury spa, 3 outdoor swimming pools, your own private balcony, a 100-foot water slide, 15 clay tennis courts, 5 on site restaurants and lounges – it really earns the “Grande” Beach Resort title.

Get treated like royalty, from the spa to the room service.  

Enjoy pool side service. Take the edge off in the sauna and hot tub. Dine at the Rhode’s End restaurant that comes with views of the Gulf of Mexico. It’s all here.

Checking into the luxury hotel gives 24-hour access to its fitness centre, as well as discounts on the tennis court fees. 

It even features an 18-hole championship golf course and a heated pool to relax after a busy day.

Technically, the resort does not face the beach, in fact, it faces a small lagoon, the Outer Clam Bay, a beautiful natural habitat. 

You can use the resort’s shuttle service to get to the beach if you don’t fancy the 15-minute walk through the lovely Clam Pass Beach Path (less than a mile), to the private beach. 

Check price at Grande Beach

The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort (10 miles from Old Town)

This is one of the best 5-star resorts in Florida, a unique luxury hotel.

Give yourself a posh treatment in this high-end hotel that features outdoor pools and great ocean views.

The spacious rooms come with minibars, safety deposit boxes, desks to clear up that office work you brought while on your trip, all through to smart TVs with streaming services like HBO.

After your day in the beach, enjoy massages at the luxurious spa, and take back bath bombs for your room. 

The Ritz Carlton has its own 7 restaurants and a bar, gives you access to meeting rooms and a business centre, a tennis court to get the game on, a gym for your workouts, and an on-site barber/beauty shop. 

The experience is premium, from the valet to the front desk and room service.

Check price at Ritz-Carlton

La Playa Beach & Golf Resort, a Noble House Resort

Relax in luxury. Take your morning coffee right on the balcony as you watch dolphins and manatees in the Mexican Gulf.

Get massages and facials at the full-service spa. Take a splash in the pool that features a poolside Tiki Bar. Enjoy beach service where you just raise the flag and staff come to take your order.

Gourmet dining, access to a golf course, taking baths as you enjoy ocean views especially for the penthouse rooms – the experience is worth it.

Check price at La Playa

 

Where to stay in Naples, Florida – FAQ

What part of Naples, Florida, is the best to stay?

Old Naples, around the 5th Avenue South, is a great place to stay.

In saying that, it also depends on the length of the stay and your type of holiday.

In short, for 5 days or less, I would suggest staying in the Old Naples area with easy access to the 5th Avenue South, the Naples Pier, the beautiful beach and plenty of restaurants, cafes, bars and shopping opportunities.

With a week or longer, you may decide to stay north, to enjoy the better Lowdermilk and Vanderbilt beaches.

You can always have a day trip to Old Naples or enjoy an evening on the 5th Avenue South (plenty of taxi available).

Is Naples Florida worth visiting?

Totally, this is one of the most beautiful towns, with a cool vibe and a fantastic sunset on the west coast of Florida, facing the Gulf of Mexico

Besides the lovely white sandy beaches, you can explore the 5th avenue South in Old Naples and the Third Street South in what is marked in Google as the downtown area

Is it better to stay in Naples or Marco Island?

They are two different destinations. Naples is more of a town/city with all the facilities that come with it. Marco Island is more of a beach destination, with the beach time being the primary focus.

If you are after sun and sand, then Marco Island may work better.

You will find some amazing white beaches, in fact, 7 of them, with plenty of accommodation options.

Marco island has one drawback: the lack of parking slots, not to talk about free parking.

However, follow my practical guide to the Marco Beaches and you will discover all the possible options and access points on the beach.

Best areas and beaches to stay in Marco Island

How many days should you stay in Naples Florida?

Spend at least 3 nights to explore Old Naples and the 5th Avenue South, the beautiful beaches, the mangroves area and even explore the Everglades National Park.

For a more relaxed stay, to fully appreciate the area, budget 5 to 6 nights.

What is the best hotel in Naples Florida?

This is a very subjective answer. In saying that I am going to mention two options. The first one is Grande Beach Resort if you want to be right at the beach, The second option is the Hotel Escalante if you want to stay in the heart of Naples.