I didn’t anticipate developing an appreciation for golf. I didn’t think I’d find myself in a lazy river. And I definitely didn’t expect to have access to two resorts.
But my first-ever stay at a Ritz-Carlton hotel was full of surprises.
This was in October 2025, when I spent two nights at the Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón in Naples, Florida. My stay would have been about $800 a night, but Business Insider received a media rate.
I’m not typically one for hotel chains, but the Ritz-Carlton is an iconic luxury brand, so I decided to give it a try.
When I was planning my trip, I didn’t realize that there were two Ritz-Carlton resorts less than five miles apart.
When I arrived at the Ritz-Carlton, Naples, my reservation was nowhere to be found. I was riddled with anxiety until an employee informed me that I was at the wrong location.
My stay was about five miles east at the Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón. I didn’t realize the city had two locations, and I was surprised to find out they were so close to each other.
I didn’t expect to have access to both locations.
Guests of each Ritz-Carlton have access to all amenities at both locations, and a shuttle service runs between them. I was stoked because I’d never stayed at a hotel with this perk.
I was surprised that the hotels were completely different.
After spending some time at each, I found that the resorts offered completely different experiences.
While both were extremely luxurious, the Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón was centered on golf, while the Ritz-Carlton, Naples was on the beach. The former was quieter and seemed to cater to an older crowd, while the latter felt busier with a wide range of ages.
I appreciated being able to spend the day at the bustling beach resort and retiring to the calmer Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón.
At the Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón, I didn’t expect to find golf courses where the pros play.
I’ve never held a putter outside mini golf, so I wasn’t expecting to be at all interested in the hotel’s two courses. Then I learned that they host three pro tournaments every year, according to the company’s website.
Even though golf isn’t my thing, I instantly got excited for guests who love it. As a baseball fan, I thought about how elated I’d be by the opportunity to play at a major league stadium. So I ended up really appreciating the golf courses at the Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón.
I’d never stayed at a hotel with a lazy river before.
The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón isn’t just for golfers. The hotel has a small water park next to the pool area with tall, winding slides and a lazy river.
I’d stayed at hotels that had water slides before, but I’d never even heard of one with a lazy river. I’m not much of a thrill seeker, so I was excited to partake in a leisurely water activity. I hopped into an inflatable tube and looked up at the palm trees swaying in the breeze as I floated around the shady loop.
I was in awe of the lobby bar at the Ritz-Carlton, Naples.
On my second day in Naples, I took the shuttle to the hotel chain’s other location on the beach. When I stepped inside, I was stunned by the most beautiful bar I’d ever seen in a hotel lobby.
Renovated in 2023, RITZ Lobby Bar was designed to feel celebratory, according to the hotel’s website. And I think they nailed it.
Dainty light fixtures dangled from the ceiling above, arched windows flooded the room with light, and gold accents brought the room together.
The biggest surprise was that I’d book the hotel chain again.
As a lover of boutique hotels and unique stays, I didn’t expect to be blown away by the Ritz-Carlton. But since two locations in the same city offered completely different experiences, I’m intrigued to see what other Ritz-Carlton resorts are like.
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