The Naples coastline is one of the most alluring in southwest Florida and it’s little surprise that so many opt for accommodation close to this idyllic stretch of sand.
Perched on the Gulf of Mexico in southwest Florida, the sun-kissed city is known for high-end shopping, golf courses and he historic Naples Pier. For Naples visitors, there is a huge choice of hotel options available, with something for every budget and taste. If you’re seeking something on the more affordable end of the scale, we’ve picked out two great options below, both inn-style properties oozing charm, but without the price tags you’d associate with such a prime oceanside setting.
Naples Garden Inn
(Photo: Naples Garden Inn / Courtesy Booking.com)
This hotel has some impressive amenities for its price point – not least the outdoor swimming pool, Tiki bar/poolside seating, and tropical garden grounds. The modern guest rooms are impressive too, each individually decorated in classic Gulf Coast style and equipped with satellite TV, tea-coffee makers, a small fridge, a microwave and free WiFi. Elsewhere in the hotel, there’s also a picnic/BBQ area that’s ideal for socialising and guests arriving in their own transport can make use of free on-site parking. As an extra perk, complimentary afternoon iced tea is served by the pool each day.
It’s located in a quiet neighbourhood on Tamiami Trail North, a major north–south arterial road through Naples, and within walking distance of the beach. The immediate surroundings offer plenty of shops and restaurants, as well as several small supermarkets and convenience stores. As well as its proximity to the beach, Naples’ other main attractions, including Naples Zoo and the city’s main downtown shopping and dining district, are all minutes away by road.
Reviews: Naples Garden Inn
Feedback from guests rates The Naples Garden Inn 8.1 overall, with the hotel team earning an impressive 8.7. Cleanliness and facilities score 8.1 and 8.4 respectively, while comfort reaches 8.5. Value for money gets a commendable 8.2, and the hotel’s 8.5 location score highlights just how well-placed it is for exploring the area – and in particular the beach. Guests also praise the reliability of the free WiFi, which receives 8.9. From $103 per night.
The Gondolier Inn
(Photo: The Gondolier Inn / Courtesy Booking.com)
After first opening its Old Florida doors back in 1958, The Gondolier Inn has remained a mainstay of Naples’ accommodation scene. With under 10 guest rooms and restored furnishing dotted throughout, it also retains a cosy and atmospheric look and feel, paired with enough practical amenities to ensure a comfortable stay. Guest rooms all come with kitchen facilities, along with smart TVs, coffee-makers, and both air-conditioning and ceiling fans to stave off those Floridian heat-waves. Elsewhere in the hotel, there’s also a laundry roon, an outdoor garden and BBQ area, and free on-site parking. Guests can also make use of complimentary beach-gear rentals and golf-cart rides to the beach.
Set on a quiet side street in a residential district, this hotel places you a short walk from Naples Beach. Surrounding the hotel are boutique shops and eateries, while venturing further on foot will soon bring you to the area’s most buzzing nightlife spots. The shops and entertainment of 5th Avenue South are also easily reachable, as are Naples Pier and Third Street South, a pedestrian-friendly district known as the “birthplace of Old Naples”.
Reviews: The Gondolier Inn, Naples
Guests also rate The Gondolier Inn an outstanding 9.4 overall, with the staff earning an excellent 9.5. Both cleanliness and facilities score a superb 9.4, while comfort stands even higher at 9.7, reflecting consistently high satisfaction with the rooms. Value for money, at 9.1, is also warmly received. The inn’s location is one of its biggest highlights at 9.9, placing guests close to the area’s best-loved sights and shoreline, and the free WiFi, also rated 9.9, is praised for its reliability. From $156 per night.
By Paul Joseph