Waldorf Naples Getaway: Affordable Luxury

Everyone wants a vacation in luxury, but not everyone can afford it. If you have a big family but a small budget, this next hotel in Naples, Florida is exactly for you.

If you hadn’t read about why you should absolutely take a vacation to Naples, click over to our Naples feature for things to do and fun to have there. If you’re already convinced, continue reading to find out how you can save money but live it up in a beautiful and grand Waldorf Astoria Naples.

Waldorf Naples Hotel

Waldorf Astoria Naples is one of those hotels that you are impressed with before you even drive up to the front. A towering building with a steep driveway, lined with gorgeous palm trees and vegetation and surrounded by glistening fountains is exactly what you need to see when arriving to your hotel on the first day.

If you booked one of the standard rooms (rates as low as $149/night), you will be staying in the main building. If you decided to splurge on a bungalow suite, you will be taking your family to a completely separate area where relaxation and zen is a must.

The lobby of the hotel is just as impressive with large stairs leading to the second floor and gorgeous art hanging from the ceilings and displayed all over the hotel.

This is a perfect venue for grand events like weddings, receptions, awards. The whole second floor is dedicated to that: ballroom after ballroom behind closed doors are waiting for guests to fill it with music and liveliness.

Once you step outside you are greeted with lounges for late night talks complete with a glass gas fireplace that creates a perfect atmosphere for catching up with friends or sipping a glass of bubbly.

Rooms and Suites

The standard room of the Waldorf is a fairly large room that can easily accommodate a family of 4. Each room features a balcony with a coastal or gulf view, both of which are pleasant to look out on. The rooms have a “green” feature that turns off the A/C when the balcony door is open. The bathrooms are perfect for relaxation: very large soaking tubs and spacious glass showers, along with granite counter tops add to the feel of luxury at this resort.

The views of the gulf and the coast are breathtaking whichever way you look. It’s Florida at its best!

Pool

Our favorite feature of the resort: the Mongrove pool –  a  lagoon style walk-in pool complete with a “mangrove” covered waterfall and a slide.

The main pool is a place where your kids will spend hours of fun splashing, going down the slide while you enjoy the views of the tropical style vegetation and waterfall, or relax at the smaller adult-friendly pool surrounded by flowering bougainvilleas.

If you have small kids, one feature of the pool that you will learn to appreciate is its beach style entry. No steps, no drop off, simply let your little one splash in the shallow water of the pool before they go in deeper. This is invaluable for the 2-4 yrs. crowd since it allows them to play in the water without the help of parents.

The smaller pool to the side of the Mangrove Pool is hidden behind the palms trees and trellises and offers a more relaxing time. By renting a cabana for the day you can ensure a comfortable afternoon at the pool with some refuge from the sun. Cabanas are available for daily rental offering personal butler service including unlimited bottled water, ice and cups, unlimited towels, fresh fruit, two frozen drinks, a dining table with four chairs, refrigerator, cabinet space, and a sundry basket of snacks, sunscreen and lip balms, all for a reasonable fee that you would only get the cabana for anywhere else.

Spa

If relaxing at the pool or the beach isn’t relaxing enough, you can always visit the spa and bask in its sunny tranquility. And outdoor spa is somewhat of a must in Florida.  Waldorf Astoria Naples has one of the best designed spas we have seen. Stacked stone and dark wood are combined with white linens and curtains create an incredibly relaxing atmosphere. Some of the spa service include treatments such as a tandem massage where two therapists perform a  synchronized massage or Watsu, a water massage, that allows for zero gravity and freedom rarely achieved by traditional massage techniques.

The outdoor area is complete with a whirlpool baths, rain showers, a steam room, a sauna, a day bed, a meditation labyrinth and a sundeck. One can spend hours enjoying the amenities after a spa treatment.

Dining

Four dining options include an in-room dining service, Aura, Strip House and the bar.

Aura features an internationally inspired sumptuous menu created by Executive Chef Greg Wallace, most of the items are also available for in-room dining. Organic eggs, fresh berries, flat breads, salads and sophisticated sandwiches are some of the options for lunch and breakfast.

If you’re a foodie and enjoy an upscale dinner, Strip House is a perfect place to enjoy a special occasion evening, complete with red plush interior, candles and the most decadent of menus.

Beach

A beach access resort, Waldorf Astoria Naples offers access to the adjacent public beach connected to the mainland by a mile long boardwalk perfect for morning runs. A golf cart operates on the boardwalk bringing the hotel guests to and from the beach. Or if you like to have a morning run or walk, skip the cart and enjoy the views of the intra-coastal as you run below the tunnels of trees.

Clam Pass Beach, being one of the best beaches in Southwest Florida, boasts a hotel operated cafe with menu items such as Mahi Mahi sandwich, ice cream and frozen drinks. You can rent a variety of water activity items to enjoy your day at the beach: sailing and windsurfing, bike rentals, scuba and snorkeling. Beach chairs and umbrellas, along with cabanas are available for rent. A cute shaded sandbox area with buckets and sand toys is available on the beach, as well.

On-site Activities

Morning to night, there are more activities at Waldorf Astoria Naples than one can fit into one day.

• Kid’s Club –  a variety of daily programs, including arts and crafts, appropriate video games, televisions, dress-up chests, sports and recreation, and educational and developmental activities for kids 4-12, and babysitting, with certified nannies, available by advance reservation.
• Sand Play – A large sandbox with sand toys in a shaded area is perfect for little ones.
• Water Activities – sailing, windsurfing, bike rentals, scuba and snorkeling.
• Golf –  One of North America’s Top 100 Resort Courses, exclusive access to a private, 6,955-yard golf course, 18-hole, par 72 course, designed by Rees Jones.
• Fitness –  Take in the views of the coast while you stay fit on the state-of-the-art equipment. Relax in a hot sauna. Or take a steam to soothe aching muscles.
• Tennis – 15 Har-Tru courts, five lighted, Daily clinics, Player Matching Program, Group and private lessons, Pro shop, Corporate Events, Administered by Peter Burwash International tennis professionals.
• Spa – Architecture, landscaping and water features are interwoven to create an atmosphere of harmony and beauty, blending to present the experience of true tranquility in this spa.

Photo credits: The Art of Making A Baby, some photos are courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Naples