Naples in South Florida attracts millions of visitors each year. Its white beaches, blue Gulf of Mexico and pretty palm trees make Naples a true vacation paradise. But where to stay in Naples for the best experience?
The Old Naples area is the best place to stay in Naples for entertainment. But if you look for where to stay in Naples on the beach, other great options are North Naples and Marco Island. In addition, East Naples is an alternative for where to stay when visiting Naples on a budget.
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Jump to
- Old Naples – Quintessential
- North/Vanderbilt – On the beach
- Marco Island – An island stay
- East Naples – Naples on a budget
Old Naples
Naples beautifully sits on the Gulf of Mexico in Southwest Florida. Old Naples, also known as Downtown Naples, is a charming part of the city with spotless bright-colored architectural masterpieces and a unique vibe.
Old Naples is a great option for where to stay in Naples no matter if it’s your first or tenth time you take a Naples vacation. At Old Naples hotels you stay in the exclusive heart of the city. In Naples you find some of the most exclusive addresses in the United States.
The most famous street in Old Naples is Fifth Avenue South. On Fifth Avenue South you find a fascinating mix of laid-back South Florida attitude and luxury. The street is home to high-end stores, renowned restaurants and pleasant watering holes.
At the western end of 5th Avenue South you find another Naples highlight, Naples Beach. On Naples Beach the iconic Naples Pier beautifully extends into the Gulf of Mexico. It’s one of the most classic and appreciated beaches in Florida.
But with great location comes higher rates at Naples hotels in Old Town. So if you visit Naples on a budget it’s recommended to look towards the other options for where to stay when visiting Naples.
In short, Old Town is the best area in Naples if you want to stay where you eat, drink and shop. In Old Naples you have all the entertainment you crave for nearby. It’s also in Old Naples that you find the upscale vibe that is so associated with the city of Naples.
Pick Old Naples for: The city’s iconic heart.
Favorite location. Old Naples is for good reason the conventional option for where to stay in Naples. In the city’s heart you find a unique aura and all you need for a delightful time in the Florida sun.
Best hotels in Old Naples
Hotel Escalante
Do you want to stay in Naples on the beach and on Fifth Avenue South? The solution to that and one of the best places to stay in Naples is Hotel Escalante. At the exclusive Naples hotel you get the best of both worlds as you stay just a short walk from both Naples Beach and the best restaurants on Fifth Avenue South. Its location is incredibly hard to beat when staying in Naples.
Cove Inn on Naples Bay
Cove Inn on Naples Bay sits with a stunning view of the marina. It’s not a luxurious place to stay in Naples but the hotel has all you need for an enjoyable stay. The location is convenient a mile (1.6 km) from the beach and even shorter from Fifth Avenue South. So from the Old Naples hotel you have access to all necessities.
North Naples/Vanderbilt
North Naples is an interesting alternative to Old Town for where to stay in Naples. The spectacular Vanderbilt Beach with sugar-white sand and the inviting Gulf of Mexico is a great area to unwind.
In the Vanderbilt area you find an abundance of dreamy hotels in Naples on the beach. Above all Vanderbilt Beach is a superb option if you plan a quiet Naples stay with lazy beach days.
North Naples also offers some great dining opportunities. So you don’t need to drive to Old Naples for dinner. You have all you need for a comfortable Naples stay on the beach in the Vanderbilt area.
But from Vanderbilt Beach to Downtown Naples it’s 10 miles (16 km) and about half an hour to drive. Therefore it’s not the best area to stay in Naples if you prefer to have the iconic entertainment scence close by.
In conclusion, North Naples and Vanderbilt Beach is a fantastic option for where to stay in Naples if you want a quiet beach escape. But away from Old Naples means away from many of the popular Naples attractions.
Pick the Vanderbilt area for: A Naples stay on the beach.
Marco Island
Marco Island is an island that’s located 20 miles (32 km) and about 40 minutes south of Old Naples. The island is a great option for where to stay near Naples on the beach.
Just like Naples the South Florida island has been blessed with spectacular beaches. White sand, blue water and stunning sunsets are everyday stuff on Marco Island.
On the island you also find beautiful Marco Island hotels on the beach that tick every box. The places to stay near Naples on the island certainly has all you need for a great time in the sun.
But good or bad, on Marco Island you find fewer things to do than in Naples. The island is more laid-back and quieter than the neighboring upscale city. On Marco Island life really is a beach.
All in all, Marco Island is the optimal option for where to stay near Naples if you look for a quiet island stay on the beach. There are fewer things to do on the island than in Naples, but maybe that’s exactly what you’re looking for.
Pick Marco Island for: A quiet island stay near Naples.
Best hotels on Marco Island
JW Marriott
When it comes to location JW Marriott truly is one of the best places to stay near Naples. The oceanfront resort is located right on South Beach just steps from the Gulf of Mexico. If you’re a beach bum it hardly gets any better. In addition the popular hotel near Naples also offers fantastic facilities including 3 outdoor pools.
Hilton Beach Resort
Along the beach strip and not far from JW Marriott you also find Hilton Beach Resort & Spa. It’s another popular option for where to stay near Naples on the beach. The beachfront place to stay has appreciated amenities and ticks every box for an unforgettable beach stay near Naples.
East Naples
Naples is a very popular destination in Southwest Florida and the hotel rates in Old Naples and throughout Naples tend to reflect that. Therefore a great option for where to stay in Naples on a budget is to look towards East Naples.
East Naples neither has the charm of Old Naples or the beach location like the other options for where to stay when visiting Naples. But accommodation in East Naples is generally cheaper than in the other areas.
Still you can go from East Naples to Old Naples attractions in just minutes. So it’s a rather short and easy drive to get from East Naples to Old Naples.
As a bonus if you stay at Naples hotels in the eastern part of the city you also minimize the driving distance to Everglades National Park. So if you plan to visit the wild wetland during your stay East Naples could be the real winner.
In short, East Naples is a great option for where to stay in Naples on a budget. The Old Naples area is conveniently located just a short drive from East Naples hotels. But if you prefer a beach location you should look towards the other options for where to stay when visiting Naples.
Pick East Naples for: The best place to stay in Naples on a budget.
Budget location. East Naples is an excellent alternative for where to stay in Naples on a budget. It’s not far from Old Naples but the hotel rates are significantly cheaper.
Best hotels in East Naples
Staybridge Suites
It’s not a Naples hotel in a famous area or with a jaw-dropping beachfront location. However, Staybridge Suites is an excellent place to stay in Naples without breaking the bank. Located between Old Naples and Everglades it’s also a very convenient pick if you plan to visit both destinations. In fact, it’s one of the best places to stay near Everglades.
Where to stay in Naples FAQ
Here you find the answers to some frequently asked questions about where to stay in Naples, Florida.
Old Town is the best area in Naples if you look for things to do and the traditional Naples vibe. But North Naples and Marco Island are stunning options for where to stay in and near Naples on the beach. In contrast East Naples is not on the beach but the best area to stay in Naples on a budget.
The selection of beachfront lodging in Old Naples is rather limited. Therefore you need to look towards North Naples and Vanderbilt Beach or Marco Island to find places to stay in and near Naples on the beach.
From Vanderbilt Beach it’s 10 miles (16 km) and roughly 30 minutes by car to Fifth Avenue South in Old Naples.
Naples is a popular Florida destination and the Naples hotel rates tend to reflect that. But East Naples is a great option for where to stay in Naples on a budget. In just minutes you can go from East Naples to famous Old Town spots including Fifth Avenue South.
Both Naples and Marco Island are excellent choices for dreamy beach stays in Southwest Florida. Naples is more upscale and sophisticated with things to do, while the island in the south is more laid-back and quiet. Both destinations certainly have beautiful beaches.
Destinations near Naples, FL
Offering sugar-white beaches, unique shopping and fine dining, Naples is a dreamy town for a South Florida vacation. However, there are many more gems to explore in this balmy Sunshine State region.
- Marco Island – Do you crave for a quiet beach escape? Off Southwest Florida’s mainland, laid-back Marco Island is a beautiful place to get some sand between your toes.
- Fort Myers – It’s not hard to see why the great inventors Thomas Edison and Henry Ford fell for Fort Myers. Tour their historic winter estates and lounge on the soft dunes of Fort Myers Beach.
- Sanibel Island – You find no high rises on this Florida island. Sanibel Island, also known as the world’s shelling capital, welcomes you to get back to nature — with top amenities, of course.
- Everglades – For an unmatched change of scenery, visit the alligator’s vast home, Everglades National Park. Memorable airboat tours depart from Everglades City, where you also find the Gulf Coast Visitor Center.
- Miami – The Florida city that never sleeps, Miami is an energy-filled contrast to the Gulf Coast. Enjoy the high pace in South Beach, or sightsee the fascinating neighborhoods of Wynwood and Little Havana.
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