Sun-Drenched Naples, Florida is Low-Key Elegant

By: Ruta Fox

The number five has a glamorous cachet– there’s Chanel No. 5 and Fifth Avenue in New York City.  Additionally, in less than a three-hour flight from New York City, there’s Fifth Avenue South in Naples, Florida. Without the sexy sizzle of South Beach, or the staid formality of Palm Beach, Naples is elegantly understated with an easy sophistication similar to The Hamptons.

The season on the Paradise Coast runs roughly from November to May, (at its height from Christmas through Easter), with the Gulf breezes keeping things mild and the twinkling lights wrapped around Naples’ palm trees adding a festive year-round glow. (If you’re flying private, you can land at Naples airport, which is a ten-minute drive to downtown. If not, fly into Fort Myers airport and Uber or drive in 40 minutes.)

Perfectly situated right in the center of Fifth Avenue South is the Forbes Four-Star, AAA Four-Diamond hotel, the Inn on Fifth. A small, intimate hotel, their location is sublime for strolling the seven blocks of fine dining, cafes, art galleries, and boutiques that are steps from their door, as well as the unspoiled beaches which are also just blocks away. The hotel offers 87 hotel rooms with 32 additional suites, which were recently renovated in the exclusive, private Club Level directly across the street.The hotel is a favorite of international guests and has hosted some of the most well known names at the very top of American business; those who demand and appreciate the level of service they provide. (If you’re a very frequent visitor, expect to see your personal monogrammed bathrobe upon your return.)Also newly redesigned is the rooftop pool, cabana and lounge area. Shelter from the sun under the Tiffany turquoise blue umbrellas, imbibe a cocktail at the pool bar, soak in the Jacuzzi or gather around the fire pit in the early evening to enjoy a glorious sunset. On the third floor at the Club Lounge, a unique DIY cocktail bar presents a range of spirits from Veuve Clicquot to top-shelf single malt scotches. With a 24-hour fitness center, plus sauna, steam room, and spa services such as the 24 Karat Gold Hydrating Facial and the Pinot Noir Vinotherapy Detoxing Body Wrap, your personal rejuvenation will be complete.

In-room or couples massages can also be booked.The Inn on Fifth’s skillful concierge will secure hard-to-get, hot spot dinner reservations, or arrange golf games at private courses. If you want to up your tennis game, they have an association with a USTA-Certified award-winning pro for lessons and guests also have complimentary privileges right behind the hotel at the Cambier courts.The courtesy cars, a black Bentley and an Escalade, are available to transport guests on private tours of the city, or the hotel can book boat excursions to explore the historic mangroves on the Intracoastal Waterway.

Just a short hop from the property is another chic shopping and dining district Third Street South, featuring one of the top specialty stores in the country. The legendary Marissa Collection is a luxury retailer serving men and women with 10,000 square feet that showcases dozens of designers from Alexander (both McQueen and Wang) to Zimmerman, including shoes by Manolo Blahnik. Gorgeously designed restaurants such as Mediterrano, The Continental, and Campiello all have lushly landscaped patio courtyards perfect for lingering. Mano is a must-visit for home décor, books, and tabletop accessories.

Finally – the food. Naples is a fine dining haven and adjacent to the Inn on Fifth are two top-rated creative culinary options, Ocean Prime and Truluck’s Seafood Steak and Crab House. (Ocean Prime even handles the room service at the hotel.) The sea figures prominently in Naples cuisine, so be dazzled by Ocean Prime’s assortment of lobster, sushi, sashimi, snapper, salmon, scallops, or Florida grouper plus their prime steaks. Their innovative “ghostlike” cocktail Bubbles and Berries will be made tableside and is Instagram-worthy. Truluck’s even has its own fishery, so indulge in Stone, Jonah, Dungeness, Red King or Spanner crabs, or select rib eyes and filets with a choice of 100 wines by the glass. Both restaurants feature a lively bar scene.  

After dinner, stroll the avenue, savor a gelato or a latte and luxuriate in the Naples lifestyle.

The Inn on Fifth: https://www.innonfifth.com/@innonfifthnaples @oceanprimenaples @trulucksrestaurant @marissanaples