There are some seaside experiences that are simple affairs—you, towel, SPF. Then there is The Ritz-Carlton MO: a thoroughly, gloriously maximalist approach. We’re talking air-conditioned bungalows with private baths, televisions, entertainment systems and service bars, cabanas with plush seating and fans, a dedicated team poised to ensure your comfort by setting you up in your lounge chair and attentively responding to any indication that you may be hungry for a snack or craving a cocktail. The idea here is sun, swim, sip and savor the indulgence made available by the thoughtful folks who take meticulous care of your every desire. 

After all, The Ritz-Carlton is an icon of elegance and service. Its slogan bonafides: “We are ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen.” And true to form, the gilded spirit lives on in this stunning resort in Naples, on the soft sands of the Gulf Coast, which has recently been reimagined with an extensive reno for the modern lover of fine living.

With the resort's dramatic transformation, all rooms were refreshed (roomier, extra serene), along with the outdoor spaces (more pools!), and the main hall. The color palettes and textures echo the coastal landscape with soothing sea blues and wave-like patterns. Most notably perhaps is a distinct air of joy. Enter the grand lobby and you’re enticed by an ornate old-worldly, Hollywood-ish bar that is always celebrating something. Its Signature Champagne Tasting Experience is led by a master sommelier; there are more than 50 legendary bottles of bubbly on the menu. Oysters and other fancy bites round out the party.

When you’re hungry for a bigger meal, there are three new eateries added to the mix of eight total, including Sofra, an open-air, chef-driven Mediterranean restaurant, and Moka, a coffee spot with blends from a local, family owned roaster.  If you want to dine with the cool beachy breeze, there’s Gumbo Limbo, a casual shack on the sand.

For a literal interpretation of the high life, the new 14-floor Vanderbilt Tower was constructed as an extra hit of specialness for Club Level guests. Besides spacious rooms with stunning views, there’s the Club Lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows that bring in the Florida sunshine, cushy places to settle in, daily yummy fare from a breakfast buffet to evening hors d’oeuvres, and an exclusive bar for your sunset sips. Also featured: experiences like cooking demos and pop-up visits from local farms.  

The crown jewel of the resort…well, one of them, is the 51,000-square-foot Ritz-Carlton Spa. It’s here that you’re able to truly reset your body and brain. Do the cold plunge-to-sauna hopscotch and you’ll be buzzing, in the best way, all day. For the relaxation part, there’s the new Lavender-Infused Sleep Wrap that includes full-body exfoliation, lathering of body butter, and a warm cocoon. Dozing is fully endorsed. Spa Director Michelle Kelthy chose products from VOYA for this treat, a brand that makes dreamy skincare from wild and renewable seaweed off the coast of Ireland. Seaweed is packed with nourishment from the sea, infusing you with essential minerals, vitamins and other bioactive compounds like rare antioxidants that fight cell damage.

To look as good as you feel, go for the ESPA facial, a custom glow-maker. ESPA is another luxurious, holistic skincare brand handpicked for its plant extracts and marine actives.  Using sea-based products not only aids the health of your skin, it celebrates our environment on the ocean, says Kelthy.

As evening settles in and the Gulf Coast sky turns to shades of pink and orange, the transition from a sun-soaked day to a starlit night feels like yet another opulent gesture. In this Floridian paradise, every moment is an invitation to indulge in the finer things—it’s a place that makes you feel worth a million. ritzcarlton.com