|
|
Family Travel to Florida's Gulf Coast
Spotlight on Sarasota and Naples
back to
Travel page
Is your family looking to leave the cold winter weather in Omaha? Beautiful beaches along the gulf, protected natural wonders, and resort-style locations make Southwest Florida one of the most fabulous places to visit-- and the Naples area is no exception. Explore the coastline with its barrier islands, estuaries, and salt marshes; boat through cypress swamps; and discover the Everglades, the third-largest national park in the United States. Families looking for a carefree beach vacation experience where it is easy to unwind, have fun and rejuvenate will find The Naples Grande Resort ideal. Sun, sand, golf, tennis and a spa plus a family friendly, attentive staff to take care of the details, sounds like the perfect family vacation.
Naples
 Accommodations: The Naples Grande Resort has recently renovated its 424 guest rooms and suites in an 18-story tower, plus 50 bungalow-style suites with an Asian décor. Availability includes both coastal and gulf view spacious rooms and suites. These newly designed rooms offer a host of distinctive, modern amenities, including: Oversized rooms of 465 square feet; separate walk-in showers and soaking tubs; conversation area, with a full-sized desk; dual-dataport telephones and WebTV; CD / radio alarm clock; hairdryer, iron, and ironing board; coffeemaker, with coffee and tea; Wayport high-speed Internet access. The beds are comfy with lots of pillows and nice linens. Introducing the New Naples Grande Bungalows- To keep up with the ever-changing needs of today’s traveler, this highly exclusive option at our exclusive resort includes: 700+ square feet of indoor and outdoor living space, including 2 terraces; large living room, with a sofa and two arm chairs; queen size sleeper sofa in the living room; fully furnished terrace, overlooking the pool area; master bedroom, with a king-sized bed, large closet, and full-sized desk; spa-like bathroom with polished granite counters and natural stone; separate vanity area with make up mirror and hairdryer; two large, flat screen TVs, a microwave, coffeemaker and espresso maker; plush bathrobes, iron / ironing board, and in-room safes; Wayport high-speed Internet access.
Activities: Ideal for families, the resort provides an abundance of activities, with three swimming pools and cabanas; Mangrove Mountain, the resort’s 100-foot water slide, along with supervised children’s programs. Discover an undisturbed sanctuary as you stroll through Clam Pass Beach Park (You can stroll the boardwalk through the mango trees or take the cart shuttle service.) This is a great place to relax, be close to everything, and enjoy yourself! Clam Pass Beach Park gives you access to three miles of beautiful, white-sand beach; or choose to get adventurous with water sports including sailing, kayaking . The resort offers a weekly Kayak Tour of Clam Pass. Participants can explore the 23-acre natural mangrove estuary on a guided tour. Enjoy exclusive access and challenging play on 18 holes of championship golf. Play doubles on one of 15 tennis courts. Rejuvenate yourself in the state-of-the-art fitness center - complete with cardiovascular equipment and personalized wellness programs. Renew your spirit at the signature Golden Door spa, featuring 12 treatment rooms, meditation lounges, sauna and steam rooms. Dine at one of five premium restaurants, offering a wide selection of cuisine. The hotel is situated only a ten minute walk from the wonderful Waterside shops, containing some of the top stores in the world along with a number of restaurants, making this an ideal place to visit within walking distance.
For Kids Only: Naples Grande Kids Club provides educational and developmental activities within a stunning natural setting to inspire creativity and form lasting memories. Activity-Filled Days for Kids, featuring a variety of daily programs, including arts and crafts, sports and recreation, educational and developmental activities for kids 4-12. A sampling of activities include making tie dye t-shirts, chocolate fountain and berries- kids learn how to make custom dipped chocolate goodies, and a watermelon eating contest- open to all ages!
Kid’s Night Out is offered every Friday and Saturday evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Babysitting, with certified nannies, available by advance reservation.
Go Green: Recently honored by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as “One Palm” Green Lodge Certified, Naples Grande Resort has recently undergone a remarkable eco-friendly conversion. The newly-recognized Green Lodging resort purchases 5% power from Florida Power & Light. As one of the few Green Power Partners in Collier County, Naples Grande Resort is dedicated to preserving the remarkable habitats and surroundings of Southwest Florida, reducing our carbon footprint, and implementing green policies throughout all areas of the resort, from guest recycling programs to energy management, water conservation, advanced technology air filters, and much more. Stay green at Naples Grande Resort and discover just some of the ways they’re giving back.
With its friendly atmosphere, The Naples Grande Resort is a comfortable tropical getaway for anyone seeking peaceful, pristine surroundings and impeccable service. For more information, call (888) 422-6177or visit www.naplesgranderesort.com.
Sarasota
Sarasota is a city renowned for its sugar-sand beaches, casual elegance and stunning Spanish-style architecture. The city of Sarasota was built around its most famous residents, the Ringling Family. The Ringling Circus Museum is the best place to learn the circus’s history. Most impressive is the Howard Brothers Circus, a miniature replica of Ringling’s 1930s circus. Over a period of 50 years, philanthropist Howard Tibbals crafted the mini circus complete with trains, tents and spectators. More than 42,000 pieces come together in 3,800 square feet to create this featured attraction. Get close to sea life at Mote Aquarium. This unique Florida attraction showcases Florida’s fascinating marine life and the world-renowned research of Mote Marine Laboratory. And when deciding on where to stay, the Ritz Carlton Sarasota is at the top of the list! The hotel is beautiful and while it does not sit on the beach, it has wonderful views of the bay. There is a free shuttle that runs on the hour between the hotel and the Ritz Carlton Private Beach Club.
 Accommodations: The Ritz Carlton Sarasota has 266 guest rooms with private balconies. Also available are The Ritz-Carlton Club® Level guestrooms and suites with Club Lounge and dedicated Club Concierge. All guestrooms feature: Featherbeds, feather duvets and goose down pillows, Egyptian cotton linens and Italian wool throw blankets, lighted make-up mirror, hair dryer and scale, plush terry bathrobes and slippers, in-room safe, multi-line telephones with cordless handsets and voice mail with ability for customized greeting, fully stocked refreshment cabinet, AM/FM clock radio with CD, full-size ironing board and iron and 24-hour In-Room Dining.
Activities: Take a turtle walk! Offered each summer, May 15 - October 15, guests can accompany a Mote Marine Laboratory-trained Ritz-Carlton employee on a sunrise Beach Patrol, in search of tracks indicating that a nesting sea turtle came ashore the previous night to lay eggs. The resort provides shuttle for participating guests. No reservations are required. Registered resort guests have use of the exclusive Members Golf Club located 13 miles from the hotel offering a Tom Fazio-designed 18-hole championship course. It is a par 72, located on 315 acres of tropical landscape. Dine at one of five fabulous restaurants- from casual fare with a tropical twist to traditional teas and distinctive dining. Don’t Miss the Sunset Celebration. There’s no better place in Sarasota than The Ritz-Carlton Members Beach Club to watch the sun set. Of course you can enjoy a spectacular sunset every day, but on Wednesday through Saturday, you can join a fire-side, Gulf-front gathering to celebrate nature’s most spectacular show and search for the elusive Green Flash. Be sure to arrive at the beach at least one half hour early to appreciate the full effect of the attraction. Finally, escape to a place where the soothing, ever-present rhythm of the ocean inspires renewal. The Ritz-Carlton Spa at Sarasota features treatment rooms, saunas, steam rooms, whirlpools and relaxation lounges to ensure the ultimate spa experience.
Just for Kids: The Ritz Kids program offers a variety of supervised physical and creative activities designed especially for children aged 5-12. Offering full or half-day options, seven days a week, Ritz Kids has something for every child. All aboard the shuttle.... we’re going to camp! Whether building kites, shouting “Marco Polo” or running a zany obstacle course on the beach, your children will be treated to a day of adventure they’ll not soon forget. Ritz Kids Camp is offered 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, $80 per child with lunch included. Half-day programs from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 to 4 p.m. are also available, $60 per child per session. Parents can feel secure in knowing that all counselors are certified in CPR, First Aid and basic water safety. Reservations are requested 24 hours in advance. In addition to the Ritz Kids program, the hotel offers junior guests and families a variety of special services and amenities. Amusement games are available on the Pool Level of the hotel including skee ball, ping pong, air hockey, video games, billiards and foosball. Board games can be checked-out at the Resort Concierge Desk.
Kids Night Out: Available Friday and Saturday evenings, from 6 to 9 p.m., children can get away for a night of fun and excitement just for them. The supervised evening includes games, arts and crafts and loads of fun all centered on a special theme for the night! Pirate Party, Alien Invasion, Sneaky Spies & Private Eyes, Beach Bonfire Bash, Bee Bop Sock Hop, Hokey Karaoke and Pajama-rama are just a few of the upcoming themes. Please see the Weekly Resort Activities Flyer for the current week’s schedule. $65 includes dinner and refreshments. 24-hour advance reservations are requested.
Special Rates/Packages: Enjoy the “Sand and Sun” starting at $299/night based on a three-night stay. In addition to luxurious accommodations and complimentary overnight valet parking, guests can enjoy a resort credit of $100 for stays of three nights or more, $200 for stays of five nights or more and $300 for stays of seven nights or more. The credit is valid for purchases made on property for retail, dining, golf and spa services. This price includes overnight parking. Another great offer is the “Reconnect Package” starting at $399 per night including breakfast for two daily and $150 credit (daily!) which could go toward Ritz Kids programs or any other incidentals (spa, dining, etc.)
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota is the perfect place to discover all the beauty and recreation Florida has to offer. For more information, call (941) 309-2100 or visit www.ritzcarlton.com.
|
|
