The Ritz-Carlton, Naples Spa Review: A Florida Gulf Coast Gem Worth Seeking Out as a Sanctuary
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples is a Five-Diamond hotel on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
On a holiday weekday, we spent the day at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, one of the best beachfront properties on the Gulf side of Florida. Sitting on Paradise Coast, the hotel is a hidden gem with waves gently swaying in and out of the private beach.
The majestic silhouette of the swooping Ritz-Carlton towers and the Vanderbilt Tower’s Club Lounge etched an inviting stature in the skyline. This was my first time visiting this part of Florida, not far from San Marco Island.
The elegant lobby seating area at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples. Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
I came for The Ritz-Carlton, Naples Spa for the day, and stayed longer than I anticipated. I didn’t want to leave, and the transformative effect showed in my demeanor. There are so many thoughtful touches at the Ritz-Carlton Spa, with spots to find sanctuary.
At the two-level spa, there are several specific options for targeted treatments, leveraging Gulf stones and hand-harvested seaweed to reduce the chances of skin sensitivity. The seaweed helps restore moisture to the skin.
The reception area at The Ritz Carlton, Naples Spa. Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
Women experiencing various phases of menopause (which lasted for years for me) can find treatments for hot flashes, muscle tension, skin changes, and low mood. I was impressed by how they were designed; the low mood treatment involves an inner calm massage and positivity massage with a guided breathing session.
I tried the Sea Holistic treatment, which involved an 80-minute massage and body wellness experience. Adriana, my lovely therapist, placed steam-heated herbal poultices, filled with organic herbs, at specific points on my back.
The penetrating heat focused on muscle tensions and aches. Toward the end of the treatment, Adriana stepped out of the room so I could wash off in a private shower. Then, I returned to the massage bed to finish off the treatment and found myself relaxed to the core.
The spa celebrates the holistic properties of nature, from the garden to the sea. Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
When I finally departed from the treatment room, I explored the rest of the luxurious, roomy spa. There’s a plunge pool, healing eucalyptus steam room, sauna, aqua lounges, and relaxation rooms with drinks and snacks like nuts, dried fruits, and fresh fruits.
In a bright sunlit room with views high above the tree line, there’s a hot whirlpool with a cascading fountain, surrounded by pathways with stairs immersed in colder water, lending itself to the immersive contrast therapy experience without the ritual becoming uncomfortable.
I loved that because I’m usually hard-pressed, kicking and screaming in my brain, to jump into a polar-temperature bath.
Spa facilities include a healing steam room, saunas, and aqua lounges. Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
The bathing ritual is recommended and outlined for spa clients. While I knew that alternating temperatures felt euphoric, the guideline provided on a handy notecard explained that heat brings blood to the extremities, while the cold brings blood back to the core.
This helps with flushing the circulation system and detoxifying the body. The recommendations are lessons that’ll carry on forever. It begins with a sauna, followed by a quick dip in a cold bath, whirlpool, cold bath, eucalyptus steam in a room utilizing light therapy, and outdoor time spent in a mineral bath for 20 minutes.
There’s also a fitness center with treadmills, Peloton bikes, cardio machines, free weights, and Reformer Pilates machines. Along with the equipment, there’s a plethora of classes offered, including boot camp, sound bath, HIIT Hype, and Tabata, which is a type of high-intensity training with 20 seconds of maximum effort followed by 10 seconds of rest.
Guests can enjoy the hydrotherapy facilities before and after their treatments. Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
Outside, there’s a lounge pool and a lap pool. A tree-lined path leads to the gorgeous beach. The staff was on hand to help set up beach chairs and umbrellas and provide towels and boogie boards. My daughter, on a break from college in freezing upstate New York, and I jumped into the sea, bobbing in the waves in a soothing rhythm.
Be sure to include a dining experience at the Ritz-Carlton after or before your treatment; there are eight restaurants to choose from on site. The iconic afternoon tea showcases teas from Sloane Fine Tea Merchants, paired with house-baked scones, finger sandwiches, and delicate pastries.
We dined on the beach at the casual, open-air restaurant, Gumbo Limbo, where we dove into seafood dishes with a panoramic view of the water.
Guests also enjoy access to an outdoor mineral pool. Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
When I saw friends later that evening, in the aftermath of my relaxing time at the Ritz-Carlton, the change in me was palpable. I felt calm and centered. Just by talking to me, my friends canceled their plans to take their daughter to see the University of Florida the next day and opted to stay at the Ritz-Carlton instead.
I hoped I wasn’t going to dash their daughter’s college dreams, but she had her sights set on other universities anyhow. It reminded me of my own anxiety as I guide my teenage daughter’s dreams for college. What will be will be. Sometimes, staying still is part of the journey.
That’s the magical draw of the Ritz-Carlton, Naples: It’s a destination in it of itself.
TK. Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
Insider Tips: Make sure you have time to tack on the bathing ritual, which can last from 45 minutes to an hour.
For more information and to book a stay or spa visit at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, visit their website or call (239) 598-3300. For special deals on your stay, click here. Follow on Instagram: @ritzcarltonresortsofnaples
280 Vanderbilt Beach Rd.,, Naples, FL 34108
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[Photos courtesy of The Ritz Carlton, Naples]
Helen I. Hwang is an award-winning journalist, author, and mechanical engineer. Her works have appeared in The New York Times for Kids, Eater San Diego, People Magazine, Parents.com, Trip Advisor, Huffington Post, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel Magazine,TravelSavvy.com, and other publications. She has also written a book, titled All Grown Up: Please Touch Museum and Its Move to Memorial Hall, for the Please Touch Museum, a children's museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In addition, Helen worked as a researcher for the Peabody Award-winning NPR radio program, Fresh Air with Terry Gross. Over the years, she's lived on three continents and traveled to more than 40 countries. She currently lives in San Diego, CA, the 16th place she's called home. More about her can be found at helenihwang.com.