If it isn’t already obvious that tourism is the leading economic driver in Collier County, the abundance of hotels newly opened, under construction or being planned in the Naples area serves as towering proof.
The new construction and plans follow hotels that notably opened within the last year in the Naples area, which remains a popular spot for vacation getaways. These include Great Wolf Lodge South Florida, a 500-key, family-friendly resort with a 92,000-square-foot indoor water park that launched in September at 3900 City Gate Blvd. N., on 20 acres between Paradise Coast Sports Complex and the massive Uline distribution center in the City Gate commerce park. Even out of the water, amenities at the only Florida location for Midwest-based Great Wolf Resorts include five restaurants and a 62,000-square-foot indoor adventure park with a bowling alley, miniature golf, rope-climbing course, an arcade and more.
The resort has already seen a tremendous booking demand for its convention meeting space, and Great Wolf’s management “pack” knows its 22nd location stands out from the rest. The resort expects to see stays beyond the two-night average nationwide, said Jason Bays, general manager of Great Wolf Lodge South Florida.
“What we know from our guests coming here, while we have a lot of things to do at our resorts with the water park and the restaurants and everything, we know that they’re going to go out in the community, they’re going to visit the restaurants, they’re going to enjoy the beaches and take in all the things that are unique and special about the community here,” Bays says. “We actually think we’ll have a longer length of stay here because there are so many great things about this area that make Collier County and the surrounding region a unique and desirable place to stay.”
Another colorful property with a laid-back theme celebrated its Naples launch this spring with poolside margaritas and Landshark lager. TPI Hospitality, the Minnesota-based developer and hotel management company behind the expansive Margaritaville Resort on Fort Myers Beach, converted the former Staybridge Suites Naples into a new Jimmy Buffett-inspired Compass by Margaritaville. The 119-suite hotel launched at 4805 Tamiami Trail N. with a 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill and other fun amenities with an island vibe.
The four-story Hampton Inn & Suites Naples South also launched this fall at 5146 Tamiami Trail E. in East Naples. The 124-room Hampton by Hilton hotel enjoys upscale company, abutting the new Lamborghini Naples dealership and The Isles of Collier Preserve luxury community.
The three-story, 150-room AC Hotel Naples 5th Avenue by Marriott opened last December on the corner of Goodlette-Frank Road and Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples. The Naples Square property at 455 12th St. S.—a short walk from the new Gulfshore Playhouse—includes Limón Rooftop Bar and restaurant, as well as a ground-floor cafe and 2,500 square feet of event space. South Carolina-based OTO Development developed and manages the hotel.
The new resorts and hotels that have recently opened bring new options and variety into the market, and provide great fits for families and couples that might be coming to Florida’s Paradise Coast for the first time, said Sandra J. Rios, public relations and communications manager for the tourism division of the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau.
“Since many of the new accommodations are located either downtown or in more central locations, they complement the resort offerings that are in close proximity to the beaches. Visitors can experience our great culinary scene, shopping and downtown activities,” Rios says. “Great Wolf Lodge, as an example, is truly dedicated to family fun, while the AC Hotel Naples allows guests the ability to step outside and enjoy walking to Fifth Avenue South.”
Under construction
The Perry Hotel Naples plans to launch before the end of the year on more than 6 acres next to The Bay House restaurant in North Naples. The seven-story hotel at 805 Walkerbilt Road will have 160 rooms, distinctive food-and-beverage venues and an eight-slip marina on the Cocohatchee River. Tigress Rooftop Restaurant & Bar will serve Asian fusion cuisine in an open-air venue with panoramic views. The hotel will also include a poolside tapas restaurant, a coffee bar, ground-level and rooftop pools, a fitness center and a two-story lobby.
First finding success by developing The Perry Hotel Key West, FOD Capital saw lodging opportunities in Naples.
“The area has become increasingly desirable for travelers due to its proximity to nearby beaches, golf courses, world-class shopping and other areas for outdoor recreation,” says Matt Strunk, CFO of FOD Capital. “The Perry Hotel Naples will be a wonderful destination hotel for travelers and locals alike.”
Local developers and builders Andy Homan and Mike Whalen with his New Era Construction LLC are behind the creation of The Hotel on Bayshore, previously announced as The 239 Hotel, at 3467 Bayshore Drive in East Naples. The contemporary, mixed-use building will have eight hotel suites, a rooftop pool and bar, a 155-seat restaurant and retail/office space on the ground floor.
“We’re scheduled to open second quarter of ’25,” Whalen says. “We also acquired the property to the east of us, which will have 12 bungalows. We call it The Resort on Bayshore.” Behind the hotel, these garden villas on Areca Avenue will be available as extended-stay accommodations. “The property went through Hurricane Ian, so we are refurbishing it up to our hotel specs,” Whalen says.
The hotel’s restaurant tenant has not been named yet. “We have several people in the running, but we have not selected anyone yet,” Whalen adds.
The same development team also has three model homes under construction for The Grove Bayshore, a nearby 32-home residential community. Its new developments fit into the growing evolution and popularity of the Bayshore Arts District.
“We’re seeing extremely good interest in the area and great feedback from the public on our projects,” says Whalen.
Construction began in late August on the ECHO Suites Extended Stay by Wyndham Naples at 3670 Income Lane, near Collier Boulevard and Interstate 75 in the booming City Gate commerce park where the Great Wolf Lodge launched this fall. Initially proposed as an Extended Stay America location, the new 124-suite, four-story hotel by Wyndham will target guests for long-term stays of seven-plus nights with suite amenities, such as stovetops, microwave ovens, full-size refrigerators and dishwashers. The hotel is expected to be ready for its first guests by the end of 2025.
DeAngelis Diamond recently started vertical construction on the Old Naples Hotel, a 109-room property being redeveloped by the Camalier family and Delray Beach-based Ocean Properties on the footprint of The Plaza on Third Street, a retail center demolished in late 2020.
Plans show a boutique hotel with a courtyard, cafe/bar, fitness center, spa, sundry shop and other amenities. The three-story development includes about 3,755 square feet of retail space on the ground floor along Third Street South. A launch date is not available yet.
The much-anticipated Four Seasons Resort at Naples Beach Club has been taking shape for an opening targeted in 2025 at 851 Gulf Shore Blvd. N. in Naples. The 216-room property is part of the redevelopment of the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, which closed in 2021 after a historic run of more than 70 years. The new five-star resort will have nearly 100 fewer rooms than the historic hotel it replaces, but it’s destined to be a trend-setter for Naples.
“The new resort openings on the horizon will continue to bring additional luxury units into the marketplace and broaden the options for our guests in the future,” Rios says. “Tourist development taxes generated from overnight stays in our area fund a number of services and operations in our community, such as beach renourishment, refurbishment of parks and recreational facilities and funding for the Paradise Coast Sports Complex and our county museums, which offer free admission to residents and visitors. Tourism is one of the top three employers in our county, with almost 29,000 individuals employed in the industry.”
Work in progress
Among the many other hotel destinations planned in Collier County, ground was recently broken on The Ellington, a mixed-use project proposed at the 1.92-acre point of the Gateway Triangle, the redevelopment area created where U.S. 41 East and Davis Boulevard intersect in East Naples. The 10-story mixed-use development is projected to have a 125-key hotel, as well as luxury condominiums above restaurants, retail space and parking.
The Ellington’s plans abut the hundreds of luxury multifamily dwellings at Metropolitan Naples, already under construction behind it in the 15-story Ascent and Aura towers, which also will feature restaurants and other commercial uses on 5.35 acres. The project changes the local horizon and elevates expectations immediately outside the city limits.
Likewise, just outside the city limits on the northern edge of Naples, The Carnelian luxury boutique hotel is proposed at the site of the former longtime Bowland Beacon bowling alley that closed in August ahead of the redevelopment project at 5400 Tamiami Trail N. in North Naples. Plans for the six-story hotel by Naples entrepreneur Phil McCabe and his sons, Joseph and Philip, include 70 suites, two upscale restaurants and a rooftop private club, Sterling’s.
“On top of The Carnelian hotel is a gem. It will be quite special, a special place,” McCabe says. “That’s not just something that’s special for Naples; we’re bringing something that’s special on the world stage.”
Following the success of his TownePlace Suites Naples, which opened in early 2020 and quickly became a top-performing property for the extended-stay brand by Marriott, Naples resident Joseph Toole plans to build another hotel next door to it in North Naples. Tru by Hilton is the new 92-room hotel winding through the permitting process for the vacant 1.59 acres at 5433 Juliet Blvd., across from Walmart Supercenter.
“I certainly think we would be breaking ground by the first of the year,” says Toole, general partner of hotel developer Lynwood LLC and president of Toole Companies, a family business that owns and operates hotels in Massachusetts and Florida. The new six-story hotel is targeted to open in the first quarter of 2026.
“I think it’s going to be an attractive alternative to area midscale hotels. This will be a little more value-oriented concept,” Toole says.
The latest plans for a JW Marriott hotel proposed across U.S. 41 East from Metropolitan Naples have been downsized from what was originally planned on East Naples acreage best known as the former home of the Little Italy and Checkers restaurants. Hotel developer Columbia Sussex now plans a 351-room, full-service hotel with a restaurant, ballrooms and meeting rooms, a fitness center, an outdoor pool on its third level and an attached parking garage. The redevelopment project remains in planning and permitting stages.
The 18-suite Aquarius Hotel is another redevelopment project expected to begin construction after the season ends in 2025. The three-story, boutique hotel is proposed to replace the U.S. 41 retail strip in Naples bookended by Liki Tiki BBQ and Pastrami Dan’s restaurants. Property owner Goran “Gordon” Stojkoski, who also owns and operates Liki Tiki BBQ, plans to relocate his Aqua restaurant and bar from Fifth Avenue South to a 7,000-square-foot space in his new hotel.
