Lobby
Photos courtesy of Naples Beach Club, A Four Seasons Resort
Sunset Bar cocktails
Gentle waves lapped against the sugar-sand shore as a brilliant orange sun sank into the turquoise sea. Two boys, tanned and happy, tossed a football along the water’s edge while I settled into a lounger steps away. Back and forth, back and forth — my eyes followed the ball, and a soft breeze lulled me to sleep.
“Ma’am, your piña colada,” said a server named Wind, pulling me out of my near-hypnotic state with the promise of pineapple, coconut and rum.
My ideal version of heaven? This is it. And getting there requires little more than a drive west on Alligator Alley to Naples Beach Club, A Four Seasons Resort.
The resort’s story dates back to 1946, when it opened as The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club. Over the years, the family-owned property faded from its former glory before being acquired by Four Seasons. It reopened last November after a full-scale transformation, preserving two beloved seaside holdovers: Sunset Bar and HB’s restaurant.
Today, the property blends Four Seasons polish with Old Florida charm and the natural beauty of the Gulf Coast — a balance that’s apparent the moment you step into the lobby, where a series of airy, light-filled spaces unfolds, with the water visible just outside.
Wispy palms, intricate fern prints and a bronze-leaf chandelier at the entrance complement the lush surroundings. Coastal hues of blue, green and sand, paired with wicker furnishings and woven pendant lights, ease you into vacation mode. Guests tuck into quiet alcoves lined with books, collected objects and small sculptures — more like the home of a well-read relative than a grand hotel.
Each of the 220 rooms and suites offers a private terrace, with decor that’s a mix of tropical vintage and modern luxe, from the flamingo pink or periwinkle blue cabinetry to the cozy dining nook lit by a sparkling sea glass chandelier. Brass door knockers shaped like fireflies, seahorses and crabs highlight the property’s playful side, while the oversized white marble bathroom, complete with soaking tub and Byredo products, offers a preview of the kind of indulgence you’ll find at the spa.
Accommodations range from resort-facing rooms to oceanfront suites, with the option to splurge on the Sabal Suite — a 5,155-square-foot retreat with sweeping Gulf views and a 3,000-square-foot rooftop terrace featuring a private pool and hot tub.
HB’s restaurant
When it comes to dining, the same high standards prevail. The Merchant Room, just off the lobby, is a New American brasserie that nods to a bygone Florida elegance — a tone set by a sweeping, hand-painted wall covering of pink flamingos in the Everglades. A handsome bar turns out serious cocktails, while chef Gavin Kaysen, a two-time James Beard Award winner, crafts a menu of refined classics, including a Tamarind Glazed Pork Chop, an American Rack of Lamb and cuts of prime beef dry-aged in house. Guests can also enjoy à la carte or buffet breakfasts here.
HB’s, meanwhile, fills quickly with a crowd in flowy dresses and elevated resort wear who enjoy seafood specialties such as Crab Bisque, Charred Octopus, Shrimp Curry and Grilled Bay Grouper. Time your reservation around sunset to take advantage of the view, or grab a cocktail and casual, Latin-inspired bites at the appropriately named Sunset Bar next door.
Grilled Bay Grouper
You’ll also find The Sanctuary Spa on this side of the property. Spanning 30,000 square feet across three levels, it features 13 treatment rooms and a full thermal circuit with steam rooms, a sauna, an ice room and a vitality pool. Beyond traditional treatments, guests can select personalized recovery programs such as oxygen therapy, cryotherapy, vitamin injections and IV infusions. A state-of-the-art fitness center conceived by celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak and a 75-foot rooftop lap pool overlook a Tom Fazio–designed golf course, set to open in the beginning of 2027.
The Sanctuary Spa reception
The Sanctuary Spa vitality pool
The resort’s proximity to Downtown Naples makes it easy to peruse the shops on Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South. Guests can explore in style with the resort’s coral-colored Mokes, available for up to four hours at a time. I took one for a spin, cruising past manicured streets and coastal cottages before landing at a Saturday farmers market.
Naples Beach Club, A Four Seasons Resort, invites you to step into a slower, more gracious place where time lingers, service is seamless and the food and spa deliver every time. It doesn’t hurt that it sits on one of Florida’s prettiest beaches, with postcard sunsets to match.
Naples Beach Club, A Four Seasons Resort, is located at 851 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., Naples. For more information, call 239-944-7600 or visit fourseasons.com/naplesbeachclub.