What It’s Really Like Staying at the Ritz-Carlton Naples with Littles

TL;DR:

• Long weekend at Ritz Naples with in-laws + two littles (1 and 3)
  
• Was nervous about stuffiness, but staff was warm and super kid-friendly
  
• Big wins: toddler pool, beach access, waterslides at sister property
  
• Food was easy for kids, though no in-room high chair and no childcare under 5

Last weekend, we opted for a long weekend away with my in-laws to enjoy a change of scenery and some dedicated time together. Our boys, now 1 and 3, are no strangers to traveling, but I admittedly am a little uneasy bringing them to certain places – even with all of the work I aim to do around family travel! I can’t help but wonder, especially at luxury stays, if they’ll be welcomed or maybe not so much. Naturally, this was definitely a concern of mine as my MIL booked the Ritz-Carlton in Naples. Read on to see how we liked it – and if we’d recommend it to a friend.

First Impressions

We checked in super late on a Thursday (far past bedtime), so I can’t say I remember too much in the whirlwind of bedtime of my first impressions. The (required) valet was wonderful and obviously made it easy to get up to our room and get them down quickly. Upon walking into the 2-bedroom suite, I was struck by how beautiful and spacious it was. Plenty of room for 4 adults and 2 kids! The layout, especially with 2 bathrooms in each bedroom and a powder room, really lent itself to our needs. In the room was a rolling crib for my baby (20 months), which we’d requested ahead of time, as well as some baby amenities like soap and lotion.

In the following hours the next day after I wrapped my work up, what really struck me was how welcome I felt. Despite it being a notoriously “fancy” brand, I didn’t feel out of place bringing my children. The staff, especially many at the restaurants, treated my kids very well in a way that put my worries at ease.

Kid-Friendly Highlights

We weren’t the only family at the hotel by any means! We were one of many, many families at the hotel. This might’ve been partially due to a family-friendly conference going on, as well as the fact it was summer, but the hotel was clearly built to accommodate families, as well as couples and solo travelers. 

The kids absolutely adored the pool, especially the toddler-friendly large 9” depth area where they could splash around independently. There was an adults-only pool I didn’t explore, which was nice to know that my kids could be a little loud (you know, be kids) without disturbing others. In addition, the beach is immediately behind the resort, so you can dip between the pool and beach over and over again. We went back and forth more times than I can count.

In addition, there is a free shuttle to their other Naples property, Tiburón, that features a family-friendly pool with waterslides and a splash-pad area. We spent a full afternoon enjoying this. The lazy river was definitely a highlight for Grandma and the boys!

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The last thing I’ll say in terms of amenities is with regard to the restaurants. I loved just how easy it was for my kids to find something to eat, and the fact high chairs and kids' cups were plentiful. I loved one waiter in particular who lovingly and respectfully referred to my kids as “little sir” and “little gentlemen.” Adorable and hilarious. I longed for high-chairs in our room as I’ve been lucky enough to experience at other hotels.

The other disappointment for us was the fact that “Ritz Kids,” the area for childcare, was for ages 5 and up. I know very few hotels offer this for young kids like mine, but it was a bit of a bummer. Perhaps in the future….

Perks for the Parents

I’d be remiss if I didn’t talk about the parts that my husband and I loved! I personally loved the spa. I spent an entire afternoon at the spa, plunging, massaging, and frankly… sleeping in the relaxation room. It was truly glorious and the most relaxed I’ve felt in a while.

We also loved the fact we didn’t have to go anywhere if we didn’t want to. We chose to go kayaking off-property one afternoon, but overall, everything we needed was right there for us: restaurants, bars, beach, pool… even ice cream! It was all right there. For people who are constantly on the go doing work things, pick up/drop off, among social obligations, this was an immensely welcomed change of pace.

Of course, the service and food were excellent. I think I’ll be dreaming about the turkey avocado sandwich I ordered when the boys were asleep forever…. The Ritz service is what it is for a reason, and I am grateful that this didn’t seem to change just because we had littles in tow.

Kidgo’s Take: Skip or Stay?

Stay – if it’s in the budget. The Ritz-Carlton Naples delivers on luxury and family-friendliness, a combo that’s rare to find. While it’s certainly a splurge (especially if you're booking a suite), the ease, service, and thoughtful touches for both kids and adults made it feel worth it. We'd happily recommend it for a multi-generational getaway where everyone gets to relax… yes, even the parents.

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Heads up! Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means Kidgo may earn a small commission if you book through them — at no extra cost to you. We only recommend places we’d genuinely take our own kids.

Main Image Credit: The Ritz-Carlton

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