Our Top Picks
- The Absolute Best Feature: The Vanderbilt Tower expansion provides a hotel-within-a-hotel feel, perfect for families who want more space and a dedicated 4,000-square-foot lounge.
- Best Value for Parents: The Ritz-Carlton Club Level is a must-have for the five daily food presentations and a dedicated cookie bar that keeps kids happy between beach trips.
- Top Kid Activity: Beyond the beach, the interactive workshops like stuffed animal-making at the game lawn and the shuttle access to the Tiburon water park are standout highlights.
- The Verdict: Following its massive $100M facelift, this resort has shed its stuffy reputation to become the premier family-friendly luxury destination in Naples.
The Ritz-Carlton Naples family review experience has been completely transformed following a $100-million renovation. No longer just a formal retreat, the resort now offers the Vanderbilt Tower suites and a massive new Club Level that caters perfectly to multi-generational travel. This recently reopened property focuses on a relaxed coastal luxury aesthetic while providing practical amenities like a zero-entry family pool and air-conditioned poolside bungalows that make traveling with children significantly easier.
The Vanderbilt Tower: New Suite Layouts for Families
When we first stepped into the newly constructed 14-floor Vanderbilt Tower, it was clear that the design team kept multi-generational travel in mind. This transformative renovation added more than 50 suites to the property, bringing the total to over 90 multi-room suites. For families, this means you can finally find a room layout that doesn't involve everyone tripping over pack-and-plays or suitcases.
The best room layouts for families at Ritz-Carlton Naples renovated suites are found within this tower. The rooms are incredibly spacious, starting at 473 square feet, while the suites offer separate living and sleeping areas. The design is bright and airy, reflecting the Gulf of Mexico views just outside the window. We noticed that the privacy afforded by the 14th-floor layout is particularly beneficial for families who need a quiet environment for afternoon naps.
One detail we absolutely loved as parents was the bathroom configuration. Every one of the 474 total guestrooms now features a large marble bathroom with a dual vanity.
To help you decide which Ritz-Carlton Naples Vanderbilt Tower suites are right for your crew, here is a quick comparison:
| Feature | Standard Guestroom | Vanderbilt Tower Suite |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 473+ square feet | 900+ square feet |
| Occupancy | Up to 4 guests | Up to 6 guests |
| Living Area | Integrated seating | Separate parlor with sofa bed |
| Bathroom | Marble with bathtub/shower | Master bath plus guest powder room |
| View Type | Limited or Coastal | Full Gulf of Mexico views |
| Best For | Small families (1-2 kids) | Multi-generational travel & large groups |
Is the Club Level Upgrade Worth It with Kids?
If you are wondering if it is worth it to upgrade to Ritz-Carlton Naples club level with kids, the short answer is a resounding yes. The resort now features North America’s largest Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge, a 4,000-square-foot haven that acts as a base camp for your entire vacation.
The Ritz-Carlton Naples club level family benefits are extensive. You get five daily culinary presentations, starting with a full breakfast, followed by lunch, afternoon tea, evening hors d’oeuvres, and late-night desserts. For a family with hungry kids who seem to need a snack every twenty minutes, this is a life-saver. The dedicated cookie bar is, quite predictably, the biggest hit with the younger set.
What makes this space truly unique is the dedicated kids' room within the lounge. It features interactive family programming and chalk walls where children can create art while parents enjoy a glass of wine and the sunset views. It is important to remember that Club access requires a specific room category or upgrade and is not a standard perk of Marriott Bonvoy elite status. However, when you factor in the cost of feeding a family of four at a luxury resort, the value proposition of the lounge becomes very clear.
Pools, Bungalows, and Beaches: Family Recreation
The reimagined poolside experience is where the resort truly shines for those on a family vacation. The property now features a dedicated family pool and a separate children's pool. We particularly appreciated the zero-entry family pool, which allows toddlers to wade in safely while older kids splash around nearby.
For those who want to spend the whole day by the water, the resort added 10 fully enclosed, air-conditioned luxury bungalows. These are a dream for parents with infants. Having a private, cool space with a bathroom and a television means you don't have to retreat to your room when the baby needs a nap or the sun gets too intense. There are also 10 traditional cabanas if you prefer the open air.
The Ritz-Carlton Naples family pool and air-conditioned bungalow benefits include:
- Pre-stocked refrigerators with water and sodas.
- Dedicated poolside service for snacks and drinks.
- Private restrooms and showers inside the bungalows.
- Close proximity to the Ritz Kids program workshops.
Speaking of activities, the Ritz Kids program has been updated to include partnerships with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Kids can participate in interactive workshops on the game lawn, including the popular stuffed animal-making sessions. It adds an educational layer to the Five-Diamond service, ensuring children leave with more than just a tan.
The Tiburon Connection: Water Parks and Shuttles
One of our favorite Ritz-Carlton Naples family vacation tips for the newly renovated resort is to take advantage of the sister property. While the beach resort is focused on coastal luxury and waves, the Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburon (located just a few miles inland) is home to The Reservoir water park.
Accessing Tiburon water park from Ritz-Carlton Naples via shuttle is seamless. The complimentary resort shuttle runs regularly, and the trip takes less than 15 minutes. Once there, your family has access to:
- Three 27-foot-tall waterslides.
- A 600-foot winding river.
- A splash pad for smaller children.
- Luxury cabanas and the Rilassare poolside restaurant.
This access is part of the $60 daily resort fee, which we found quite reasonable given the inclusions. Besides the water park shuttle and access, the fee covers:
- Beach chairs and umbrellas on Vanderbilt Beach.
- High-speed Wi-Fi throughout the resort.
- Access to the fitness center and daily fitness classes.
- Driving range access at the Tiburon Golf Club.
When you're ready to eat after a day of slides, head back to the main resort for dinner at Gumbo Limbo. It is the most casual waterside environment on the property, famous for its coconut shrimp and the sunset bell tradition. It’s the perfect place for kids to be a little louder while the family watches the sun dip below the Gulf of Mexico.
FAQ
Is the Ritz-Carlton Naples kid-friendly?
Yes, the resort is exceptionally kid-friendly. Following the 2023 renovation, it features a dedicated zero-entry family pool, a children's pool, and the Ritz Kids program. The addition of the Vanderbilt Tower also provided larger suite layouts designed specifically for families, and the Club Lounge even includes a dedicated kids' playroom.
What activities are available for children at the Ritz-Carlton Naples?
Children can enjoy the zero-entry family pool, interactive workshops on the game lawn like stuffed animal-making, and beach activities on Vanderbilt Beach. The Ritz Kids program offers curated educational activities focused on the local Florida environment, and there is an arcade for older children and teens.
Does the Ritz-Carlton Naples have a water park?
The beach resort itself does not have a water park, but guests have full access to The Reservoir water park at the nearby Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburon. A complimentary shuttle runs between the two properties, allowing families to enjoy three waterslides and a winding lazy river during their stay.
Are there childcare services or a kids' club at the Ritz-Carlton Naples?
Yes, the Ritz Kids program provides supervised activities and programming for children ages 5 to 12. While it operates more as an activity-based club than a traditional daycare, it offers parents a chance to enjoy the spa or the adult pool while children are engaged in educational and fun projects.
Are there family-friendly dining options at the Ritz-Carlton Naples?
Absolutely. Gumbo Limbo is a favorite for families due to its casual beachside atmosphere and famous coconut shrimp. The Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge offers five daily culinary presentations that are very convenient for kids, and the poolside restaurants provide a variety of child-friendly menus including classics like burgers and chicken tenders.
Following this Ritz-Carlton Naples family review, it is clear that the resort has successfully balanced high-end luxury with the practical needs of modern parents. Whether you are splashing in the zero-entry pool or enjoying the massive Club Lounge, the resort offers a level of convenience that is hard to find elsewhere in Florida. If you are planning a trip during peak season, we recommend booking several months in advance as the new Vanderbilt Tower suites fill up quickly. For those flying in, the resort is a convenient 30-minute drive from Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), making it an easy escape for a long weekend or a week-long summer break.
