LaPlaya's gracious, Southern-style lobby, Thai spa, exercise room, rocky waterfall pool, pool bar and trendy restaurant menu put it on par with Miami Beach's boutique hotels. Rooms show a meticulous attention to detail; some have Jacuzzi tubs with sea views, and all are luxurious with four-poster beds, fine linens, goose-down pillows, private balconies, and marble baths. Of its 189 units, 141 are beachfront with private balconies. The "golf" part of the name refers to privileges on a course 15 minutes away. The "beach" part is obvious--a delicious slice of sands that gives way to the property's lush tropical pool and garden.
Recommended for Things to Do in December because: Guests enjoy holiday decorations, special events and a legendary Christmas Day feast.
Chelle's expert tip: Make reservations at BALEEN restaurant for a special four-course prix-fixe menu on Christmas Eve and a buffet feast on Christmas Day.
The in-residence company at the G&L Theatre, Theatre Zone resides in a beautiful, intimate 250-seat facility on the campus of the Community School of Naples. Since 2005, the nonprofit organization has worked with Actors' Equity Association, the professional actors' union, to procure access to the best actors, singers, dancers, musicians and stage management professionals. The company strives to bring "lost treasures of Broadway" to the stage along with Broadway classics to create a stirring mix of shows, mostly musically inclined, that are not often seen at other local playhouses. It typically hosts about 10 shows during its season, December through April.
Recommended for Things to Do in December because: Home for the Holidays takes the stage for four performances Dec. 10-12.
Chelle's expert tip: Buy tickets online well in advance as shows usually sell out quickly.
The Palm Cottage displays a special piece of Naples history. Constructed in 1895, this storied home is on the National Register of Historic Places and is now a museum that has been decorated to reflect its previous 19th-century charm. If the walls could talk at Palm Cottage, they would tell of wild parties with the likes of Gary Cooper and Hedy Lamarr in attendance. A theater shows oral history films revealing more tales of Naples. See unique furniture pieces, antique kitchen appliances and heirloom portraits of Naples natives from more than a hundred years ago. After touring the house, explore the adjacent Norris Gardens. They include the Pioneer Garden, Edible Garden, Palm Garden, Water Garden, Garden of the Senses and Shade Garden.
Recommended for Things to Do in December because: Christmas tours run Dec. 3-28. Dec. 1-31 featuring period-relevant decorations.
Chelle's expert tip: Just steps from the beach and Third Street South, this adds an easy educational element to a day of sunning or shopping.
It is dedicated to both visual and performing arts in one architecturally forward location. The Naples Philharmonic Orchestra calls the center home as does the Miami City Ballet. Its calendar of events cuts a wide swath of entertainment. A Broadway series runs during the winter season, when the snowbirds flock in. The Artis hosts audiences of up to 1,425 throughout the year for touring orchestras, opera, comedians, modern dance and more than 400 events yearly. It also has a 200-seat black-box theater. It shares a location with The Baker Museum, a world-class art museum that coordinates exhibits with Artis performances.
Recommended for Things to Do in December because: Naples Philharmonic Orchestra presents Handel's Messiah Dec. 1 and 3, and Holiday Pops Dec. 16-19.
Chelle's expert tip: A new sunset terrace is opened in 2019 for pre- and post-theater drinks and bits.
The Ritz-Carlton changed the face of the Naples resort scene when it came to town a couple of decades ago. Now there are actually two Ritz-Carltons in Naples.The list of amenities ranges long and wins the resort all the kudos and awards the industry affords. Excellent restaurants are open to the public. An estuary boardwalk leads to its white-sand beach. Its spa is extraordinary, with its own juice bar/healthy cafe. Service, fine dining, outstanding family programming, the highest quality room appointments and amenities and a feel of privilege put the "ritzy" in the experience. For money-is-no-object vacationers, the Ritz-Carlton is the gold standard. The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort shares amenities with the original beach property, meaning guests can take advantage of 27 holes of elite golf.
Recommended for Things to Do in December because: Each holiday season The Ritz-Carlton builds a life-size gingerbread house.
Chelle's expert tip: Bring the kids for Teddy Bear Tea (hot chocolate) with Santa at select dates and times Dec. 2-22.
Lining the waterfront on two sides of the road, it effects European style architecture. A well traveled district for shopping and dining, its stores are of the upscale ilk selling jewelry, art, home accessories and clothing - nearly 60 businesses in all. Everything But Water for women and Mondo Uomo for men are popular fashion stops. Try a Horse of a Different Color and Fabec-Young & Co. for gifts and home decor items. Six jewelry stores specialize in everything from watches and pearls to estate jewelry. A nice selection of restaurants and lounges gives you a good excuse to take a break from shopping.
Recommended for Things to Do in December because: Christmas Extravaganza runs Dec. 22 through Dec. 24 with Dickens carolers, Santa and snow.
Chelle's expert tip: A tunnel allows you to drive or walk under the bridge instead of having to cross the road from one side to the other.
Nothing says Florida holidays like a night time boat parade. Boaters decorate their vessels in lights and tropical trappings to ply the waters from Gordon Pass northward past the City Dock to Tin City. The Dock at Crayton Cove, The Boat House and the restaurants of Tin City provide best viewing spots for watching the sparkly parade reflected in bay waters for a double exposure holiday impact. Or watch from Naples Landings Park. The Marine Industries Association of Collier County organizes this annual holiday event, which takes place on Dec. 11 this year from 6:15 to 8:30 p.m.
Recommended for Things to Do in December because: Boats decorated for the holidays ply bay waters for the ultimate statement of Naples' festive and nautical spirit.
Chelle's expert tip: Arrive early to one of the restaurant/bars on Naples Bay to view the parade.
Highlights of its beautifully designed 170 acres include a Caribbean Garden with a traditional re-created chattel house, a dramatic waterfall feature with giant lilypads in the Brazilian Garden and preserved natural wetlands with a birding tower. The Lea Asian Garden adheres to the property's mission to showcase the plants and culture of subtropical climates. In addition to a 250-variety plumeria collection, a rice paddy and Asian water elements and vegetation, it incorporates a re-created 15th century Hindu temple and other exotic shrines and structures. Newest to the gardens, a pavilion welcomes guests with a cafe and shop that sells plants and gifts.
Recommended for Things to Do in December because: Johnsonville Night Lights in the Garden sets the place aglow Nov. 26-Dec. 23, Dec. 26-30 and Jan. 1-2 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Chelle's expert tip: Bring the kids - the Children's Garden has a treehouse, cave, butterfly house and other fun features.
Near the Naples Fishing Pier and beaches, it's popular with the apres-beach crowd. Known for its Gallery Row, it also has earned fame for having one of the first, if not the first, shopping concierges, who can advise you and see that your packages get back to your hotel. A plaza lies at the heart of the shopping district. Most of the shops are high-end, one-of-a-kind, such as Marissa Collections, which carries prestige designer fashions, and Gattle's, selling fine home linens and accessories. A number of fine restaurants and clubs reward the buy-hard shopper.
Recommended for Things to Do in December because: Without fail, it snows every year for Christmas on Third Tree Lighting & Snow Celebration, this year on Nov. 22 from 6-9 p.m.
Chelle's expert tip: On Third Street South, you can easily combine a day of shopping, beaching, drinking and dining.
Downtown Naples' comeback story is one of the most successful in the annals of downtown redevelopment. Reinvented in 1996 with careful planning, Fifth Avenue South was at the heart of the renaissance. What has resulted is a tony street lined with sidewalk cafes, mostly one-of-a-kind shops and galleries, two vital theaters, an arts center, hotels and a city park. Mixed in with great restaurants, shops sell art, resort wear, jewelry and fun gifts for everyone. You will find chains such as Chico's and Tervis, but also unique shops such as Port Royal Jewelers, where you have to ring a bell to gain admission.The restaurants on and around Fifth Avenue South present some of the town's most divine dining options.
Recommended for Things to Do in December because: Christmas Fest on 5th Avenue South, Dec. 3-4, includes a tree lighting ceremony and live Nativity scene, plus kids activities.
Chelle's expert tip: Parking is free along Fifth Avenue South and in its parking ramp, but spaces fill up fast in the high season, at which time valet service is available.