Gulf Shore Boulevard is a weird place if you aren't used to it. On one side, you have these massive, multi-million dollar high-rises that look like they were built to withstand a small nuclear blast. On the other side, there's the water. Right in the middle of all that luxury and "keep out" signage sits the Edgewater Beach Hotel Naples.
It’s an all-suite hotel.
That matters. Most people looking for a beach vacation in Florida think they have to choose between a cramped Ritz-Carlton room or a questionable Airbnb three miles inland. Edgewater is the middle ground. It's basically a collection of 125 suites that feel more like condos than hotel rooms. If you’ve ever tried to shove a family of four into a standard double-queen room, you know the specific type of hell that entails. Here, you get a kitchen. You get a living room. You get a balcony that actually lets you see the sunset without craning your neck at a 45-degree angle.
The Reality of Staying at Edgewater Beach Hotel Naples
People get confused about the name. You'll see it called the "Edgewater Beach Resort" in old brochures or on some random travel blogs that haven't been updated since 2012. It’s a hotel. Specifically, it’s an Opal Collection property. This is a big deal because the Opal group tends to buy up properties with the best views and then spends a lot of money making sure the lobby smells like expensive citrus.
The beach here is the main draw. Obviously.
Naples sand is different from the stuff you find on the Atlantic side. It’s soft. It doesn't get scorching hot because it’s mostly crushed quartz. At Edgewater, the beach setup is actually handled for you, which is a luxury people underestimate until they’re dragging a heavy cooler through three inches of sand at a public park.
They do the umbrella thing. They do the chairs.
But honestly, the pool is where the action is. There are two of them. They are right next to the Gulf, so you can hear the waves while you’re sitting in the heated fresh water. It’s a weird sensory experience, but it works. The poolside bar, Reflections, is where you’ll spend too much money on Mai Tais, but the view makes it feel slightly less like a financial mistake.
What the Suites are Actually Like
Let’s talk about the rooms. Or suites. Whatever.
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One-bedroom and two-bedroom options are the standard. They were renovated not too long ago, so you aren’t looking at that weird 1980s Florida floral pattern that haunts so many coastal hotels. It’s modern. Clean lines. Lots of white and blue.
The kitchens are "kitchenettes," but that’s a bit of a lie. They have full-sized refrigerators, microwaves, and two-burner stovetops. You can actually cook a meal here. This is the secret weapon for families. If you spend seven days in Naples eating out for every single meal, you will go broke. Period. Being able to make breakfast in your pajamas while looking at the ocean is the ultimate flex.
There are some quirks. The elevators can be slow when the hotel is at 100% capacity. The parking can be a bit of a squeeze. But the staff—many of whom have been there for over a decade—usually make up for the structural hiccups.
Coast: The Restaurant Nobody Talks About
Coast is the on-site restaurant. It’s fine. Actually, it’s better than fine, it’s quite good, but it suffers from being in a city with one of the most competitive food scenes in the country.
When you’re a few miles away from 5th Avenue South and 3rd Street South, people forget the hotel restaurant exists.
That’s a mistake.
They do a seared snapper that is genuinely fresh. Not "frozen and flown in" fresh, but actually pulled from the Gulf. They have indoor and outdoor seating. If it’s not 95 degrees with 90% humidity, sit outside. The fire pits at night create this vibe that’s hard to replicate at the bigger, more corporate resorts down the street.
Navigating the Location
You are in the "Moorings" neighborhood. This is important for your GPS and your general sense of where you are in the world.
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You aren't in the middle of the downtown chaos, which is a blessing. However, you aren't walking to 5th Avenue. You'll need an Uber or a rental car. It’s about a five-to-seven-minute drive.
If you want to stay local, you’re close to Village on Venetian Bay. It’s a high-end shopping and dining area built right over the water. It looks like a Mediterranean village if that village was populated entirely by people wearing linen shirts and Rolexes. It’s great for people-watching.
Why This Place Beats the Mega-Resorts
There are bigger hotels in Naples. The Naples Grande is massive. The Ritz is, well, the Ritz.
But Edgewater Beach Hotel Naples feels like a boutique. With only 125 suites, the staff starts to recognize you by day three. You don't have to walk half a mile through a convention center to get to the beach. You walk out of the lobby, pass the pool, and you’re there.
It’s efficient.
Also, the "resort fee" is a thing. It’s about $45 a day, which usually covers the beach chairs, towels, fitness center access, and the local shuttle. Is it annoying? Yes. Is it standard in Florida? Also yes. Just factor it into your budget so you aren't surprised when the bill slides under your door on the last morning.
The Best Time to Go
If you go in February, you will pay a premium. You will also deal with "The Season," which means traffic and long waits for dinner.
Try May.
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The water is warm, the crowds have thinned out, and the rates at Edgewater drop significantly. September is also cheap, but you’re gambling with hurricane season. It’s a high-stakes game. If you win, you get a private beach. If you lose, you get a very wet vacation.
Common Misconceptions About Edgewater
Some people think this is a "party" hotel. It isn't.
Naples is generally a quieter town, and Edgewater reflects that. It’s great for weddings—they do a lot of them on the lawn—and it’s great for families. If you’re looking for a South Beach vibe with DJs and velvet ropes, you’re in the wrong city entirely.
Another misconception is that it’s strictly for the ultra-wealthy. While it’s not a budget motel, the suite-style layout offers a lot of value. You can split a two-bedroom suite with another couple and suddenly the price per person is lower than a standard room at a much worse hotel.
Logistics and Moving Forward
Getting there is easy. You fly into RSW (Southwest Florida International Airport) in Fort Myers. It’s about a 35-to-40-minute drive down I-75. Don’t bother with a taxi; use a ride-share or rent a car. You’ll want the car anyway to explore places like Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary or to drive down to Marco Island for a day trip.
When you check in, ask for a high floor. The views of the Gulf of Mexico are significantly better once you get above the palm line.
Actionable Steps for Your Stay:
- Book the "Gulf Front" Suites: Don't settle for "Coastal View" if you can afford the jump. Coastal often means you're looking sideways at the water. Gulf Front means the ocean is your front yard.
- The Grocery Run: Stop at the Publix on 9th Street North before you check in. Stock the fridge with water, snacks, and breakfast items. It saves you $200 over a four-day trip.
- Low Tide Shelling: Naples is famous for shelling. Go out at low tide, right in front of the hotel. You’ll find fighting conchs and maybe even a junonia if the ocean is feeling generous.
- Sunset Timing: Everyone gathers by the pool for sunset. It’s a ritual. Show up 20 minutes early if you want a seat with a view.
- Check the Opal Perks: If you book directly through the Opal Collection website, they sometimes offer "OPAL moments" or dining credits that aren't available on the big travel booking sites.
This place isn't trying to be the fanciest hotel in the world. It’s trying to be a comfortable, high-end home base on one of the best stretches of sand in Florida. It succeeds because it doesn't overcomplicate things. You get a bed, a kitchen, a pool, and the Gulf. Sometimes that’s all you actually need.