If you’re looking for a beach, you’ve basically come to the wrong place—sorta.
I know that sounds weird. It’s Naples, Florida, after all. But there is a massive distinction people often miss when they look at the Ritz Carlton Golf Resort Naples. This isn't the big, white building sitting directly on the Gulf of Mexico. That’s the sister property, the "Beach Resort." This one? It’s tucked away about three miles inland, surrounded by manicured greens, Tiburón’s winding fairways, and a vibe that feels more like a private country club than a tourist trap.
Honestly, it’s better this way.
The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón (which is what most locals and frequent flyers call the golf resort now) is where you go when you want to actually breathe. It’s for the people who want the service, the marble bathrooms, and the featherbeds, but don't necessarily want to deal with the chaotic humidity of a public beach access point or the constant "see and be seen" energy of Vanderbilt Beach.
Why the Tiburón Rebrand Matters for Your Vacation
For years, everyone just called it "The Golf Resort." Recently, the brand leaned hard into the Ritz Carlton Golf Resort Naples being synonymous with Tiburón. If you aren't a golfer, that name might not mean much. But in the world of professional sports, it’s a big deal.
Greg Norman designed the two courses here—the Black and the Gold. These aren't just "hotel courses" where they let the grass grow long so tourists don't lose too many balls. These are championship-grade tracks. The Gold Course hosts the QBE Shootout (an unofficial PGA Tour event) and the LPGA’s CME Group Tour Championship.
Here is the thing about the Gold Course: it is wide. It’s forgiving for the guy who slices his driver into the next county. But the Black Course? That one is a beast. It’s tighter, more technical, and honestly, a bit of a psychological grind if your game isn't on point. If you’re staying here, you get access to both, which is usually a "members-only" privilege.
But let’s be real. Not everyone stays here for the 18th hole.
The Water Park Pivot
A few years back, the resort did something kind of risky. They built "The Reservoir." It’s a full-blown water park. When you think "Ritz-Carlton," you usually think of quiet pools and people reading The Economist under a parasol. You don't usually think of three-story high-speed water slides and a lazy river.
It worked.
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The Reservoir changed the DNA of the Ritz Carlton Golf Resort Naples. It turned a "golfer’s retreat" into a family powerhouse. You have a dedicated splash pad for the toddlers, the Riptide slides for the teenagers, and a palm-lined lazy river that—thankfully—has a bar nearby.
The clever part? They kept the main pool somewhat separate. So, if you’re a couple on a romantic getaway or a business traveler trying to answer emails, you aren't constantly getting splashed by a ten-year-old doing a cannonball. It’s a delicate balance, but they’ve mostly pulled it off.
The Room Situation: Don't Expect "Beach Chic"
If you’ve stayed at the Ritz-Carlton on the beach, you know the aesthetic is very airy, blue, and coastal. The Ritz Carlton Golf Resort Naples is different. It’s more "Old World meets Florida Highlands." Think dark woods, heavy fabrics, and a lot of British Colonial influence.
Is it dated? Some people think so. I’d argue it’s just "classic."
The rooms are huge. That’s the biggest perk of being inland—the footprint of the building isn't constrained by the shoreline. Even the standard guest rooms feel like suites compared to what you get in Miami or Fort Lauderdale. The balconies almost all overlook the golf course. There is something incredibly peaceful about watching the mowers go out at 6:00 AM while you drink coffee in a plush robe.
The Club Level Secret
If you can swing the extra cost, the Club Level here is one of the best in the entire Ritz-Carlton system. It’s not just about free cookies. It’s a "hotel within a hotel." They do five food presentations a day. You can basically eat breakfast, lunch, and a light dinner there without ever touching a restaurant menu.
Pro tip: The evening cordials and desserts are where they really show off. They usually have high-end bourbon and local chocolates that make the upgrade fee feel a lot more reasonable.
Dining Beyond the Club Lounge
You have to eat at Ria.
Most people gravitate toward Bella Vista because it’s right there in the lobby and has that grand, sweeping view of the course. It’s fine. It’s good for a club sandwich. But Ria is the standout. It’s Latin-inspired, it’s outdoors (mostly), and the flavors are much more aggressive than your standard resort fare.
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The skirt steak with chimichurri is legendary. So are the pisco sours. It feels less like a hotel dining room and more like a high-end eatery you’d find in a trendy neighborhood in Wynwood or Austin.
Then there’s The Grill, located at the sister Beach Resort.
Wait—didn't I say this was the inland resort? Yes. But here is the "secret sauce" of staying at the Ritz Carlton Golf Resort Naples: you get full charging privileges and shuttle access to the Beach Resort.
Every hour, a shuttle runs between the two properties. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes. You can spend your morning golfing at Tiburón, take the shuttle at noon, spend the afternoon on a cabana at the beach, eat dinner at The Grill (which is arguably the best steakhouse in Naples), and then head back to the quiet of the golf resort to sleep.
It’s the best of both worlds. You get the beach without the "beach hotel" price tag, which is usually significantly higher.
What Nobody Tells You About the Logistics
Naples is a weird city for traffic.
If you are visiting during "Season"—basically January through April—the three-mile trip between the golf and beach resorts can take 25 minutes instead of 10. The traffic on Airport-Pulling Road and Vanderbilt Beach Road becomes a nightmare.
If you have a dinner reservation at the beach, leave early. Seriously.
Also, keep in mind that the Ritz Carlton Golf Resort Naples is closer to the "real" Naples. You’re minutes away from Mercato, which is the local hub for nightlife and shopping. While 5th Avenue South is the famous spot for tourists, Mercato is where the locals actually go for a movie, a drink at Blue Martini, or a meal at The Hampton Social.
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Being inland means you aren't trapped in a "resort bubble." You can hop in an Uber and be at a high-end grocery store or a trendy boutique in five minutes.
Addressing the "Value" Question
Is it expensive? Yes. It’s a Ritz-Carlton in Southwest Florida.
But you have to look at what’s included. Most "luxury" hotels in the area charge a resort fee that covers nothing but "high-speed internet." At the Ritz Carlton Golf Resort Naples, that fee actually covers the shuttle, the water park, the driving range access, and the beach chairs/umbrellas at the sister property.
If you were to stay at a mid-tier hotel and pay for a beach club pass and a water park ticket separately, you’d be halfway to the Ritz's nightly rate anyway.
The "Season" vs. The Summer
If you want to experience this place for a fraction of the cost, go in August.
Yes, it will be 95 degrees. Yes, the humidity will feel like a wet blanket. But the rates drop by 60% or more. The afternoon thunderstorms in Naples are predictable—they roll in at 3:00 PM and leave by 5:00 PM. It’s the perfect time for a nap or a spa treatment.
The spa here, by the way, is smaller than the one at the beach resort, but it’s much more intimate. They do a "Golfer's Relief" massage that focuses on the lower back and shoulders. Even if you haven't picked up a club all week, it’s worth it.
Actionable Steps for Your Stay
If you've decided to pull the trigger on a stay at the Ritz Carlton Golf Resort Naples, don't just show up and wing it. You'll miss the best parts of the experience.
- Book Tee Times Early: Even if you’re a guest, the morning slots on the Gold Course fill up weeks in advance during the winter. If you want to play, call the pro shop the moment you get your room confirmation.
- The Shuttle Strategy: If you’re heading to the beach, take the 9:00 AM shuttle. Any later and you'll be fighting for the best lounge chairs, even in the "reserved" Ritz section.
- Dining Reservations: Use OpenTable or the Marriott Bonvoy app to book Ria at least two nights in advance. It’s a small footprint and fills up with locals who aren't even staying at the hotel.
- Download the App: Use the Marriott app for mobile check-in. The lobby can get crowded during the 4:00 PM rush, and skipping the desk to go straight to your room with a digital key is a lifesaver.
- Check the Tournament Schedule: Before you book, check the Tiburón Golf Club calendar. If the QBE Shootout or the LPGA finale is happening, the courses will be closed to public play, and the hotel will be packed with media and players. Great for celebrity spotting, bad if you actually wanted to play 18 holes.
The Ritz Carlton Golf Resort Naples isn't just a place to sleep. It’s a strategic choice. You’re choosing the greens over the sand, the quiet over the crowds, and the flexibility to have both whenever you want. Just remember to pack your spiked shoes and your sunscreen—you’re going to need both.