hoping to have a memorable trip...naples....

[susieQ39]

Hi...my 3 best friends and I are traveling to Naples to celebrate my 4oth birthday in a few weeks....Does anyone have suggestions for a fun weekend? I already saw a link to waterside shops, which will be a must..looking for restaurant recs (good food, nice places, entertainment or ambiance are a plus), spa, other hints to help make out trip a memorable one!
Thanks:-)

[susieQ39]

Thank you soo much..this is very informative! I was looking forward to visiting Waterside for Vuitton, but Mercato sounds like a great time! I read another recommendation for Turtle Club, which sounds great-for the view, alone! I already booked Tommy Bahama and Bice, which has never disappointed me in NYC. The other reservation I made was a MiraMare. I don't have much information on it, but booked it for the view. What do you think? You seem so enamored with Barbatella that I may try to get a reservation. Is it high season yet? I was hoping we were still in the low season, but I realize that April is a big spring break time..so wasn't sure. At any rate..thank you sooo much! I am so excited for my trip! S
We are staying at the Ritz, and renting a car, so we sho

[LilMsFoodie]

I've been to the Bice near the 50's and Fifth in NYC and it is very different from this one. You may like it, they are trying to run it like a private club (which was my impression of Bice in NY), our waiter was much more interested in the celebrities that eat there daily than me. Our bottle of champagne sat out on a side table with no bucket. I tipped him accordingly. This one has the same fawning service, if you are the right person.

Mira Mare is lovely for lunch. Haven't had dinner there.

Are you at the beach Ritz or the Golf Ritz. The beach Ritz has a great spa. You can walk to the Turtle Club on the beach from the beach Ritz. Makes it more fun. I'd also walk up to La Playa, very close also, and have drinks at Baleen. It is a lovely place.

High season in Naples ends with the tax cut off or Easter, which ever is later. Things should be thinning out. The busiest weekend in Naples is President's weekend in February. I don't go anywhere that weekend. Think of venturing into Manhattan during the Marathon or New Years Eve in TS. Quel horror!

Hope you find time to do drinks at Barbatella. In fact, you could do a pub crawl on Third St So and have a great time: Tommy B, Campiello (watch cougars in their natural habitat), Sea Salt, Handsome Harry's and now, Barbatella. What fun.

[susieQ39]

Hahaha You are hysterical! I love it! The bar crawl idea seems fun and light....the cougar comment I LOVE>....I am always up for people watching. BICE sounds a little bit pretentious......that doesnt' sounds appealing now. Maybe I will check out Barbatella. The menu looks diverse. Could be interesting.
Thank you for all of your help..ohh we are staying at the Beach Ritz on Vanderbilt. I checked out the link you sent for Mercato and will also check out Blu Martini..:-))

[LilMsFoodie]

Have a great time and happy birthday. LMF

[LilMsFoodie]

I think you would enjoy Mercato more than Waterside, unless you don't have a Nordstroms and Saks, Williams Sonoma where you live. Every high end purse manufacturer is there though: Vuitton, Hermes, Kors, Gucci, etc etc etc. Looking to drop $5000 or so on a purse, this is your nirvana. The restaurants there are not as good as they should be. Two so so chains, Silver Spoon and Cal. Pizza Kitchen. Also Brio, my pick for there, but nothing that great other than the outdoor bar's atmosphere. BrickTop might have better food, but again, many other better choices in town.

Mercato is an entertainment mall with fun bars (Blue Martini, a British style pub, Asian, etc.) and lots of window shopping. The two top spas in Naples only cater to their hotel guests: The Ritz Carlton Beach and La Playa, but they might have offerings off season. Couldn't hurt to inquire.

I'll also recommend The Turtle Club. Right on the beach you can have a nice dinner or cocktails with sand in toes.

Third Street South is also a fun location but more likely to be much older crowd. It is magical and Campiello and Tommy Bahama have fun vibes. I'm very high on Barbatella, a new place on Third Street South.

http://barbatellanaples.com/

http://www.laplayaresort.com/naples-florida-spa-salon.aspx

http://www.windwardhospitality.com/naples/index.html (this is Turtle Club

)

http://www.mercatoshops.com/play_dini...

[susieQ39]

Hi again...when you included the link to the spa at LaPlaya, was it because you think the spa is better or more affordable? Which, in your opinion, of the spas in Naples should we visit..taking into consideration price and quality? Thanks....also thank you for the birthday wishes....so looking forward to good times, good food, and fabulous weather!

[LilMsFoodie]

LaPlaya spa: more tropical, pricing I'm not sure of anymore, it's been a while.
Ritz spa: luxury all the way. Very elegant but not very tropical.

I've never found a day spa in the area that is up to these too. I generally spend my spa time at medical spas attached to dermatologist' or plastic surgeons....but I'm an old goat.