When The Ritz-Carlton group opened its first hotel in Naples, it marked a moment for the city. Many say that’s when Naples began to transform itself from quiet fishing village into a cosmopolitan hub. Now, as the city continues to grow and evolve, its heritage resorts are evolving with it. The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, recently unveiled a splashy multimillion dollar expansion that includes a bigger event lawn, as well as an outdoor restaurant and bar. This month, the resort is slated to debut the latest part of the project, The Reservoir—an on-site water park that spans more than 14,000 square feet and stands in a category all its own in Naples. During the past year, the team worked to carve out a 600-foot lazy river that runs along the greens, new pools for kids and adults, three water slides and Ría, a contemporary outdoor restaurant that plates beautiful dishes with flavors that nod to Mexico, Argentina and Peru.
While the water park features will only be available to The Ritz-Carlton guests (at least at first), anyone can stop by Ría for fun cocktails like the Victoria, a refreshing take on the classic mojito, or to try chef Aldo Novoa Rodriguez’s empanadas, ceviche or the savory, Mayan-inspired tacos de cochinita pibíl estilo yucatán. The modest portions leave plenty of room for dulce de leche filled Alfajores, a recipe the Mexican chef inherited from his grandmother. Just outside of Ría’s main dining patio, you might also find yourself hobnobbing at a fundraiser on the new 3,600-square-foot event lawn, which provides picturesque views of the Greg Norman-designed greens at Tiburon Golf Club—a perfect addition to the hotel’s reputation as a stellar event space.
Courtesy The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples
Ritz Carlton Naples Ria Rendering
Meanwhile, at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples—the city’s original The Ritz-Carlton property—the resort is embarking on its own major facelift and expansion that will add 92 rooms and suites, and design updates throughout the property.