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I’m a New Yorker who went to Naples, Florida, for the first time, and 6 things surprised me

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A body of water with palm trees and mansions surrounding it
The author spent two nights in Naples, Florida, for the first time.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

  • I spent two days in Naples, Florida, for the first time in October.
  • I was surprised by the city's extensive canals and waterfront mansions.
  • I didn't expect the local airport to be so luxurious, and I was amazed by the crystal-blue waters.

When the temperatures dropped below 50 degrees Fahrenheit this October in New York, I was jonesing for one last taste of summer.

So I headed to the southern part of Florida, where the sun beams down on white-sand beaches and crystal-blue waters.

During my five-day trip, I spent two nights in Naples, a city known for its luxury lifestyle. In just 48 hours, I was surprised six times.

From the airplane window, the canals running through Naples, Florida, reminded me of Europe.
An aerial view of the coast of Naples Florida

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I took a private plane from West Palm Beach to Naples. The coastal view from above amazed me, but the most surprising part was inland.

Hundreds of miles of canals run through Naples and the surrounding areas. It reminded me of trips I've taken to European cities like Venice, Italy, and Amsterdam.

I landed at the most luxurious airport I've ever seen.
The entrance to Naples Aviation Airport dotted with palm trees on a sunny day in Florida

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

If I'd flown commercial, I never would have seen Naples Municipal Airport. Used for private jets and charter flights, the general aviation airport has no gates or TSA checkpoints. I spotted signs of luxury the moment I exited the plane. The exterior was thoughtfully landscaped, and I noticed a valet stand by the entrance.

I thought the inside looked more like a high-end airport lounge than a terminal. Whimsical light fixtures dangled from the ceiling, there were couches in lieu of chairs, and the bathroom had a midcentury modern look.

I didn't expect to find two Ritz-Carlton hotels within a five-mile radius.
A composite image of two Ritz-Carlton resorts in Naples, Florida

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I spent both nights in Naples at the Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón, which is primarily a golf resort. But before my arrival, I had no idea that there was a Ritz-Carlton beach resort five miles west on the coast (called the Ritz-Carlton, Naples).

Even more surprising, I had access to both hotels throughout my stay.

It felt like a bonus to be able to experience the various amenities at each hotel. At the Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón, I floated through the lazy river by the pool. At the Ritz-Carlton, Naples, I lounged on the beach.

I assumed Naples would have waterfront homes, but I was shocked by the sheer volume of mansions lining the shores and canals.
A body of water in front of three mansions on an island with many palm trees in Naples

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

During a boat tour of Naples, I got stellar views of these estates that backed up into the water.

Architectural styles ranged from coastal cottage and British West Indies to contemporary and Mediterranean revival.

Unlike New York, the downtown area was right next to the beach.
A road lined with palm trees leads to a beach

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

We have ocean beaches in New York on the coastlines of the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn — a trek from the bustling streets of downtown Manhattan.

So when I was walking down Fifth Avenue in Naples, past the strips of shops and restaurants, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the street led straight to the ocean.

The ocean water was so strikingly blue.
Blue ocean waters in front of a shore lined with homes and palm trees in Naples, Florida

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Standing in the sand and facing the water, the ocean looked noticeably clearer and bluer than it does in New York. When I ran into the waves and ducked my head beneath the surface, I felt as if I were somewhere in the Caribbean.

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