I stayed at a Ritz-Carlton resort for the first time during a trip to Naples, Florida, and 7 things surprised me

When I arrived at the Ritz-Carlton, Naples, my reservation was nowhere to be found. I was riddled with anxiety until an employee informed me that I was at the wrong location.

My stay was about five miles east at the Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón. I didn't realize the city had two locations, and I was surprised to find out they were so close to each other.

Guests of each Ritz-Carlton have access to all amenities at both locations, and a shuttle service runs between them. I was stoked because I'd never stayed at a hotel with this perk.

After spending some time at each, I found that the resorts offered completely different experiences.

While both were extremely luxurious, the Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón was centered on golf, while the Ritz-Carlton, Naples was on the beach. The former was quieter and seemed to cater to an older crowd, while the latter felt busier with a wide range of ages.

I appreciated being able to spend the day at the bustling beach resort and retiring to the calmer Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón.

I've never held a putter outside mini golf, so I wasn't expecting to be at all interested in the hotel's two courses. Then I learned that they host three pro tournaments every year, according to the company's website.

Even though golf isn't my thing, I instantly got excited for guests who love it. As a baseball fan, I thought about how elated I'd be by the opportunity to play at a major league stadium. So I ended up really appreciating the golf courses at the Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón.

The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón isn't just for golfers. The hotel has a small water park next to the pool area with tall, winding slides and a lazy river.

I'd stayed at hotels that had water slides before, but I'd never even heard of one with a lazy river. I'm not much of a thrill seeker, so I was excited to partake in a leisurely water activity. I hopped into an inflatable tube and looked up at the palm trees swaying in the breeze as I floated around the shady loop.

On my second day in Naples, I took the shuttle to the hotel chain's other location on the beach. When I stepped inside, I was stunned by the most beautiful bar I'd ever seen in a hotel lobby.

Renovated in 2023, RITZ Lobby Bar was designed to feel celebratory, according to the hotel's website. And I think they nailed it.

Dainty light fixtures dangled from the ceiling above, arched windows flooded the room with light, and gold accents brought the room together.

As a lover of boutique hotels and unique stays, I didn't expect to be blown away by the Ritz-Carlton. But since two locations in the same city offered completely different experiences, I'm intrigued to see what other Ritz-Carlton resorts are like.