Press Release: Tourism Alliance of Collier County
March 11, 2002
COLLIER COUNTY, CL -- Collier County encompasses Greater Naples, Marco Island and The Everglades, Classic Florida.
The area is known for its diversity and abundant natural resources, providing activity options for anyone and
everyone. And, there’s plenty that’s new and interesting in the area.
The region’s new tourism marketing logo brings together the Collier County region with the signature tag line of
Greater Naples, Marco Island and The Everglades – Classic Florida. With the new identity comes a greatly improved
Web site to assist visitors with information and links on activities, attractions, accommodations and more at www.classicflorida.com.
Meanwhile, the Classic Florida region continues to offer new and expanded opportunities for visitors with several
significant new hotel openings and numerous property expansions and renovations.
Following is a list of some of the new facilities and renovations in Collier County:
Marco Beach Ocean Resort
Open as of December 17, 2001, the luxurious Marco Beach Ocean Resort is located on Marco Island’s famous crescent-shaped
white sand beach. Featuring 103 luxurious one-and two-bedroom suites, each with a private balcony facing the Gulf
of Mexico, guests will enjoy a health spa, fitness center, rooftop pool and formal gardens, beachfront gourmet
dining at Sale e Pepe, and access to golf and boating. www.marcoresort.com
LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort
LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, located on a five-mile stretch of white sand beach in Naples, has undergone a
$45 million transformation. The newly re-opened resort has 189 rooms, including nine suites. The property now
features extensive meeting and conference facilities, five swimming pools, the luxurious Spa Blue, restaurant Baleen
featuring renowned Chef Robin Haas, deluxe guest rooms with private balconies, the LaPlaya Golf Club and much more.
www.laplayaresort.com
The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples
This luxurious new resort opened January 4, 2002 with 295 guest rooms overlooking the Greg Norman-designed Tiburón
golf course in Naples. The resort has over 14,800 sq ft of meeting space including a 7,810 sq ft grand ballroom.
Located just 29 miles from Southwest Florida International Airport, the resort has five onsite restaurants and
lounges and is just minutes away from The Ritz-Carlton, Naples beachfront resort and spa. www.ritzcarlton.com
Four Points Sheraton
The new 124-room hotel opens Spring 2002 on the banks of the Gordon River at Davis Boulevard and US 41. The elegant
yet affordable hotel will has an E.B.’s Restaurant; meeting space for groups up to 100 people; an Olympic sized
heated swimming pool; and high-speed Internet access. www.sheraton.com
Marco Island Marriott Resort & Golf Club
The Marco Island Marriott Resort and Golf Club has announced the launch of an extensive $43 million renovation
project, which will include the addition of a 24,000-square-foot Balinese health spa complete with 24 treatment
rooms, balconied outdoor seaside treatment terraces and a couples facility with private showers and massage areas;
an additional 10,000-square-foot ballroom and beachside terrace; and, the complete redesign of two restaurants,
the 18-hole golf course, and all deluxe guest rooms. This ambitious project is scheduled for completion in June
of 2003. Work will be done in stages and the resort remains open during the renovation. www.marcomarriottresort.com
Olde Marco Inn & Suites
This charming off-beach Inn located on Marco Island has recently opened two new wings, with 52-two bedroom suites
decorated in an elegant tropical motif. The original Inn (1883) now houses the restaurant, ballroom and front
desk/registration areas. The restaurant, outdoor pool deck and courtyard areas are popular for business and social
functions. www.oldmarco.com
Edgewater Beach Hotel
Newly renovated tower suites at Edgewater Beach Hotel, located on Naples Beach, now provide an elegant counterpart
to the Old Florida feel of the hotel’s beach cottage suites. The sixty-three tower suites have been completely
redone with maple furnishings, sophisticated sage and crimson upholstery, granite kitchen countertops and white
marble bathrooms. The total number of suites at the hotel is 126. The Edgewater Beach Hotel is a sister property
of The Registry Resort, a mainstay for both corporate and leisure travelers to Naples, now celebrating its 15th
anniversary. www.edgewaternaples.com; www.registryresort.com
Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club
This Naples family-owned hotel has just completed redecorating 256 of its 318 guest rooms and suites with new fabrics
and furniture as well as carpeting. The new look reflects the classic Florida ambiance of a relaxed, yet upscale
beach house, similar to the comfortable style of the property’s new Clubhouse and Spa, which opened in April 2000.
www.naplesbeachhotel.com
Inn on Fifth
The Inn on Fifth, located in the heart of downtown Naples on Fifth Avenue, is undergoing a $750,000 enhancement
project. The project includes upgrades to guest rooms and the lobby, which are nearly complete, and the addition
of a 1,000 sq. ft. swimming pool and hot tub area for guests. www.naplesinn.com
Hilton Naples & Towers
The Hilton Naples & Towers was recently awarded the coveted Four Diamond rating from the American Automobile
Association. Shula’s Steak House, noted as one of the five best steak houses in America, is located off the hotel’s
lobby. Having just celebrated their first year of being open the Hilton Naples & Towers has become established
with corporate travelers and provides meeting, conference and banquet space. www.naples.hilton.com
Ivey House Inn
The Ivey House has expanded its services to visitors to Everglades City by opening the new 17-room Ivey House Inn,
which adjoins the historic Ivey House Bed and Breakfast through the new great room and adventure center. All rooms
in the new building have two queen sized beds, air conditioning and heat, a private bathroom with tub, a small
refrigerator, TV and phone; and one room is handicapped accessible. Guests at the Inn have the use of a beautifully
landscaped, screened courtyard with a shallow conversation pool. The owners of the Ivey House also operate North
American Canoe tours in the Everglades. www.iveyhouse.com
Promotion of the Classic Florida region by the Tourism Alliance of Collier County is a cooperative effort funded
by the Collier County tourism development tax.
---------------------------------------------------
Contact:
Tourism Alliance of Collier County www.ClassicFlorida.com