Naples
- The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club (239.261.2222; www.naplesbeachhotel.com) recently refurbished its 18-hole, par-72 championship golf course with new grass on all the fairways, among other enhancements. The initiative came on the heels of a $22 million renovation to all 317 guest rooms and suites, along with the addition of a $5 million beachfront pool complex.
- In downtown Naples, the historic Inn on Fifth (239.403.8777; www.innonfifth.com) is nearing completion of a $16 million expansion project, which includes the addition of 32 club-level suites and meeting space in a new three-story, 40,000-square-foot building directly across Fifth Avenue from the Inn’s landmark location. The expansion is scheduled to be finished by December.
- Just northeast of Naples, SunStream Hotels & Resorts and Barron Collier Companies have announced a joint venture to develop the VillaMaria Resort (239.314.2215; www.villamariaresort.com) in Ave Maria, offering studio and one- to two-bedroom suites as well as 4,500 square feet of event space. At press time, the project was still in the pre-sale/permitting phase.
Fort Myers
- The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa (239.444.1234; www.coconutpoint.hyatt.com) in Bonita Springs just completed a multimillion-dollar makeover of its 454 guest rooms and suites. Earlier this year, the property’s Tarpon Bay Restaurant added a private dining room that seats up to 40. The 26-acre resort offers more than 70,000 square feet of flexible meeting space.
- Fort Myers’ Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa (239.466.4000; www.sanibelmarriott.com) is updating 247 guest rooms, its spa, the main lobby and other public areas. The project is slated for completion by Thanksgiving.
- Spirit Airlines will double the number of cities it serves from Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) (239.590.4800; flylcpa.com) in Fort Myers by adding service to Boston, Dallas/Fort Worth and Minneapolis-St. Paul starting Nov. 8. Daily nonstop service will continue through April 24, 2014. The airport also will welcome new service from WestJet to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport on Dec. 22, inaugurating RSW’s first nonstop route to Canada’s capital.
Charlotte County
- New villas are expected to come online over the next few years at Palm Island Resort (941.697.4800; www.palmisland.com), located on the Gulf, west of Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda. Ideal for corporate retreats and small meetings, facilities here can accommodate up to 150.