Prominent family, hoteliers team up for new luxury property

NAPLES — Naples is on the cusp of getting a new hotel: The Camalier family, longtime area residents and property owners, are partnering with Ocean Properties Hotels & Resorts and Affiliates to construct, develop and operate the Old Naples Hotel.

The 109-room luxury hotel is designed to complement the historic Third Street District. Construction is expected to begin in fall 2022, with completion in early 2024, a press release states. Construction value of the project wasn’t disclosed.

The Old Naples Hotel will be situated on two acres along Gordon Drive, Broad Avenue, and Third Street South, adjacent to the historic Olde Naples Building, the release adds. Inspired by the iconic Naples Hotel, which opened in 1889 and served guests for nearly 90 years, the Old Naples Hotel will offer numerous amenities also open to its neighbors: a café/bar with outdoor dining, picturesque courtyard, hotel sundry shop, spa, and a small retail commercial space on Third Street South.

“We look forward to bringing the Old Naples Hotel to life in partnership with Ocean Properties,” Anne Camalier says in the release. “This new luxury destination will undoubtedly become a favorite of visitors to Naples, as well as neighbors throughout the community who can enjoy the beautiful courtyard and gardens. We are excited for the hotel to become a vibrant part of the Third Street District, while reinforcing the historical and cultural heritage of Old Naples itself.”

Naples residents since 1964, the Camalier family has owned “significant properties in the Third Street Shopping District and elsewhere in the City of Naples for decades,” the release adds. Delray Beach-based Ocean Properties is one of the largest hotel owners and operators in Florida, most of which are family-owned and -operated by descendants of the brand’s patriarch, Tom Walsh. Among its extensive holdings are several Four Diamond resorts in South Florida and the Sunset Key Cottages in Key West. It also owns properties in Tampa, Longboat Key and Lido Beach, Sarasota.

“Our family’s strong ties to Southwest Florida make this a very special opportunity for us,” says Ocean Properties’ Patrick Walsh, a Naples resident. “We look forward to the partnership with the Camalier family and to bringing forward an exceptional experience at the Old Naples Hotel.”

Hart Howerton, the New York- and San Francisco-based architects of renowned hotels and resorts around the world, designed the hotel. Required project approvals have already been obtained from the City of Naples, including the Design Review Board and City Council. Next steps include completion of construction documents, submittal of the documents to the city, and processing of the building permit.