When Ritz-Carlton decides to enter a market, it does so with a passion to uphold those principles that have made it the leader in the luxury hotel industry. With the world-class (Mobil Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond) Ritz-Carlton Naples located literally down the street, the chain's expansion into Naples, Florida, brings a unique luxury experience to Southwest Florida, an area of the state known for its concentration of private resort communities. With 36 holes for resort guests to enhance the hotel proper, Tiburon at Ritz-Carlton is a welcome addition to the fever pitch golf course development has reached in Florida.

The proximity of its formidable 'big brother' down the street is a blessing in disguise for guests, as the Golf Resort offers guests the sophistication and class one expects at a Ritz-Carlton, but with a casual atmosphere reflecting the trend of modern golf resorts. Loyal Ritz-Carlton guests may be worried that the company whose hospitality they've come to cherish away from home would lose something in their newfound association with golf travel, but nothing could be further from the truth. With top-caliber service and dining, and a pair of Greg Norman-designed layouts, it strikes a perfect balance between resort and luxury hotel, and it should come as no surprise that the resort has received such precocious accolades in its first year as one of the best resorts in America.

The accommodations are standard Ritz-Carlton, which is to say a treat for golf travelers. Many of the resort's 295 rooms (including 54 Ritz-Carlton club rooms) have views overlooking the both the ninth and 18th greens on the Gold Course, two greens well-protected by water hazards which foreshadow the challenge that lies ahead. 

The resort has already earned a reputation as the destination for CEOs who seek out a place to meet, while incorporating the increasingly important element of business travel - golf. The charm and opulence of the town is a perfect fit for the traveler that Ritz-Carlton draws; with warm, sunny weather year-round, lovely beaches and the charm and class of Old Naples, hotel and town here intermingle perfectly. 

In terms of dining on the premises, three options await: Lemonia, Bella Vista and the Poolside Grill. Lemonia is the choice for dinner, with a wonderful Italian menu served in a charming room overlooking the property. Highlights from the 'Tuscan' menu include such dishes as Duck Confit Risotto with caramelized onions and the decadent Rossini-style filet of beef with a ragout of mushroom, salsify and foie gras. Bella Vista is located in the lobby lounge, home to gentle strands of music in the evening hours or the ideal atmosphere for a quick lunch in between rounds. The Poolside Grill is perfect for casual fare.

Two other food services worth noting are The eXpress(O) gourmet coffee shop, for those seeking a caffeine fix before their morning tee time, and The Bar, for late-night drinks, cigars, pool and cards at the end of a long day. 

Now firmly entrenched in the South Florida golf scene, the resort will play host to the Franklin Templeton Shootout again this November for the third straight year, with an agreement to continue this partnership through 2005. With the dearth of accessible golf resorts in the region, the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort has firmly planted itself at the centre of the golf scene in Southwest Florida.