The newest hotel of distinction in Southwest Florida shows off a blend of casual luxury and personality. The Perry Hotel Naples, which opened this past January, is a refreshing respite from the sterility of some of the Paradise Coast’s larger resorts. From the chic and fashion authenticity of Elsie’s in the two-story lobby, to the culinary genius of Chef Dale Talde at his rooftop Tigress Cantonese chophouse and Easy Tigress bar, The Perry Hotel Naples shines as a 160-room boutique hideaway in North Naples.
“The restaurant (along with Easy Tigress Bar) has been completely joined. Our food and beverage programs have been strong,’’ said Assistant General Manager Matt Anzivino. “Overall things have been good. We opened late (in Winter season) so everyone already had stays booked, but we still had a great opening. Our retention has been good – all of our employees are still with us and they are enjoying themselves.’’
Located along the Cocohatchee River with direct access to the Gulf of America, the Perry offers opportunities for boating, watersports and exploration. There’s an on-site marina with eight slips exclusively for guests, a round-trip shuttle to Wiggins Pass and private Barefoot Beach, a large pool deck, and stay and play packages at nearby Saltleaf Golf Preserve, designed by World Golf Hall of Famer Raymond Floyd.
Simply stated, The Perry Hotel Naples – a sister property of The Perry Hotel Key West – is a boutique hotel that has all the features of a “big’” hotel.
“I’m a culture-driven person,’’ Anzivino said. “We really pride ourselves on the culture we have created here. I think it creates that unique guest experience that’s smothered in hospitality. We want every guest to feel special.’’
With the majority of the Perry’s rooms (and suites) on the water side, guests get great views of the Gulf and the mangroves that hold the shell mounds created by the powerful Caloosa tribe, which navigated (controlled) most of Florida’s waterways from the Keys to Tampa Bay before they disappeared in the 18th century. The Caloosa people, by the way, are reputed to have been the only Native tribe the Spanish could not convert to Catholicism.
The Perry’s “anchor’’ artworks pay homage to the Caloosa’s maritime heritage.
“The culture here creates an experience like nothing else – and the amenities support it all,” Anzivino said.
The hotel’s modern industrial design, complemented by local influences, including a neighboring nature conservation area complete with a riverwalk and a waterfront pier.
Chef Dale Talde (The Perry Hotel Naples)
“We think we’ll have a balance of slightly more leisure guests than corporate guests,’’ Anzivino said. “We have a nice base of corporate, but we smother it with two-and-three night stays and golf. We’re really targeting the golf market with access to amazing golf and packages. I think that’s a huge market for us.’’
The biggest “market,’’ however, might be the lunch and dinner crowds at Tigress and Easy Tiger. Each overlooking the water with great sunset views, Tigress has quickly established itself as a “must dine’’ for dinner (don’t pass on the Duck), along with its newly-initiated lunch specials.
“There’s really nothing like Tigress around here,’’ Anzivino said.
And there’s nothing like The Perry Hotel Naples.