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Travel + Leisure
2 hours ago
- Travel + Leisure
This Unique Florida Hotel Was Once a Bank—Now, It Has a Rooftop Pool, Lively Restaurants, and Easy White-sand Beach Access
The aesthetic here is chic and minimalist, with vibrant pops of color as fun accents. Club Level suite guests get access to additional perks like complimentary daily breakfast and a happy hour. The Inn on Fifth is located in the heart of Old Naples, but it's also just blocks from the city's famous white-sand beaches. There are three toothsome on-site restaurants here—and hotel guests get priority for same-day reservations. Travelers with kiddos can rent and have things like bassinets and cribs delivered directly to their front door. Situated on Florida's southwestern coast, Naples, Florida, is known for its sugary, white-sand beaches and its somewhat sleepy (if very affluent—you can count no less than 90 golf courses here) beach town vibes. However, this city does have a lively, cosmopolitan side—and the best place to experience it is from one of the most unique hotels in Naples, the Inn on Fifth. The Inn on Fifth may be one of the more interesting hotels in Florida. For one thing, it was once a bank. In 1998, local businessman and entrepreneur Phil McCabe purchased the building and renovated it into the sleek, modern property that it is now. But perhaps the most compelling thing about the Inn on Fifth is its prime location—it's in the thick of all the charm and vibrancy of Old Naples, which is known for its restaurant scene, nightlife, and plentiful shopping opportunities. The exterior of the Inn on Fifth. Courtesy of Inn on Fifth Naples As soon as I arrived, the valet team greeted me, checked in my vehicle, grabbed my luggage, and escorted me to the check-in desk. Inside the main building, I was immediately taken in by the luxe design details: the crystal chandeliers, the grand staircase, and the marble accents. During my time at the hotel, I stayed in a Club Level suite, so I got to begin each day with a complimentary breakfast spread and a mimosa—not a bad way to kick things off. The concierges were more than helpful and gave me an overview of activities available at the hotel upon check-in, confirmed appointments I had, helped me get access to the complimentary bike rentals, and suggested fun things to do in the area. All around, it was a quintessential Florida Gulf Coast experience. Here's what it's like to stay at the Inn on Fifth in Naples, Florida. The Inn on Fifth has 119 rooms, each of which has been thoughtfully decorated. The vibe here is decidedly sophisticated, and you'll notice details like crown molding, tufted headboards, and playful pops of color that contrast with the overall black-and-white color scheme. Every room also comes with a furnished terrace or balcony. In-room amenities also include flat-screen televisions, cozy pillow-top mattresses, Keurig coffee machines, bathroom robes, and slippers. I stayed in a Club Level suite, and I particularly loved two things about the room I stayed in. The first is that the rooms are soundproof. Walking out the door, I could hear a lively happy hour happening, with clinking glasses, roaring laughs, and upbeat music—I couldn't hear a peep inside my room. I also appreciated that the suite had a separate lounge area, with one of the most comfortable couches and chaises I have ever lain on. I was also impressed with the marble bathroom, which had a 19-inch television, a rainfall shower, and a lovely soaking tub. There are dozens of restaurants along Fifth Avenue and Third Street, but if you don't feel like going out, there are three solid on-site dining options at the Inn on Fifth—including some of the most popular eateries in town. At Truluck's, you can feast on fresh-caught seafood (including Florida stone crab) sourced from the restaurant's fisheries on the Isle of Capri. Ocean Prime is known for its steak, and they also have incredibly delicious sides and cocktails. Do yourself a favor and ask for the duck fat popcorn—it's a showstopper. You'll need reservations to dine here, and openings go quickly. However, hotel guests do get same-day priority on reservations. There's also the Blu Bar & Grill, which serves things like sandwiches and wraps near the pool, so you can snack while soaking up the sun. As a bonus, if you're staying in a Club Level suite, you'll get access to complimentary breakfast each morning and a daily happy hour with cocktails and appetizers. This isn't your ordinary hotel happy hour with a few bottles of wine. The bar was stocked each evening with house-made syrups, bitters, mixers, garnishes, and a healthy mix of high-end spirits. Lounge chairs around the pool. Courtesy of Inn on Fifth Naples Although it's a boutique establishment, the Inn on Fifth packs in all the amenities I love in a hotel. On the second floor of the main building, you'll find the rooftop pool (surrounded by a garden), plentiful seating, a bar, and a fire pit. There's also a rooftop hot tub on the newer building that's only accessible to Club Level guests. Golf and tennis enthusiasts can take advantage of The Inn's partnership with the nearby Arthur Allen Tennis Center and neighboring golf courses such as Tiburón Golf Club or The Rookery at Marco. A 24-hour fitness center is available for those who want to keep up with their routine on the road. The on-site spa is a great place to unwind and relax with a solid wellness treatment. You can choose from treatments such as a facial, massage, or body wrap, and choose to add-on things like scrubs, scalp massages, and exfoliations. Before or after your service, I recommend spending time in the relaxation lounge, sauna, or steam room. The Inn on Fifth is family-friendly and welcomes guests of all ages. Parents can tap the concierge to help them get tickets to nearby attractions like the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens or Naples Botanical Garden. They also provide free shuttle service to the Gordon River Greenway, a lush park that overlooks Naples Bay. The hotel partners with BabyQuip for families traveling with young children, so there's no need to pack and lug baby gear. Guests can rent everything on-property to make their stay seamless and comfortable, from a crib and bassinet to a stroller, car seat, high chair, and toys. As an added convenience, any rented gear will be delivered to your room ahead of your stay and picked up from the hotel after check-out. There are accessible room options at the Inn on Fifth. Accessible features in ADA-compliant guest rooms include grab bars in the bathrooms, roll-in showers, wider entry doors, and a visual alarm system. For those who use wheelchairs, entrances around the property have double doors that easily open for guests who need the extra space. Poolside, there is a mobile hoist to help guests get in and out of the pool. The Club Level building has a wheelchair-accessible elevator for guests. However, the hot tub can only be reached by climbing a small flight of stairs and does not have a hoist. As for sustainability efforts, the Inn of Fifth is a certified Green Business and uses eco-friendly (and refillable) cleaning supplies free from harsh chemicals. Touches like LED light bulbs and sensor control panels throughout the property help reduce its carbon footprint. In the rooms, guests will find in-shower pump bottles that replace individual bottles of body wash, shampoo, and conditioner. The Inn on Fifth is just three miles (a 10-minute drive) from Naples Airport (NAP) and 34 miles (a 40-minute drive) from the Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers, Florida. Unless you're coming from Fort Myers or another part of Florida, you probably won't need a car when you're here—the hotel has a prime downtown location that makes it easy to just walk during your visit. You can find art galleries, coffee shops, boutique shops, and (of course) sugary white-sand beaches all within a few blocks. If you don't want to stroll, complimentary bike rentals and shuttle service are available. But if you do drive to the property, you're less than 20 minutes away from things like the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, the artsy Baker Museum, and the popular waterfront destination, Tin City. Ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft are available, although you may experience longer wait times since Naples is a small town. Since the Inn on Fifth is independently owned, it doesn't have a loyalty program. However, it is a part of American Express' Hotel Collection, and if you book your stay on the Amex travel site with the right card, you can get perks such as early check-in, late checkout, and a property credit with your stay. If you reserve your vacation before Sept. 30, 2025, on the Amex website, you can get 30 percent off. Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Southwest Airlines Breaks Silence on Major Problem After Ending Free Bags
Just before the start of summer, Southwest Airlines instituted its new bag policy, which was previously announced in March. "For reservations booked and ticketed or changed on or after May 28, 2025, checked baggage fees will apply. We will offer two free checked bags to our Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members and Business Select Customers, and one free checked bag to A-List Members and other select Customers. Southwest will credit the first checked bag for Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers," the airline said in a statement at the time. Major Problem Emerges for Southwest After Ending Free Bags Immediately after ending free bags, Southwest ran into a problem of its own making. With travelers being forced to shell out at least $35 per checked bag, they instead began bringing a carry-on. "We're seeing Southwest Airlines gate agents require checking bags early, when there's still plenty of overhead bin space left. They've given up the advantage of not having to gate check bags, right at the same time they're facing a lot of pressure to reduce the amount of time it takes to board so that planes spend less time on the ground and more time in the air generating revenue," travel insider View From the Wing wrote. "One of the unintended consequences of customer-unfriendly changes at Southwest is that now there's a good chance you won't be able to bring your carry-on bag onboard. And there's a good chance you'll have your carry-on confiscated even when there's still space for it." Southwest Breaks Silence on Gate-Checking Bags Earlier this month during its recent earnings call, Chief Operating Officer Andrew M. Watterson revealed Southwest used a "machine learning tool" that actually "predicts the number of gate-check bags needed for each flight." Watterson confirmed Southwest is actively gate-checking bags before it needs to in order to keep travelers flowing onto the aircraft instead of getting to the back of the plane and learning there's no more Airlines Breaks Silence on Major Problem After Ending Free Bags first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 10, 2025 Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
GOGO Charters Expands with New England Intercity Bus Service
-- Boston to Serve as Regional Hub for 2026 Launch -- -- Daily Routes Connecting Major New England Cities Starting at $10 -- BOSTON, Aug. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- GOGO Charters is expanding into New England with new daily routes set to launch in 2026. The expanded service will connect eight cities, including Boston, Hartford, New Haven, Providence and Manchester and more, offering travelers new ways to move easily and affordably across the region. This rollout introduces three new daily routes connecting major metro areas with nearby cities, communities, and college towns. It marks the next phase of GOGO Charters' regional expansion, following the company's January launch and growing interest sparked by earlier announcements in key markets nationwide. The cities included in this next phase of service are: Boston, MA; Hartford, CT; Lowell, MA; Manchester, NH; New Haven, CT; Norwich, CT; Providence, RI; Worcester, MA. This expansion is part of GOGO Charters' larger vision to build a connected, nationwide network of reliable ground transportation. By offering frequent service along high-demand corridors, GOGO Charters is helping redefine how people experience intercity and regional travel. Route Details & Transfer Locations: Boston, MA <> Manchester, NH Boston, MA: Boston Marriott Long Wharf (296 State St Boston, MA 02109) Lowell, MA: UMass Lowell Campus Recreation Center (322 Aiken St Lowell, MA 01854) Manchester, NH: DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown (700 Elm St Manchester, NH 03101) Boston, MA <> New Haven, CT (via Hartford, CT) Boston, MA: Boston Marriott Long Wharf (296 State St Boston, MA 02109) Worcester, MA: AC Hotel Worcester (125 Front St Worcester, MA 01608) Hartford, CT: Hartford Marriott Downtown (200 Columbus Blvd Hartford, CT 06103) New Haven, CT: Graduate by Hilton New Haven (1151 Chapel St New Haven, CT 06511) Boston, MA <> New Haven, CT (via Providence, RI) Boston, MA: Boston Marriott Long Wharf (296 State St Boston, MA 02109) Providence, RI: Graduate by Hilton Providence (11 Dorrance St Providence, RI 02903) Norwich, CT: Mohegan Sun (1 Mohegan Sun Blvd Uncasville, CT 06382) New Haven, CT: Graduate by Hilton New Haven (1151 Chapel St New Haven, CT 06511) * Service to begin in 2026; Routes subject to change Fares will start at just $10 and will vary based on distance and demand. For more details about routes, stops and service updates, visit our Boston city page. Passengers can expect a comfortable ride aboard luxury motorcoaches featuring spacious seating, onboard WiFi, and climate control. The GOGO Charters mobile app streamlines the booking experience with digital tickets and real-time bus tracking. With flexible pricing, daily departures, and a commitment to comfort and sustainability, GOGO Charters offers a smarter, more convenient option for regional travel. More routes are set to launch throughout 2026 as GOGO Charters continues to build a national network of charter bus connections. Visit us at and follow our journey @GOGOCharters. About GOGO Charters: GOGO Charters is a leading provider of luxury charter bus and minibus transportation services, connecting cities and communities across the U.S. through upscale, reliable, and environmentally friendly travel solutions. From corporate and educational trips, to leisure travel and intercity routes, GOGO Charters is committed to delivering high-quality, luxury experiences that strengthen regional ties and support economic growth. For more information, visit or download the new GOGO Charters app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Media Contacts:Jon@ Media@ Press Kit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE GOGO Charters Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data