The secret is out.

Naples could soon boast a five-star Four Seasons resort.

While Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts hasn’t publicly announced its interest yet, The Athens Group has confirmed it has a letter of intent for the world-renowned brand to operate the five-star resort that will replace the landmark Naples Beach Hotel.

“Four Seasons’ destination resort hotels and residences are unsurpassed, and we believe this unique location in Naples deserves nothing less,” said Kim Richards, CEO of The Athens Group, in a statement.

“While the operating agreement is still in development, Four Seasons shares Athens’ vision for creating exceptional experiences for our resort guests and residents, as well as our Naples neighbors,” he said.

The revelation comes as The Athens Group’s purchase of the current hotel draws near. The closing on the entire 125-acre property, including the golf course and tennis center, is set for the end of May.

The developer plans to replace the current hotel with a smaller, more upscale resort, and to build what it has described as “best-in-class” residential condos on both sides of Gulf Shore Boulevard, with elevated amenities that will include golf and tennis.

According to its website, in 2020 Four Seasons signed agreements for nine new hotel, resort and residential projects, despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, “tying a record for the most new deals in the company’s 60-year history.”

“With each new property, our goal is to create the best luxury experience in that market by offering a product of exceptional quality combined with unparalleled service. Each new hotel, resort and residence is a unique reflection of its local market, while also representing the future of what Four Seasons will deliver for years to come,” said Christian Clerc, the brand’s president of global operations, in an update about the company’s growth plans last month.

While Four Seasons is expected to service the residences at the new Naples Beach Club development, The Athens Group has not yet confirmed whether they’ll carry the same brand as the resort.

According to its website, Four Seasons entered into branded residential offerings more than 35 years ago — and “nearly 90% of upcoming openings and pipeline developments include a residential component.”

Four Seasons is one of only a few hospitality companies that also acts as a property manager for its residential owners.

The brand’s interest in Naples comes as welcome news to community supporters of the redevelopment project, first announced back in 2018.

“They can only improve the dynamic of the hospitality industry, as well as the neighborhood. I see it only as a positive. I see absolutely zero negative to that whatsoever,” said Joe McCabe, vice president of development at Gulf Coast Commercial Corp. in Naples.

“The Four Seasons brand is a very well-known brand worldwide, a respected brand, and something I’m sure Naples would be proud to have in the community,” he said. “When you look at how Four Seasons has maintained their brand and the amenities — and the execution of their operations — it’s nothing but good.”

He commended the developer’s efforts to continue working with the community to address ongoing concerns about some of the project’s finer details that have yet to be worked out, including proposed changes to the golf course and green space The Athens Group has committed to preserve.

“I think that these guys are serious about putting together a five-star resort, and a project that will be a star for the city of Naples,” Hutchison said. “And probably the last remaining issue now, the biggest issue, is the golf course, and what the outcome will be, for that piece of property.”

Like Hutchison, fellow Councilman Gary Price said Naples would be fortunate to attract another high-end brand such as Four Seasons.

“If Four Seasons is the brand, then I think that is a wonderful message to this community that I think we can be proud of,” he said. “Having the ability to attract such a terrific brand, a quality brand.”

While a Four Seasons may not have as profound of an effect on tourism and real estate as the opening of the first Ritz-Carlton in the Naples area decades ago, Price said a Four Seasons has the potential to draw new attention and new interest from the affluent around the world.

“We’re in a different place than we were when the Ritz came here,” he said.

While he welcomes the idea of having a Four Seasons in Naples, Price said one of his biggest worries is how to “preserve the charm of what the property has meant to the community over the decades,” and to keep it “inclusive” so residents can still enjoy its golf course and other amenities at a reasonable price.

Neapolitans won’t have to look far to find HGTV’s Smart Home for 2021.

That’s because it’s in Naples — or at least close to it.

HGTV officially announced the location of the home to the media Thursday.

The ranch-style home is in a private-cul-de-sac next to the Eagle Lakes Golf Club, which sits out east where U.S. 41 turns into a two-lane road, minutes from Marco Island.

Ahead of the announcement, the home’s interior designer Tiffany Brooks had already revealed the coastal locale as “Naples” on the home improvement channel’s website, stealing some of the thunder.

The fully furnished, technologically advanced home will go to the lucky winner of a sweepstakes that begins April 21 and ends June 11.

Along with the home, the winner will get a new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet and $100,000 from LendingTree, a prize package valued at more than $1.1 million.

Including the latest Smart Home, Brooks has designed six of them for HGTV, which is part of Discovery, Inc.’s family of brands.

The Naples area seemed like a top choice for such a home for several reasons, Brooks said.

“When we saw that Naples was named the #1 Happiest and Healthiest City in the U.S. by Gallup for the fourth straight year, it was an easy decision to call it home to this year’s HGTV Smart Home,” she said via email.

Naples fit with the overarching goal of choosing a place where the winner could “enjoy all aspects of life year-round and truly live well,” she added.

“Naples is known for its stunning natural beauty with one of the largest mangrove forests in the world and world-class beaches. It offers tons of outdoor activities, outstanding golf courses and shopping and dining all right on the coast,” Brooks said.

As for the home’s design, she said it’s meant to “capture the essence of Naples.” She describes it as a “true smart oasis.”

“I really honed in on Naples and its link to wildlife and its casual luxury vibe. I captured all of this primarily through the use of color, pattern and texture,” Brooks said.

The one-story luxury home stretches about 2,600 square feet, with three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a two-car garage.

Here’s a partial description of the home from HGTV: “Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a gorgeous palm tree-lined patio with seating for guests, leading into an entry way that opens into a grand living room with a study to the left. Off of the living room, is a full-service smart kitchen, a breakfast area, as well as a hydroponic garden in the pantry.”

Each bedroom has its own unique design, all with their own attached bathrooms.

A one-hour special on the home will air on HGTV on April 21 at 7 p.m. Or you can catch it a day earlier on the HGTV GO app.