photo mosaic of Naples, Florida pier, Bayfront, Bayside, dolphin jumping, magenta orchid, water birds silhouetted against the sunset
Naples Winter Wine Fest auction raises millions for Collier children

Naples Winter Wine Fest auction raises millions for Collier children

Kendall Little | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

Money can’t buy sunny skies in Naples, but it can buy an all-inclusive luxury wine trip to Italy during the Naples Winter Wine Festival live auction.

Though skies were gloomy and rainy, hundreds gathered at the Ritz-Carlton Tiburon on Saturday, Jan. 31, to place competitive bids on luxury experiences during the annual live charity auction.

After an overnight call to move the Festival indoors due to weather, attendees used the cold conditions as an excuse to break out designer coats and scarves. Inside the Ritz-Carlton were dozens of tables full of both savory and sweet options for attendees to sample. Desserts were the most eye-catching items, with macarons that looked like burgers, smoked candied bacon-wrapped Oreos, and hibiscus cola creations.

The Grand Tasting room featured not only savory bites, but also tables lined with rare and vintage wines, many that aren’t otherwise accessible to the general public. Guests mingled and sipped wine throughout the afternoon leading up to the live auction.

Festival goers dressed to impress with sparkling designer tops, skirts, bags, jackets and of course, shoes. I mean, what else would you wear to bid hundreds of thousands of dollars on once-in-a-lifetime experiences?

This year’s auction lots were impressive to say the least. From wine excursions in Napa Valley to VIP experiences in France and Italy, there were over 50 luxury lots to bid on. The auction took place under an iconic white tent decorated with sparkly chandeliers and multi-colored lights.

“Every dollar on this day under that tent stays in Collier County,” NWWF public relations consultant Clay Cone said.

More about this year’s Naples Winter Wine Festival with photos on naplesnews.com.

The $10 Billion Question: Is Naples Becoming Florida’s Next Palm Beach?

The $10 Billion Question: Is Naples Becoming Florida’s Next Palm Beach?

Naples News Now

For decades, Palm Beach held the crown as Florida’s ultimate destination for ultra-wealthy residents — a playground for hedge fund managers, financiers, and old-money estates. But lately, a new name keeps popping up in the same conversations: Naples. Naples real estate

And it’s not just anecdotal.

Behind the scenes, a quiet but massive migration of wealth is underway, and Naples is emerging as one of the biggest beneficiaries. Real estate agents, developers, private bankers, and business owners across Southwest Florida are all seeing the same trend: high-net-worth individuals are choosing Naples over traditional luxury hubs like Palm Beach, Miami, and even parts of New York.

The big question is why — and what it means for everyone already here.

Read the full article on naplesnewsnow.com.

Recipe for success: 9 Naples restaurants withstanding the test of time

Recipe for success: 9 Naples restaurants withstanding the test of time

Kendall Little | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

We’re nearly a month into the new year, but I’m here to reflect on the old.

The Naples restaurant scene is constantly evolving and growing, bringing new and unique spots to the area every season. But for every new restaurant that opens in Collier, two close. The restaurants that continue to endure deserve their flowers, and these nine spots have endured quite deliciously for decades.

So, what’s the recipe for success when it comes to maintaining a popular restaurant in Naples? These nine restaurants all have different owners, menus, and environments, but have a few things in common: great service, fresh local ingredients, and an authenticity you can’t buy.

While lots of new restaurants have chic modern interiors and flashy unique dishes, these Collier gems find the simplicity in good ingredients, classic dishes, and friendly service to be the pillars that keep them in business for decades.

Key points:

  • Several Naples-area restaurants have remained popular for decades by focusing on fresh local ingredients and friendly service.
  • Kelly’s Fish House Dining Room, founded in 1953, is the oldest restaurant highlighted and is known for its “Old Florida” feel.
  • Many of the enduring establishments, such as The Dock at Crayton Cove and Riverwalk at Tin City, specialize in fresh seafood.
  • Other long-standing favorites include The Pewter Mug steakhouse, Pastrami Dan’s sandwich shop, and the uniquely themed Spanky’s Speakeasy.

Read the full article with photos on naplesnews.com.

Be close to good food with a home in the area. Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

 

New waterfront restaurant makes chic debut in Bonita Springs

New waterfront restaurant makes chic debut in Bonita Springs

Kendall Little, Robyn George | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

It’s not every day that a new waterfront restaurant opens in Southwest Florida.

And it’s even more rare when it’s helmed by a globally renowned chef.

You’ll get both with Acqua Bistecca, which opened Wednesday, Jan. 21, overlooking Estero Bay at Saltleaf Marina in Bonita Springs.

The chic waterfront restaurant is powered by James Beard Award-winning and Michelin-starred chef Michael Mina.

Read the full article with photos on naplesnews.com.

Shops. Entertainment. Schools. Hospitals. What’s new for SWFL in 2026?

Shops. Entertainment. Schools. Hospitals. What’s new for SWFL in 2026?

Phil Fernandez | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

  • Construction is starting on The Carnelian Hotel and Sterling’s Club in Naples, with a planned opening in early 2027.
  • The development is part of a larger transformation near Waterside Shops, which will also welcome an RH Gallery.
  • Nearby, the Eddie V’s restaurant is anticipated to open in Spring 2026.

Construction officially begins this week on the Sterling’s Club and The Carnelian Hotel as the Naples transformation at Pine Ridge Road and U.S. 41 continues.

The pair are on track to welcome guests in early 2027, just steps from the evolving Waterside Shops. That center has considerable ongoing redevelopment of its own with one Friday Jan. 23 arrival and the closing sale of a major store we’ll tell you more about in today’s In the Know. We’ll also be answering a related reader question.

Read on naplesnews.com to find out What’s to know.

Do you want a home to come to in southwest Florida on or near to Sanibel and Captiva? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

Big boost for SWFL tourism courtesy of New York Times’ ‘places to go’ list

Big boost for SWFL tourism courtesy of New York Times’ ‘places to go’ list

Mark H. Bickel | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

If it’s possible to receive official validation for a comeback from a series of devastating hurricanes, then you could say The New York Times provided a big stamp of approval this week for Southwest Florida.

The Times published its annual “52 to places to go” for 2026, recommending to its audience locations around the world worth visiting this year.

Places like Sorola’s Spain, Winnie-the-Pooh’s England, Assisi, Italy, Dallas, Texas and yes, two islands off the coast of Southwest Florida that most people reading this are very familiar with.

Sanibel and Captiva.

“This recognition proves what we already knew, that Sanibel and Captiva are special, world class, beach destinations that offer unmatched eco-tourism, shelling, and hospitality,” said John Lai, the President and CEO of the Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce. “It’s rare to find destinations like ours that intentionally hold 70% in conservation and that in itself sets us apart from similar vacation options.”

Read the full article on naplesnews.com.

Do you want a home to come to in southwest Florida on or near to Sanibel and Captiva? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.