Demolition of the Naples Beach Hotel is underway

The Naples Beach Hotel is finally coming down, and something big is going up in its place. There will be a Four Seasons Resort with hundreds of hotel rooms.

Now that demolition is underway, WINK News reporter Jennifer Morejon met with people who are choosing to cling to the memories. Others say they’re looking for ard to what’s next.

Crews are tearing down and clearing away to make room for the future Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort. Janette Englehartt described this day as “sad.” “It’s sad today. We were here a year ago, had dinner out on the lawn,” said Englehartt.

Nostalgia is in the air as Englehartt was among those who stopped by for one final look at the Naples Beach Hotel. She said the old Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club holds a very special place in her family’s heart.

“This hotel means a lot. We’ve been coming here since 1971. It’s always been a presence here and 10 years ago. My niece had all her wedding guests stay here,” Englehartt said.

The family who owned the landmark, dating back to WWII, sold it to the Athens Group.

The design plans for the luxury beachfront Four Seasons Resort to have 216 rooms and 185 residential condos. Although Englehartt hates to see it go, she’s looking forward to this future.

“I think it’s a good thing for the town, for the four seasons to come,” said Engelhartt.

Former employee Stan Norton worked the hotel grounds for nearly five years. So he passed by for a last look. “It’s very sad,” Norton said.

“That’s the problem, seeing all the memories. People came here, and in the old days, they stayed here the whole summer. So I’m pretty sure a lot of people are pretty heartbroken over it,” said Norton.

The entire demolition will take up to three months. Then, workers will lay a new foundation. The Naples Beach Club Hotel is expected to be completed in late 2024.