Experiencing The Fairways Inn of Naples: A Review from Naples, Florida

A last-minute trip to Naples left us with very few options for lodging. I found a couple of places for over $600 a night, but they didn’t even look worth a third of that price from their web sites! I finally ran across The Fairways Inn, with one room available.

Getting to The Fairways Inn of Naples

The Fairways Inn is located in North Naples. It is 131 miles (2-hour drive) from the Miami airport and 32 miles (34-minute drive) from Fort Myers. The closest beach (Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park) is an easy five-minute drive.

103 Palm River Boulevard, Naples, Florida 34110

The Resort

Located at the edge of a quite neighborhood, the hotel has an old Florida charm. The choices of lodging are rooms, suites, and Kitchenettes.

 The Check-in

The check-in was old style and included a handwritten sign in and metal door key. The process was slow, but pleasant.

 Our Suite

We stayed in the two room Efficiency. It had been recently remodeled and was very clean.

Parking was right at the door, which we loved!

Hotel Grounds and Amenities

The grounds are one and a half acres of tropical gardens. Many places to sit and relax, a shuffle board court, and an oversize pool are nestled within the lush landscape. It was the perfect mix of complete solitude and visiting with other hotel guest.

Other amenities include:

Complimentary bottle of water in room

Shuffleboard court

Complimentary wi-fi

Pet-Friendly Rooms

Dining and Drinks

Dining onsite is a light breakfast served in the garden pavilion each morning from 7 to 10.

Overall Impression

The place is older, but the rooms are spotless and the grounds are well maintained.

The location is perfect to attractions, shopping, dining, and the beach. All are within a 20-minute drive.

The price is unbeatable for the area. Rooms run less than $200 while most of the rooms in Naples start at $350.

We would recommend a stay and would love to go back ourselves.

Happy Travels!

Unwind in Luxury: A Review of The Pearl Inn in Rosemary Beach, Florida

The Pearl is a luxury boutique hotel located in the charming seaside town of Rosemary Beach. We checked in and sipped on complimentary wine while our car was being parked.  Our luggage was delivered to our room while we relaxed from our long drive. We could not have asked for a better reception.

The Old World European architecture of the Pearl is unique to find in the Florida Panhandle.

It was cool the day we were there, but we still enjoyed the pool and rooftop lounge.

 Nice boutique shops, small restaurants, and beautiful beach houses located around the hotel.

The use of the three community pools comes with the romm rental. Unfortunately, one of the pools was closed for renovations and this one was very dirty. I'm not sure if it is just not cleaned during off season or what. It was heated, so we could have used it.

The beach is just a couple minute walk from The Pearl.  Beach chairs and umbrellas are complimentary.

Things to know before you go:

The area around the Pearl is very busy, all the time!

There is no parking at the hotel. You must use valet parking. There is not particular place they park your automobile, just wherever they can find a spot on the side of the road.

It is an adult only hotel.




The Pearl Hotel is located:

24 miles (40 minute drive) from Panama City
32 miles (50 minute drive) from Destin
115 miles ( 2 hour drive) from Pensacola


Address: 63 Main Street, Rosemary Beach, FL 32461

Overall, we were pleased with our stay. We would like to go back when it's not off season and see if things will be a little better.

Happy Travels! 

Experience Tranquility and Adventure at Elephant Butte Lake in New Mexico

Florida is not the only state with white sand beaches and turquoise water. We found a spot in New Mexico that is simply perfect! It has beautiful white sand, clear turquoise water, and ..... cactus!

Elephant Butte Lake (Reservoir ) is New Mexico’s largest lake and was formed by a dam built in 1916 on the Rio Grande. The water level was pretty low when we were there.

It is around 40 miles long and surrounded by white sandy beaches. The water is a beautiful turquoise color when the sun is hitting it, but… every time I tried taking a picture, the sun would go behind the clouds. Oh well, it’s a beautiful blue in the photos. I can live with that!

Expect to see tons of quail and big floppy eared rabbits around the lake! We literally saw hundreds of both!

Lodging:

Camping spots are available at the state park and lodging is available in town, but we chose to stay at the Elephant Butte Inn & Spa.

The rates were very reasonable and the room was clean.

The back of the hotel overlooks the lake. Amazing View!!!

The whole back area is covered with rabbits late afternoon and at dark. I'm talking about at least 100 of them!!!

My husband, being an avid fisherman, was impressed with the boat ramp and marina. We actually spent several minutes looking at the ramp, with him saying, " I can't believe how big that ramp is!" 😲 It is located within the state park.

Elephant Butte Lake is such a beautiful place with many activities to do at the lake and close to the area. Truth or Consequences is only about a 10 minute drive and White Sands National Monument is less than 2 hours.


Address:

Elephant Butte Lake State Park

101 Hwy 195

Elephant Butte, NM 87935

Happy Travels! 

Exploring Bahia Honda State Park in the Florida Keys

Bahia Honda State Park, one of Florida's southernmost state parks, is definitely one of the most beautiful places in the Florida Keys! It also has the best beaches anywhere in the Keys.

The most iconic photo of the park is the old Bahia Honda railroad bridge. The bridge was originally built by Henry Flagler as part of the Overseas Railroad in 1912.

The park has three beautiful white sandy beaches . Calusa ,located on the bay side of the island, is a small beach with a great view of the old bridge. It's great for swimming, but there is a strong current as you get close to the channel.

Loggerhead beach, located on the south side of the island, is the shallowest beach. It is popular for the large shallow sand bar just off the shore. It is calm and great for children.

Sandspur ,located on the southeast end of the island, is the largest beach. This is usually the least crowded. This is one of the few beaches in the Keys that you can find sea shells and sponges. I was really excited to find several basket sponges on our last visit!

Snorkeling tours to Looe Key are available through the park concession.

 Daily departures are 9:30am, 1:30pm and 4:45pm.

Cost:

Adult $29.95
Children (under 18)   $24.95

http://bahiahondapark.com/looe-key-snorkeling-tours.html

Camping and lodging are available at the park.

https://www.floridastateparks.org/cabins-lodging/Bahia-Honda

Address:

36850 Overseas Highway

Big Pine Key, FL 33043

Hours:

The park is open from 8:00 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year.

Admission Fees:

$8* per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle.

$2* Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.

$4* Single-occupant vehicle or motorcycle.

Happy Travels! 

Exploring Taos Pueblo: A Native American Village in Taos, New Mexico

The Taos Pueblo is the oldest continually inhibited dwellings in New Mexico - built between A.D. 1300 and 1450.

Approximately 150 people live within the Pueblo full time.

The Pueblo is made of adobe. Adobe is a clay straw mixture typically in the form of sun-dried bricks, but can be poured into forms. The walls of the pueblo are usually made very thick, sometimes 2-3 feet.

Pottery, jewelry, and other locally handmade items can be purchased in little shops located throughout the pueblo.

 Completed in 1850, the San Geronimo( St. Jerome) Chapel was built to replace the original church which had been destroyed in the Mexican-American War.

Address:

120 Veterans Highway

Taos, New Mexico 87571

Admission:

Adults: $16 per person

Groups (8 or more Adults): $14 per person

Students: $14 per person

Children 10 and under: Free

Hours:

Taos Pueblo Hours:

Monday – Saturday 8:00AM – 4:30PM

Sunday – 8:30AM – 4:30PM

Happy Travels!