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 Hotel Escalante
290 Fifth Avenue South
Naples, FL 34102
Telephone: 239-659-6600
Fax: 239-262-8748
Toll Free: 877-485-3466
www.hotelescalante.com
by Manos Angelakis
Surrounded by 4.5 acres of lush tropical beauty (actually, a registered botanical garden with over 300 species of plants, including Samoan sunshine trees, a rare Japanese satake palm, yellow dwarf orchids and blue bamboo), the Hotel Escalante is a small luxury hideaway in Old Naples, on the Gulf Coast of Florida.
 Built on the theme of a Mediterranean villa, it has seventy-one rooms and suites that are housed in eight buildings named after flowers -- Azalea, Begonia, Lily, Gardenia, Hibiscus, Jasmine, Orchid, Bougainvillea. There are good sized traditional rooms, large parlor rooms with chaise lounges, one-bedroom suites, with spacious living rooms featuring French doors leading to private patios or balconies, and there is also a two bedroom suite with king-size beds, two full baths, and a sectional sofa that pulls out to a double bed. It is known as “the owner’s suite”. The property also includes a swimming pool and jacuzzi with an expansive sunning courtyard; a boutique spa that offers an array of treatments based on thalassotherapy and a well equipped fitness room; a handsome wood-paneled library that also serves as a breakfast room in the morning and bar in the evening offering a selection of fine wines, ports and an excellent cava (sparkling Spanish wine); and a reception area with a front desk. The multi-lingual concierges are very knowledgeable and can provide information and reservations, if needed, to all the  activities and events in the area. The hotel exhudes a perception of casual, understated elegance and is the favorite of elegant guests from the major cities of the East Coast.
Guest rooms and suites at Hotel Escalante feature mahogany plantation-style furniture with king-size beds covered with creamy Frette linens. Most rooms have patios or balconies that open to the courtyards or the fragrant gardens. All rooms are appointed with luxurious amenities, including Molton Brown bath products, hairdryers, minibar and in-room icemaker -- a real convenience in a sub tropic climate, 27" color TV with movie channels, iron and ironing board, two line phones with data port and voice mail, ceiling fans and USA Today daily delivery. Breakfast, which is included in the room price, is served in the library and features a selection of breads, muffins, danish pastries, jams and honey, cereal, hard boiled eggs, cheeses and fresh fruit or a fruit salad. Excellent American coffee and flavored Teas are plentiful, as are orange and grapefruit juices. Snacks are served throughout the day.
 There is no full service restaurant on premisses as there is a variety of excellent establishments in all price ranges available nearby, both on 5th Avenue South and 3rd Street South.
The staff is well trained, attentive but not intrusive, and the General Manager, Jenine Heath, is a very capable, affable, hands-on administrator with an eye for detail that orchestrates the smooth functioning of the property.
© April 2003. All rights reserved.
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