What happens when a world-class seaside resort opens in your backyard? If you live in or are considering Coquina Sands, the new Naples Beach Club changes your day-to-day in meaningful ways. You get more walkable dining, fresh recreation options, and a thoughtfully preserved greenscape along Gulf Shore Boulevard. Here is what has opened, what is coming, and how it could shape your routine in Coquina Sands. Let’s dive in.
Naples Beach Club at a glance
The former Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club has been reimagined as Naples Beach Club, a 125-acre resort-and-residential community led by The Athens Group with investment partners, and hotel operations by Four Seasons. The project integrates a resort, branded residences, and a golf-and-club experience curated with Discovery Land Company. The redevelopment intent and partnership structure were outlined in the acquisition announcement, which set the vision for a community-oriented hub connected to Old Naples. You can see the project overview in the original redevelopment release from Athens Group and MSD Partners. Read the redevelopment announcement.
The Four Seasons–managed resort officially opened to guests in November 2025. The opening brought back beloved beachfront dining, added new culinary concepts, and launched a family-forward activity set. Several amenities, including the new Tom Fazio–designed course called The Gardens, were scheduled to open in 2026 following the hotel debut. See the hotel opening details and amenity timeline here: Now Open: Naples Beach Club.
A major preservation piece sits at the core of the plan. A recorded conservation easement protects about 104.6 acres of the roughly 125-acre site for recreation and open space in perpetuity. That decision preserves the golf-and-green corridor rather than converting it to dense development. For background on the easement and its significance, see this coverage: Historic conservation easement preserves 104.6 acres.
Dining and social hub near home
One of the clearest lifestyle shifts is choice. Market Square, envisioned as a village-style hub, brings casual eateries, a bar and grill with a game room, a four-lane bowling alley, an ice-cream pavilion, and lawn programming. Project materials position it as a place designed to connect guests and locals, which means you gain easy spots for a quick lunch, family night, or an impromptu meet-up close to home. The opening announcement highlights Market Square’s community-facing role. See more in the hotel’s opening release: Naples Beach Club opens with community-facing venues.
On the beachfront side, the resort restored local favorites and introduced new culinary experiences. HB’s on the Gulf and the Sunset Bar returned as seaside mainstays, and a signature brasserie concept led by Chef Gavin Kaysen, The Merchant Room, headlines the new offerings. These upgrades expand high-quality dining within a short stroll or bike ride of Coquina Sands. For current restaurant concepts and chef news, visit the Four Seasons press room.
Bottom line: you can shift more everyday meals and low-key evenings out of the car and onto the sidewalk or bike. That is a material quality-of-life change if you prefer to stay close to home during peak season.
Close-by recreation for all ages
With multiple pools, family splash areas, a large spa, and a racquet club planned with Har-Tru courts, the resort adds depth to the nearby recreation menu. Waterfront programming such as kayaks and paddleboards rounds out easy day-use activities. These amenities create more options for drop-in classes, wellness days, or family time, all minutes from Coquina Sands.
Golf is a centerpiece. The Tom Fazio–designed 18-hole course, The Gardens, was scheduled to debut in 2026, with practice facilities and a landscape that references classic Old Florida. Access policies for golf and some club areas are determined by the resort and Discovery Land Company, and public materials did not finalize day-to-day tee-time rules. If you plan to book or join, confirm current access and reservation details directly with the resort. You can find the amenity timeline in the resort’s opening release: Resort opening and 2026 amenities.
Walkability and streetscape upgrades
Coquina Sands already benefits from its position along the Gulf Shore Boulevard corridor, and the redevelopment reinforces that with improved pedestrian connections and landscape buffers. City of Naples design-review records show enhanced pathways tying Market Square to interior routes, along with vertical separation and additional plantings to make walking more comfortable. You can review the pedestrian-circulation details in city records: City design-review materials.
The corridor itself is also being reimagined. Plans describe transforming the stretch through the site into a greener, more multimodal boulevard with bike lanes and a cohesive, garden-like feel often referred to as a “Gulf Shore Garden.” The intent is a safer, more pleasant experience for short trips by foot or e-bike between Coquina Sands, the beachfront restaurants, and Old Naples. For context on the boulevard vision, see local coverage of the Gulf Shore Boulevard reconfiguration.
There is a short-term tradeoff. Neighborhood representatives and city discussions have noted construction-phase impacts such as temporary sidewalk conditions and detours. The City has been addressing safety concerns during build-out. You can see the municipal discussion and updates here: City workshop record on safety during construction.
Greenspace preserved, neighborhood feel intact
For many Coquina Sands owners, the north-south view of managed greens and trees has always set the tone for the area. The recorded conservation easement that protects about 104.6 acres of the site is a key reason that character remains. It preserves the golf-course and open-space portions of the plan as recreation and open space in perpetuity, which supports a park-like buffer along the beachfront corridor.
In practice, that means more sky and green between the Gulf and interior blocks rather than continuous dense infill. The result should feel aligned with Old Naples’ scale and materials, as the design team referenced those cues throughout approvals. You can read more about the easement’s scope and intent in this summary: 104.6-acre conservation easement overview.
A day from Coquina Sands
Imagine a simple weekday. You take a short morning walk along Gulf Shore Boulevard, where new landscaping and wider walk paths encourage a relaxed pace. After errands, you bike over to Market Square for a casual lunch, then let the kids participate in supervised programming while you browse shops or book a quick spa appointment.
Toward evening, you stop by HB’s on the Gulf for a sunset bite. On a rainy afternoon or a family birthday, the bowling lanes and game room offer an easy, nearby plan that does not require a downtown drive. This is the kind of close-to-home convenience the redevelopment brings to your routine.
What to watch next
Several items are still rolling out. Keep an eye on these as you plan your season:
- The Gardens golf opening and access details in 2026, including tee-time or membership policies.
- Racquet, family, and wellness programming calendars, and whether local reservations are available.
- Final streetscape enhancements along Gulf Shore Boulevard, including bike-lane treatments and pedestrian crossings.
- Restaurant hours, reservation policies, and special events that welcome local diners.
For the latest on opening dates and programming, refer to the resort’s press updates and booking pages highlighted in the resort’s opening announcement.
Tips for buyers and owners
- Map your walk. From central Coquina Sands blocks, the resort corridor is a short stroll or bike ride. The neighborhood association views it as part of the beachfront-living fabric. See the association’s area context: Coquina Sands Association overview.
- Time your visits. Expect more activity during peak winter season and event weekends. Visit at different times of day to gauge your preferred rhythm.
- Ask about access. If golf, racquets, or kids programming matters to you, confirm local booking options, guest policies, and fees with the resort.
- Embrace micro-mobility. E-bikes and walking are increasingly practical as sidewalks and bike facilities improve along Gulf Shore Boulevard.
If you are weighing a move within Coquina Sands or considering a west-of-41 purchase, it helps to align the property with the lifestyle you want: morning walks, family-friendly programming, or an easy routine around Market Square and the beach.
Ready to discuss how this evolution fits your goals in Coquina Sands or Old Naples? For discreet guidance, private-market access, and property strategy tailored to your lifestyle, connect with the McCumber Group.
FAQs
What is the Naples Beach Club and how did it start?
- It is the redevelopment of the former Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club into a 125-acre resort-and-residential community led by The Athens Group with Four Seasons operating the hotel.
Is Market Square and the beachfront dining open to locals?
- Project materials present Market Square and the restaurants as community-facing for guests and locals. Check current hours and reservations directly with the resort.
When did the Four Seasons–managed resort open?
- The resort opened to guests in November 2025, bringing back beachfront dining and launching new venues and family amenities.
Can you walk or bike from Coquina Sands to the new venues?
- Yes. Coquina Sands sits immediately east of the beachfront corridor, and improved pathways and planned bike enhancements are designed to make short trips easier.
Will the new Tom Fazio golf course be public?
- The course was scheduled to open in 2026, but public tee-time or membership details were not finalized in released materials. Confirm access directly with the resort.
How will traffic and safety be managed near Gulf Shore Boulevard?
- Expect more activity during high season. The City and neighborhood groups have been coordinating on sidewalks, bike lanes, and traffic-calming as build-out continues.
What protects the greenspace near Coquina Sands?
- A recorded conservation easement preserves about 104.6 acres for recreation and open space in perpetuity, supporting the area’s park-like feel.
