Rule #1 for Company Christmas Party or Holiday Party

The one rule of hosting a company Christmas Party or Holiday Party is that you don’t hold it at the office. It’s a great rule to follow and one that the Hilton Naples makes easy to do.




Why am I talking about Holiday Parties & Christmas Parties in July?  Because the Hilton Naples Hotel unveiled their 2011 Holiday Party Menus & Packages today!

Some things to think about when you are planning your Christmas Party or Holiday Party:

• Do you want a daytime or evening event?
• Is it employees only or employees and spouses?
• Mostly women, mostly men or even mix?
• Do you want something to “do” at the party or just a place to eat, drink and relax together?

At the Hilton Naples Florida Hotel, you will work alongside our dedicated Events Managers to decide how many party guests, best available dates, seating arrangements, menus and flow of the event. Book early and benefit as the best party dates can be booked up quickly. By pre-booking your event and drinks packages, you will guarantee dates, facilities and great value. It can also help the party run more smoothly on the day.
Contact Lisa Vinciguerra today-239-659-3124 or lvinciguerra@cooperhotels.com

Celebrity Bartender Night featuring Former Miami Dolphin Charlie Babb

Say “Cheers” and help make wishes come true! Join the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida for Celebrity Bartender Night at Shula’s Steak House Naples. Former Miami Dolphin Charlie Babb will mix up drinks to help raise funds to make wishes come true for children facing life-threatening medical conditions.

Friday, July 29, 2011, 5:00-7:00PM

Admission is free. 100% of bartender gratuities will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida. For more information, contact Lesley Colantonio at 239-9474 or lcolantonio@sflawish.org. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life!

Shula's Steak House Naples is located off the lobby of the Hilton Naples Florida Hotel

Everything's Happening at Shula's Steak House Naples!

Celebrity Bartender benefitting Make-A-Wish Foundation at Shula's Steak House Naples

Tony Marino as our Celebrity Bartender benefitting Make-A-Wish Foundation.  Join us on Friday, July 29th for our next Celebrity Bartender Event featuring Charlie Babb of the Miami Dolphins.

Check out this event and others because..

Everything's Happening at Shula's Steak House Naples!

Segway Tour of Naples

This is a great deal I came across on Groupon today - if you are in Naples or are coming to Naples this summer, one of the greatest ways to see downtown is on a Segway.  I lived in Naples for over 10 years before I encountered my first Segway tour.  The tour itself taught me a lot about the downtown area of Naples as well as opened my eyes to many of the wonderful waterfront parks and "mom & pop" stores that were gems nestled off some of the beautiful streets off Fifth Avenue South & Third Street South shopping areas in Naples.

Since my first Segway Tour, I've introduced the tour to quite a few visitors.  They are fun
for teens through mature adults.   After a brief orientation, visitors will wiz and whir through the notorious areas of Naples, including the illustrious Naples Pier, picturesque Cambier Park, and the Third Street South area.
Today's Groupon deal came in for $35 for a two hour Segway tour from Segway of Naples (a $74 value) and I had to share.  If you've never participated in a Groupon deal, it's quick & easy...just sign up for a free account.

The Weather in Naples Florida is a Precious Natural Resource!



The von Liebig Art Center is located off Fifth Avenue S.

 The weather in Naples Florida is a precious natural resource! The locals love it. The visitors love it. It is without a doubt, the main reason why sun seekers from around the globe are drawn to the beaches in Naples! Naples is located along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and benefits from the warm tropical breezes from the Gulf.  Since we are in the sub-tropics, we do get "rainy days".  Luckily, the showers don’t seem to last very long and the bright Florida sun peaks out pretty quickly after a storm! So a ‘rainy day’ doesn’t necessarily mean that it rains the entire day!


As concierge, I am asked: "What is there to do in the rain?" Here are my suggestions for the month of July:

1) We have many museums featuring free admission

• Immokalee Pioneer Museum, just off Main St.and Roberts Ave.
• Collier County Museum located in the Gov't Complex on Airport-Pulling
• Naples Depot Museum located on the corner of Fifth Ave. and 10th St
• Museum of the Everglades, located in Everglades City
• The von Liebig Art Center

2) Another suggestion would be to visit he Holocast Museum on 4760 Tamiami Trail N.

3) Naples public libraries offer so much more than books.They often have lectures, films, and programs. In fact, July 5,6,19,21 there is "A Place We Call Home" and July 5,7,11,12,13 "My Many Colored World", just to name a few. July 12,13,14 you can see the movie "Cleopatra".

4) Try a matinee performance of "42nd Street" at the Sugden Theatre

5) Paint your own pottery at Earth & Fire or Kilns & Clay 

6) There is a "Summer of the Sharks" exhibition and lecture at Rookery Bay. Kids' arts & craft program is free on Fridays.

7) Sit, read, and have a cup of coffee at Barnes & Noble.

8) Shopping in Naples if fun at Tin City where you are bound to uncover unique, fun souvenirs to bring back with you.

9) There is always the obvious...movies however take it to the next level at the Silverspot Theatre in Mercato after enjoying a few of the restaurants and perusing the wonderful shops.

10) My last suggestion is my favorite one. Try a massage, pedicure, and manicure. Followed by Happy Hour.

Ahhh...now that is what I call relaxing in Paradise!  I'd love to hear your suggestions...contact me at lcurzi@cooperhotels.com or simply list your ideas in the comment section!

Celebration of Bastille Day at Bamboo Cafe

Join hosts Lisa & Philippe Boet for a celebration of Bastille Day at Bamboo Cafe.  Bamboo Café celebrates Bastille Day, the French national holiday, on Thursday, July 14, with live French music by piano player Marc Meyer, French food, along with drink specials in the Bar Salon, all evening long.


Bamboo Cafe will feature a 2-for-1 Happy Hour and small plate menu from 5 p.m. until close in the Bar Salon. The Bar Salon's 46-inch LCD television will feature TV5 Monde, the French channel, with coverage of Bastille Day ceremonies in Paris. For information and reservations, please call 239-643-6177.


Parisian imports Lisa & Philippe Boet personally welcome you to their homey, locally-owned bistro, Bamboo Cafe. Home of French home cooking since 2003, Bamboo Cafe is a cozy neighborhood bistro nestled in Crayton Cove, an Old Naples village-style destination on Naples Bay, imbued with historic ambience and rustic charm offering shopping in Naples.

Bamboo Cafe features friendly service, full bar, varied wine list, and covered terrace for outdoor dining, with ample parking in rear. A healthy children’s menu and pet-friendly terrace speak to our love of family, home, pets and comfort food!

Celebrity Bartender Night featuring Tony Marino of the Marino Group

Say “Cheers” and help make wishes come true! Join the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida for Celebrity Bartender Night at Shula’s Steak House Naples.

Friday, July 15, 2011, 5:00-7:00PM
Celebrity bartender Tony Marino of the Marino Group will mix up drinks to help raise funds to make wishes come true for children facing life-threatening medical conditions.

Admission is free. 100% of bartender gratuities will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida. For more information, contact Lesley Colantonio at 239-9474 or lcolantonio@sflawish.org. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life!

Shula's Steak House Naples is located off the lobby of the Hilton Naples Florida Hotel.

Shopping in Naples at Village Nights !

The Village on Venetian Bay is hosting their Village Nights featuring live music, a cookout by Villagio Cafe and of course, dining & shopping in Naples!  Guests of the Hilton Naples Florida Hotel can check out a complimentary bicycle and take the short ride to The Village on Venetian Bay.  Also check out some of the local restaurant faves; M Waterfront Grille, Mira Mare & Bayside!  Stop by Ben & Jerry's for dessert!

Kids Free Fridays program at Rookery Bay in Naples Florida

Kids ages 12 and younger (accompanied by an adult) receive FREE ADMISSION every Friday through Aug. 19 as part of our Kids Free Fridays program at Rookery Bay in Naples Florida.

Enjoy a marine touch tank, fish feeding, shark teeth safari dig, batfish bean bag toss, ocean films, stories, crafts, face painting, shark dissection (alternate weeks) and more from 10-2. Russell's Cookouts sells delicious lunch from 11-1.

For more information call Rookery Bay Directly: 239-417-6310.
Take advantage of this special FL Resident Savings through Labor Day: Rookery Bay offers $1 off up to four admissions when someone presents a valid Florida driver's license and "buy one, get one free" for up to four free admissions when someone presents a valid Collier County driver's license. Higher price prevails. Cannot be combined with other offers. Excludes special events.

Look at the Hilton Naples Florida Hotels interactive calendar for more exciting kid friendly things to do in Naples Florida this summer.

City of Naples 4th of July Parade

Put on your red, white and blue... and celebrate at the City of Naples 4th of July Parade on Monday.  The parade starts at 10am beginning at Broad Avenue South.  The procession heads over to Third Street South, north to Fifth Avenue South, east on Fifth Avenue South and South on Eighth Street South past City Hall and ending at Eighth Avenue South and Eighth Street South, Naples.  Fireworks off the Naples Pier start at 9am.
For more information call (239) 213-7120.

Rooftop Fireworks at Waterside Shops for Fourth of July in Naples

The Waterside Shops is within walking distance of the Hilton Naples Florida Hotel.  Offering some of the best shopping in Naples, the Waterside Shops is hosting a Rooftop Fireworks Celebration beginning at 7:30pm on Monday, July 4th.