Afternoon Tea at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, and What I Wore

(ABOVE) In this post and video I feature my afternoon tea with a friend at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, Beach Resort.

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For YouTube Video & Outfit/Makeup Details Scroll to Bottom of Page

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May 19,  2026 / Video Post Notes

Return To The Ritz-Carlton, Naples

Afternoon Tea Today

It has been quite a while since *CSG and I attended Afternoon Tea at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, so I was excited to go back.  I can happily report that we were able to obtain a reservation just before the weekly Saturday-Sunday event ended for the season–and we enjoyed our afternoon there very much.  The food was varied, filling, and delicious, and all three of our servers were friendly and helpful.  We each received a selection of five generous-size tea sandwiches, a scone with sides of both Devonshire cream and lemon cream and a choice of jams, and then numerous additional sweet treats.  All of the courses were brought out together, so we could enjoy the offerings in the order we wished.  There were so many goodies, in fact, that I was able to take some home.

My favorites? The savory sandwiches.  Each one looked beautiful and was also delicious–especially the hot Coronation Chicken in a puff pastry topped with caviar.  I did not eat all five sandwiches (to save room for everything else), and took the remaining selections home to freeze.  I hope they are as yummy when defrosted.

I also loved most of the sweet treats–oh my goodness, the Vegan Strawberry Parfait!  Two items, however, were not quite what I had hoped.  The scone, which on its own was very sweet, was also coated with powdered sugar.  I would have preferred no powdered sugar and only a slightly sweetened scone.  After all, I would normally go on to top my scone with the sweetened preserves that were provided (along with the Devonshire cream).  However,  this time I left off the preserves, so I could better enjoy the scone.   I also thought the shortbread triangles were too sweet.  Classic shortbread has a more restrained sweetness, allowing its rich, crumbly and buttery nature to be the star.  These seemed to be a different sort of cookie altogether.  All this being said, I am not a food expert; this is just my personal taste.

As lovely as the experience was, there were a few non-food-related disappointments.  In the past, a pianist provided background music, usually classical tunes or memorable romantic songs.  However, this time the music was piped over a sound system–which was fine except for it being so loud.  In the beginning there was a Shakira-esque song pounding so fiercely–as if we were in a nightclub–that it was a bit difficult to hear each other or our first server as she explained the selection of teas.  However, midway through the tea I did notice that the music seemed softer, and I wondered if perhaps someone had complained, so the music was turned down.

My second issue is small but I think it is worth mentioning.  Some hotels (such as the Adolphus in Dallas, Texas) provide a new plate and silverware for each course of their afternoon teas (one for the sandwiches, then another for the scones, etc).  I would have found this helpful, because I did not eat all of my sandwiches, so I was having to scoot things around to make room for the scone and additional treats.  I realize providing new plates and silverware would also require bringing out each course separately as well, rather than all at once.  I actually prefer this, as it makes the experience feel more pampering and luxurious.  However, this is not really a complaint, just a wish, and the way we were served was fine.

Lastly, and this one mostly just makes me feel a little sad:  In the past, *CSG and I would each receive our own teapot on a warmer set down on the table in front of us.  I loved this, because I was always able to top off at will, forever keeping the tea in my cup hot.  However, this time our server explained that we would not be receiving teapots for the table; she would be pouring our teas instead.  I thought it was interesting that she announced this without us asking.  Perhaps she has experienced enough people enquiring (or complaining?) about this that by now she feels compelled to tell patrons in advance.  She did try her best to make it sound like this was a luxury rather than a loss, and I give her credit for that.

I hate to think the world is coming to this, but could it be that tea warmers–with their pretty twinkling tea-light candles inside–have become yet another insurance risk?  Whatever the reason, I miss the elegant ritual and convenience of pouring my tea myself, while someone quietly and efficiently makes sure my teapot is always full of hot water…like it once used to be.

Overall, I enjoyed the experience and would definitely go back next season, if it returns. I am, however, definitely going to ask in advance if we can request that our teapots be left on the table for us to pour ourselves.  We shall see how that goes.

I have posted a few photographs of our tea and what I wore below.  If you want to watch my YouTube video, simply scroll to the bottom of this post.

Wishing you all a peaceful week.

~ Janis

Janis Lyn Johnson
Classic-Style Lover. Happily Married. Born in 1960. Fan of Understated, Timeless Fashion and Healthy Living.
Editor
JLJ Back To Classic

*CSG Camera-Shy Girlfriend

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Savings Codes

AllyShoes: For 10% off first purchase,  JANIS10.

Aynsley England Fine Bone China: For 30% off,  JANISLYNJOHNSON.

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Note: Check Goelia’s Refund Policy for “Buy 2 Get 15% Off | Buy 5 Get 33% Off” Code promotion before returning or contact customer service.

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Scenes From The Video

 

Tea At The Ritz, Naples

(ABOVE) Driving up to the Ritz-Carlton, Naples, I am always moved by the beauty of its timess architecture.

(ABOVE) Western view of the iconic fountain at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples.  The roof of Gumbo Limbo, The Ritz’s beachside restaurant, can be seen peaking up above palms in the background.

(ABOVE & BELOW) Eastern view of  the fountain at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, with the Mediterranean-style hotel in the background.

(ABOVE) Lobby Bar at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples.  I prefer a classic, timeless, traditional decor, but I think the hotel’s recent re-design was done well for a contemporary interior.  The feeling is upscale and the color palette is soothing.  Not many people know what this Ritz looked like when it first opened in 1985, but I remember it fondly.  It was quite traditional and chock full of timeless antiques that were much more in tune with the hotel’s classic Mediterranean architecture–which, thankfully, has not been changed.

(ABOVE & BELOW) Tables set up for afternoon Tea in The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, Lobby Bar.  My friend and I were happy to be seated in the adorable basket chairs.

(ABOVE & BELOW) Although quite contemporary, the William Edwards Fine Bone China Diamond teapot,  teacup with saucer and dinner plate, I thought, were very pretty. 

(ABOVE) Our server, Shannon, explains the tea selections.  (BELOW) The Jasmine Snow Dragon Green Tea scent reminded me of blooming night jasmine.

(ABOVE) Our pots of tea were kept on warmers to the side of the room, rather than on our table, so we could not pour the tea ourselves, unfortunately.  I chose the Darjeeling 2nd Flush, a black tea and (BELOW) my friend decided on the Vanilla Bean Rooisbos–a caffeine-free tisane.  Note the tea timer shown to the right of my Darjeeling teapot.

(ABOVE & BELOW) Afternoon tea with my friend *CSG. 

(ABOVE & BELOW) We each received a selection of five generous-size tea sandwiches, a scone, and numerous sweet treats.  (I took several of my sandwiches and sweets home to freeze.)

 

What I Wore

(ABOVE) 18k Diamond Pearl Earrings  (for 15% off,  use code Janis15)  /  Toile Midi Dress  /  18k Pearl Necklace  (for 15% off,  use code Janis15)  /   Leather Thong Sandals  /  Wicker & Leather Bag (can be monogrammed with your initials).

Tortoise Sunglasses

Pink and Tan Toile Maxi Dress

Blue and White Stripe Midi Shirt Dress (Budget friendly.)

Hermes Clic-Clac H Bracelet (Preloved here and here.)

Kendra Scott 14k Pave Diamond Ring

Boucheron 18k Tri-Color Quatre Classique Ring (Preloved here.)

(ABOVE & BELOW)) All of the makeup products I am wearing in this video rate #3 or lower on the EWG (Environmental Working Group) Skin Deep Hazard/Toxicity Scale.  The EWG Skin Deep Hazard Scale Rating System is as follows: 1-2 low hazard; 3-6 moderate; 7-10 high hazard.

Mineral Fusion Lipstick, Inspire

Zuzu Luxe Lip Gloss, Crystal Clear (Also Amazon.)

Gold Dual-Ended Retractable Lip Brush (For lining and filling-in lips.)

Silicone Makeup Brush Pouch, Pink (More colors available.)

Faux-Leather Large Cosmetic Pouch (More colors available.)

Large Handheld Mirror, White

Handheld Mini Fan, White (More colors available.)