The best resort-style communities in Southwest Florida include Pelican Bay and The Isles of Collier Preserve in Naples, Miromar Lakes and WildBlue between Naples and Fort Myers, Bonita Bay in Bonita Springs, Pelican Preserve for active adults in Fort Myers, and Babcock Ranch for a newer, storm-resilient town. Each offers resort amenities at home, but the fees, membership rules and daily lifestyle differ more than most buyers expect.
This guide compares the top options, explains what “resort-style” really means in a contract, and shows how to calculate the true cost of the lifestyle before you buy. Whether you are relocating to Southwest Florida full time or shopping for a seasonal home, Florida Listing Experts LLC built this guide around the communities our clients ask about most.
Key Takeaways
- “Resort-style” is a marketing label, not a legal category, so costs vary widely between communities.
- Pelican Bay, Mediterra and Miromar Lakes offer beach access; WildBlue and Miromar Lakes center on freshwater lakes.
- Pelican Preserve is a 55+ option where golf is optional.
- The true cost is the full amenity cost stack: HOA, master association, CDD, club dues, capital contributions and special assessments.
What Makes a Community “Resort-Style”?
A resort-style community is a residential neighborhood built around hotel-grade shared amenities, such as resort pools, a clubhouse with dining, a fitness center or spa, racquet sports and a lifestyle director who runs a social calendar. Golf is common but not required.
The term is a marketing label, not a legal category. That is why two communities that both call themselves ‘resort-style’ can have very different costs. Here’s how the main models compare:
| Model | How Amenities Are Paid For | Typical Fit |
| HOA-included amenities | Covered by HOA dues and sometimes a CDD | Buyers who want amenities without a club |
| Optional club membership | Pay only if you join | Part-time players and seasonal residents |
| Bundled (mandatory) membership | Every homeowner pays club dues | Buyers who will use the club daily |
| Equity or member-owned club | Initiation fee plus dues; members own the club | Long-term owners who want control |
Resort-Style Communities in Southwest Florida Compared
This table summarizes the communities our clients ask about most. Always confirm current fees and membership rules, since they change.
| Community | Area | Signature Amenity | Best For |
| Pelican Bay | Naples | About 3 miles of private beach with members-only beach restaurants | Beach lovers |
| The Isles of Collier Preserve | Naples | Isles Club and 8 miles of trails beside Rookery Bay | Nature and new construction |
| Mediterra | North Naples | Two Tom Fazio courses and a Gulf-front beach club | Luxury golf and beach |
| Bonita Bay Club | Bonita Springs | Five golf courses and a 60,000 sq ft lifestyle center | Golf-centered social life |
| Miromar Lakes | Near Estero | 700-acre lake with about 3 miles of white-sand beach | Lake and watersports |
| WildBlue | Between Naples and Fort Myers | 800+ acres of freshwater lakes | Boating without saltwater |
| Pelican Preserve | Fort Myers | 70,000 sq ft town center, 55+ | Active adults |
| Babcock Ranch | Charlotte County, near Fort Myers | Solar-powered town with resilient design | Storm-conscious buyers |
Fees and amenities verified as of [month, year].
The Top Resort-Style Communities in Naples
Naples has the region’s highest concentration of resort-level amenities. Explore the best neighborhoods in Naples for luxury living to discover what makes these communities unique. These three stand out for different reasons.
Pelican Bay: Beachfront Resort Living Without a Hotel
Pelican Bay is the closest thing in Southwest Florida to living inside a beach resort. Residents have access to nearly three miles of private beach, trams to the sand and two members-only beachfront restaurants, Marker 36 and Sandbar. Homes range from condos and villas to single-family estates, and the Pelican Bay Club offers 27 holes of private golf as a separate membership.
The Isles of Collier Preserve: Resort Amenities Next to a Nature Reserve
The Isles of Collier Preserve, built by Minto, covers about 2,400 acres east of downtown Naples, with more than half set aside as natural habitat. The award-winning Isles Club includes a resort pool, lap pool, cabanas, fitness center, tennis, pickleball and a kayak launch, and residents get an 8-mile network of trails and blueways, according to Minto Communities. It borders Rookery Bay and the Naples Botanical Garden.
Mediterra: Golf, Gulf and a Private Beach Club
Mediterra is a 1,697-acre London Bay community with two Tom Fazio golf courses, a members-only clubhouse and a private beach club, with homes priced from the mid-$3 millions according to London Bay Homes. It suits buyers who want resort amenities and championship golf in one gated address. Many of these luxury enclaves are gated, and our Naples gated community services cover how to compare security, fees and resale.
Resort Communities Near Fort Myers, Estero and Bonita Springs
Resort communities near Fort Myers tend to offer more lake and lifestyle amenities per dollar than comparable Naples communities. These are the strongest options.
Bonita Bay Club: Golf-Centered Resort Living in Bonita Springs
Bonita Bay Club in Bonita Springs is built around golf, with five golf courses and a 60,000 sq ft lifestyle center that anchors the community’s social life. It suits buyers who want a golf-centered daily routine. Confirm the current membership structure and fees before you make an offer.
Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club: Lake Beaches and Watersports
Miromar Lakes is built around a 700-acre freshwater lake with about three miles of white-sand beach, an Arthur Hills signature golf course, a 10,000-square-foot infinity pool and a beach clubhouse. Residents water-ski, kayak and boat right from the community. Homes run from about $1 million to more than $10 million.
WildBlue: Freshwater Boating Without Saltwater Upkeep
WildBlue spans roughly 3,500 acres with more than 800 acres of lakes, a resort-style pool, clubhouse dining, fitness, pickleball and hiking and biking trails, according to Stock Development. It is a strong choice for buyers who want to boat on freshwater lakes without saltwater maintenance or storm surge exposure.
Pelican Preserve: 55+ Resort Living in Fort Myers
Pelican Preserve is a 55+ gated community on 1,100 acres with a 70,000-square-foot town center featuring a spa, fitness center, movie theater and restaurants. Its 27-hole golf course is optional, which keeps costs lower for non-golfers who still want the resort lifestyle.
Babcock Ranch: A Solar-Powered, Storm-Resilient Town
Babcock Ranch, about 12 miles northeast of Fort Myers, runs on a massive solar array and was designed with buried utilities and streets that flood so homes do not. During Hurricane Ian in 2022, the community kept its power on while most of Charlotte County went dark. It offers town-center dining, pools, trails and lakes rather than a traditional country club.
New communities keep raising the amenity bar. See our breakdown of new community amenities SWFL buyers can expect in developments launching now.
How to Calculate the True Cost of a Resort Lifestyle
The true cost of a resort-style community is the sum of every recurring fee, not the HOA figure on the listing. We call this the amenity cost stack, and we build it for every client before an offer:
1. HOA dues, including any sub-association for your specific neighborhood.
2. Master association dues, common in large communities with multiple neighborhoods.
3. CDD assessment, which appears on the property tax bill in many newer developments.
4. Club dues and food and beverage minimums, which can be mandatory in bundled clubs.
5. Capital contributions or transfer fees, often charged at closing as a percentage of the price.
6. Special assessments, past and planned. Ask for meeting minutes and the reserve study.
7. Homeowners and flood insurance, which vary by flood zone. Look up the property on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center before you budget.
One more check for newer communities: find out whether the developer still controls the HOA. Fees often rise after the developer hands control to residents, because the developer is no longer subsidizing the budget.
Find the Right Resort-Style Community With Local Guidance
The right resort-style community depends on how you will use it day to day: beach, golf, lake or social life. Florida Listing Experts LLC is an independent brokerage based in Naples, and we know the fee structures, membership rules and resale patterns across Collier and Lee counties.
Start with our guide to the best neighborhoods in Southwest Florida, then call (239) 919-0933 to book a free consultation. We will compare communities side by side, build your amenity cost stack and arrange tours that fit your schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions About Resort-Style Communities in Southwest Florida
What Is a Resort-Style Community?
A resort-style community is a neighborhood built around hotel-grade shared amenities, such as resort pools, a clubhouse with dining, fitness facilities, racquet sports and organized social events. Golf may be included, optional or absent. It is a marketing term, so always check how amenities are paid for.
What Are the Best Resort Communities Near Fort Myers, Florida?
Top resort communities near Fort Myers include Miromar Lakes, WildBlue, Pelican Preserve, Paseo and Gulf Harbour, with Babcock Ranch a short drive northeast. Each offers a different focus, from lake beaches and boating to 55+ living and golf with marina access.
Are Resort-Style Communities in Southwest Florida Worth the Fees?
They are worth it if you use the amenities often. Buyers who use the pool, fitness center, dining and social calendar several times a week usually see strong value. Seasonal residents and occasional users often save money in communities with optional memberships.
Do All Resort-Style Communities Require a Golf Membership?
No. Many resort-style communities, such as WildBlue and The Isles of Collier Preserve, have no golf course, and others, such as Pelican Preserve, make golf optional. Bundled golf communities require every homeowner to pay club dues, so confirm the membership model before you buy.
Which Resort-Style Community in Southwest Florida Has a Beach?
Pelican Bay in Naples offers nearly three miles of private Gulf beach for residents. Mediterra has a private Gulf-front beach club, and Miromar Lakes has about three miles of white-sand beach on its 700-acre freshwater lake. Confirm beach access rules and related club fees before you buy.
Are There 55+ Resort-Style Communities in Southwest Florida?
Yes. Pelican Preserve in Fort Myers is one of the most popular 55+ resort-style communities, with a large town center, spa and optional golf. Several other active-adult communities have opened across Lee and Collier counties in recent years. Federal law allows qualifying communities to operate as housing for older persons.
What Fees Should I Expect in a Resort-Style Community?
Expect some combination of HOA dues, master association dues, a CDD assessment, club dues or dining minimums and a capital contribution at closing. Ask for every fee in writing, along with the reserve study and recent meeting minutes, before you make an offer.
