Where gingerbread dreams come true at the Ritz Carlton Naples

During the holidays, gingerbread houses are all about frosting, candy, and making memories. At The Ritz-Carlton Naples, that tradition is taken to an entirely new level.

With more than 60,000 pieces of candy and handmade gingerbread, the resort’s iconic gingerbread house is less of a house and more of a holiday home. The towering display, created entirely by the Ritz pastry team, has become a 'must-see' Christmas tradition in Naples.

Executive pastry chef Lerome Campbell has been bringing the gingerbread house to life for 11 years. Each year, he continues to elevate his gingerbread game, “I try to change it up every year,” Campbell said. “One year, we had a two-story house. This year, we had a whole display with handcrafted chocolate nutcrackers, a train, and a village."

Every detail of the house is carefully thought out. Campbell said his favorite feature is the reindeer, which reminds him of his daughters, “I also love all the details in the candy. Everything on the house is intentional,” Campbell said.

What makes the display even sweeter is the teamwork behind it. Many staff members volunteer their time to help build the house, making it a genuine labor of love and a tradition shared across the resort.

The gingerbread magic does not stop there. The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón recently wrapped up its popular Gingerbread School. Over six days, 60 families learned how to design and decorate their own gingerbread houses from scratch.

“It’s all about being creative,” said chef Jared Young with The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón. 

For many families, the gingerbread house has become a yearly stop. Some return each holiday season, while others use the display as the perfect backdrop for their Christmas cards. The gingerbread house is free and open to the public, though reservations are required to visit.

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After snapping photos inside the gingerbread display, guests can continue the holiday fun with the resort’s Teddy Bear and Tea experience. The event features 10 different teas, classic tea-time finger foods, and a teddy bear for each child to take home.

“This experience is perfect for families. The kids and adults both get excited,” said general manager Andrew Rogers, " We love being able to be a part of people's holiday experiences."

Visitors can also take a piece of Christmas home with them. The resort offers festive treats like decorated cookies, hot cocoa bombs, and chocolate Christmas trees, all made in-house.

The Ritz-Carlton Naples and Tiburón go all in for the holidays. Hundreds of Christmas trees fill the property, staff members greet guests with cheerful smiles, and holiday spirit is woven into every corner of the resort. 

For those looking to splurge, the resort also offers a one-of-a-kind holiday suite designed especially for families. The suite comes fully decked out for Christmas and New Year’s celebrations and is priced at $40,000.

At The Ritz-Carlton Naples, the holidays are not just a season; they are an experience. They are an experience built on tradition, creativity, and a whole lot of candy.