Who says going green can’t be fancy and stylish?
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, a luxury resort on Florida’s Paradise Coast, has received LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its Vanderbilt Tower. As one of the world’s most widely used green building rating systems, the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification underscores the resort’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

The mixed-use tower was completed as part of a transformative renovation in 2023, adding guest rooms and suites with views of the Gulf of Mexico, the Mediterranean restaurant Sofra, and The Ritz-Carlton brand’s largest Club Lounge in North America.
“We are delighted to receive this prestigious certification after the time and care put into the resort’s transformation,” said Area General Manager Mark Ferland. “It was an honor to work closely with city officials and conservation organizations during the process to ensure our expansion reflected The Ritz-Carlton’s commitment to environmental sustainability and positive social impact, all while preserving the surrounding natural beauty and wildlife.”
The Vanderbilt Tower achieved LEED certification by implementing practical and measurable strategies and solutions in areas including sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. The State of Florida’s “Florida Green” initiative has also recognized the resort, awarding a “Three Palm” designation for efforts including conservation communication and education, reuse and recycling measures, water conservation, energy efficiency, and indoor air quality (IAQ).
As part of ongoing sustainability efforts, the resort noted it emphasizes green meetings and gatherings with carbon offset options for event planners, IAQ testing, waste reduction, and water reduction measures. The Ritz-Carlton, Naples implemented refillable residential shampoo, body wash, and conditioner dispensers in each guest bathroom to reduce plastic waste. Guests may choose to reduce their laundry requests to conserve water, and each guestroom includes recycling containers to further support the hotel’s sorting and separation process. These conservation practices complement the resort’s signature Ritz Kids program, developed in partnership with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida to help foster an appreciation for sustainability with future generations.