Hello from Naples!
May was incredibly busy—and memorable—for the Wakelin Team. We were thrilled to achieve a new team record, closing more than $15 million in sales in a single month. We are deeply grateful for the trust our customers place in us and appreciate the opportunity to help them achieve their real estate goals.
Amid the busy pace of business, we also had the joy of celebrating a major family milestone. Nicola and I traveled to Greensboro, North Carolina, where we joined my sister Liz and her husband David, to celebrate our youngest daughter, Riley, graduating from Elon University. While the weather didn't always cooperate, we made the most of the weekend and enjoyed spending time together. The highlight, of course, was watching Riley walk across the stage and receive her diploma, graduating summa cum laude—a moment of pride and accomplishment that we will never forget.
Here is an excerpt of a recent article from Business Observer: Olde Naples Hotel opens off Third Street South
A new hotel has opened in the heart of Naples. Olde Naples Hotel was designed to draw from the legacy of the historic downtown while also providing modern-day amenities. Containing 109 guest rooms, it was designed on the site of the original 1889 Naples Hotel at 200 Broad St. S. near the intersection with Third Street South.
“Old Naples has always had a strong sense of place, and we wanted this hotel to carry that forward in a way that feels natural today,” Olde Naples Hotel General Manager Laura Radler says in a statement.
Room interiors feature vintage patterns and coastal tones. Designed to echo the neighborhood, architectural details include dormered rooflines and lofted wood ceilings.
Amenities include a rooftop pool with shaded cabanas, a full-service spa and fitness center. Bicycles, beach chairs, umbrellas and a complimentary shuttle simplify trips to the beach, which is one block away.
A restaurant on-site functions with an evolving format throughout the day, transitioning from espresso and pastries in the morning to an American menu by the evening. Called Annie’s Bistro, Bar & Bakery, the eatery features murals, a piano and a gilded ceiling.
San Francisco-based architecture firm Hart Howerton designed the hotel, which opened May 15.
“The approach to Olde Naples Hotel started with understanding how the original hotel engaged the public and functioned as a center of activity,” Hart Howerton Principal Tim McCarthy says in a statement. “That informed a series of design decisions, including setting the building back from the street to maintain the presence of neighboring historic buildings, breaking the massing down to reflect the vernacular scale of surrounding cottages and organizing the plan around a central courtyard that extends activity from historic Third Street South into the site.”
Room rates start at $399 per night.
Olde Naples Hotel is part of the Delray Beach-based Opal Collection. Other Naples hotels in the company’s portfolio include Edgewater Beach Hotel on Gulf Shore Boulevard North and The Capri Inn on Seventh Avenue South.
Official May 2026 Climate Data at Naples Airport:
May was both hot and unusually wet across Southwest Florida. Naples Airport recorded 6.95 inches of rainfall during the month, shattering the previous May rainfall record and more than tripling the 2.05 inches recorded in May 2025.
While the recent rain was certainly welcome, much of Southwest Florida continues to benefit from additional rainfall to replenish groundwater levels and support our natural ecosystems. Through the first five months of the year, Naples has received 13.36 inches of rain, compared to the historical average of 10.24 inches.
For full-time Naples residents, May marks the transition into our summer weather pattern. Temperatures climbed to a high of 93 degrees during the month, humidity increased, and afternoon thunderstorms began making their seasonal return. While seasonal residents head north, locals know that the arrival of the rainy season is simply part of life in paradise.
Book Review: “The Island Of Sea Women: A Novel” by Lisa See
Lisa See is one of my favorite authors, so I was excited to dive into her new novel, The Island of Sea Women. To me, this book started off slow and I was having a hard time getting into it at first. However, because I enjoy this author so much, I decided to stick with it, and boy, I’m glad I did! The novel shined a light on a painful chapter of Korean history that was completely unfamiliar to me so I felt like I learned a lot.
Set on the Korean island of Jeju, the story follows Mi-ja and Young-sook, two girls from very different backgrounds whose friendship begins in childhood and is tested by war, political upheaval, family loyalties, and heartbreaking misunderstandings.
What fascinated me most was learning about the haenyeo, the remarkable women divers of Jeju Island who harvest seafood from the ocean without the aid of modern diving equipment. These women were the primary breadwinners for their families, creating a society that challenged many traditional expectations about the roles of women. Lisa See brings their world to life in such vivid detail that I often felt as though I was standing on the shoreline watching them emerge from the sea.
At its heart, however, this is a story about friendship—how it can sustain us, shape us, and sometimes be wounded in ways that seem impossible to repair. The relationship between Mi-ja and Young-sook is complex, messy, and deeply human. Neither woman is perfect, which made their story feel all the more authentic. As the novel unfolded, I found myself reflecting on how historical events can alter the course of ordinary lives and how difficult it can be to separate personal choices from the circumstances surrounding them.
While some moments were difficult to read, they added depth and perspective to a story that ultimately celebrates courage, endurance, and the bonds between women.
If you enjoy historical fiction that combines rich cultural insight with emotionally compelling characters, then I would highly recommend this beautiful and thought-provoking novel.
Here are a couple reviews on Amazon for The Island of Sea Women:
“This story transports you right into a time and place. You become a part of the haenyeo’s life, and can appreciate how hard these women worked. It is a beautifully told story. If you love getting lost in a story and learning history at the same time, this is a great book.”
“I give this book a 5 star rating..at first with reluctance and as I went forward...
With total enthusiasm! My original impression was, oh... Ho hum, here we go again...another " let's empower women and marginalize men...and let's out America for more evil deeds...however..it was neither and the story of friendship and loss was handled with such grace and sensitivity I am still quite overwhelmed with the beauty of it, as well as being highly impressed with the extensive research that went into this book. My only issue with it is...I could not quit reading and the author forced me to stay awake until 4:00 this morning until I finished reading it! I highly recommend this to anyone.. who, as I was..is ignorant of this part of the world, their struggles and their perseverance in the face of unthinkable hardship. A wonderful, unforgettable read.”
“This had a very slow start. I read about 25% before I felt I could connect to the characters and understand, culturally, what events meant. I am glad I kept going because it was a very good book. I think the best books are the ones that make you want to learn more when you are done. That is exactly what this book gave me. So much history and change and how it impacted the island. Would definitely recommend.”
Restaurant Review: Heyday Cookshop 4691 Tamiami Trail N., Naples, FL 34103
Chef Kayla Pfeiffer is receiving national recognition for her restaurant, Bicyclette Cookshop, in North Naples. She was recently named a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation's Emerging Chef Award, and USA Today included Bicyclette on its 2025 Restaurants of the Year list. We have visited Bicyclette several times and have featured it in previous newsletters.
When Chef Kayla announced she was opening a second restaurant in Naples, we couldn't wait to give it a try—and it did not disappoint.
From their website, Heyday describes itself as a modern cookshop, collaborative kitchen, and hi-fi listening room that celebrates honest ingredients, natural wines, and great music. What sets Heyday apart from Bicyclette is its ongoing chef residency program and dedicated listening room, creating an experience that is constantly evolving. You may come for the food, but you'll stay for the music, wine, and vibrant energy.
We started with the Amberjack Crudo and Crab en Brick, both of which were excellent. The standout dish of the evening, however, was the Snapper. It was perfectly cooked, and the combination of flavors was exceptional.
Our server, Anthony, was attentive and knowledgeable throughout the evening. We visited just two weeks after opening, and the restaurant appeared to be fully staffed and operating smoothly. Service was polished, friendly, and efficient.
If you're looking for one of Naples' newest dining destinations, Heyday is well worth a visit.
Here are a few recent reviews on Yelp:
“Sense of adventure, required. This new concept opened its doors only a few short weeks ago with a premise that extends beyond the owner/chef to include a rotating 'chef'n residence.' So, take a very creative, eclectic, and fun core menu created by Kayla Pfeiffer and team, and amend with each chef bringing their own unique offerings. Are you tracking??
The sense of adventure comes into play when you open the menu to find dishes that are so unique and original to Naples that you have to ask your server, what the hell is that? Buddha Hand was one of my first questions, but we'll get to that.
Practically every single item begs that opening question because there is nothing recognizable as you read. Solution: think small plates and sharing which is exactly what we did, starting with 'Peppadew Concha + caramelized goat cheese, Cured Scallops with melon and shisho, the Pub Sub chicken mousse, the Tete De Moine, grilled grapes + caramelized onions, and finishing up this course was the Spring Lettuces + Sesame Dressing + Labneh, and Hot Honey. You see my point on having to ask questions? What the hell is Labneh? In that same breath realize that the offerings are so unique you have/want to try each dish and to that extent we had roughly 75% of their first course offerings. What a fun way to dine!!!”
“The vibe is incredible! Service was top notch, very attentive and did a fantastic job explaining each dish. I'm not kidding this was a top 5 meal I've ever had; the flavor was bursting off the plate. World class.”
Naples Real Estate: Here are the May 2026 Naples & Bonita Springs market statistics.
The Naples and Bonita Springs real estate market remains healthy through the first five months of 2026. Year-to-date closed sales are up 17% compared to the same period in 2025, with every major price segment showing an increase in sales activity.
The following table provides a snapshot comparison of sales activity through May 2026 versus May 2025.
As the following table shows, the level of inventory varies by price point:
An interesting inventory statistic is how the market varies significantly by price point. Homes priced below $1 million currently have approximately six months of inventory, indicating a relatively balanced market where well-priced properties continue to attract buyers. In contrast, the luxury market above $3 million has approximately 12 months of inventory, giving buyers considerably more choices and creating a more competitive environment for sellers. As a result, pricing strategy and property presentation have become increasingly important, particularly in the upper-end market.
Riverstone Real Estate:
Riverstone is the community where Jeff and Nicola live. Riverstone has numerous amenities available for residents to enjoy. You can spend days swimming and relaxing at the community resort-style pool, playing tennis, taking a fitness class or socializing in the community’s private clubhouse. Here’s a look at the MLS market in Riverstone as of June 3rd, 2026:
Here’s a breakdown of what’s currently on the market in MLS:
There are 16 active listings, 2 pending sale and 4 sales pending with contingencies. The MLS system lists 40 homes sold in the last 35 months. With average monthly sales at 2.91 per month, there is 5.5 months of inventory at Riverstone.
Stonecreek Real Estate:
Stonecreek is the sister community to Riverstone, about a mile up Logan Blvd. and was built by the same developer, GL Homes. Both communities offer social, vacation-inspired lifestyles with extensive amenities & A-rated schools. Stonecreek is a bit newer and home prices in this community tend to be a bit higher than Riverstone. Here’s a look at the MLS market in Stonecreek as of June 3rd, 2026:
Here’s a breakdown of what’s currently on the market in MLS:
There are 10 active listings, 2 pending sales and 2 sales pending with contingencies. The MLS system lists 38 homes sold in the last 12 months. With average monthly sales at 3.16 per month, there is 3.14 months of inventory at Stonecreek.
Valencia Trails Real Estate:
Valencia Trails is the active, adult community about 5 miles east on Immokalee Road from Riverstone and was built by the same developer, GL Homes. As a 55+ lifestyle community, Valencia Trails offers even more amenities than Riverstone and Stonecreek including a 43,00 SF clubhouse, that includes a theater for live performances, a spa, a restaurant and pool bar. The fitness facilities and calendar of events are extensive. Here’s a look at the MLS market in Valencia Trails as of June 3rd, 2026:
Here’s a breakdown of what’s currently on the market in MLS:
There are 40 active listings and 3 sales pending and 2 sales pending with contingencies. The MLS system lists 45 homes sold in the last 12 months; however, this number includes many new construction and builder spec homes. With average monthly sales 3.75 per month, there is about 10.6 months of inventory at Valencia Trails.
With over $300M in closes sales, The Wakelin Team as the experience to move you! Give us a call if we can help with any real estate questions you have at 239-451-9351.
