Laurel Oaks in Pelican Bay, Naples FL: Lifestyle and Buying Guide

Laurel Oaks is one of those Pelican Bay pockets that feels quietly confident. You’re surrounded by mature landscaping and shaded streets, the pace is calm, and yet the “best of Naples” is right outside your bubble. It’s the kind of place where mornings start with a lanai coffee and a short walk to the pool, afternoons are beach club easy thanks to the Pelican Bay tram and boardwalks, and evenings can be as simple as sunset on the sand or as dressed up as Waterside and Artis Naples.

Big-Picture Appeal

• Classic Pelican Bay benefits, without tower living. Laurel Oaks gives you a leafy, low-rise feel while still plugging into Pelican Bay’s beach club lifestyle.

• A “lock-and-leave” rhythm that’s actually relaxing. Quiet setting, simple ownership, and easy beach access make seasonal use feel effortless.

• Lifestyle density. Waterside Shops and Artis Naples are close, so your social calendar can be full without needing long drives.

• Active-luxury DNA. Pelican Bay is built around beach ease plus a real tennis, pickleball, and fitness culture.

What Laurel Oaks Feels Like Day to Day

Mornings feel peaceful. Think filtered sunlight, palms moving in the breeze, and a quick walk to the community pool before the day really starts.

Beach days are surprisingly frictionless. Pelican Bay’s tram system and boardwalks through mangroves make the trip to the sand feel like part of the lifestyle, not an errand.

Evenings stay flexible. Some nights are beach club sunset and home. Others are dinner at Waterside, a performance at Artis Naples, then back to that tucked-away, residential quiet.

Amenities and Lifestyle: What You’re Really Buying

The Pelican Bay beach experience

Ownership typically connects you to Pelican Bay’s private beach amenities, with tram access and beachfront destinations that feel polished but easy.

Two beachfront dining destinations

Pelican Bay has two beach locations with dining (often described as North and South), each with its own vibe.

Tennis, pickleball, and fitness culture

Pelican Bay is known for an active social scene anchored by racquet sports and wellness programming.

Laurel Oaks “close to home” amenities

Laurel Oaks adds that neighborhood-scale convenience: a pool, spa, and social space that keeps your day-to-day life local and easy.

Neighborhood Allowances: Pets and Rentals

• Pets: Owners may have one pet up to 30 lbs.

• Rentals: You may rent twice per year with a 60-day minimum lease.

Rules can change and can be interpreted differently over time, so I always recommend verifying the latest condo documents during due diligence.

Who Laurel Oaks Is Perfect For

• Seasonal residents who want Pelican Bay’s beach club lifestyle with a quieter, low-rise setting.

• Buyers who value calm over commotion, but still want to be close to Waterside, Artis, and the best of Naples.

• Active lifestyle owners who want tennis, pickleball, fitness, and beach days all in the same “ecosystem.”

Smart Buyer Notes

• Understand the two-layer cost structure. In Pelican Bay, it’s normal to have a master community fee plus your neighborhood or building dues.

• Pick your “view philosophy.” Laurel Oaks is about treetops, greenery, and serenity, then the Gulf on demand through the beach clubs.

• Due diligence matters more than people expect. Rules (rentals, pets) and budgets can vary significantly community to community.

Laurel Oaks FAQ

1) Is Laurel Oaks beachfront?
No, it’s an inland, low-rise neighborhood within Pelican Bay, designed for a quiet residential feel with beach access through the community amenities.

2) Do owners get Pelican Bay beach privileges?
Yes. Ownership includes access to Pelican Bay’s beach amenities through the community structure, but entitlements should always be verified for the specific residence.

3) How does the tram work?
Pelican Bay operates an open-air tram system with stations that connect to boardwalks through mangroves and out to the beach and restaurants.

4) Are there restaurants on the beach?
Yes, Pelican Bay has two beach dining locations on the sand.

5) Is golf included in Pelican Bay?
No. Golf is separate through Club Pelican Bay with its own membership structure.

6) What’s the lifestyle difference between Laurel Oaks and a high-rise?
Laurel Oaks leans quieter and more “neighborhood,” while many high-rises offer higher service levels and often bigger views. Both can be wonderful, it just depends on your daily rhythm.

7) What are the Laurel Oaks rental rules?
Owners can lease twice per year with a 60-day minimum lease.

8) Are pets allowed?
Owners can have one pet up to 30 lbs 

9) What’s nearby?
Waterside Shops and Artis Naples are close, with Mercato and Fifth Avenue South an easy drive for dining and nights out.

10) What should I prioritize when touring Laurel Oaks?
Light and exposure, privacy, the specific building’s financials and reserves, and how effortlessly the beach and wellness lifestyle fits your routine.

Read More:
For the bigger picture on lifestyle, amenities, and ownership details, explore my Luxury Market Pulse report for Pelican Bay and my Pelican Bay Lifestyle and Buying Guide.

Ready to Explore Laurel Oaks? Call Melinda.

Please contact Melinda Gunther with Premier Sotheby’s International Realty who will be delighted to show you the available listings in Laurel Oaks and other residences throughout Pelican Bay, and to help you compare the “quiet neighborhood” feel versus other Pelican Bay neighborhoods so you land in the one that fits your life beautifully.