Noble House Hotels & Resorts

For more than four decades, Noble House has built a family-owned collection of independent hotels defined by location, distinction, and soul. Here is how the company began, what "fiercely local" really means, what to expect at its signature Florida resorts, and why booking through WhataHotel adds hundreds of dollars in value at the same rate.

How Did Noble House Begin?

Noble House Hotels & Resorts was founded in 1981 by hospitality pioneer Pat Colee, with roots tracing to 1979 when he established Pacific Seaboard Group as a commercial property developer in Seattle. The company transitioned in 1994 into the hospitality ownership and management firm it is today. For more than 40 years it has remained privately held and family-owned, now headquartered in Kirkland, Washington, and has grown into a curated collection of 29 independent luxury and upscale hotels, resorts, and experiences across the United States and Canada. That portfolio also includes more than 75 restaurants, bars, and lounges, the iconic Napa Valley Wine Train, three full-service marinas, and a collection of spas and private residences. The family-owned philosophy creates value for each property's community, environment, ownership, staff, and guests, a contrast to corporate-owned chains. Today Scott Colee serves as Chief Marketing Officer, representing next-generation family leadership.

The "Fiercely Local" Philosophy

Noble House is built on a foundational belief in location, distinction, and soul. Each property integrates into its destination not only aesthetically but socially, through local partnerships, environmental initiatives, and immersive guest offerings. The hotels are designed to be the beating heart of their communities, places locals gather and proudly call their own. Environmental stewardship runs throughout, from reducing waste to conservation initiatives like Little Palm Island's partnership with MOTE Marine Laboratory for coral-reef restoration in the Florida Keys. Named a Top 25 Hotel Brand in the World in Travel + Leisure's 2024 World's Best Awards, Noble House delivers a singular promise across every property: cultural immersion, unforgettable experiences, and genuine connections rooted in place.

Little Palm Island Resort & Spa

Little Palm Island is America's only private island resort, a secluded five-acre tropical sanctuary in the Florida Keys reachable only by boat or seaplane. The retreat has hosted Presidents Truman, Kennedy, and Nixon, and served as the filming location for Warner Brothers' 1963 film PT-109. A member of Relais & Châteaux, it earned Michelin's highest hotel honor, a 3-Key rating, and was named the #1 Resort in Florida in Travel + Leisure's 2024 World's Best Awards. Following Hurricane Irma, a complete transformation by Rossi Architecture and AvroKO blended British West Indies charm with modern sophistication. The 30 oceanfront thatched-roof bungalow suites have private decks, outdoor showers, and Jacuzzis, but no televisions or telephones, ensuring total disconnection. The resort is adult-only (16 and over), with award-winning dining, the two-story atrium SpaTerre, and access to snorkeling, kayaking, diving, and sport fishing.

LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort

Opened in 1968 in Naples and now the only luxury golf and spa resort on the Gulf Coast, LaPlaya sits on waterfront between the Gulf of Mexico and Vanderbilt Bay. A $30 million transformation in 2018 brought an "elegance by the beach" aesthetic, and the resort reopened in May 2024 after restoration from Hurricane Ian. Its 189 individually furnished rooms and suites feature marble baths and furnished balconies, while Gulf Tower Suites add espresso machines, Marshall speakers, and self-serve wine systems. Guests enjoy four pools, the 12-room SpaTerre Naples spa, an 18-hole Robert Cupp-designed golf course, and the award-winning BALEEN Naples restaurant, where you can dine with your feet in the sand at sunset. Beach butler service and a Private Members Club round out a property known for a returning guest base spanning three generations.

Your Exclusive Benefits Through WhataHotel

When you book through WhataHotel (a Virtuoso-affiliated preferred partner owned by Lorraine Travel, established 1948), you receive exclusive complimentary benefits not available booking direct, at the exact same best flexible rate with no markup. These include daily breakfast for two per room (valued at $60–80/day), a $100 resort or hotel credit per stay for spa, dining, or activities (not valid on room rate), a priority room upgrade based on availability at check-in, early check-in and late checkout subject to availability, a VIP welcome amenity with management greeting, complimentary Wi-Fi, and enhanced personalized service. The standard $10.95 WhataHotel booking fee applies. A three-night stay at LaPlaya, for example, adds breakfast (~$240), the $100 credit, upgrade priority, and VIP treatment, more than $340 in added value at the same base price. Noble House maintains partnerships with leading travel networks including Virtuoso and American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts.

Booking Terms and Loyalty

Noble House bookings through WhataHotel are made at the best available flexible rate matching each property's own site, with the standard $10.95 booking fee. Rates are fully flexible with cancellation policies that vary by property. The $100 credit is provided once per room per stay for spa, dining, or activities (not valid toward room rate, no cash value if unused), and daily breakfast for two is served in the restaurant or via room service. Room upgrades are based on availability at check-in with priority for our guests, and early check-in and late checkout are subject to availability. Because these are direct hotel reservations, you continue to earn applicable loyalty and credit-card points, and property promotions such as Third or Fourth Night Free can often be combined with the preferred-partner benefits to maximize value.