Tennis Resorts Online: The Leading Guide to Tennis Travel
The Guide To Taking Your Tennis Racquet On the Road
Since 1999, Tennis Resorts Online has been helping vacationers decide where to go on their next tennis holiday. I've made a career of giving such advice, initially as Tennis magazine's travel and resorts editor and since 1999 as the founder of this website. What you see here are not paid listings but the descriptions—provided without cost to resorts and camps—of those properties I feel are worthy of your attention. Over the course of several decades, I've visited more than 350 resorts on five continents and participated in some 50 different tennis camps, many more than once. It is that personal experience—supplemented now by reviews submitted by vacationers like you—that underpins this website.
What you'll find on these and the following pages is a suite of tools to help you make an informed choice on where to go. Start by checking out the rankings of the Top 100 Tennnis Resorts and Camps, which we base solely on the reviews submitted by people like you. For more personal advice, use the "Tailored Search" form that lets you specifiy precisely the features you're looking for in a resort or camp. Those results link to my personal descriptions, which are supplemented by the reviews—good or bad—of others who themselves have been there. There are also maps of what can be found in six different regions of the U.S. and one for Europe. Every property we list appears in a master index, listing both alphabetically and by state, region, or country. There is also a section devoted to junior camps, though since I'm a little old to participate in any of those I've had to settle for writing a description and let those juniors who've attended or their parents write personal reviews. To supplement all of this I've included a calendar of events taking place at tennis properties across the globe. We also ask resorts or camps to put together packages that offer special discounts or perks to Tennis Resorts Online readers.
Still, the site needs your input. We want to hear from you about your experience with any resort or camp you know first hand. As an incentive to take the trouble, Tennis Resorts Online gives away several tennis vacations in an annual drawing (2017 prizes to be announced soon). Every review you submit gives you another opportunity to win. To file one for a resort or camp, visit "Write a Review" or "Review a Junior Camp". Finally, let me know of ways you feel the site can be improved (and since we've just gone through a major redesign, please also let me know if there are any technical issues with any of the pages). You can contact me at . See you on the courts. —Roger Cox, Editor
Your Recent Reviews
Here's a sample of recent critiques of resorts and camps by other vacationers, followed by a link where you can post your own.
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Wequassett Resort and Golf Club, Massachusetts
"Two great tennis coaches, David and Dennis. They really lift your game but the whole process is enjoyable. Lovely courts and a great experience!"—S.M., Int., July 2017
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Royal Lahaina Resort, Hawaii
"The staff is very friendly and accommodating. They set up the match for you and all you do is show up to play! They are very good at putting correct levels together for competitive play. They even call you the day before to confirm the match and provide towels and cups/water on court. Love playing here in Maui!!!"—T.M., Adv. Int., June 2017
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Watercolor Inn & Resort, Florida
"Strengths: Great Tennis Pros for clinics. Gorgeous, but small tennis facility. Beautiful resort. Spectular white sand beaches. Great restaurants. Weakness: EXPENSIVE. Not for the budget minded. Guests of the resort charged $40 per hour to play on the courts. Clinics, which are excellent, are $37 per person. Also cost $200 per week fo use of fitness center."—D.M., Adv. Int., June 2017
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Shipyard Plantation, South Carolina
"Good camp. Andy led the Group. Very knowledgeable. Video Analysis was very helpful. Beautiful clay courts. Drill and instruction were well done. There was more match play at this camp then any of my other previous camps (Saddlebrook, Sugarbush, Stowe, Amelia Island) The location was excellent. Shipyard Plantation is very desirable. Stay at the Sonesta ( 1 minute walk ) was excellent. Included pool and beachfront. Restaurants were good. June in Hilton Head is HOT and HUMID. Take this in consideration when signing up for 10 hour weekend camp. About 12 adult campers with experience ranging from 2.5-4.0"—P.K., Int., June 2017
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Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Florida
"We have been attending the Dream Team Tennis Getaway weekend for over 20 years. The pros do a great job of getting everyone involved. They are very personable and great instructors. We always come home with new tennis skills and a tan!!"—K.H., Int., June 2017
Exclusive Packages and Specials
Discounts, room upgrades, and special packages only available on Tennis Resorts Online.
Free Upgrade to One-bedroom Suite + Amenity Basket  Book the Saddlebrook Tennis School (which offers five hours a day of instruction) and a regular deluxe guest room at Saddlebrook Resort and they'll upgrade you to a one-bedroom suite* at no extra cost (two-night minimum) and include a complimentary Saddlebrook Amenity basket. To get it, phone toll-free 800-729-8383, x4200 and ask for the Tennis Resorts Online Upgrade. *Subject to availability at the time of booking |
Stan Smith Super Series: Nov. 24-26, 2017  Wimbledon and U.S. Open Champion and former World No. 1 Stan Smith conducts this annual event, held over Thanksgiving weekend. Over the course of nine hours (3 hours each day), Smith and his staff will focus on stroke and strategy instruction, footwork, and many practice drills as well as videotape your serve. Student:pro ratio never more than 4:1, ensuring personal attention. Open to players 17+ years old and NTRP 3.0+ rating. Cost: $305/person
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PBI World Tennis Camp, Dec. 3-7, 2017  Set in Dubai on the shores of the Arabian Gulf, Jumeirah Beach Hotel will stage a five-day PBI World Camp on its seven floodlit courts. Participants can look forward more than 18-hours of instruction and programming, including eight hours of group themed clinics, more than 10 hours of on court socials, point play and round robins, a welcome mixer, awards dinner, camp pictures, awards and gifts as well as the opportunity to enjoy the hotel's five swimming pools and a private beach. To book, visit PBITennis.com and mention the code TROFREELESSON in the referral section and receive a complimentary private lesson during your camp stay.
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PBI World Tennis Camp, Nov. 29-Dec. 3, 2017  Join us Nov. 29-Dec. 3, 2017, for a 4½-day PBI world Camp at the Naples Grande Beach Resort in Naples, Florida. Consistently rated as one of the top resorts in the United States, the Naples Grande Beach Resort, features 15 hard true courts, lighted play and is situated right on the Gulf of Mexico. The camp comprises more than 19 hours of tennis, including 13 hours of group clinics, more than seven hours of doubles play and tennis events, a welcome dinner, camp picture, awards and gifts. To book, visit PBITennis.com and mention the code TROFREELESSON in the referral section and receive a complimentary private lesson during your camp stay.
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TRO Exclusive: Save $100!  Tennis Resorts Online users can claim a special $100/person discount on any adult all-inclusive week-long camp program. To get it, telephone reservations toll-free at 800-444-6204 or email the Ranch. You must mention Tennis Resorts Online to get the discount. Request a brochure. |
Special Discount on Team Packages  Book our 3-day/3-night Ambassador Package for teams and get a discounted rate of $395/person. The special package includes six hours of personalized clinics, unlimited court time, accommodations in a deluxe 2-bedroom villa (discount based on four people sharing a two-bedroom), one lunch at Robber's Row Grill, logo souvenirs, and pro shop discounts. For information and help in planning your personalized holiday, call Tanda at 843-686-8803 or 843-298-0027 and say you want the Tennis Resorts Online special rate.
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©2017 Roger Cox
Sponsors
Upcoming Events
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33rd Annual Banana Open Challenge (closed), Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center, South Carolina, Phone: 843-785-1152
Men's and Women's Singles and Doubles, Combo Mixed Doubles, and 55+ Doubles and Combo Mixed Doubles, all open only to those who have played in another local Banana tournament.
Southwest Florida Clay Court Championships, Sundial Beach Resort & Spa, Florida
This USTA-sanctioned event offers competition in Men's and Women's Sngles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles for age divisions 30s, 40s, and 50s as well as Men's and Women’s Singles and Doubles NTRP-rated divisions 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0. A special player resort rate will be available to attendees. Draws close September 27. Registration is available online at TennisLink. Resort tennis information is available through tennis@sundialresort.com or phoning 239-395-6037
Fall Women's Tennis Weekend, Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina
This program bundles nine hours of round robin play, instruction, and play-action drills with supervised doubles play.
Cliff Drysdale Ladies Tennis Retreat, Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne, Florida, Phone: 800-733-7987
Join Retreat director Scott Colebourne and his professional staff for this 5-day/4-night, ladies-only tennis retreat. The package bundles hotel accommodations with 15 hours of instruction and drills, coached team competition and match play, daily breakfast, a welcome reception, a players' party (with an awards presentation and video show), and optional spa services.
Ladies' 3.0 Team Challenge and 8.5 Ladies Combo, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Florida, Phone: 850-267-7114
These two separate events feature a minimum of six doubles teams, each playing in a round robin against the other similarly rated teams over the course of a long weekend. One flight pits NTRP 3.0 teams against each other; the second flight consists of 8.5 combo teams comprised of a 4.0 and a 4.5.
Ladies Retreat by Cliff Drysdale Tennis, Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort, Florida, Phone: 800-733-7987
Join director of tennis Scott Colebourne and his professional staff for this 5-day/4-night, ladies-only tennis retreat. The package bundles oceanview accommodations with 15 hours of instruction and drills, coached team competition and match play, daily breakfast, an awards banquet and players' party, dinner in Fernandina Beach, and optional spa services.
Adult Singles Weekend, Van Der Meer Tennis, Shipyard, South Carolina
The focus is on singles play during the 8 hours of group sessions. Among the topics to be covered are singles strategy, strokes and patterns; how to approach the net; shot selection; serving; movement patterns; and match play.
Kiawah Island Junior Tennis Championship, Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina
USTA-STA level 3 sanctioned event. Age divisions 10-18, boys and girls, singles and doubles.
La Manga Club Tennis Academy with Leon Smith, La Manga Club, Spain
For a full week this fall, British Davis Cup Captain Leon Smith will be offering advice, tuition and tips to help players improve their techniques at Spain's La Manga Club, a 28-court facility near Cartagena that serves as the Lawn Tennis Association's official overseas training base. The package bundles two hours of daily on-court instruction and drills with lodging, breakfast, and access to the spa, fitness center, golf courses, and the resort of La Manga's extensive facilities. the week is capped off by a gala dinner, hosted by Smith. In addition to the two-hour daily instruction and drill sessions, Smith will also host a gala dinner preceded by a Q&A session.
Cliff Drysdale Ladies Tennis Retreat, Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne, Florida, Phone: 800-733-7987
Join Retreat director Scott Colebourne and his professional staff for this 5-day/4-night, ladies-only tennis retreat. The package bundles hotel accommodations with 15 hours of instruction and drills, coached team competition and match play, daily breakfast, a welcome reception, a players' party (with an awards presentation and video show), and optional spa services.
2017 Tennis Congress, Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort, Arizona
This event brings together a stellar team of pros—among them Gigi Fernandez, Tim Mayotte, Emilio Sanchez, and Jeff Salzenstein—for highly personalized on- and off-court focus on improving your tennis. It is currently sold out, but you can sign up on the website to be added to the waiting list.
Backhands, Vines, and Volleys Tennis Camp, Silverado Resort and Spa, California, Phone: 505-257-0200
Silverado Resort and Spa hosts a special 2½-day camp that pairs tennis instruction with wine education and tastings in the Napa Valley. It begins with a Friday round robin and dinner followed by a half day of tennis clinics—taught by Peter Burwash International pros Katie Dellich and Quinn Saine—on Saturday and Sunday. The weekend package also includes a wine tasting class taught by Silverado's sommelier, two-for-one winery tasting passes, Peter Buswash's book "Tennis For Life," and two night's lodging. For more information visit silveradoresort.com or phone 505-257-0200.
Backhands, Vines, and Volleys Tennis Camp, Silverado Resort and Spa, California, Phone: 505-257-0200
Silverado Resort and Spa hosts a special 2½-day camp that pairs tennis instruction with wine education and tastings in the Napa Valley. It begins with a Friday round robin and dinner followed by a half day of tennis clinics—taught by Peter Burwash International pros Katie Dellich and Quinn Saine—on Saturday and Sunday. The weekend package also includes a wine tasting class taught by Silverado's sommelier, two-for-one winery tasting passes, Peter Buswash's book "Tennis For Life," and two night's lodging. For more information visit silveradoresort.com or phone 505-257-0200
29th Tennis Fantasies Week, John Newcombe Tennis Ranch, Texas, Phone: 800-874-7788
John Newcombe himself heads a cast of Legends that includes Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Owen Davidson, Marty Riessen, Mark Woodforde, Fred Stolle, Charlie Pasarell, Ross Case, Dick Stockton, Brian Gottfried, Rick Leach, and Luke and Murphy Jensen. Together they put on a four-day camp of clinics, team matches (with pros as team coaches), exhibitions, and competition against the amateurs. The pros are constant fixtures, on court, at meals, and for cocktail parties and entertainment nightly. Curious to know more? Read E.J. Kahn III's blog about his experiences in 2014.
BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore. www.wtafinals.com/
WTA seasons-ending singles and doubles competition among the top qualifiers.
On the Road
Dispatches from my latest travels
Revisiting the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch in Texas
Resort Hopping In Southwest Florida
Emilio Sánchez on "the Spanish Method"
Tennis on the "Garden Isle" of Kauai
Sea Island, Georgia, and the Jensen Brothers
Cliff Drysdale Tennis at Hawk's Cay Resort, Florida
Soaring Above Phoenix, Arizona
Newport, Rhode Island, For Tennis Players
©2017 Roger Cox