This 500-acre, pet-friendly property trails along an inland valley in the wooded Santa Lucia Mountains, above the fog that sometimes blankets the coast.
Its all-suite lodging, each of them with a fireplace and terrace, perches high in the hills, where it has views of the valley or trees and easy access to the lodge and an excellent restaurant, Valley Kitchen. Adjacent to the lodge is the 10,000-square-foot Aiyana Spa and an adult pool with a rimless hot tub. In the valley below lies an area called River Ranch, an activity zone that includes tennis and pickleball courts, a junior Olympic pool, a kids’ splash pool, and a second wellness adult pool, a 5,200-square-foot fitness center (whose extensive roster of classes are all complimentary), a bocce court, and a cafe serving light fare for golfers and tennis players in what was originally an 1890s farmhouse.
Tennis Director, Jon Kooy, directs the racquet-sports programming. Kooy, who is originally from Vancouver, Canada, is an experienced professional and club leader who has managed programs and operations at a variety of luxury resorts and private clubs. He most recently served as Head Tennis Professional at Baha Mar Resort in Nassau, Bahamas. He has also held key roles at Tafelberg Tennis Oasis and JW Marriott Desert Springs. Kooy is still an avid player, having achieved a top 5 ITF ranking in the 35+ singles category for Canada, and says his love for the game fuels his love for coaching.
Much of the programming he oversees at Carmel Valley Ranch is geared to the needs of the resort’s substantial local membership. That has benefited guests by ensuring greater participation in the solid roster of weekly activities, among them one or more clinics daily, multiple Liveball sessions a week, and weekly doubles mixers. Together with the clinics and round robins, they provide not only instruction and workouts but also help guests meet compatible people for later matches, though the staff will otherwise help to put games together. Carmel Valley Ranch has also capitalized on the popularity of pickleball and installed four permanent courts for that growing racquet sport. The staff offers beginner lessons and stages community play several times a week and a complimentary doubles tennis mixer every month.
Court Complex: The Ranch has seven hard courts and four permanent pickleball courts.
Off Court
Golf Course: Pete Dye designed the resort’s 18-hole course in 1981 and it was redesigned in 2010. The front nine meanders along the Carmel River, but the back nine climbs into the forested upland, where holes 10 to 14 cling precariously to the hillsides and induce vertigo with drops as much as 350 feet from tee to green. To makes matters worse, heavy underbrush guard the margins of these back fairways. Length: 6,055-6,515 yards.
Spa & Fitness Center: The 10,500-square-foot Spa Aiyana, adjacent to the Lodge, takes its cue from the gardens by incorporating fresh herbs, botanical extracts, and various oils into its treatments. There is a gaslog fireplace in the waiting area and another in the couples treatment room. There are actually two fitness centers: a small one near the lodge and accessible to guests 24/7 using their room key card; and the larger one at River Ranch, which in addition to having a full suite of workout equipment offers Pilates, yoga, spinning, body sculpting, guided hikes, and more, all of them complimentary for guests.
Hiking trails lead into the Santa Lucia Mountains and horseback rides start nearby.
Children's programs: The resort now offers a variety of child-friendly programs, including a visit to the Ranch’s Ranch, where they tend to our farm animals and learn what it takes to care for the herds of goats, chickens, deer, alpacas, cows, and even bees. This traditional experience feature livestock education, lasso lessons, and even an introduction to ranch chores.
Dining: The Valley Kitchen restaurant has a well-established reputation for serving superb California cuisine inspired by the produce of Carmel Valley itself, including ingredients from the resort’s organic garden, wine from its own vineyard, olive oil from its trees, fresh eggs from its chickens, and honey from its apiary. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Otherwise, there is light fare—sandwiches, salads, smoothies—at the River Ranch Cafe and the Market Cafe & Creamery, and salads, sandwiches, tacos, and quesadillas at the Clubhouse Grill.
Accommodations
The Ranch suites range from studios to four bedrooms in sizes from 650 to 1,200 square feet. Spacious and well appointed, they all have living areas with travertine fireplaces, separate living rooms (except for studios), complimentary WiFi, flat-screen televisions, mini fridges, and bath amenities made with fresh-pressed lavender harvested on property. One set of rooms, which are larger and somewhat more private, trail along winding paths through stands of oak trees, which may somewhat obstruct their views of the valley; the other set, while somewhat smaller, occupy terraces on an open hillside that gives them more expansive views. Either way, these are some of the most supremely comfortable rooms anywhere.
Getting there
Seasons: Year-round though the best time to visit is from March through November.
Travel Instructions: By Air: The nearest major airports are San Jose International (SJC), 80 miles to the north and San Francisco International (SFO), 117 miles north. There is also a small regional gateway in Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), 13 miles from the resort.
The Carmel Valley Ranch team is one of the best I have encountered. The front desk staff is helpful and insightful about the grounds and very thoughtful to incoming guests who may not be familiar with the area. The Tennis Professionals and the staff down at the River Ranch were a highlight to my trip. The front desk staff were very friendly and made sure to give me towels as they knew I was going for a swim in the adults only pool. While I was here, I had to play a little bit of tennis as well! Ben and Chris did a great job with the daily clinics, and made sure I had plenty of tennis opportunities during my stay. It was great!
MD
Very pleasant five day stay highlighted by some really professional tennis instruction in a clinic environment. So many resort amenities make it difficult to find the time to enjoy all the other activities available off site in the general area. Very active experience; really enjoyed my stay.
CP
Carmel Valley is a favorite go to place. I have stayed many times and have never been disappointed. I often stop in while passing through for tennis clinic and lessons. The team is superb! The group clinics are well attended by locals and guests alike! The club will arrange matches or hitting partners. They do an excellent job of matching you up. The local residents go out of their to make you feel like you have lived there all your life! The courts are clean and well maintained. The clubhouse food is great! Thew pools are spotless and the grounds very well maintained!
SH
We return again and again for CVR’s amenities, setting and fitness. The tennis resort is world class with the BEST instructors and welcoming and lively clinics! Pro Ben Gottenberg, as well as the others, is fun and knowledgeable and always provides a good experience for us. We have attended dozens of clinics, private lessons and mixers and leave wanting to return as soon as we can. There is something to do for every family member at CVR. Highly recommend this resort!
NE
Tennis Pro Ben Gottenberg arranged an amazing experience for our small group. We had a blast and learned so much. He even sent notes to everyone so we could take what we learned home. Highly recommended!
TR
My wife and I had a fantastic time at Carmel Valley Ranch. For once I focused solely on tennis instead of golf and was not disappointed. Ben and Chris did an excellent job with the clinics, and Zack did a great job with the Live Ball clinic, mostly with the locals, who were very gracious.. Lots of positive enthusiasm from all involved. Per Ben’s help there might be hope for my serve yet. As a whole Carmel Valley Ranch ranks right up there with any resort (for both tennis and non-tennis players) and we will definitely look to return, with tennis friends included.
KH
Carmel Valley Ranch is perfect for a couples getaway or a group vacation. The resort facilities are beautiful and the recreation facilities are excellent. Tennis courts are well-maintained. The adult pool area is also idyllic. I have been to the resort numerous times and have been delighted every time. The tennis staff provides personalized instruction whether it is a one-on-one lesson or a group lesson. Chris and Ben make the experience positive and fun.
CC
I came to Carmel Valley Ranch on a tennis trip. We received instruction from Chris and Ben and it couldn’t have been any better! They organized the tennis clinics in such a way that they were extremely helpful and fun. I can’t wait to return next year!
CR
Four days of tennis clinics with Chris and Ben couldn’t have been better! They were outstanding in their instruction and making you feel welcome!
NB
This was my ninth year coming to Carmel Valley Ranch with a group of women from the SF Bay area. We love having Chris and Ben as part of that tradition. They are great instructors, great guys and they make the experience such fun while pushing us to make actual improvements in our game.
TY
Chris and Ben make our annual tennis clinics fun and a wonderful learning experience each time. Not only do we get the group dynamic, they find ways to give us each personalized attention.
LS
Ten women come every year from San Francisco for our own four days of tennis instruction. Chris Myrold, head coach, and Ben, are all you could hope for. They know us (never forget a name from year to year!) — our games, what we want to work on, our humor. The instruction is thoughtfully planned out for the time we have, provided with clarity and fun, and is serious and doable for our level of play (4.0). We are in awe of the talent, skill and grace these two bring to every moment we have together. What’s more, the price is very reasonable, the facility is well maintained amidst stunning beauty, and the entire experience is convivial.
AT
Fabulous 3.5 day Peter Burwash International (PBI) tennis camp at CVR! Excellent instructions and coaching coupled with high energy drills and fast paced fun games designed to help you work on your new skills. Variety of teaching on fundamentals, technique, and strategy. Great experience, great people, – highly recommended!
FK
I recently went to a 4 day tennis camp at Carmel Valley Ranch. What fun! The instructors were just great. I felt I learned a lot in a very fun, energetic, and supportive environment. We got to hit soooo many balls. My partner is not a tennis player but was included in yoga, tennis meals, and gatherings. He’s planning on picking up a racket now 🙂 I would recommend Carmel Valley Ranch tennis to anyone. The setting is beautiful! The weather is mild and there’re great restaurants and shopping nearby when you’re off the court. Beautiful hiking trails right out of the resort… Carmel-by-the-Sea nearby.
KP
I just completed a tennis camp with my friends, and Chris and Ben did not disappoint. Both instructors made our weekend of tennis fun and challenging. They provided us with great instruction, wonderful exercises to help us learn and improve upon specific techniques, and doubles strategy. I highly recommend.
MJ
My girlfriends and I planned a tennis retreat with Chris Myrold and Ben Gottenburg at CVR. This is our third year returning to the PBI run program. We loved our time with these two pros. They taught us a great deal, and were super upbeat and fun instructors. Overall we had an amazing weekend of tennis instruction and a lot of laughs. I highly recommend setting up tennis weekends at this property with these pros. A top notch experience all around.
LG
Love, love, love playing tennis with the PBI coaches (Chris & Ben) at Carmel Valley Ranch! Great instruction in a beautiful setting. I’ll be back!!!
WC
Attended a two day, 6-hours per day tennis camp at Carmel Valley Resort. My first tennis camp and formal instruction. There were 8 of us, two courts and two tennis pros for the two days. The instruction was excellent and plenty of tennis for the two days. Chris, the pro did a great job of first talking about a skill, strategy or technique and then placed us in game situations to practice. There was never ever waiting around and all the instruction was at the general level of all of our players. There was plenty of feedback and constant review, so the teaching became easy to understand and execute. Several specifics that I was taught and have since used in my post-instruction play is how to serve and volley and how to “jump on” a second serve to put the server in a defensive position. Kudos to Chris, Ben and Bryant for all their patience and instruction. Great sense of humor always makes the days fly by! Carmel Valley Resort was beautiful and we used the pool, jacuzzi and sauna facilities while attending the camp. Small restaurant at the tennis facilities met all of our eating needs. Will I do another tennis camp at Carmel Valley Ranch? Absolutely!!!!!!
KB
My wife and I spent five days at the Carmel Valley Ranch in July. We loved the accommodations, the food, the drink, and especially the tennis! Ben Gottenberg was the pro for our clinics and drills. He was excellent as a teacher and as cheerleader for the group. It was really fun and we credit Ben most of all!
JR
Wow! This was my first experience at a tennis camp so I’ll start with that. But, I must say it couldn’t had been any better! I had some preconceived notion of what to expect but again I was pleasantly surprised by the Instructors, Instuction, and the Resort. Chris, Ben and Bryant had awesome enthusiasm and were very engaging. They all show a passion and love for the sport. They NEVER made any question sound like a stupid question. Likewise with my tennis IQ or ability. The resort is a perfect location at this time of year. Just beautiful weather (June) Cool in the mornings and warm in the afternoon. The resort should have better signage for the tennis courts, we couldn’t find them once we were in the resort gate. The tennis camp offers plenty of tennis time, full of completely attentive instruction. The tennis camp came with a full on dinner after the first day of instruction. They put on a huge spread of meats, cheese,fruit,nuts,hummus,crackers, veggies and Ranch and Blue cheese dip. Followed up with 4 different wood fired pizza’s. Wine included! During our visit the power went out temporarily, so out dessert never came, so they made sure the next day we had our dessert! After our last instruction on Saturday afternoon we sat outside and drank margaritas(from resort cafe) and they served us a delicious chocolate Grenache cake! Even making changes to the menu for my friend that has to follow a gluten and dairy diet. Overall an excellent tennis camp with the perfect location.
RV
fantastic experience. Ben (head of private lessons) was awesome, as was our instructor, Bryant. would (and will) go back again!
BS
I had the pleasure of taking two lessons with Bryant Wei (tennis pro) while on vacation at Carmel Valley Ranch. He was a great coach who helped me improve several parts of my game. Bryant was also a pleasure to hit with and fun to chat with. I highly recommend Bryant!
JI
I’ve been to this resort twice and taken lessons from the pros there on three occasions. The most recent visit was especially good. Myself and my wife received great, personable instruction from Ben Gottenberg, and the lesson was tailored to our desired areas of improvement and we had a great time and felt that Ben made improvements to our tennis game in a limited amount of time. We did not feel there were any weaknesesses to the instruction.
SW
My wife and I came back to Carmel Valley Ranch for our third time. We love this resort & the surrounding area! They offer a host of great fitness classes, tennis & golf clinics & nature hikes. We are big into tennis so we took a lesson & clinic with Jon. He is a fantastic teacher & coach. We will be sure to return soon!
LS
Learned a few helpful skills to add to my game. Coaches were very accommodating and willing to address questions. They were warm and personable, possessed a good sense of humor to make the clinic fun. The lessons were on target and delivered as agreed. The facilities are set in a pleasant environment. Dinner that was provided was delicious and more than enough for our group. The time spent with the coaches during and after dinner was a wonderful ice breaker. I would return for more clinics but maybe only for 1-2 days and not 3, too exhausted by the third day!
BS
Amazingly beautiful + entertaining and engaging coaches + fun + good drills that kept us entertained and engaged
ZA
Special thanks to pro Chris Myrold. Aside from the great instruction he really helped us dodge a bullet with early notification of the tragic fires in Napa so we could find lodging and make arrangements. Thanks Chris!
NP
I had a great Cardio session a few weeks ago; unfortunately I have forgotten the name of the coach, but I would fully recommend it. A stranger from London, but felt welcomed and included from the outset. Thanks everyone!
ZB
The methodology makes great sense and the instruction is superb and consistent.
TD
Great facilities and highly accommodating staff at the River Ranch courts at Carmel Valley Ranch. Clark and Ryan are excellent pro staff who have great coaching to offer, are very friendly, and make resort guests and club members all feel very welcome and assured of having a very enjoyable time on the courts.
JW
Beautiful resort. Great for tennis, golf, swimming, hiking, and sky-watching at night because there is no city lights. My son and I took some tennis classes. The instructor, Clark, was excellent. He was funny and made things easy and memorable. The staffs were all very courteous and helpful. The only negative we experienced was the dinner at the Kitchen; they were over booked and we wait close to an hour to get our food. So they need to fix their computer reservation system. Overall, it was very relaxing vacation for us.
MM
This was a fun camp of 12 men and women who were taught by 3 Peter Burwash International Professionals who know tennis and how to teach it! I think everyone in our group came away with new tools to improve their game. The pros were very good, lots of fun and kept everyone’s interest throughout the weekend. I thought it was very worthwhile and I will definitely return!
LG
The tennis instructors, Ryan and Clark, were exceptional in terms of their instruction and their attitude. I’m a 3.0 player and my husband is a 4.5 player, but Ryan and Clark were able to tailor their program to meet our individual needs. They integrated us with the local tennis community, without any fuss. I needed help with all parts of my game, but especially my net game and my serve. Ryan and Clark very acutely identified my flaws and provided simplified, yet effective tips that have fundamentally made me a better tennis player. Aside from the technical aspects of tennis instruction, Ryan and Clark were kind, positive, focused, funny people who were engaging and encouraging to people of all levels of tennis–in general, they were just good people. One day, I forgot my watch, sweater, and racket at the court, and the next day after having secured my belongings overnight, Clark even changed the grip of my racket for me. The personal attention was incomparable.
JB
Carmel Valley Ranch is one of our very favorite tennis destinations! Beautiful setting, superb instruction and great food!
SM
The lovely valley setting helps you to ease into “your game”. Mine happens to be tennis! The facility was well taken care of and the courts were in great condition. The Director, Clark Corey, was extremely helpful, friendly and attentive. There was a pool, gym facility and small cafe close by on the premise.
SH
I would recommend CVR to all of my tennis and golf friends. Everything was wonderful: accommodations, dining, staff, spa, weather, golf and tennis. I improved my tennis game with lessons with Fabio and Clark who are exceptional! I cannot think of any weaknesses for this resort. I hope to return very soon.
RW
The 12 hours of clinic over four days was well planned, coherent, and took into consideration the individual and collective goals of all 8 players. The feedback was specific and constructive after each clinic. Especially appreciated was the written summary of the entire four-day clinic with drills that we can practice during the year. I’ve been coming to these clinics on a yearly basis for six years and have learned something from each one. Clark and Fabio are superb instructors! It was nice to have Chad on the court, too.
MS
Carmel Valley Ranch continues to get better, which I didn’t think was possible. Under the direction of Clark Corey and staff, the instruction, facilities (new adult pool) and generally gorgeous weather make this a near perfect experience.
VW
Our last year and recent vacation at Carmel Ranch was so fabulous that we are going again next May! The tennis program with director Clark Corey is absolutely exceptional: challenging and educational with opportunities of playing all day long. Clark offers various types of clinics and private lessons along with fun singles or doubles play with the members of the club that are not only great tennis players but so friendly and fun. The tennis complex is nestled in the most spellbinding and picturesque environment among the mountains and valleys of Carmel where the weather is perfect every day with no bugs, humidity or clouds. The dining opportunities are exceptional especially the main dining room with their breakfast, lunch and dinner—never a reason to leave the complex. I am looking forward to returning next year!
SN
Loved my weekend. Clark and Fabio great pros.
NR
Fantastic weekend camp and great and knowledgeable coaches. The camp should include a t-shirt to advertise the camp elsewhere!
SS
Beautiful setting and very accomodating staff. We were rained out on the first day’s instruction so i know my group felt that some sort of accomodation should have been given for this, i.e. a small price discount or perhaps a small credit for a future clinic. THe format was great, the pros very informative and personal. I would recommend the clinic to anyone and would go back and hope to go back. My only suggestion to improve would be if they could offer a granola bar and/or some coffee on the morning sessions since these go long. I should have brought my own and they did offer free apples, but it would have been nice to have a quick snack break.
ML
Beautiful resort, lots of activities such as yoga and Pilates classes, and great tennis instruction. Clinics were $40 which I thought was a great price. Court fees however at $60 an hour I find rather exorbitant. If you plan to play a lot of tennis, you should know to budget for those court fees.
JS
My Family and I(kids aged 11, 8, 6) had a great time at the Carmel Valley Ranch. The tennis programs run all day with two excellent coaches and friendly members who also participate in the clinics. My only regret is that I did not sign my kids up for more of the lessons and opportunities with the coaches on staff. For my wife and I, we had a great time taking the morning clinics while the kids were checked into the kids camp.
AR
A favorite resort – the rooms are spacious and very comfortable. Hotel staff extremely helpful and friendly. Although a top rated hotel, it is family friendly with activities for everyone. Great hiking trails, too. The tennis facility is beautiful and we had a great arranged game with a local couple who belong to the club which has a fairly active membership. The restaurant is one of our favorites, too.
AC
We love this resort and tennis program. The two pros are amazingly good and they make it so much fun for the guests of the hotel and the local members. We always feel so welcome and each time we go, it feels more and more like home. The valley is gorgeous, the air perfect for tennis, and the Round Robins could not be more social or lively. They arranged some matches for us and I just adored the clinics I took part in. I really learned so much in just a very short one hour’s time frame. The coach even let me practice with the local team at my level. Do go as you will fall in love with Carmel Valley Ranch!
SB
We just stayed for a long NYE weekend and managed to play some fun and competitive tennis. The pro, Fabio, organized a great intermediate round robin with resort guests and members. Fun tennis and he played in and managed to give some great advice too. Courts were in excellent condition and they have 2 clay courts too.
JB
I was a tennis guest at CVR for 2 days in late December. I participated in a fun and well organized tennis mixer and also took a lesson from the pro, Clark Corey. Clark was great – helping me work on a specific problem area of my game and offering valuable advice. The courts and other facilities were great. I also enjoyed a great lunch sitting by the fire pit on a chilly day.
PH
Great setting and instruction- Have returned several times
RM
Strengths: instruction and availability Weaknesses: Couldn’t play more! Great place to learn new and improve upon existing skills. I particularly liked the drills and the focus on all aspects of the game.
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110 Reviews on “Carmel Valley Ranch”
The Carmel Valley Ranch team is one of the best I have encountered. The front desk staff is helpful and insightful about the grounds and very thoughtful to incoming guests who may not be familiar with the area. The Tennis Professionals and the staff down at the River Ranch were a highlight to my trip. The front desk staff were very friendly and made sure to give me towels as they knew I was going for a swim in the adults only pool. While I was here, I had to play a little bit of tennis as well! Ben and Chris did a great job with the daily clinics, and made sure I had plenty of tennis opportunities during my stay. It was great!
Very pleasant five day stay highlighted by some really professional tennis instruction in a clinic environment. So many resort amenities make it difficult to find the time to enjoy all the other activities available off site in the general area. Very active experience; really enjoyed my stay.
Carmel Valley is a favorite go to place. I have stayed many times and have never been disappointed. I often stop in while passing through for tennis clinic and lessons. The team is superb! The group clinics are well attended by locals and guests alike! The club will arrange matches or hitting partners. They do an excellent job of matching you up. The local residents go out of their to make you feel like you have lived there all your life! The courts are clean and well maintained. The clubhouse food is great! Thew pools are spotless and the grounds very well maintained!
We return again and again for CVR’s amenities, setting and fitness. The tennis resort is world class with the BEST instructors and welcoming and lively clinics! Pro Ben Gottenberg, as well as the others, is fun and knowledgeable and always provides a good experience for us. We have attended dozens of clinics, private lessons and mixers and leave wanting to return as soon as we can. There is something to do for every family member at CVR. Highly recommend this resort!
Tennis Pro Ben Gottenberg arranged an amazing experience for our small group. We had a blast and learned so much. He even sent notes to everyone so we could take what we learned home. Highly recommended!
My wife and I had a fantastic time at Carmel Valley Ranch. For once I focused solely on tennis instead of golf and was not disappointed. Ben and Chris did an excellent job with the clinics, and Zack did a great job with the Live Ball clinic, mostly with the locals, who were very gracious.. Lots of positive enthusiasm from all involved. Per Ben’s help there might be hope for my serve yet. As a whole Carmel Valley Ranch ranks right up there with any resort (for both tennis and non-tennis players) and we will definitely look to return, with tennis friends included.
Carmel Valley Ranch is perfect for a couples getaway or a group vacation. The resort facilities are beautiful and the recreation facilities are excellent. Tennis courts are well-maintained. The adult pool area is also idyllic. I have been to the resort numerous times and have been delighted every time. The tennis staff provides personalized instruction whether it is a one-on-one lesson or a group lesson. Chris and Ben make the experience positive and fun.
I came to Carmel Valley Ranch on a tennis trip. We received instruction from Chris and Ben and it couldn’t have been any better! They organized the tennis clinics in such a way that they were extremely helpful and fun. I can’t wait to return next year!
Four days of tennis clinics with Chris and Ben couldn’t have been better! They were outstanding in their instruction and making you feel welcome!
This was my ninth year coming to Carmel Valley Ranch with a group of women from the SF Bay area. We love having Chris and Ben as part of that tradition. They are great instructors, great guys and they make the experience such fun while pushing us to make actual improvements in our game.
Chris and Ben make our annual tennis clinics fun and a wonderful learning experience each time. Not only do we get the group dynamic, they find ways to give us each personalized attention.
Ten women come every year from San Francisco for our own four days of tennis instruction. Chris Myrold, head coach, and Ben, are all you could hope for. They know us (never forget a name from year to year!) — our games, what we want to work on, our humor. The instruction is thoughtfully planned out for the time we have, provided with clarity and fun, and is serious and doable for our level of play (4.0). We are in awe of the talent, skill and grace these two bring to every moment we have together. What’s more, the price is very reasonable, the facility is well maintained amidst stunning beauty, and the entire experience is convivial.
Fabulous 3.5 day Peter Burwash International (PBI) tennis camp at CVR! Excellent instructions and coaching coupled with high energy drills and fast paced fun games designed to help you work on your new skills. Variety of teaching on fundamentals, technique, and strategy. Great experience, great people, – highly recommended!
I recently went to a 4 day tennis camp at Carmel Valley Ranch. What fun! The instructors were just great. I felt I learned a lot in a very fun, energetic, and supportive environment. We got to hit soooo many balls. My partner is not a tennis player but was included in yoga, tennis meals, and gatherings. He’s planning on picking up a racket now 🙂 I would recommend Carmel Valley Ranch tennis to anyone. The setting is beautiful! The weather is mild and there’re great restaurants and shopping nearby when you’re off the court. Beautiful hiking trails right out of the resort… Carmel-by-the-Sea nearby.
I just completed a tennis camp with my friends, and Chris and Ben did not disappoint. Both instructors made our weekend of tennis fun and challenging. They provided us with great instruction, wonderful exercises to help us learn and improve upon specific techniques, and doubles strategy. I highly recommend.
My girlfriends and I planned a tennis retreat with Chris Myrold and Ben Gottenburg at CVR. This is our third year returning to the PBI run program. We loved our time with these two pros. They taught us a great deal, and were super upbeat and fun instructors. Overall we had an amazing weekend of tennis instruction and a lot of laughs. I highly recommend setting up tennis weekends at this property with these pros. A top notch experience all around.
Love, love, love playing tennis with the PBI coaches (Chris & Ben) at Carmel Valley Ranch! Great instruction in a beautiful setting. I’ll be back!!!
Attended a two day, 6-hours per day tennis camp at Carmel Valley Resort. My first tennis camp and formal instruction. There were 8 of us, two courts and two tennis pros for the two days. The instruction was excellent and plenty of tennis for the two days. Chris, the pro did a great job of first talking about a skill, strategy or technique and then placed us in game situations to practice. There was never ever waiting around and all the instruction was at the general level of all of our players. There was plenty of feedback and constant review, so the teaching became easy to understand and execute. Several specifics that I was taught and have since used in my post-instruction play is how to serve and volley and how to “jump on” a second serve to put the server in a defensive position. Kudos to Chris, Ben and Bryant for all their patience and instruction. Great sense of humor always makes the days fly by! Carmel Valley Resort was beautiful and we used the pool, jacuzzi and sauna facilities while attending the camp. Small restaurant at the tennis facilities met all of our eating needs. Will I do another tennis camp at Carmel Valley Ranch? Absolutely!!!!!!
My wife and I spent five days at the Carmel Valley Ranch in July. We loved the accommodations, the food, the drink, and especially the tennis! Ben Gottenberg was the pro for our clinics and drills. He was excellent as a teacher and as cheerleader for the group. It was really fun and we credit Ben most of all!
Wow! This was my first experience at a tennis camp so I’ll start with that. But, I must say it couldn’t had been any better! I had some preconceived notion of what to expect but again I was pleasantly surprised by the Instructors, Instuction, and the Resort. Chris, Ben and Bryant had awesome enthusiasm and were very engaging. They all show a passion and love for the sport. They NEVER made any question sound like a stupid question. Likewise with my tennis IQ or ability. The resort is a perfect location at this time of year. Just beautiful weather (June) Cool in the mornings and warm in the afternoon. The resort should have better signage for the tennis courts, we couldn’t find them once we were in the resort gate. The tennis camp offers plenty of tennis time, full of completely attentive instruction. The tennis camp came with a full on dinner after the first day of instruction. They put on a huge spread of meats, cheese,fruit,nuts,hummus,crackers, veggies and Ranch and Blue cheese dip. Followed up with 4 different wood fired pizza’s. Wine included! During our visit the power went out temporarily, so out dessert never came, so they made sure the next day we had our dessert! After our last instruction on Saturday afternoon we sat outside and drank margaritas(from resort cafe) and they served us a delicious chocolate Grenache cake! Even making changes to the menu for my friend that has to follow a gluten and dairy diet. Overall an excellent tennis camp with the perfect location.
fantastic experience. Ben (head of private lessons) was awesome, as was our instructor, Bryant. would (and will) go back again!
I had the pleasure of taking two lessons with Bryant Wei (tennis pro) while on vacation at Carmel Valley Ranch. He was a great coach who helped me improve several parts of my game. Bryant was also a pleasure to hit with and fun to chat with. I highly recommend Bryant!
I’ve been to this resort twice and taken lessons from the pros there on three occasions. The most recent visit was especially good. Myself and my wife received great, personable instruction from Ben Gottenberg, and the lesson was tailored to our desired areas of improvement and we had a great time and felt that Ben made improvements to our tennis game in a limited amount of time. We did not feel there were any weaknesesses to the instruction.
My wife and I came back to Carmel Valley Ranch for our third time. We love this resort & the surrounding area! They offer a host of great fitness classes, tennis & golf clinics & nature hikes. We are big into tennis so we took a lesson & clinic with Jon. He is a fantastic teacher & coach. We will be sure to return soon!
Learned a few helpful skills to add to my game. Coaches were very accommodating and willing to address questions. They were warm and personable, possessed a good sense of humor to make the clinic fun. The lessons were on target and delivered as agreed. The facilities are set in a pleasant environment. Dinner that was provided was delicious and more than enough for our group. The time spent with the coaches during and after dinner was a wonderful ice breaker. I would return for more clinics but maybe only for 1-2 days and not 3, too exhausted by the third day!
Amazingly beautiful + entertaining and engaging coaches + fun + good drills that kept us entertained and engaged
Special thanks to pro Chris Myrold. Aside from the great instruction he really helped us dodge a bullet with early notification of the tragic fires in Napa so we could find lodging and make arrangements. Thanks Chris!
I had a great Cardio session a few weeks ago; unfortunately I have forgotten the name of the coach, but I would fully recommend it. A stranger from London, but felt welcomed and included from the outset. Thanks everyone!
The methodology makes great sense and the instruction is superb and consistent.
Great facilities and highly accommodating staff at the River Ranch courts at Carmel Valley Ranch. Clark and Ryan are excellent pro staff who have great coaching to offer, are very friendly, and make resort guests and club members all feel very welcome and assured of having a very enjoyable time on the courts.
Beautiful resort. Great for tennis, golf, swimming, hiking, and sky-watching at night because there is no city lights. My son and I took some tennis classes. The instructor, Clark, was excellent. He was funny and made things easy and memorable. The staffs were all very courteous and helpful. The only negative we experienced was the dinner at the Kitchen; they were over booked and we wait close to an hour to get our food. So they need to fix their computer reservation system. Overall, it was very relaxing vacation for us.
This was a fun camp of 12 men and women who were taught by 3 Peter Burwash International Professionals who know tennis and how to teach it! I think everyone in our group came away with new tools to improve their game. The pros were very good, lots of fun and kept everyone’s interest throughout the weekend. I thought it was very worthwhile and I will definitely return!
The tennis instructors, Ryan and Clark, were exceptional in terms of their instruction and their attitude. I’m a 3.0 player and my husband is a 4.5 player, but Ryan and Clark were able to tailor their program to meet our individual needs. They integrated us with the local tennis community, without any fuss. I needed help with all parts of my game, but especially my net game and my serve. Ryan and Clark very acutely identified my flaws and provided simplified, yet effective tips that have fundamentally made me a better tennis player. Aside from the technical aspects of tennis instruction, Ryan and Clark were kind, positive, focused, funny people who were engaging and encouraging to people of all levels of tennis–in general, they were just good people. One day, I forgot my watch, sweater, and racket at the court, and the next day after having secured my belongings overnight, Clark even changed the grip of my racket for me. The personal attention was incomparable.
Carmel Valley Ranch is one of our very favorite tennis destinations! Beautiful setting, superb instruction and great food!
The lovely valley setting helps you to ease into “your game”. Mine happens to be tennis! The facility was well taken care of and the courts were in great condition. The Director, Clark Corey, was extremely helpful, friendly and attentive. There was a pool, gym facility and small cafe close by on the premise.
I would recommend CVR to all of my tennis and golf friends. Everything was wonderful: accommodations, dining, staff, spa, weather, golf and tennis. I improved my tennis game with lessons with Fabio and Clark who are exceptional! I cannot think of any weaknesses for this resort. I hope to return very soon.
The 12 hours of clinic over four days was well planned, coherent, and took into consideration the individual and collective goals of all 8 players. The feedback was specific and constructive after each clinic. Especially appreciated was the written summary of the entire four-day clinic with drills that we can practice during the year. I’ve been coming to these clinics on a yearly basis for six years and have learned something from each one. Clark and Fabio are superb instructors! It was nice to have Chad on the court, too.
Carmel Valley Ranch continues to get better, which I didn’t think was possible. Under the direction of Clark Corey and staff, the instruction, facilities (new adult pool) and generally gorgeous weather make this a near perfect experience.
Our last year and recent vacation at Carmel Ranch was so fabulous that we are going again next May! The tennis program with director Clark Corey is absolutely exceptional: challenging and educational with opportunities of playing all day long. Clark offers various types of clinics and private lessons along with fun singles or doubles play with the members of the club that are not only great tennis players but so friendly and fun. The tennis complex is nestled in the most spellbinding and picturesque environment among the mountains and valleys of Carmel where the weather is perfect every day with no bugs, humidity or clouds. The dining opportunities are exceptional especially the main dining room with their breakfast, lunch and dinner—never a reason to leave the complex. I am looking forward to returning next year!
Loved my weekend. Clark and Fabio great pros.
Fantastic weekend camp and great and knowledgeable coaches. The camp should include a t-shirt to advertise the camp elsewhere!
Beautiful setting and very accomodating staff. We were rained out on the first day’s instruction so i know my group felt that some sort of accomodation should have been given for this, i.e. a small price discount or perhaps a small credit for a future clinic. THe format was great, the pros very informative and personal. I would recommend the clinic to anyone and would go back and hope to go back. My only suggestion to improve would be if they could offer a granola bar and/or some coffee on the morning sessions since these go long. I should have brought my own and they did offer free apples, but it would have been nice to have a quick snack break.
Beautiful resort, lots of activities such as yoga and Pilates classes, and great tennis instruction. Clinics were $40 which I thought was a great price. Court fees however at $60 an hour I find rather exorbitant. If you plan to play a lot of tennis, you should know to budget for those court fees.
My Family and I(kids aged 11, 8, 6) had a great time at the Carmel Valley Ranch. The tennis programs run all day with two excellent coaches and friendly members who also participate in the clinics. My only regret is that I did not sign my kids up for more of the lessons and opportunities with the coaches on staff. For my wife and I, we had a great time taking the morning clinics while the kids were checked into the kids camp.
A favorite resort – the rooms are spacious and very comfortable. Hotel staff extremely helpful and friendly. Although a top rated hotel, it is family friendly with activities for everyone. Great hiking trails, too. The tennis facility is beautiful and we had a great arranged game with a local couple who belong to the club which has a fairly active membership. The restaurant is one of our favorites, too.
We love this resort and tennis program. The two pros are amazingly good and they make it so much fun for the guests of the hotel and the local members. We always feel so welcome and each time we go, it feels more and more like home. The valley is gorgeous, the air perfect for tennis, and the Round Robins could not be more social or lively. They arranged some matches for us and I just adored the clinics I took part in. I really learned so much in just a very short one hour’s time frame. The coach even let me practice with the local team at my level. Do go as you will fall in love with Carmel Valley Ranch!
We just stayed for a long NYE weekend and managed to play some fun and competitive tennis. The pro, Fabio, organized a great intermediate round robin with resort guests and members. Fun tennis and he played in and managed to give some great advice too. Courts were in excellent condition and they have 2 clay courts too.
I was a tennis guest at CVR for 2 days in late December. I participated in a fun and well organized tennis mixer and also took a lesson from the pro, Clark Corey. Clark was great – helping me work on a specific problem area of my game and offering valuable advice. The courts and other facilities were great. I also enjoyed a great lunch sitting by the fire pit on a chilly day.
Great setting and instruction- Have returned several times
Strengths: instruction and availability Weaknesses: Couldn’t play more! Great place to learn new and improve upon existing skills. I particularly liked the drills and the focus on all aspects of the game.