There is a certain breed of tennis player who cannot be stopped by the weather, and the debate over winter tennis in Florida vs. summer tennis in New England resorts is one they live rather than argue.
From the prominent Coachella Valley to the breezy coastlines of San Diego and Santa Barbara, this guide covers seven standout properties that have made California one of the most celebrated tennis destinations in the world.
Kiawah Island Golf Resort has been serving unforgettable match moments from the time its first guests stepped onto the tennis courts in 1976. Fifty years later, that legacy continues to rally. In late 2025, the acclaimed Roy Barth Tennis Center added two new padel courts to its award-winning lineup.
There is a certain breed of tennis player who cannot be stopped by the weather, and the debate over winter tennis in Florida vs. summer tennis in New England resorts is one they live rather than argue.
From the prominent Coachella Valley to the breezy coastlines of San Diego and Santa Barbara, this guide covers seven standout properties that have made California one of the most celebrated tennis destinations in the world.
This guide covers six padel resorts in Italy, from a family-friendly all-inclusive village on the Calabrian coast to a five-star lakeside retreat in Veneto.
Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection, makes a dramatic first impression. As you pass through the front doors where you’d expect to find a lobby, instead, you encounter a soaring atrium whose centerpiece is a meticulously crafted outrigger canoe. Walls with murals adorn the modern lounge areas. The hotel rises on lands that once belonged to Hawaiian royalty, and the grounds still hold archeological sites and ancient fishponds. Lava outcrops punctuate the coast, the legacy of the volcanoes that backdrop the resort (one of which, Mauna Loa, erupted in the distance early in the hotel’s opening). It feels as if you’ve set foot in a place that simultaneously exists in the modern and ancient worlds.
The beach and paths to those ancient fishponds beckon and so does the Mauna Lani Sports Club, a free shuttle or five-minute walk away. The facility, which has hosted both a Davis Cup tie and a Champions Tour event, has five tennis courts and four pickleball courts, painted in the colors of the Australian Open and bordered by oleander hedges and trellised patios. Cliff Drysdale Tennis manages the programs and has installed Sarah Stone. Originating from Australia, Sarah Stone has forged a distinguished path as a professional tennis coach for over 20 years. With a background as a former competitor in esteemed tournaments, including Wimbledon and the Australian Open, Stone brings invaluable firsthand experience to her coaching endeavors at the highest levels of the sport.
A WTA Gold Coach and Grand Slam–winning coach of Samantha Stosur, Stone’s career reflects a deep commitment to excellence and continuous growth. She has served in influential leadership roles, including chairing the PTR Women’s Board and contributing as a committee member of the International Club of Australia. Dedicated to advancing the game globally, Stone combines technical expertise, strategic insight, and mentorship to help players maximize their potential and achieve sustained success on the professional tour.
The facility, which has hosted both a Davis Cup tie and a Champions Tour event, has five tennis courts and four pickleball courts, painted in the colors of the Australian Open and bordered by oleander hedges and trellised patios. Cliff Drysdale Tennis manages the programs and has installed Sarah Stone. Originating from Australia, Sarah Stone has forged a distinguished path as a professional tennis coach for over 20 years. With a background as a former competitor in esteemed tournaments including Wimbledon and the Australian Open, Stone brings invaluable firsthand experience to her coaching endeavors at the highest levels of the sport.
A WTA Gold Coach and Grand Slam–winning coach of Samantha Stosur, Stone’s career reflects a deep commitment to excellence and continuous growth. She has served in influential leadership roles, including chairing the PTR Women’s Board and contributing as a committee member of the International Club of Australia. Dedicated to advancing the game globally, Stone combines technical expertise, strategic insight, and mentorship to help players maximize their potential and achieve sustained success on the professional tour.
Off Court
A well-equipped fitness center overlooks the sunken clubhouse court and is accessible to guests as a complimentary amenity. This is also the site of the hotel's Auberge Spa, an eco-conscious retreat whose treatments employ ingredients crafted from local plants and botanicals.
Beach: The portion of the beach directly in front of the hotel is man-made, perfect for sunbathing, but those drawn to water take a short stroll to Makaiwa Bay, whose sand gently slopes in to a protected cove for swimming and the launching pad for canoes trip to snorkeling sports just beyond the shallow reef.
Golf Course: The resort has the 36-hole Francis I'i Brown Golf Course, a spectacular course carved out of a black-lava flow and extending from the coast inland.
Accommodations
A contemporary sensibility defines the hotel’s collection of guestrooms, each of which comes with a furnished lanai balcony overlooking mountain and ocean views. You’ll find an understated, natural décor that’s bright and refined, with ample hardwood, natural fabrics, and textures that embody the essence of the soulful Hawaiian escape. Accessible rooms are available. Benefits include spacious accommodations, sweeping views of the ocean and mountains, with up to 667 square feet to spread out.
Getting there
Mauna Lani Resort is 21 miles (25 minutes) north from the KONA airport. The resort does not offer direct transportation to and from the airport, however, the pre-arrival team can arrange private transportation. For inquiries and bookings, please contact mnl.prearrival@aubergeresorts.com with your flight information.
Playing tennis at Mauna Lani continues to get better and better every year. Sarah, Val, and the coaching team are so talented and really cater to the needs of every individual, whether you are a resort guest or a resident. I also can’t say enough good things about Christian, Sean, and the staff in the clubhouse. Always friendly, super helpful. I am a part-time resident and there five to six months out of the year. Not only has my game improved, but the community is really being cultivated and is one of my favorite things about the club. I also love that the pros are really inspiring and adaptable to players of all levels. Looking forward to my return this summer!
AA
Playing and learning tennis at Mauna Lani was a productive delight. My oldest worked with Sarah Stone, who is the real deal in tennis coaches, including solid experience on the WTA tour, and coaching pros, herself. Top junior in the AU gives her tons of credibility and it this all shows on court and in her teaching. She worked with my tournament/high performance teenager, prepping her for a weekend tournament back home. The training was good, but due to proximity to the beaches, we also had time to do beach days after morning tennis. My youngest worked with Ritu and went to a class. She had a blast and had an engaging lesson with a knowledgeable and detail-oriented pro. He kept her smiling and kept the lesson moving. Would do this again for sure, and would add in hitting time with some of the other pros and would invite tennis friends out, there too! So people call Indian Wells “tennis paradise,” this blows that completely. Facility is lovely and well maintained. Great gym and locker room. WiFi was pretty good; you can manage some work, as needed. It is right across the street from the Mauna Lani beach club area ( you will have to walk a bit of trek to get to that beach) and close to shopping center. If not staying at the resort, you can get a weekly membership (expensive but worth it if you are doing to use the club a lot) or yearly (comparatively, a great deal actually). Both drop the price down of the lessons, significantly. The adult classes looked fun!
CV
Fun, energetic and informative tennis workouts in a wonderful setting!
JJ
Very good program , clinics, lessons, great pool and work out room. Pros are very active and lots of opportunities for play!
SM
Great place to play tennis. Excellent staff running the shop!
DE
Excellent tennis instruction and fun!!!! I do not play pickle ball or have done the tennis camp so really can’t rate that, but I am sure it is good too!
AM
From the greeting at the Racquet and Fitness Club desk to the celebratory wrap-up after the Club activity, the Mauna Lani Racquet and Fitness Club deserves a 5+ star rating! I love the friendly Staff (including international pros as well as local experts) who are extremely enthusiastic and obviously focused on the guests! We had so much fun while receiving excellent instruction. The club has that homey community feel, but delivering a luxury experience at the same time. What a great amenity coupled with the many other world-class amenities at this peaceful, picture-perfect tropical resort hotel!
FO
Sarah Stone and her staff are the reason I come to the Mauna Lani Fitness Center. It is amazing how quickly she has turned the Club around. Great instruction, great Clinics, relaxed and extremely beneficial for all levels of play. If you have not taken a clinic you should! 5 Stars to Sarah and her staff!
SH
Mauna Lani Cliff Drysdale Tennis and Fitness is the place to be on Hawai’i island. Sarah Stone and her pros are the absolute best. Not only are they excellent tennis and pickleball pros, they have brought the club’s community together by offering more round robins, clinics, and programs for all levels and ages. 3 cheers for them!
LR
So lucky to be a part of this fantastic club. Best service on the island, courts are magnificent. Pros are fantastic. Love love love this place.
LW
Absolute top drawer tennis instruction from Sarah Stone. Great team on property for racquet & paddle sports.
ZT
Great environment and amazing staff. The coaches Sarah, Ritu, Val and Kristina are amazing! I have been attending the clinics for a few months and I feel the improvement in my play every week. Recommend to everyone.
TJ
Stunning resort, and excellent courts and programming. Loved our holiday, making memories and hitting balls. Staff and coaches made us feel very welcome. There is something for everyone, as a 5.0 + player it was great to have high level classes and advanced locals to play with during our stay. Will certainly be back!
ML
From the moment you enter the court facilities, everyone on staff is attentive and cares about your experience. The attention to detail is excellent, cold water, cups, cold towels in an insulated container, a shaded seating area at each court, clean facilities, and friendly staff stopping to make sure everythingis okay.
What I appreciate the most are the well thought out court colors. I find it easier to see the ball than on any other court color.
The tennis clinics are excellent and you are constantly moving. Of course the private lessons match the caliber one would expect with a luxury resort.
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113 Reviews on “Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection - Cliff Drysdale Tennis”
Playing tennis at Mauna Lani continues to get better and better every year. Sarah, Val, and the coaching team are so talented and really cater to the needs of every individual, whether you are a resort guest or a resident. I also can’t say enough good things about Christian, Sean, and the staff in the clubhouse. Always friendly, super helpful. I am a part-time resident and there five to six months out of the year. Not only has my game improved, but the community is really being cultivated and is one of my favorite things about the club. I also love that the pros are really inspiring and adaptable to players of all levels. Looking forward to my return this summer!
Playing and learning tennis at Mauna Lani was a productive delight. My oldest worked with Sarah Stone, who is the real deal in tennis coaches, including solid experience on the WTA tour, and coaching pros, herself. Top junior in the AU gives her tons of credibility and it this all shows on court and in her teaching. She worked with my tournament/high performance teenager, prepping her for a weekend tournament back home. The training was good, but due to proximity to the beaches, we also had time to do beach days after morning tennis. My youngest worked with Ritu and went to a class. She had a blast and had an engaging lesson with a knowledgeable and detail-oriented pro. He kept her smiling and kept the lesson moving. Would do this again for sure, and would add in hitting time with some of the other pros and would invite tennis friends out, there too! So people call Indian Wells “tennis paradise,” this blows that completely. Facility is lovely and well maintained. Great gym and locker room. WiFi was pretty good; you can manage some work, as needed. It is right across the street from the Mauna Lani beach club area ( you will have to walk a bit of trek to get to that beach) and close to shopping center. If not staying at the resort, you can get a weekly membership (expensive but worth it if you are doing to use the club a lot) or yearly (comparatively, a great deal actually). Both drop the price down of the lessons, significantly. The adult classes looked fun!
Fun, energetic and informative tennis workouts in a wonderful setting!
Very good program , clinics, lessons, great pool and work out room. Pros are very active and lots of opportunities for play!
Great place to play tennis. Excellent staff running the shop!
Excellent tennis instruction and fun!!!! I do not play pickle ball or have done the tennis camp so really can’t rate that, but I am sure it is good too!
From the greeting at the Racquet and Fitness Club desk to the celebratory wrap-up after the Club activity, the Mauna Lani Racquet and Fitness Club deserves a 5+ star rating! I love the friendly Staff (including international pros as well as local experts) who are extremely enthusiastic and obviously focused on the guests! We had so much fun while receiving excellent instruction. The club has that homey community feel, but delivering a luxury experience at the same time. What a great amenity coupled with the many other world-class amenities at this peaceful, picture-perfect tropical resort hotel!
Sarah Stone and her staff are the reason I come to the Mauna Lani Fitness Center. It is amazing how quickly she has turned the Club around. Great instruction, great Clinics, relaxed and extremely beneficial for all levels of play. If you have not taken a clinic you should! 5 Stars to Sarah and her staff!
Mauna Lani Cliff Drysdale Tennis and Fitness is the place to be on Hawai’i island. Sarah Stone and her pros are the absolute best. Not only are they excellent tennis and pickleball pros, they have brought the club’s community together by offering more round robins, clinics, and programs for all levels and ages. 3 cheers for them!
So lucky to be a part of this fantastic club. Best service on the island, courts are magnificent. Pros are fantastic. Love love love this place.
Absolute top drawer tennis instruction from Sarah Stone. Great team on property for racquet & paddle sports.
Great environment and amazing staff. The coaches Sarah, Ritu, Val and Kristina are amazing! I have been attending the clinics for a few months and I feel the improvement in my play every week. Recommend to everyone.
Stunning resort, and excellent courts and programming. Loved our holiday, making memories and hitting balls. Staff and coaches made us feel very welcome. There is something for everyone, as a 5.0 + player it was great to have high level classes and advanced locals to play with during our stay. Will certainly be back!
From the moment you enter the court facilities, everyone on staff is attentive and cares about your experience. The attention to detail is excellent, cold water, cups, cold towels in an insulated container, a shaded seating area at each court, clean facilities, and friendly staff stopping to make sure everythingis okay.
What I appreciate the most are the well thought out court colors. I find it easier to see the ball than on any other court color.
The tennis clinics are excellent and you are constantly moving. Of course the private lessons match the caliber one would expect with a luxury resort.