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 Simon Curtin. Born in Norwich, England, he is a lifelong tennis player, competing in both junior and college tennis and rising to a national ranking of 150 in the UK. Prior to coming to Mauna Lani, he had coached at luxury resorts and high-performance centers in Spain, Italy, Greece, Australia, and Morocco. Here, he stages adult and junior programs, cardio tennis, and pickleball and serves not only guests of the Mauna Lani but also visitors and locals.
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 Simon Curtin. Born in Norwich, England, he is a lifelong tennis player, competing in both junior and college tennis and rising to a national ranking of 150 in the UK. Prior to coming to Mauna Lani, he had coached at luxury resorts and high-performance centers in Spain, Italy, Greece, Australia, and Morocco. Here, he stages adult and junior programs, cardio tennis, and pickleball and serves not only guests of the Mauna Lani but also visitors and locals.
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.
An amazing tennis program and experience. Mauna Lani has amazing facilities and the tennis coaching is exceptional. Simon and Josh really helped improve my footwork, balance, and serve. Simon is amazing to work with and the overall program meticulously organized. Highly recommend Mauna Lani for high level players (4.5+).
SL
We had a wonderful tennis experience at the Mauna Lani on the Big Island of Hawaii (June 2024). My husband and 16 year old daughter each had their own private lessons, my 12 year old son had group lessons with his friends and I participated in the daily 3.0 adult clinics. Everyone had a very positive and fun experience overall. Coaches Simon, Josh and Kristina were all top-notch and made everything super fun for all. Facilities and courts were excellent, including icy cold towels, water and Gatorade at every court. Simon was very responsive and attentive via email when I was scheduling everything. Overall, a memorable experience for all of us! Thank you!
LG
JW
DA
Simply spectacular.
SK
CC
Wonderful location, lots of courts, fun courteous instruction
MS
SS
Mauna Lani tennis program is excellent. The facilities of course are first rate, but what makes the tennis program sing of course is the people. The head of tennis & his staff are engaged, focused, and can really play/give great coaching. For example, whenever we visit, the head pro sets up matches for our son with local high school kids. No really negatives, though once in a while around Christmas the courts are full so can’t get a court exactly when you want it (I guess that is a good problem?)
DH
KK
KK
The tennis instruction is insanely good and has dramatically improved my game. Love this resort, the staff and most of y’all the tennis pros!
JC
This is an incredibly beautiful location on the Kohala Coast of Hawai’i, and Auberge Resorts makes the most of it with excellent fine and casual dining, rich cultural programs and a wealth of activities. Take an e-bike tour or walk through historic fishponds and lava trails, snorkel, swim and (in season) surf, hike a shoreline trail past snoozing turtles, enjoy an elegant and gracious luau, etc. On top of that, take advantage of a lovely, landscaped tennis and pickleball garden, with lots of fun activities (glow-in-the-dark pickleball ,social round robins and mixed pickleball/tennis events among them), energetic and kind pros, and welcoming local members and snowbirds.
MC
The experience here is top notch with everything at your fingertips from high caliber tennis, pickle ball, spa services, dining, adventure and relaxing! The pros can adapt to make your experience challenging or just for fun depending on what you need that day. The best place to escape into tropical paradise!
SC
MH
This is a beautiful, well-maintained, tennis facility with the gym and a swimming pool attached to the Mauna Lani Auberge resort I highly recommend it. The tennis instruction is excellent. The courts are very well maintained and the Pro Shop staff are extremely professional. You cannot find a better tennis facility on the Big Island of Hawaii. Simon is my favorite tennis pro!
JT
I have been visiting Mauna Lani for 15 years and it has dramatically improved every aspect of my stay with tennis being exceptional. It never feels crowded or rushed but the staff is very experienced in customer service. I’ll be staying for 2 months this summer starting in July 2024.
69 Reviews on “Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection - Cliff Drysdale Tennis”
An amazing tennis program and experience. Mauna Lani has amazing facilities and the tennis coaching is exceptional. Simon and Josh really helped improve my footwork, balance, and serve. Simon is amazing to work with and the overall program meticulously organized. Highly recommend Mauna Lani for high level players (4.5+).
We had a wonderful tennis experience at the Mauna Lani on the Big Island of Hawaii (June 2024). My husband and 16 year old daughter each had their own private lessons, my 12 year old son had group lessons with his friends and I participated in the daily 3.0 adult clinics. Everyone had a very positive and fun experience overall. Coaches Simon, Josh and Kristina were all top-notch and made everything super fun for all. Facilities and courts were excellent, including icy cold towels, water and Gatorade at every court. Simon was very responsive and attentive via email when I was scheduling everything. Overall, a memorable experience for all of us! Thank you!
Simply spectacular.
Wonderful location, lots of courts, fun courteous instruction
Mauna Lani tennis program is excellent. The facilities of course are first rate, but what makes the tennis program sing of course is the people. The head of tennis & his staff are engaged, focused, and can really play/give great coaching. For example, whenever we visit, the head pro sets up matches for our son with local high school kids. No really negatives, though once in a while around Christmas the courts are full so can’t get a court exactly when you want it (I guess that is a good problem?)
The tennis instruction is insanely good and has dramatically improved my game. Love this resort, the staff and most of y’all the tennis pros!
This is an incredibly beautiful location on the Kohala Coast of Hawai’i, and Auberge Resorts makes the most of it with excellent fine and casual dining, rich cultural programs and a wealth of activities. Take an e-bike tour or walk through historic fishponds and lava trails, snorkel, swim and (in season) surf, hike a shoreline trail past snoozing turtles, enjoy an elegant and gracious luau, etc. On top of that, take advantage of a lovely, landscaped tennis and pickleball garden, with lots of fun activities (glow-in-the-dark pickleball ,social round robins and mixed pickleball/tennis events among them), energetic and kind pros, and welcoming local members and snowbirds.
The experience here is top notch with everything at your fingertips from high caliber tennis, pickle ball, spa services, dining, adventure and relaxing! The pros can adapt to make your experience challenging or just for fun depending on what you need that day. The best place to escape into tropical paradise!
This is a beautiful, well-maintained, tennis facility with the gym and a swimming pool attached to the Mauna Lani Auberge resort I highly recommend it. The tennis instruction is excellent. The courts are very well maintained and the Pro Shop staff are extremely professional. You cannot find a better tennis facility on the Big Island of Hawaii. Simon is my favorite tennis pro!
I have been visiting Mauna Lani for 15 years and it has dramatically improved every aspect of my stay with tennis being exceptional. It never feels crowded or rushed but the staff is very experienced in customer service. I’ll be staying for 2 months this summer starting in July 2024.
Fabulous pro/coach Beautiful courts