Amelia Island has roughly the same dimensions as Manhattan Island—13 miles long by 2 miles wide—but any similarity ends there. Situated off the extreme northeast coast of Florida, this southernmost of the large Atlantic barrier islands has fewer inhabitants than a square block of the Big Apple, many of those in the tiny historic town of Fernandina Beach at the northern tip. The Omni Amelia Island Resort cuts a 1,350-acre swath across the center, from the dune-lined Atlantic to the tidal marshlands bordering the Intracoastal Waterway. Forest and shade abound, and so does bird life.
The resort has always paid more than the usual attention to its tennis. For 29 years, the 23 Har-Tru courts at its Racquet Park were home to the annual Bausch & Lomb Tennis Championships, a major stop on the women’s tour (the event has since been dropped from the calendar). Attractively and spaciously laid out among the moss-bearded live oaks, the courts (now including 7 pickleball courts) border a large pro shop and a splendid indoor fitness center—complete with a lap pool in a greenhouse-like enclosure. Wicker chairs await on the outside decks, providing a place to relax and watch the action on the nearby courts. One of these is the Stadium Court, an intimate venue framed by a few rows of terraced seats. It is available for any guest who wants to play on the same court where the pros used to compete each spring.
Otherwise, Amelia stands out for its multiple dimensions. Lodging options include the 402-room Omni Amelia Island Resort, a resort that Omni refurbished and expanded both to provide better lodging for the adjacent conference center and to give vacationers the option of full hotel services as an alternative to a condominium rental. The resort also has three golf courses within its borders. Kids can look forward to their own island, home to a well-run children’s program. There is also an excellent nature program, miles of bike lanes to supplement its free on-property shuttle, Segway tours (those one-person motorized pair of wheels), a gourmet market and a dozen or so shops in the village at the entrance and adjacent to The Spa. That attention to tennis is only one aspect of its appeal.
When Omni hotels took over the resort, they immediately sought to revitalize the tennis and to do so brought in the Cliff Drysdale Tennis group both to run the day-to-day tennis programs for adults and juniors and to stage tennis camps.
Tennis Staff & Programs: The Drysdale group installed Rob Wright as director. Originally from Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, Wright is an LTA-certified teaching pro with more than a decade of coaching experience. Since joining CDT in early 2016, Wright has held key roles at resorts across the country, including The Inn at Perry Cabin in Maryland, Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa in California, and Sand Valley in Wisconsin. Since arriving, he has increased activity, beefed up the game matching and introduced daily themed instructional clinics followed by a drills session. There are also Cardio sessions and social round robins, both of which run three times a week, as well as Quickstart programs for kids, after-school junior programs, and a summer junior day camp. As a guest you can also take advantage of the staff’s game matching services and participate in round robins. Finally, the resort runs 2- and 3-day tennis packages for individuals, couples, and families and for teams—all with the option to customize—and on selected dates runs special Ladies Only retreats and Doubles Retreats.
Courts: Racquet Park has 23 Har-Tru courts (5 with lights for evening and night play) and 7 pickleball courts laid out through a forest of live oaks. Many of the courts are thus in shade—a significant benefit during the hot, steamy summers. One of these is a sunken stadium court, which has a few tiers of seats
Off Court
Beach: This broad corridor of grass-tufted sand extends along the length of the island, though it is at its most beautiful within the resort, where it borders natural dunes that rise as high as 50 feet in places. All the construction took place behind the primary dune line, with strategically placed boardwalks over the dunes providing access to the beach and Atlantic Ocean.
Golf Courses: Omni Amelia Island Resort has 36 holes of championship golf. Coquina shell cart paths predominate (asphalt has been used only when necessary to prevent erosion), and the fairway edges have been flared to prevent runoff from entering adjacent lagoons and creeks. Only organic chemicals known not to adversely affect bird life are used and colorants are avoided entirely. There is also a 10-hole Little Sandy course, arrayed around Red Maple Lake, with holes ranging from 30-125 yards
Long Point: Tom Fazio’s scenic if tight course winds through marshes, thick oak and pine forests, and oceanfront dunes. Par: 70. Length: 4,863-6,567 yards.
Oak Marsh: The first course and still most demanding course at the Omni Amelia Island Resort, Oak Marsh was designed by Pete Dye—his signature bulkheads outline numerous greens—and is notable for its natural rough and use of existing features. Water hazards riddle 14 of these holes. Par: 72. Length: 4,983-6,607 yards.
Oak Marsh Golf Course is currently closed for renovation, expected to reopen November 1, 2024.
Spa & Fitness Center: The Spa at Omni Amelia Island, a 13,000-square-foot island of tranquility designed by noted spa architect Bob Henley, backs up to Red Maple Lake not far from the reception center. Taking its cue from Lowcountry style, this low-slung building has gray clapboard walls, lighter gray trim, and a tin roof. Inside Douglas fir pillars support rough redwood beams in a simple but handsome entrance foyer and then floors paved with slate from China lead north and south to treatment rooms, some of which open onto balconies on the lake. Treatments include massage, hydrotherapy, facials, herbal wraps and more supplemented by retreats and personal growth programs.
The fitness center, whose location in Racquet Park makes it extremely convenient for tennis players, contains a broad selection of Cardio equipment, Cybex stations, and free weights. There’s also an indoor lap pool and whirlpool in a greenhouse-like building with windows on the courts. Both men’s and women’s lockers have sauna, steam, and whirlpools. Personal trainers are available and so are classes in aerobics, Pilates, and body sculpting.
In addition to everything else Amelia has more than 7 miles of biking and nature trails, guided nature tours, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
Children's programs: The resort runs an award-winning children’s program called “Camp Amelia” for children ages 4-10 and is available to guests of the resort, The Villas of Amelia Island and Amelia Island Club member. It operates year-round. Kids are divided by age group (3-4, 5-7, and 8-10) and entertained with a variety of activities. Sessions are $95/child.
Dining: Among the 10 choices, my top two picks are the Verandah located at Racquet Park for its seafood and a southern table and country market called Marché Burette located at The Shops at Omni Amelia Island. For variety, it’s worth the drive into Fernandina Beach to dine at the Beech Street Grill, at once delicious, informal, and very reasonably priced for the high quality of the food.
Accommodations
At eight stories tall, the 402-room hotel provides convenient access for meeting groups drawn to the adjacent conference center, and also lures vacationers wanting breathtaking ocean views, easy access to room service, a mere elevator ride to a living-room like lobby lounge and two excellent restaurants, and the most central location in the resort.
Parked behind the dunes lining a 3-mile-long beach, the narrow, flowing 402-room hotel provides every guestroom with a full-width balcony and sweeping views of the Atlantic. The entrances to all the rooms are on the back side from open, covered walkways with views westward across the live oak and pine forests.
The alternative to the hotel is any of the extensive array of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom villas available through The Villas of Amelia Island in various locations around the resort including oceanfront, Racquet Park, and in wooded neighborhoods beyond. That includes a set of Tennis Villas immediately behind the courts. All the condominiums are individually owned.
Getting there
Seasons: The resort is open year-round. Though the winter months do not invite a dip in the Atlantic, the two pools at the resort are heated and the tiered pool deck also has two hot tubs. The lower rates in the winter months make them good bargains if you’re interested in golf or tennis, however.
Travel Instructions: Amelia Island is 29 miles from Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), which is served by all of the major airlines.
Had a fantastic time. It was very easy to book. Great tennis facility and instructors. Highly recommend.
DH
We have been vacationing in Amelia Island for the past 20 years. The tennis program is outstanding. Rob and Kyle do an outstanding job in making the program great for very one. Weather you are a kid…junior…beginner…or more experienced this is the place to be. I play tennis 6 days a week and I always look forward to coming to Amelia for the tennis pros and everything the Omni tennis has to offer. The spa is amazing and relaxing as well. Would highly recommend this resort to everyone. Can’t wait to get back and hit with Rob…Kyle and the rest of the pros.
SC
We had a great experience. The group clinics are a great fast paced and fun as well. There is no sitting around waiting. Paired with the private lessons, my wife and I learned more in 3 days than we had in the last 3 months!
AE
Rob and Hassen were AWESOME instructors. They were knowledgeable and fun and kept things going. I felt like I got great instruction and a full hour of great tennis for each clinic. They moved the group from one activity to another quickly. We will definitely sign up every time we go to Amelia. Thank you so much !!!
BS
I booked Amelia Island based on this web site. I thought it would be a terrific tennis resort. This was the home of the former WTA event and seemed as if it would be first class all the way. The pro shop head Bonnie was terrific and very nice and one of the tennis pros Hassan was exceptional. Good player and instructor. I am a 5.0 player and my son is a high performance junior player so we take our tennis seriously.. I went in early on a Sunday at 8am to hit with my son and took out some balls from the pro shop. Bonnie wasn’t there but the guy at the front knew this and was waiting for Hassan to come at 9am. As I came in to get some water – I was accosted by one of the pros who berated me for taking the balls to the court and felt as if he wanted to start a fight. I told him I was hitting and drilling with my son at 8am before anyone was playing and didn’t realize it was a big deal. He went on to say he didn’t like that I was on the court during my 7 year old’s lesson and he felt it was a semi private. Although, I was paying over 700 dollars a night to stay there and it was because of the tennis I was staying there it was the most unprofessional and rudest talk I have ever encountered. He went on to refer to me as DUDE, I told him I was a guest of the hotel and please don’t call me dude. I asked for his name and he refused to give it to me and kept speaking to me in a very hostile voice. I found out later his name was KYLE EDWARDS. This guy should not be a pro there as his customer service and hospitality was the worst I have ever encountered. I am surprised this is the quality of a Cliff Drysdale resort. I refused to come back to the tennis facility the rest of my trip after spending hundreds of dollars in the pro shop and hundreds with hitting with Hassan. Now, I will never go back to the Omni for tennis and will have to go to real tennis resorts where they don’t nickel and dime the guests , act rude and obnoxious behavior. Although, it was not a 5 star tennis resort, I was enjoying my time there and Hassan was a great pro and they are lucky to have him. I am very sorry that this situation happened and will never step foot in the Omni Amelia Island again if Kyle is still one of the pros.
BF
I just returned from a memorable girls trip at the Omni Amelia Island. The highlight of our trip was easily the morning tennis with Luana and Gregor. They were energetic, fun to be around, and their instruction was unmatched. The tennis courts were picturesque, surrounded by old trees dripping with Spanish Moss and the courts were very well maintained. A cooler of water and Gatorade was provided for each of our sessions, a much appreciated gesture. We’re already thinking about a return trip and would highly recommend this resort and specifically their tennis program.
RM
Wonderful instruction from Kyle and Rob . Really listen to our needs . The resort was wonderful the staff excellent especially Dedra at the Front Desk she went out of her way to may a trip special
AL
Amazing Tennis staff!! From first 2 clinics led by Keith and Gregor to the Sat. Clinics led by Bob and Kyle – could not ask for more skilled, knowledgeable pros. A special shout-out to Luana, with whom I had private lessons – she helped my ground game amazingly, taking a lot of unnecessary movement from my forehand and starting my way to making it a much more consistent shot – and avoid dumping so many into the net 🙂
BL
Best tennis trip ever! Kyle and Rob are the best! We will be back next year!
AH
Had a wonderful time. Kyle and Rob were excellent. Our tennis group focused on area’s that we needed to improve as a tennis team. It was challenging and fun. We plan to return.
MH
We traveled as a group for a fun tennis get-a-way. I had been to the Cliff Drysdale retreat there two previous times. Both excellent. The time the tennis again did not fall short. Our Pros Kyle and Xavier were outstanding. Knowledgeable, fun and kept us going. A very enjoyable trip.
PB
We had a fantastic time. The pros, Kyle and Xavier were fun, personable and extremely knowledgeable. Three hours went by quickly because of the fun we were having.
JW
All the pros were enthusiaistic and great to be with!!!
MD
The omni on Amelia Island is a wonderful all around resort experience. We were able to take a tennis lesson with Luana who exceeded our expectations with her energy, games, and overall knowledge of the game. The access to the beach, convenient dining, kids activities and lodging made it so fun and easy to be a guest at the Omni!
CC
We had th best vacation ever at this resort and will be back again very soon. The tennis was wonderful and I came home playing better than ever. The staff was exceptional! So much to do here after playing tennis and pickelball. The ocean/beach is fantastic. Downtown FB is really fun too.
AK
Coach Luana is an exceptional tennis pro ! She breaks things down for all levels of tennis . Our daughter is a beginning high school player and I played competitive college tennis and we both left our lessons/sessions with her with many helpful tips ! My daughters serve improved tremendously in ONE session . Coach Luana has found her gift and passion in life and shared it so naturally with her tennis students ! She is enthusiastic and her love of tennis is contagious . We also totally lucked out working with Coach Xavier he too had a fun yet efficient style of teaching breaking down the strokes and building up the player:) thank you thank you Absolutely the highlight of our trip !! Eternally grateful to both of you 🙂
KF
Tennis with Gregor Brydon was excellent!! His high energy and fun personality was infectious. He is a gifted teacher and observant pro who offered easy to grasp and actionable suggestions. We all left feeling our tennis game had improved. We recommend him highly and we look forward to working with him again.
MD
Exceptional instruction by Gregor who had a game plan for our foursome for all 9 hours, and yet was able to pivot on a dime. We were quite impressed by his teaching skills and shocked to find that we all improved quite a bit over the 3 days.
AS
Great tennis getaway at Amelia Island resort, so much to offer at this location and the tennis instruction was awesome!! We had a great time!
MJ
My girlfriends and I go away every winter for a tennis getaway, and have attended many different camps over the years. The last time we were at Amelia Island was 2017, and had a nice experience, so decided to give it another try. We again highly enjoyed both the tennis and the Omni Plantation Resort!!! We booked a 2 day clinic and Kyle was our instructor for both days. He was really nice and very encouraging. He had a good balance of giving just enough instruction, but then also gave us a chance to work on what we learned. Thanks to Kyle and all the Amelia Island staff for another great getaway. Hope to visit again someday!
BS
All inclusive resort with a generous number of experienced pros
JA
Scheduled two, four-person group lessons. Luanna was our coach and She.Was.Amazing. Best small group tennis clinic I’ve been in, in 10+ years. It was energetic, appropriately paced, GREAT mix of drills and well executed drills. Luanna’s energy was unsurpassed and infectious! All the drills were applicable to real-life match play and Luanna was able to successfully manage a small group of players with varying strengths and weakness. Job well done. And to Cliff Drysdale programming–two thumbs up. Keep up the great work… your offering is a step above other resort offerings.
EG
Brought a high school tennis team down to Amelia for a three day “spring training” trip. The team trained 3 hours a day with Kyle and Luanna. I can not even begin to express how AMAZING these pros were with my team. There were 20 boys on this trip divided into two sessions and Kyle and Luanna know all their names within the first half hour. Very impressive. But most impressive was the tennis drilling they provided the team while keeping things light and fun the entire time. The range of players were 9.5 UTR right through guys who will barely crack a JV lineup, yet the pros were really able to personalize the instruction and make it work to perfection. ALL 20 players commented on how much they enjoyed the rapport with the pros and most importantly how much they benefited from the instruction. We keep coming back to this resort for this trip because the tennis is always top notch and the resort is beautiful. I have been to countless tennis resorts over the years and none of them can even touch the combination of tennis facility and instruction offered here. Thank you Kyle , Luanna and Rob for making this trip so special!!
BT
Luana was amazing and I would happily do any type of clinic with her again! In fact, if she is still with Clif Drysdale next year, we will ask to do another tennis camp with her. She taught great pointers that I took away with me and was full of positive energy!
JH
The tennis camp was incredible! Luana was the most enthusiastic, positive and knowledgeable pro we have ever encountered. The courts were immaculate and the scenery was beautiful. This resort offered everything we wanted for a girls getaway and more. Highly recommend this resort for anyone interested in a little fun, relaxation and some awesome tennis instruction and exercise. Great poolside lounging, fire pits and hot tub located right on the beach! The Marche was our fav lunch spot and the resort teams made sure we were able to traverse the resort seamlessly on demand. Can’t say enough about our exceptional experience!
DC
Amazing girls get away present from our husbands, which included private group tennis lessons. The lodging, resort, pool, restaurants, and tennis were exceptional. Tennis was by far the best part of our trip thanks to our pro Luana. Her energy, smile, positivity, and instruction made the lesson go by far too quickly. Could have spent many more hours with her, Luana is amazing. Look forward to another trip to a Cliff Drysdale camp wherever Luana lands. Will happily follow Luana.
JS
Luana is amazing! Lulu machine! Just had a girls tennis weekend with my 3 friends at the Omni Amelia Island. We loved the energy and enthusiasm that Luana gave us every second of our lessons. I didn’t know that tennis could be more fun than it already is! We learned so much and had a blast while doing it. Luana even made sure to adapt drills so one of our fairer ladies didn’t have to be in the sun. She went above and beyond for us. Hoping to do this trip every year now! Thank you Luana! XOXO
KS
We had a great time at Omni Resort with 6 amazing days of tennis. The weather cooperated, the pro’s were awesome (Luana & Chris especially) and will definitely put this on our list to do again! Thank you for making our visit exceptional!
GM
Just returned from a week at the Omni Amelia Resort where the highlight was the Cliff Drysdale Tennis experience. Rob Wright and his team are outstanding coaches and professionals. They have a strong following from within the resort community, as well as folks like my wife and me who have been coming to the Drysdale Academy for several years. The Academy is a tennis doubles paradise. Rob, Luana, Chis, Xavier and the rest of the team are first rate. We often participate in Rob’s now famous “wolf pack” offering; 2 hours of match play with instruction, followed by lunch and afternoon open play. The Omni Resort does its best to support this amenity as part of their offering. There are higher end places to stay in the area; however the attraction for us is the Cliff Drysdale tennis experience.
SZ
Luana and Rob were fantastic. Best tennis pros I ever worked with. They are excellent tennis players and coaches. They brought high energy, enthusiasm, lots of positive reinforcement, and of course wonderful humor to make the 3 hour long sessions feel like a breeze. Thank you both for improving my tennis game significantly. Will definitely go back to Amelia Tennis Resort!.
ML
Myself and 5 girlfriends had the best time over this past weekend receiving instruction from Lulu (Luanna) and Keith. Luanna immediately created a fun, positive atmosphere with solid tennis instruction for a variety of skill levels. She never let us take ourselves too seriously, but pushed us when she knew we could do better. We found out after the fact that it was her first time leading a camp solo and we would have NEVER known. She was incredible and we want to move her to our town! We will definitely be back. The trip was a dream – the resort was beautiful and easy to manuver, and everyone was very accommodating. Thanks so much!
PB
The Pros and staff at Cliff Drysdale Amelia Island were really outstanding: all were Knowledgable, Personable, Hardworking, Collaborative, Creative, and Respectful – truly a great team of talent. The courts and grounds were outstanding as well. Well maintained in a scenic setting surrounded by grand live oak trees.
JB
Great location and super fun!
LR
We absolutely love Amelia Island. It’s a warm and friendly environment. We use the tennis facility the most and we love the staff. The pro’s are super and we get great instruction. We always look forward to returning and participating in our fun clinics. The ladies in the pro shop are so sweet and helpful. It’s a fabulous experience for our group of 8 women….year after year. Its always a pleasant experience visiting your shops and restaurants.
KS
This is the 4th women’s tennis camp that we have arranged – Rob Wright made sure that me and the 9 friends I brought along had the best time while actually learning new doubles tactics. We appreciated Rob, Kyle and Luana – they were very patient – lots of fun – quick to laugh – and made our time together so memorable. We are already talking about our next trip! Thank you Rob and team – you are all the very best!
CS
The tennis courts are in fantastic condition and some of them are shaded for all or part of the day. The Tennis Pros were very knowledgeable and made things fun. I actually came back from our tennis trip and won a match against someone I had never been able to beat before the trip. The shuttle service on the resort was unbelievable. It really seemed like every time I walked out of a store, hotel or restaurant the shuttle was pulling up just for our group.
SF
Rob and his team were high energy coaches. What an amazing experience. Can’t wait to book my next trip to visit The Omni resort on Amelia island and the cliff Drysdale Tennis Center!
DK
We went with a group of 10 Ladies and our Pros were Rob, Luwanna, and Kyle. Not only was it a great lesson and clinic, it was so much fun! They all new our names within the first few minutes and really helped improve our game. We come to this facility every year because we always have a great experience!
AM
We had a large group of 17 girls who attended a tennis camp. We were thrilled with the instruction and variety of drills that Rob, Sal, Kyle, and Jeremy offered. It was definitely a valuable learning experience, and was very fun! They rotated us around very well so that we had the opportunity to play with everyone, and were amazingly talented at learning our names quickly! I would definitely do this again, and would recommend it to any group looking for a valuable, fun, tennis experience!
AM
We had a large group of 17 girls who attended a tennis camp. We were thrilled with the instruction and variety of drills that Rob, Sal, Kyle, and Jeremy offered. It was definitely a valuable learning experience, and was very fun! They rotated us around very well so that we had the opportunity to play with everyone, and were amazingly talented at learning our names quickly! I would definitely do this again, and would recommend it to any group looking for a valuable, fun, tennis experience!
LP
My tennis experience with head pro Sal Barbaro and the Cliff Drysdale team at the Omni Amelia Island Resort was so spectacular and life-changing, that it became the anchor of my June 2021 editor’s letter for Women’s Health magazine. Sal and his team’s upbeat attitude, enthusiasm and passion for the sport, and patience and nurturing of my rusty skills inspired me to come back every.single.day of my trip. And it ignited a re-connection with tennis that inspired me to enroll in regular lessons back in NYC. (spoiler: my new pro is just not the same!) Sal immediately recognized my former competitive spirit as a high school and college player, and brought out the very best in me. I was rusty, but felt like we shook it off quickly thanks to his instruction and cues. Meanwhile, my three young children (6, 10, 10) took lessons with another pro, Kyle. They had a wonderful time, and he did a dazzling job keeping them all entertained and challenged, in spite of there various skill levels. My husband even got in on the action, playing the best tennis of his life after some time with the Cliff Drysdale team. We had so much fun that we’re coming back this summer for an impromptu trip filled with tons more tennis. Thanks Sal and team, you guys absolutely rock!! —Liz Baker Plosser, Brooklyn, NY, Editor-in-Chief of Women’s Health
MD
Our group of 17 had a fantastic experience with this tennis clinic- the lessons were incredible with fantastic instruction and the instructors had high energy and made our drills so much fun! We can’t wait to come back!!
GV
We really enjoyed our vacation at Amelia Island, especially the tennis experience. They ran an excellent program and Rob, Sal and the rest of the pros are exceptional. Everyone was very accommodating and the kids loved the kids program. Will definitely come back.
MM
Three of my girlfriends and I decided to take a first time tennis weekend to Amelia. We wanted exceptional instruction, a high energy atmosphere, and fun memories to take back home. Every box was checked and then some! All the Pros (Sal, Kyle, & Jeremy) were so knowledgeable and very perspective of the kind of instruction each of us individually needed. I have been to several tennis resorts and this is hands down my favorite! We are already planning our Fall tennis weekend and I hope others get the opportunity to come try what this one of a kind tennis resort has to offer! Melissa
MG
We had a great weekend of tennis. The pros were excellent! I can’t say enough about the instruction from Rob, Kyle, Don. They went above and beyond to help our group walk away with some new skills. I highly recommend Cliffs Drysdale at Amelia Island!
MG
We had a great weekend of tennis. The pros were excellent! I can’t say enough about the instruction from Rob, Kyle, Don. They went above and beyond to help our group walk away with some new skills. I highly recommend Cliffs Drysdale at Amelia Island!
IM
My sister lives in nearby Saint Augustine so I wanted to get some work in while I was visiting for Christmas. I am a teaching pro / high school coach myself and I am a 4 / 4.5 level player. I did the adult clinics and was the best player there. It didn’t sound like too many adult players come through at my level. The pros did an excellent job though of mixing all sorts of different skill levels and making it a worthwhile experience for everyone and building camaraderie among the group. They had great drills and a different focus each day and were clearly seasoned at what they do. Sal, Rob, and Kyle were all excellent. I came back each day because of they job they did. I was also able to get individual sessions with them and work on more advanced things in my own game. Excellent experience!
IM
My sister lives in nearby Saint Augustine so I wanted to get some work in while I was visiting for Christmas. I am a teaching pro / high school coach myself and I am a 4 / 4.5 level player. I did the adult clinics and was the best player there. It didn’t sound like too many adult players come through at my level. The pros did an excellent job though of mixing all sorts of different skill levels and making it a worthwhile experience for everyone and building camaraderie among the group. They had great drills and a different focus each day and were clearly seasoned at what they do. Sal, Rob, and Kyle were all excellent. I came back each day because of they job they did. I was also able to get individual sessions with them and work on more advanced things in my own game. Excellent experience!
WW
We visited the Cliff Drysdale Tennis facility in Amelia Island in November. The tennis facilities are great, and the resort is in a perfect setting. We participated in the tennis clinics and private lessons. Both of them were fun, and beneficial to our tennis game. The pros keep you moving, and the drills were really good. They didn’t just feed you balls. They provided valuable tips to improve your strokes. The head pro, Rob Wright, does a fantastic job. He makes sure that all participants are having a good time. All of the pros were not only great tennis instructors, but were nice people too. We would definitely recommend this place as a must go to for great tennis, and a great vacation.
BC
I had my first experience at the Cliff Drysdale Tennis at Omni Amelia Island this past weekend, and I was just blown away. What an excellent facility, and all of the instructors/pros were so personable and flexible. In two group clinics I participated in the pros did a fantastic job of managing and teaching to the varying skill level of players involved. My private sessions with Rob Wright were simply fantastic. He provided the perfect amount of small insights and suggestions to lift my level of play in the exact specific areas as I had hoped to do coming in, along with allowing me to hit a lot of balls to work on the consistency that at my age you don’t get an opportunity to do when just playing your weekly matches. I haven’t taken tennis lessons since I was in high school, some 30 years ago, and this was just a wonderful experience to make small tweaks to hone some aspects of my game. I can’t wait to come back and do it again soon!
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425 Reviews on “Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa”
Had a fantastic time. It was very easy to book. Great tennis facility and instructors. Highly recommend.
We have been vacationing in Amelia Island for the past 20 years. The tennis program is outstanding. Rob and Kyle do an outstanding job in making the program great for very one. Weather you are a kid…junior…beginner…or more experienced this is the place to be. I play tennis 6 days a week and I always look forward to coming to Amelia for the tennis pros and everything the Omni tennis has to offer. The spa is amazing and relaxing as well. Would highly recommend this resort to everyone. Can’t wait to get back and hit with Rob…Kyle and the rest of the pros.
We had a great experience. The group clinics are a great fast paced and fun as well. There is no sitting around waiting. Paired with the private lessons, my wife and I learned more in 3 days than we had in the last 3 months!
Rob and Hassen were AWESOME instructors. They were knowledgeable and fun and kept things going. I felt like I got great instruction and a full hour of great tennis for each clinic. They moved the group from one activity to another quickly. We will definitely sign up every time we go to Amelia. Thank you so much !!!
I booked Amelia Island based on this web site. I thought it would be a terrific tennis resort. This was the home of the former WTA event and seemed as if it would be first class all the way. The pro shop head Bonnie was terrific and very nice and one of the tennis pros Hassan was exceptional. Good player and instructor. I am a 5.0 player and my son is a high performance junior player so we take our tennis seriously.. I went in early on a Sunday at 8am to hit with my son and took out some balls from the pro shop. Bonnie wasn’t there but the guy at the front knew this and was waiting for Hassan to come at 9am. As I came in to get some water – I was accosted by one of the pros who berated me for taking the balls to the court and felt as if he wanted to start a fight. I told him I was hitting and drilling with my son at 8am before anyone was playing and didn’t realize it was a big deal. He went on to say he didn’t like that I was on the court during my 7 year old’s lesson and he felt it was a semi private. Although, I was paying over 700 dollars a night to stay there and it was because of the tennis I was staying there it was the most unprofessional and rudest talk I have ever encountered. He went on to refer to me as DUDE, I told him I was a guest of the hotel and please don’t call me dude. I asked for his name and he refused to give it to me and kept speaking to me in a very hostile voice. I found out later his name was KYLE EDWARDS. This guy should not be a pro there as his customer service and hospitality was the worst I have ever encountered. I am surprised this is the quality of a Cliff Drysdale resort. I refused to come back to the tennis facility the rest of my trip after spending hundreds of dollars in the pro shop and hundreds with hitting with Hassan. Now, I will never go back to the Omni for tennis and will have to go to real tennis resorts where they don’t nickel and dime the guests , act rude and obnoxious behavior. Although, it was not a 5 star tennis resort, I was enjoying my time there and Hassan was a great pro and they are lucky to have him. I am very sorry that this situation happened and will never step foot in the Omni Amelia Island again if Kyle is still one of the pros.
I just returned from a memorable girls trip at the Omni Amelia Island. The highlight of our trip was easily the morning tennis with Luana and Gregor. They were energetic, fun to be around, and their instruction was unmatched. The tennis courts were picturesque, surrounded by old trees dripping with Spanish Moss and the courts were very well maintained. A cooler of water and Gatorade was provided for each of our sessions, a much appreciated gesture. We’re already thinking about a return trip and would highly recommend this resort and specifically their tennis program.
Wonderful instruction from Kyle and Rob . Really listen to our needs . The resort was wonderful the staff excellent especially Dedra at the Front Desk she went out of her way to may a trip special
Amazing Tennis staff!! From first 2 clinics led by Keith and Gregor to the Sat. Clinics led by Bob and Kyle – could not ask for more skilled, knowledgeable pros. A special shout-out to Luana, with whom I had private lessons – she helped my ground game amazingly, taking a lot of unnecessary movement from my forehand and starting my way to making it a much more consistent shot – and avoid dumping so many into the net 🙂
Best tennis trip ever! Kyle and Rob are the best! We will be back next year!
Had a wonderful time. Kyle and Rob were excellent. Our tennis group focused on area’s that we needed to improve as a tennis team. It was challenging and fun. We plan to return.
We traveled as a group for a fun tennis get-a-way. I had been to the Cliff Drysdale retreat there two previous times. Both excellent. The time the tennis again did not fall short. Our Pros Kyle and Xavier were outstanding. Knowledgeable, fun and kept us going. A very enjoyable trip.
We had a fantastic time. The pros, Kyle and Xavier were fun, personable and extremely knowledgeable. Three hours went by quickly because of the fun we were having.
All the pros were enthusiaistic and great to be with!!!
The omni on Amelia Island is a wonderful all around resort experience. We were able to take a tennis lesson with Luana who exceeded our expectations with her energy, games, and overall knowledge of the game. The access to the beach, convenient dining, kids activities and lodging made it so fun and easy to be a guest at the Omni!
We had th best vacation ever at this resort and will be back again very soon. The tennis was wonderful and I came home playing better than ever. The staff was exceptional! So much to do here after playing tennis and pickelball. The ocean/beach is fantastic. Downtown FB is really fun too.
Coach Luana is an exceptional tennis pro ! She breaks things down for all levels of tennis . Our daughter is a beginning high school player and I played competitive college tennis and we both left our lessons/sessions with her with many helpful tips ! My daughters serve improved tremendously in ONE session . Coach Luana has found her gift and passion in life and shared it so naturally with her tennis students ! She is enthusiastic and her love of tennis is contagious . We also totally lucked out working with Coach Xavier he too had a fun yet efficient style of teaching breaking down the strokes and building up the player:) thank you thank you Absolutely the highlight of our trip !! Eternally grateful to both of you 🙂
Tennis with Gregor Brydon was excellent!! His high energy and fun personality was infectious. He is a gifted teacher and observant pro who offered easy to grasp and actionable suggestions. We all left feeling our tennis game had improved. We recommend him highly and we look forward to working with him again.
Exceptional instruction by Gregor who had a game plan for our foursome for all 9 hours, and yet was able to pivot on a dime. We were quite impressed by his teaching skills and shocked to find that we all improved quite a bit over the 3 days.
Great tennis getaway at Amelia Island resort, so much to offer at this location and the tennis instruction was awesome!! We had a great time!
My girlfriends and I go away every winter for a tennis getaway, and have attended many different camps over the years. The last time we were at Amelia Island was 2017, and had a nice experience, so decided to give it another try. We again highly enjoyed both the tennis and the Omni Plantation Resort!!! We booked a 2 day clinic and Kyle was our instructor for both days. He was really nice and very encouraging. He had a good balance of giving just enough instruction, but then also gave us a chance to work on what we learned. Thanks to Kyle and all the Amelia Island staff for another great getaway. Hope to visit again someday!
All inclusive resort with a generous number of experienced pros
Scheduled two, four-person group lessons. Luanna was our coach and She.Was.Amazing. Best small group tennis clinic I’ve been in, in 10+ years. It was energetic, appropriately paced, GREAT mix of drills and well executed drills. Luanna’s energy was unsurpassed and infectious! All the drills were applicable to real-life match play and Luanna was able to successfully manage a small group of players with varying strengths and weakness. Job well done. And to Cliff Drysdale programming–two thumbs up. Keep up the great work… your offering is a step above other resort offerings.
Brought a high school tennis team down to Amelia for a three day “spring training” trip. The team trained 3 hours a day with Kyle and Luanna. I can not even begin to express how AMAZING these pros were with my team. There were 20 boys on this trip divided into two sessions and Kyle and Luanna know all their names within the first half hour. Very impressive. But most impressive was the tennis drilling they provided the team while keeping things light and fun the entire time. The range of players were 9.5 UTR right through guys who will barely crack a JV lineup, yet the pros were really able to personalize the instruction and make it work to perfection. ALL 20 players commented on how much they enjoyed the rapport with the pros and most importantly how much they benefited from the instruction. We keep coming back to this resort for this trip because the tennis is always top notch and the resort is beautiful. I have been to countless tennis resorts over the years and none of them can even touch the combination of tennis facility and instruction offered here. Thank you Kyle , Luanna and Rob for making this trip so special!!
Luana was amazing and I would happily do any type of clinic with her again! In fact, if she is still with Clif Drysdale next year, we will ask to do another tennis camp with her. She taught great pointers that I took away with me and was full of positive energy!
The tennis camp was incredible! Luana was the most enthusiastic, positive and knowledgeable pro we have ever encountered. The courts were immaculate and the scenery was beautiful. This resort offered everything we wanted for a girls getaway and more. Highly recommend this resort for anyone interested in a little fun, relaxation and some awesome tennis instruction and exercise. Great poolside lounging, fire pits and hot tub located right on the beach! The Marche was our fav lunch spot and the resort teams made sure we were able to traverse the resort seamlessly on demand. Can’t say enough about our exceptional experience!
Amazing girls get away present from our husbands, which included private group tennis lessons. The lodging, resort, pool, restaurants, and tennis were exceptional. Tennis was by far the best part of our trip thanks to our pro Luana. Her energy, smile, positivity, and instruction made the lesson go by far too quickly. Could have spent many more hours with her, Luana is amazing. Look forward to another trip to a Cliff Drysdale camp wherever Luana lands. Will happily follow Luana.
Luana is amazing! Lulu machine! Just had a girls tennis weekend with my 3 friends at the Omni Amelia Island. We loved the energy and enthusiasm that Luana gave us every second of our lessons. I didn’t know that tennis could be more fun than it already is! We learned so much and had a blast while doing it. Luana even made sure to adapt drills so one of our fairer ladies didn’t have to be in the sun. She went above and beyond for us. Hoping to do this trip every year now! Thank you Luana! XOXO
We had a great time at Omni Resort with 6 amazing days of tennis. The weather cooperated, the pro’s were awesome (Luana & Chris especially) and will definitely put this on our list to do again! Thank you for making our visit exceptional!
Just returned from a week at the Omni Amelia Resort where the highlight was the Cliff Drysdale Tennis experience. Rob Wright and his team are outstanding coaches and professionals. They have a strong following from within the resort community, as well as folks like my wife and me who have been coming to the Drysdale Academy for several years. The Academy is a tennis doubles paradise. Rob, Luana, Chis, Xavier and the rest of the team are first rate. We often participate in Rob’s now famous “wolf pack” offering; 2 hours of match play with instruction, followed by lunch and afternoon open play. The Omni Resort does its best to support this amenity as part of their offering. There are higher end places to stay in the area; however the attraction for us is the Cliff Drysdale tennis experience.
Luana and Rob were fantastic. Best tennis pros I ever worked with. They are excellent tennis players and coaches. They brought high energy, enthusiasm, lots of positive reinforcement, and of course wonderful humor to make the 3 hour long sessions feel like a breeze. Thank you both for improving my tennis game significantly. Will definitely go back to Amelia Tennis Resort!.
Myself and 5 girlfriends had the best time over this past weekend receiving instruction from Lulu (Luanna) and Keith. Luanna immediately created a fun, positive atmosphere with solid tennis instruction for a variety of skill levels. She never let us take ourselves too seriously, but pushed us when she knew we could do better. We found out after the fact that it was her first time leading a camp solo and we would have NEVER known. She was incredible and we want to move her to our town! We will definitely be back. The trip was a dream – the resort was beautiful and easy to manuver, and everyone was very accommodating. Thanks so much!
The Pros and staff at Cliff Drysdale Amelia Island were really outstanding: all were Knowledgable, Personable, Hardworking, Collaborative, Creative, and Respectful – truly a great team of talent. The courts and grounds were outstanding as well. Well maintained in a scenic setting surrounded by grand live oak trees.
Great location and super fun!
We absolutely love Amelia Island. It’s a warm and friendly environment. We use the tennis facility the most and we love the staff. The pro’s are super and we get great instruction. We always look forward to returning and participating in our fun clinics. The ladies in the pro shop are so sweet and helpful. It’s a fabulous experience for our group of 8 women….year after year. Its always a pleasant experience visiting your shops and restaurants.
This is the 4th women’s tennis camp that we have arranged – Rob Wright made sure that me and the 9 friends I brought along had the best time while actually learning new doubles tactics. We appreciated Rob, Kyle and Luana – they were very patient – lots of fun – quick to laugh – and made our time together so memorable. We are already talking about our next trip! Thank you Rob and team – you are all the very best!
The tennis courts are in fantastic condition and some of them are shaded for all or part of the day. The Tennis Pros were very knowledgeable and made things fun. I actually came back from our tennis trip and won a match against someone I had never been able to beat before the trip. The shuttle service on the resort was unbelievable. It really seemed like every time I walked out of a store, hotel or restaurant the shuttle was pulling up just for our group.
Rob and his team were high energy coaches. What an amazing experience. Can’t wait to book my next trip to visit The Omni resort on Amelia island and the cliff Drysdale Tennis Center!
We went with a group of 10 Ladies and our Pros were Rob, Luwanna, and Kyle. Not only was it a great lesson and clinic, it was so much fun! They all new our names within the first few minutes and really helped improve our game. We come to this facility every year because we always have a great experience!
We had a large group of 17 girls who attended a tennis camp. We were thrilled with the instruction and variety of drills that Rob, Sal, Kyle, and Jeremy offered. It was definitely a valuable learning experience, and was very fun! They rotated us around very well so that we had the opportunity to play with everyone, and were amazingly talented at learning our names quickly! I would definitely do this again, and would recommend it to any group looking for a valuable, fun, tennis experience!
We had a large group of 17 girls who attended a tennis camp. We were thrilled with the instruction and variety of drills that Rob, Sal, Kyle, and Jeremy offered. It was definitely a valuable learning experience, and was very fun! They rotated us around very well so that we had the opportunity to play with everyone, and were amazingly talented at learning our names quickly! I would definitely do this again, and would recommend it to any group looking for a valuable, fun, tennis experience!
My tennis experience with head pro Sal Barbaro and the Cliff Drysdale team at the Omni Amelia Island Resort was so spectacular and life-changing, that it became the anchor of my June 2021 editor’s letter for Women’s Health magazine. Sal and his team’s upbeat attitude, enthusiasm and passion for the sport, and patience and nurturing of my rusty skills inspired me to come back every.single.day of my trip. And it ignited a re-connection with tennis that inspired me to enroll in regular lessons back in NYC. (spoiler: my new pro is just not the same!) Sal immediately recognized my former competitive spirit as a high school and college player, and brought out the very best in me. I was rusty, but felt like we shook it off quickly thanks to his instruction and cues. Meanwhile, my three young children (6, 10, 10) took lessons with another pro, Kyle. They had a wonderful time, and he did a dazzling job keeping them all entertained and challenged, in spite of there various skill levels. My husband even got in on the action, playing the best tennis of his life after some time with the Cliff Drysdale team. We had so much fun that we’re coming back this summer for an impromptu trip filled with tons more tennis. Thanks Sal and team, you guys absolutely rock!! —Liz Baker Plosser, Brooklyn, NY, Editor-in-Chief of Women’s Health
Our group of 17 had a fantastic experience with this tennis clinic- the lessons were incredible with fantastic instruction and the instructors had high energy and made our drills so much fun! We can’t wait to come back!!
We really enjoyed our vacation at Amelia Island, especially the tennis experience. They ran an excellent program and Rob, Sal and the rest of the pros are exceptional. Everyone was very accommodating and the kids loved the kids program. Will definitely come back.
Three of my girlfriends and I decided to take a first time tennis weekend to Amelia. We wanted exceptional instruction, a high energy atmosphere, and fun memories to take back home. Every box was checked and then some! All the Pros (Sal, Kyle, & Jeremy) were so knowledgeable and very perspective of the kind of instruction each of us individually needed. I have been to several tennis resorts and this is hands down my favorite! We are already planning our Fall tennis weekend and I hope others get the opportunity to come try what this one of a kind tennis resort has to offer! Melissa
We had a great weekend of tennis. The pros were excellent! I can’t say enough about the instruction from Rob, Kyle, Don. They went above and beyond to help our group walk away with some new skills. I highly recommend Cliffs Drysdale at Amelia Island!
We had a great weekend of tennis. The pros were excellent! I can’t say enough about the instruction from Rob, Kyle, Don. They went above and beyond to help our group walk away with some new skills. I highly recommend Cliffs Drysdale at Amelia Island!
My sister lives in nearby Saint Augustine so I wanted to get some work in while I was visiting for Christmas. I am a teaching pro / high school coach myself and I am a 4 / 4.5 level player. I did the adult clinics and was the best player there. It didn’t sound like too many adult players come through at my level. The pros did an excellent job though of mixing all sorts of different skill levels and making it a worthwhile experience for everyone and building camaraderie among the group. They had great drills and a different focus each day and were clearly seasoned at what they do. Sal, Rob, and Kyle were all excellent. I came back each day because of they job they did. I was also able to get individual sessions with them and work on more advanced things in my own game. Excellent experience!
My sister lives in nearby Saint Augustine so I wanted to get some work in while I was visiting for Christmas. I am a teaching pro / high school coach myself and I am a 4 / 4.5 level player. I did the adult clinics and was the best player there. It didn’t sound like too many adult players come through at my level. The pros did an excellent job though of mixing all sorts of different skill levels and making it a worthwhile experience for everyone and building camaraderie among the group. They had great drills and a different focus each day and were clearly seasoned at what they do. Sal, Rob, and Kyle were all excellent. I came back each day because of they job they did. I was also able to get individual sessions with them and work on more advanced things in my own game. Excellent experience!
We visited the Cliff Drysdale Tennis facility in Amelia Island in November. The tennis facilities are great, and the resort is in a perfect setting. We participated in the tennis clinics and private lessons. Both of them were fun, and beneficial to our tennis game. The pros keep you moving, and the drills were really good. They didn’t just feed you balls. They provided valuable tips to improve your strokes. The head pro, Rob Wright, does a fantastic job. He makes sure that all participants are having a good time. All of the pros were not only great tennis instructors, but were nice people too. We would definitely recommend this place as a must go to for great tennis, and a great vacation.
I had my first experience at the Cliff Drysdale Tennis at Omni Amelia Island this past weekend, and I was just blown away. What an excellent facility, and all of the instructors/pros were so personable and flexible. In two group clinics I participated in the pros did a fantastic job of managing and teaching to the varying skill level of players involved. My private sessions with Rob Wright were simply fantastic. He provided the perfect amount of small insights and suggestions to lift my level of play in the exact specific areas as I had hoped to do coming in, along with allowing me to hit a lot of balls to work on the consistency that at my age you don’t get an opportunity to do when just playing your weekly matches. I haven’t taken tennis lessons since I was in high school, some 30 years ago, and this was just a wonderful experience to make small tweaks to hone some aspects of my game. I can’t wait to come back and do it again soon!