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.
I highly recommend Amelia Island for a tennis vacation. I had the pleasure of working with multiple pros in the clinics and lessons. All of them were fun, provided great drills and instruction. My lessons with Jay Smith stood out! He provides top notch instruction and has great insight into how to improve your game!
RC
Our family had a great experience with Gregor Brydon and Jay Smith. They gave us a lot of helpful instruction on strokes, footwork, court positioning and strategy. I specifically requested help on my serve, and they delivered, providing several pointers that have proven very helpful. They recommended that we write down notes after each day’s instruction, and I’m glad they did that, as there is a lot to remember. They gave us a good workout and kept things fun. I would recommend them enthusiastically.
DS
Jay Smith is an excellent tennis pro. I hadn’t played tennis consistently for years, but I was looking to get back into it to rally with friends and play casual matches. I was having trouble getting my strokes back, but lessons with Jay helped immensely. He suggested tweaks to my technique that made my game even better. The lessons are fun, informative, and a great workout. I would recommend Jay to any player looking to improve their tennis.He gave lessons to children who have never taken lessons before, Once finishing up my kids were so happy wanting to play more!
This was my family’s first time at Omni Amelia Island, We loved it! Cant wait to be back.
LD
I arrived at Omni Amelia Island for the first time and it was amazing! The tennis was the main purpose of my visit and it did not disappoint. The pros were all amazing and Jay Smith really stood out, He was super welcoming and had amazing charisma on the court which made it so enjoyable. As well as his teaching points giving me a lot to think about, I will hoping to return very soon.
KB
We are a family of three (two adults and one child) who are biannual, repeat visitors to Omni Amelia Island Resort. We come here for about a week at a time solely for the tennis program, which is exceptional. The clinics are excellent and during the winter holiday, they run a tennis camp for the kids as well. If there is no kids’ tennis camp, another option is the Omni resort’s kids’ camp that our child happens to enjoy immensely. This allows us adults to enjoy a few hours of tennis in the morning before reconvening the family for afternoon activities at the resort, which include a nature center as well a a mini golf course. Regarding the tennis, the most important thing for us is how talented and professional all of the tennis pros are. You literally cannot go wrong with any of the pros here–and we say that having come here for several years. We do individual private lessons, semi-private lessons and clinics. Not only are the pros exceptional, but the other clinic participants–both other visitors such as ourselves as well as the local Floridians who get to enjoy this beautiful facility year round–are lovely. We look forward to seeing many of the year round residents and certainly the pros. I should also mention that there are 23 (!) courts, so court time is plentiful relative to many other facilities. Rob Wright, the senior director, is as organized and reliable a person as they come. He, Bryan, Gregor, Jay and Thien are all skilled and enthusiastic coaches. We are already looking forward to our next visit.
ER
The adult tennis camp was fun, vigorous, and challenging. Jay Smith kept us moving the entire session and provided great instruction.
LM
Gregor Brydon was an excellent coach and teacher. He managed to cover the fundamentals and lead our group to a higher level. He was incredibly knowledgeable and made learning fun. I would absolutely recommend him to others looking to improve their game.
DH
Jay Smith was an amazing coach to us five ladies from New Hampshire for a week of private instruction in Amelia Island, FL. He made it so much fun while still teaching us the skills we need to improve our game. This will be our go to camp location for the future and have already decided to visit again in February. Jay is the best of the best! Thanks so much Jay!
SC
Thien did an excellent job! My friends and I have been to several Cliff Drysdale locations and I don’t think I have ever learned so much. He is a great teacher and fun to be around. Thank you for a great weekend!
KB
Really fun experience at the Omni Amelia Island!
CB
Great!
DL
Great weekend of tennis and sun! Jay was a great pro!
LH
the past weekend was awesome. It was 11 of us that took private lessons (6 hours between Friday and Sunday) from Gregor, Amiee and Indie. The were patient, respectful and had a personal touch with our own play list. The instructions were easy to learn and fun. They took time to give feedback to anyone with questions. We did not feel rushed at all. Everyone felt like they learned something everyday and able to apply it. We are looking forward to coming back. Our group take a trip every year with camps and this is the first one that provide towels and drinks on the court. The tennis facility it self was very accommodating with lockers, showers, sauna, and steam room. The overall resort was wonderful as well, to say somewhere that provides a shuttle to where you want to go, and you do not have to leave the resort was great for me. Last, the beach was great. Thanks again. See you next year.
MK
I visited for three day adult tennis camp in October. The facility is fantastic and well run. The staff was great, fun and engaging, and made for good and challenging clinics.
I was trying to get back out on the court and get ready to compete, after several years of injuries and physical problems. Fortunately, My package included an hour private lesson each day and I worked with Indy. She was awesome! She Immediately saw some things in my game that I could change and even after the first lesson, I saw a big improvement in my shots.
The tennis Center is really nice, courts are well tended, and the whole resort facility was really a great place for a visit.
SG
Excellent experience to increase your tennis game
PB
Just finished a 3 day mini tennis camp. Thien was a great tennis instsructor and explained what we needed to do and encourage each one of us. We can’t wait to come back next year.
KR
We had an excellent clinic with Thien last week. Lots of fun…Great instruction. Thank you! Look forward to returning next year for another round.
JP
Thien was perfect for our group of ladies. He encouraged us and challenged us to improve our game! Coming back in the spring! Can’t wait!!
LP
Thien was great. Will definitely come back and use him again for drills
JR
We had a great tennis camp! Thien customized the experience based on our skill level. We all left as much better players!
DK
Rob and Gregor made our groups 3 days of private clinics fun and informative. We laughed and learned ! Our group of 11 has been here multiple years and we always enjoy it. We will be back!
SB
Just finished another amazing long weekend at the Amelia Island tennis facility, and we booked our next trip before we even left the property. The atmosphere is beautiful and the instructors are absolutely fantastic. Professional, energetic, fun, and so personable. I recommend the Amelia Island Cliff Drysdale club to all my tennis friends, and can’t wait to return again in the spring.
SB
Just finished another amazing long weekend at the Amelia Island tennis facility, and we booked our next trip before we even left the property. The atmosphere is beautiful and the instructors are absolutely fantastic. Professional, energetic, fun, and so personable. I recommend the Amelia Island Cliff Drysdale club to all my tennis friends, and can’t wait to return again in the spring.
KS
I was hoping to be able to give a 10 Star rating! Our group of 11 women from Buffalo (GO BILLS!) had our 4th fantastic ‘camp’ with Rob, Gregor and it did not disappoint. Just when we thought we knew what we were doing on the doubles court – they gave us some great tips to take home! Descriptors we all agreed on is that our time was fun, courteous, accommodating, patient and knowledgeable! We will be back!
BZ
My wife and I spent five days at the Omni Amelia Island for our anniversary and had a fabulous time. October weather on the island is perfect for a trip.
The hotel staff was uniformly welcoming, helpful and knowledgeable. We ate all of our meals on property and everything was fresh, well presented and reasonably priced. We particularly enjoyed breakfast each morning at the Sunrise Cafe watching the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean. Oden made great omlettes, and our servers Jonice, Earl, and Damion, among others were terrific.
The star of the resort was the Cliff Drysdale tennis center We played tennis and pickleball hour each day, and the clinics and private lessons were both enjoyable and instructive. Bryan, Indy, Jay and Grigor are wonderful teachers, and their excellent chemistry with each other makes a big difference.
We will be back soon!
JR
I can’t stress enough how much I enjoyed my stay at Omni Amelia Islands resorts. The instructors I had were consummate professionals and just made my stay such a pleasure. I can’t wait to come back again.
JL
Our group has been going to this tennis camp for many years and each time it has been terrific. The instruction clinics were so much fun and we all have learned a lot. This year we had Gregor and he taught us many skills to improve our net games and doubles’ strategy. He was very warm and enthusiastic as well as knowledgeable. We plan to continue this annual trip over the next few years.
CM
I just came back from a tennis trip with 18 of my friends, and I immediately want to return! We all had so much fun while learning a lot of tennis. We all raved about the pros (Jay, Rob, Inde, and Kyle) Their energy and positivity on the court was contagious! I couldn’t believe Jay remembered each one of our names every single day! He made tennis so much fun, and we got a great workout with a lot of instruction!! The individual attention we received was amazing, and my volley and backhands have improved a lot. I truly was the worst one in my group of 19, but I felt equally valued! I really came back a better player! I would love to make this an annual trip as long as the same pros will be there!!
EF
We attended a ladies tennis retreat and had the absolute best time! The pros were fun and knowledgeable. 3 hours on the court flew by. The resort is a like a mini city — it has everything you need. Highly recommend!
SH
well run- tennis pros were great and made it really fun!
JR
The tennis camp was amazing! The pros were unbelievably helpful – 3 days of great tennis where each drill built on top of the next for hours of engaging and helpful sessions. The food and accommodations were great. Would highly recommend!!
JR
Jay, Rob, Indy, Kyle, and Julio were AMAZING!!!! They provided great drills, tips, and learning methods each clinic. Our Group had the absolute best time and can’t wait to go again next year!!
ES
I just attended a tennis camp with 19 women and we had a blast! Jay, Robert, Kyle and India were our assigned pros and they were all fantastic. We learned so much in 3 days! Absolutely plan on doing it again!!
JD
Six ladies attended the tennis camp and had a wonderful time. The drills were centered on strategy and positioning. We would all attend again!
SW
We did a ladies’ trip for tennis. It was a great experience.
MB
What a BLAST! The staff and pros were incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and fun. Absolutely plan on doing it again every year!!
KI
KD
Jay Smith was our tennis instructor and was amazing! Very skilled and also a great coach.
JY
We had a wonderful tennis girls-getaway weekend thanks to Cliff Drysdale at the Omni in Amelia Island. Four of us spent 4 days working with an excellent tennis pro, Jay Smith. Jay was organized, professional, punctual, fun and incredibly knowledgeable. We not only had a wonderfully, relaxing weekend at a gorgeous resort, we left with so much more knowledge about perfecting our tennis game! Thanks Cliff Drysdale, we will be back!
ES
DC
Fun vacation with everything on grounds. Wish there was a refurbishing in the rooms, but overall nice grounds and overalll fun tennis.
CD
Our group of 11 came back this year (2024) after a great experience in 2023. We requested and were put with tennis pros Elliot and Xavier. These two are an amazing duo that work well together and offer complimentary coaching. They are professional, prompt, encouraging and excellent teachers. They keep things moving offering the perfect mix of work and fun. They both truly seem to love what they do and their energy is infectious. I learned so much that I have been able to incorporate into my game. Thank you Elliot and Xavier for making my experience such a positive one!
PR
EM
Amelia Island is a hidden gem and this resort has to be the most beautiful tennis resort in the U. S.! 23 Har-Tru courts under a beautiful tree canopy. The beach is beautiful and the restaurants are 5 star. Staff is amazing and there is plenty of tennis for everyone.
BH
I have the pleasure and am honored to have the chance to work with Thien Nguyen who is not only a talented individual but also a great coach. He was very patient in helping me and pointed out many simple details yet made a big difference that many coaches would have missed. He fixed my forehand in the first 10 minutes which I had been struggling with for years (it was amazing). Also, his energy on the court just makes you want to enjoy tennis even more. I would recommend spending time with him if you are there. And lastly, even though he didn’t let me beat him lol but would definitely come back and hopefully, he will still be there
LA
CE
I went to the Omni not knowing much about the accommodations or tennis. I was impressed with the size and the lushness of the property. Our group lessons with Jay Smith were really good. Each day he built on what we learned the previous day. I’m ready for my 4.0 USTA tennis season that starts in a couple weeks.
BM
Brian Gabb was our pickleball instructor and he’s the director of the Omni pickleball program. Brian was an excellent instructor, friendly, and an excellent representative of the program. We were so impressed, we made plans to come back for the entire winter.
CS
LW
Very large, beautiful resort. Tennis and pickleball courts were plentiful. Jay, our tennis pro, was super fun and tailored drills to our skill level. I would absolutely go back!
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415 Reviews on “Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa”
I highly recommend Amelia Island for a tennis vacation. I had the pleasure of working with multiple pros in the clinics and lessons. All of them were fun, provided great drills and instruction. My lessons with Jay Smith stood out! He provides top notch instruction and has great insight into how to improve your game!
Our family had a great experience with Gregor Brydon and Jay Smith. They gave us a lot of helpful instruction on strokes, footwork, court positioning and strategy. I specifically requested help on my serve, and they delivered, providing several pointers that have proven very helpful. They recommended that we write down notes after each day’s instruction, and I’m glad they did that, as there is a lot to remember. They gave us a good workout and kept things fun. I would recommend them enthusiastically.
Jay Smith is an excellent tennis pro. I hadn’t played tennis consistently for years, but I was looking to get back into it to rally with friends and play casual matches. I was having trouble getting my strokes back, but lessons with Jay helped immensely. He suggested tweaks to my technique that made my game even better. The lessons are fun, informative, and a great workout. I would recommend Jay to any player looking to improve their tennis.He gave lessons to children who have never taken lessons before, Once finishing up my kids were so happy wanting to play more!
This was my family’s first time at Omni Amelia Island, We loved it! Cant wait to be back.
I arrived at Omni Amelia Island for the first time and it was amazing! The tennis was the main purpose of my visit and it did not disappoint. The pros were all amazing and Jay Smith really stood out, He was super welcoming and had amazing charisma on the court which made it so enjoyable. As well as his teaching points giving me a lot to think about, I will hoping to return very soon.
We are a family of three (two adults and one child) who are biannual, repeat visitors to Omni Amelia Island Resort. We come here for about a week at a time solely for the tennis program, which is exceptional. The clinics are excellent and during the winter holiday, they run a tennis camp for the kids as well. If there is no kids’ tennis camp, another option is the Omni resort’s kids’ camp that our child happens to enjoy immensely. This allows us adults to enjoy a few hours of tennis in the morning before reconvening the family for afternoon activities at the resort, which include a nature center as well a a mini golf course. Regarding the tennis, the most important thing for us is how talented and professional all of the tennis pros are. You literally cannot go wrong with any of the pros here–and we say that having come here for several years. We do individual private lessons, semi-private lessons and clinics. Not only are the pros exceptional, but the other clinic participants–both other visitors such as ourselves as well as the local Floridians who get to enjoy this beautiful facility year round–are lovely. We look forward to seeing many of the year round residents and certainly the pros. I should also mention that there are 23 (!) courts, so court time is plentiful relative to many other facilities. Rob Wright, the senior director, is as organized and reliable a person as they come. He, Bryan, Gregor, Jay and Thien are all skilled and enthusiastic coaches. We are already looking forward to our next visit.
The adult tennis camp was fun, vigorous, and challenging. Jay Smith kept us moving the entire session and provided great instruction.
Gregor Brydon was an excellent coach and teacher. He managed to cover the fundamentals and lead our group to a higher level. He was incredibly knowledgeable and made learning fun. I would absolutely recommend him to others looking to improve their game.
Jay Smith was an amazing coach to us five ladies from New Hampshire for a week of private instruction in Amelia Island, FL. He made it so much fun while still teaching us the skills we need to improve our game. This will be our go to camp location for the future and have already decided to visit again in February. Jay is the best of the best! Thanks so much Jay!
Thien did an excellent job! My friends and I have been to several Cliff Drysdale locations and I don’t think I have ever learned so much. He is a great teacher and fun to be around. Thank you for a great weekend!
Really fun experience at the Omni Amelia Island!
Great!
Great weekend of tennis and sun! Jay was a great pro!
the past weekend was awesome. It was 11 of us that took private lessons (6 hours between Friday and Sunday) from Gregor, Amiee and Indie. The were patient, respectful and had a personal touch with our own play list. The instructions were easy to learn and fun. They took time to give feedback to anyone with questions. We did not feel rushed at all. Everyone felt like they learned something everyday and able to apply it. We are looking forward to coming back. Our group take a trip every year with camps and this is the first one that provide towels and drinks on the court. The tennis facility it self was very accommodating with lockers, showers, sauna, and steam room. The overall resort was wonderful as well, to say somewhere that provides a shuttle to where you want to go, and you do not have to leave the resort was great for me. Last, the beach was great. Thanks again. See you next year.
I visited for three day adult tennis camp in October. The facility is fantastic and well run. The staff was great, fun and engaging, and made for good and challenging clinics.
I was trying to get back out on the court and get ready to compete, after several years of injuries and physical problems. Fortunately, My package included an hour private lesson each day and I worked with Indy. She was awesome! She Immediately saw some things in my game that I could change and even after the first lesson, I saw a big improvement in my shots.
The tennis Center is really nice, courts are well tended, and the whole resort facility was really a great place for a visit.
Excellent experience to increase your tennis game
Just finished a 3 day mini tennis camp. Thien was a great tennis instsructor and explained what we needed to do and encourage each one of us. We can’t wait to come back next year.
We had an excellent clinic with Thien last week. Lots of fun…Great instruction. Thank you! Look forward to returning next year for another round.
Thien was perfect for our group of ladies. He encouraged us and challenged us to improve our game! Coming back in the spring! Can’t wait!!
Thien was great. Will definitely come back and use him again for drills
We had a great tennis camp! Thien customized the experience based on our skill level. We all left as much better players!
Rob and Gregor made our groups 3 days of private clinics fun and informative. We laughed and learned ! Our group of 11 has been here multiple years and we always enjoy it. We will be back!
Just finished another amazing long weekend at the Amelia Island tennis facility, and we booked our next trip before we even left the property. The atmosphere is beautiful and the instructors are absolutely fantastic. Professional, energetic, fun, and so personable. I recommend the Amelia Island Cliff Drysdale club to all my tennis friends, and can’t wait to return again in the spring.
Just finished another amazing long weekend at the Amelia Island tennis facility, and we booked our next trip before we even left the property. The atmosphere is beautiful and the instructors are absolutely fantastic. Professional, energetic, fun, and so personable. I recommend the Amelia Island Cliff Drysdale club to all my tennis friends, and can’t wait to return again in the spring.
I was hoping to be able to give a 10 Star rating! Our group of 11 women from Buffalo (GO BILLS!) had our 4th fantastic ‘camp’ with Rob, Gregor and it did not disappoint. Just when we thought we knew what we were doing on the doubles court – they gave us some great tips to take home! Descriptors we all agreed on is that our time was fun, courteous, accommodating, patient and knowledgeable! We will be back!
My wife and I spent five days at the Omni Amelia Island for our anniversary and had a fabulous time. October weather on the island is perfect for a trip.
The hotel staff was uniformly welcoming, helpful and knowledgeable. We ate all of our meals on property and everything was fresh, well presented and reasonably priced. We particularly enjoyed breakfast each morning at the Sunrise Cafe watching the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean. Oden made great omlettes, and our servers Jonice, Earl, and Damion, among others were terrific.
The star of the resort was the Cliff Drysdale tennis center We played tennis and pickleball hour each day, and the clinics and private lessons were both enjoyable and instructive. Bryan, Indy, Jay and Grigor are wonderful teachers, and their excellent chemistry with each other makes a big difference.
We will be back soon!
I can’t stress enough how much I enjoyed my stay at Omni Amelia Islands resorts. The instructors I had were consummate professionals and just made my stay such a pleasure. I can’t wait to come back again.
Our group has been going to this tennis camp for many years and each time it has been terrific. The instruction clinics were so much fun and we all have learned a lot. This year we had Gregor and he taught us many skills to improve our net games and doubles’ strategy. He was very warm and enthusiastic as well as knowledgeable. We plan to continue this annual trip over the next few years.
I just came back from a tennis trip with 18 of my friends, and I immediately want to return! We all had so much fun while learning a lot of tennis. We all raved about the pros (Jay, Rob, Inde, and Kyle) Their energy and positivity on the court was contagious! I couldn’t believe Jay remembered each one of our names every single day! He made tennis so much fun, and we got a great workout with a lot of instruction!! The individual attention we received was amazing, and my volley and backhands have improved a lot. I truly was the worst one in my group of 19, but I felt equally valued! I really came back a better player! I would love to make this an annual trip as long as the same pros will be there!!
We attended a ladies tennis retreat and had the absolute best time! The pros were fun and knowledgeable. 3 hours on the court flew by. The resort is a like a mini city — it has everything you need. Highly recommend!
well run- tennis pros were great and made it really fun!
The tennis camp was amazing! The pros were unbelievably helpful – 3 days of great tennis where each drill built on top of the next for hours of engaging and helpful sessions. The food and accommodations were great. Would highly recommend!!
Jay, Rob, Indy, Kyle, and Julio were AMAZING!!!! They provided great drills, tips, and learning methods each clinic. Our Group had the absolute best time and can’t wait to go again next year!!
I just attended a tennis camp with 19 women and we had a blast! Jay, Robert, Kyle and India were our assigned pros and they were all fantastic. We learned so much in 3 days! Absolutely plan on doing it again!!
Six ladies attended the tennis camp and had a wonderful time. The drills were centered on strategy and positioning. We would all attend again!
We did a ladies’ trip for tennis. It was a great experience.
What a BLAST! The staff and pros were incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and fun. Absolutely plan on doing it again every year!!
Jay Smith was our tennis instructor and was amazing! Very skilled and also a great coach.
We had a wonderful tennis girls-getaway weekend thanks to Cliff Drysdale at the Omni in Amelia Island. Four of us spent 4 days working with an excellent tennis pro, Jay Smith. Jay was organized, professional, punctual, fun and incredibly knowledgeable. We not only had a wonderfully, relaxing weekend at a gorgeous resort, we left with so much more knowledge about perfecting our tennis game! Thanks Cliff Drysdale, we will be back!
Fun vacation with everything on grounds. Wish there was a refurbishing in the rooms, but overall nice grounds and overalll fun tennis.
Our group of 11 came back this year (2024) after a great experience in 2023. We requested and were put with tennis pros Elliot and Xavier. These two are an amazing duo that work well together and offer complimentary coaching. They are professional, prompt, encouraging and excellent teachers. They keep things moving offering the perfect mix of work and fun. They both truly seem to love what they do and their energy is infectious. I learned so much that I have been able to incorporate into my game. Thank you Elliot and Xavier for making my experience such a positive one!
Amelia Island is a hidden gem and this resort has to be the most beautiful tennis resort in the U. S.! 23 Har-Tru courts under a beautiful tree canopy. The beach is beautiful and the restaurants are 5 star. Staff is amazing and there is plenty of tennis for everyone.
I have the pleasure and am honored to have the chance to work with Thien Nguyen who is not only a talented individual but also a great coach. He was very patient in helping me and pointed out many simple details yet made a big difference that many coaches would have missed. He fixed my forehand in the first 10 minutes which I had been struggling with for years (it was amazing). Also, his energy on the court just makes you want to enjoy tennis even more. I would recommend spending time with him if you are there. And lastly, even though he didn’t let me beat him lol but would definitely come back and hopefully, he will still be there
I went to the Omni not knowing much about the accommodations or tennis. I was impressed with the size and the lushness of the property. Our group lessons with Jay Smith were really good. Each day he built on what we learned the previous day. I’m ready for my 4.0 USTA tennis season that starts in a couple weeks.
Brian Gabb was our pickleball instructor and he’s the director of the Omni pickleball program. Brian was an excellent instructor, friendly, and an excellent representative of the program. We were so impressed, we made plans to come back for the entire winter.
Very large, beautiful resort. Tennis and pickleball courts were plentiful. Jay, our tennis pro, was super fun and tailored drills to our skill level. I would absolutely go back!