Virginia packs a surprising range of tennis settings into one state. You can rally on clay near the Blue Ridge mountains, play indoors beside a university stadium, hit on courts steps from a colonial capital, or squeeze in a match between rounds of golf along the Potomac.
Tthe John Newcombe Tennis Ranch hosts adult weekend and weeklong camps all year round. No matter your level, anyone attending a Newks camp will leave having played as much tennis as possible, with plenty to work on when you return home.
There’s something about a fall tennis trip that makes it easy to get a group together. The heat of summer begins to ease, the days are still long, and a few days away can feel like a real break without requiring a complicated itinerary. Along Florida’s Gulf Coast, Alys Beach makes a particularly appealing setting for that kind of getaway.
Virginia packs a surprising range of tennis settings into one state. You can rally on clay near the Blue Ridge mountains, play indoors beside a university stadium, hit on courts steps from a colonial capital, or squeeze in a match between rounds of golf along the Potomac.
Padel resorts in the USA are quickly becoming the new must-have amenity for luxury travelers, and this padel travel trend shows no sign of slowing down.
Tennis travel has moved well beyond "a resort with a few courts out back." A new wave of luxury properties has built entire identities around the sport: hiring name-brand coaching talent, running structured multi-day camps, and pairing that instruction with proven five-star hospitality.
What began as a modest hotel in 1911 was almost immediately expanded with intention of transforming it into a world-class resort. Adopting Queen Anne style with furnishings from Wanamaker’s in New York City, this expanded hotel opened for the 1912-1913 season as the Gasparilla Inn. Tennis courts, a casino (for balls and parties not gambling), a beach club, a golf course, and a croquet lawn soon followed attracting both wealthy northerners and dedicated fishermen, most arriving by train. Further expansion and enhancements, this time in Neoclassical style, increased both the inn’s profile and that of its guests, who included J.P. Morgan, Henry duPont, and Florida railroad and resort tycoon, Henry Plant as well as a collection of Cabots, Drexels, and Biddles.
Now on the National Historic Register, the Inn has expanded to 142 rooms, 61 in the inn, another 81 in 17 cottages. Pete Dye was brought in to create an 18-hole golf course, and there were subsequent additions of a large marina as well as a spa and fitness center. Tennis grew to seven Har-Tru courts, which since 1987 have been managed by pro Jinx Howe. Howe played for the University of Tampa and competed in Virginia Slims events before going on to complete a Master’s in Sports Medicine at Northeastern University. She and her husband, Mark Horan, have quietly seen to the needs of some 300 beach and tennis members with weekly adults and kids clinics, men’s and ladies’ days, and occasional weekend round robins. Activity reaches a zenith during the social season from late December into April. “It’s a relaxing spot,” says Howe. “We can get people matches, which is a big part of our job. It’s a beautiful spot for all ages.”
Tennis grew to seven Har-Tru courts, which since 1987 have been managed by pro Jinx Howe. Howe played for the University of Tampa and competed in Virginia Slims events before going on to complete a Master’s in Sports Medicine at Northeastern University. She and her husband, Mark Horan, have quietly seen to the needs of some 300 beach and tennis members with weekly adults and kids clinics, men’s and ladies’ days, and occasional weekend round robins.
Off Court
Tennis courts, a casino (for balls and parties not gambling), a beach club, a golf course, and a croquet lawn
Accommodations
Now on the National Historic Register, the Inn has expanded to 142 rooms, 61 in the inn, another 81 in 17 cottages.
We want to see your racquet sports vacations! When you’re documenting your trip, tag @TennisResortsOnline on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn and use #TROAdventures for a chance to be featured on our page.
