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.
Our travel editor attended the 2026 Hall of Fame Induction Celebration and recounts her experience last weekend during the once-in-a-lifetime experience. An evening celebrating one of the greatest of all time while visiting arguably the most historic venue in our sport in Newport, Rhode Island
With warm weather nearly year-round, court quality that rivals global, dedicated academies, and prices that are hard to match in Western Europe, it's no surprise that tennis resorts in Turkey draw everyone from general fans to national training squads.
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.
With warm weather nearly year-round, court quality that rivals global, dedicated academies, and prices that are hard to match in Western Europe, it's no surprise that tennis resorts in Turkey draw everyone from general fans to national training squads.
Arizona has become one of the country's premier pickleball destinations, and it's easy to see why. The sport has grown so popular in the Valley that Phoenix now hosts regular stops on the Pro Tour of Pickleball (PPA), drawing players and fans from across the country.
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.
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