Beach: The resort lies near the southern end of the 14-mile-long white-sand beach that lines the Gulf of Mexico coast of the island of Longboat Key. The dunes remain intact at this end, so to reach the beach you use any of several walkways. Once there you’ll find beach watercraft, lounge chairs, umbrellas, and cabanas.
Golf Courses: The resort has 45 holes of golf.
Links on Longboat Course: Water hazards come into play on all 18 holes of this 6,748-yard, Par 71 course laid out along the Gulf of Mexico. Pink and white oleander and more than 5,000 palm trees line the fairways, which trail through a bird sanctuary. Harbourside Course: Willard Byrd of Atlanta originally designed the three nine-hole courses—Red Hawk at 3,314 yards, White at 3,342 yards, and the Blue Heron at 3,314 yards—that make up Harbourside. These were later reconfigured by designer Ron Garl, who added more contour and elevation and improved the putting surfaces. Situated on the Sarasota Bay side of the island, these 27 holes trail through stands of live oak, sabal palms, palmetto, and southern pine. Playing here is a different experience from Islandside, at once more open and more trap riddled.
Spa & Fitness Center: The 4,000-square-foot Fitness Centre stands just a short stroll from the Islandside lodging at one end of the building containing the golf pro shop and Spike’n Tees open-air restaurant overlooking Islandside’s Links on Longboat course. The fitness center consists of an aerobics room with windows on three sides and a mirror on other and views of the Islandside golf course. There are three adjoining rooms offering high-tech cardio equipment, free-weights, and strength training equipment.
There is a beachfront swimming pool at the Resort Center, where they occasionally screen movies outdoors. There is also a 291-slip marina on Sarasota Bay in the Harbourside development.
Dining: Several dining options are available ranging from formal to poolside casual. At The Resort you will find Sands Pointe, which merges Florida, Mediterranean, and European culinary traditions (e.g., pan-seared black grouper, veal chop with mushroom sauce, Kansas City strip loin) from its perch overlooking the pool and beach. There is also poolside and beachside service from Barefoot’s Bar & Grille, and Spike ‘n Tees, which overlooks the Islandside Links on Longboat golf course serves breakfast, lunch, and fresh fruit smoothies. Within Harbourside, the choices are Portofino Ristorante and Bar for northern Italian cuisine overlooking the marina and The Tavern & Whiskey Bar in the Harbourside golf clubhouse for farm-to-table fare.
392 Reviews on “The Resort at Longboat Key Club”
I’ve come down here multiple times a year for 4 years now. Its an oasis for tennis junkies and the complex is second to none as a tennis facility. Yes , the main resort is going through renovations of 3 of the 7 buildings at this time. However, it did not detract from our enjoyment of this resort whatsoever. We heard no construction noise in the suite in building 5 that we stayed in as the balcony and windows face the beautiful golf course area, away from buildings 1-3 that are being renovated now. The beach is still amazing with drop dead gorgeous sunsets every night. The marina pool and hot tub (the main pool and hot tub are being renovated as well) are great with exceptional poolside service from the staff. The spa, fitness center and golf courses are fantastic, but the tennis stands out for a tennis nut like me. The new tennis concierge Tanya was extremely diligent in calling to arranging matches, and is an exceptional player in her own right. Polly and Susan in the tennis pro shop have been taking great care of my wife and I since our first visit 4 years ago. I’ve taken tons of clinics with two of the pros Jackie and Randy (there are several other pros as well) and can attest that they are top notch. What accentuates the tennis experience for someone that comes down for a few days or a week is that the resident club members at the Resort at LKC Tennis Gardens are extremely warm and welcoming to visiting resort guests. I continue to meet new tennis contacts every time I come down here. When the resort suite renovation project is completed (phase 1 by years end, phase 2 from June-Dec 2020), the Resort at Longboat Key Club will be untouchable as an all encompassing vacation and tennis experience.
Clinics were great! Facilities are exceptional. Due to time of year and renovations in progress at other areas of the resort, match play arrangements may be somewhat limited until next year
Sammy Avila was an outstanding instructor. The facilities were great and in great condition. Very friendly and helpful staff at the tennis center desk and they got me into a great match with other out of town guests. Wish I could have stayed longer than my five days at the resort.
Jackie Bohannon is my favourite tennis coach anywhere and it’s a shame that we have to go as far as Florida to see her! But we are fortunate to go to Longboat Key twice a year and we book clinics and private lessons with her well in advance
I have been attending The Resort at Longboat Key Club at least twice each year for the past seven years. The Tennis Gardens are amazing. The courts are plentiful and immaculately maintained. The tennis pros are friendly, knowledgeable and a pleasure to hit with. The pro shop has the best selection of tennis clothing and equipment available in the Sarasota area. There are comfortable places to sit, relax and enjoy watching tennis matches. I can’t imagine a better tennis resort anywhere.
The head pro, Jackie, at Longboat Key was incredibly nice and helpful and runs an amazing doubles clinic that she allows drop-ins for. Lots of fun, great workout and beautiful club as well. I highly recommend!
we love the Longboat Key Resort. For the last 2 years we have gone in April and November. The tennis courts are superbly maintained and the tennis coaches are excellent. The resort itself is on a beautiful beach. I just came back from a 4 day trip there and have already booked our November trip. The girls in the tennis shop are very good at organizing your tennis and helping you pick out new tennis clothes. This is definitely a must go if you are a tennis player!!!
My family and I keep coming back year after year. My son and I play tennis. My son being a junior in high school / varsity tennis player. I being a 60 plus year old competitive tennis player who loves the game. Our most recent visit was the 3rd week of this past March, 2019, but like I said, we have been coming to play here for so many years. The har-tru courts are always fantastic. I don’t know how they maintain them so well. Does not matter the time of day. Coming from a club in New Jersey that maintains good har-tru courts, I know what a challenge it is to maintain courts in top condition. These are among the best you will find to play on anywhere. But that is only the beginning. The office staff goes out of their way to be helpful. I arrange lessons for my son to help him prepare for his high school spring season, every year weeks before we arrive. The office staff always does a great job helping me arrange my son’s tennis schedule, following through with me as schedules change and opportunities for more interaction with different pro presents itself. Which brings me to the pros. They are all wonderful. Personable and great instructors, they will all really help your game. Each time we go to The Resort at Longboat Key, our son works out on court with 3 or 4 pros throughout the week, getting different perspectives and instruction as well as workouts for his game. They are all exceptional and so welcoming, remembering us from year to year. For me, the staff finds me clinics and games to play in, which makes my time every bit as enjoyable as my son’s. The clinics are well thought out, fun and instructive, and the games the staff sets up for me, allows me to challenge my game with that of other resort guests and club members. Like all tennis enthusiasts, the members are welcoming and always interested in meeting new people to play with. It does not hurt that staying and playing tennis at The Resort at Longboat Key, you have access to all the restaurants in downtown Sarasota (right across the bridge), St Armand’s Circle and the rest of Longboat Key. If you are looking for a great place to go to work on your tennis and play, I recommend The Resort at Longboat Key. You won’t be disappointed. Every time I leave, I look forward to coming back.
We stayed at the resort for 3 nights. Beautiful courts and a great staff Arranged a lesson with one of the club pros and he was great. The staff at the pro shop arranged a mixed doubles match for us for the following day.
First class facility with impeccable courts that are fit for a pro event. Picturesque setting right on the bay with no shortage of courts, phenomenal pros and friendly staff/ concierge. I recommend this site for anyone looking to get away that enjoys Tennis of any level.
Jackie and Randy are amazing tennis pros at the Tennis Gardens.
Great club and amazing courts. Outstanding instruction from top level teaching pros.
Great coaches very friendly it also really helps you improve in the things that you need improvement on
This tennis pros are very dedicated to the players. The lessons are the best I have ever had!! The staff is friendly!
Great tennis facility. You have to sign up for Live Ball with pro Jackie Bohannon. always a challenging workout, fast paced and lots of fun. My private lesson with pro Jackie Bohannon was excellent and has helped me move my game to the next level
The clinics are a particular strength at the already fabulous Longboat Key Club. There is a mix of personalized trainer attention and tips with constant gameplay. Jackie is wonderful and I look to work with her as much as possible.
Excellent facilities: 12 or more clay courts. Jackie Bohannan is a fabulous coach. People travel a distance to take her clinics. The pro shop has good sales on quality tennis fashion
Longboat Key Club (LKC) is a tennis paradise that combines top level coaching and beautifully maintained courts in an idyllic setting. I am a former college player and the teaching staff here have lifted my game to a new level. I have taken lessons from 5 of the pros and they are all top of their craft. For example, Sammy is a tennis savant who brings decades of training the likes of Agassiz and other world class players to improve your game with creative drills and a sparkling sense of humor. Randy is the master of the modern game, helping players create the top-spin shots to stay in rallies against the best. And, Jacki, brings a diagnostic eye to point out how to improve your competitive skills through subtle changes during intense live game simulations. But, what’s most impressive about these pros is they are all eager to set you up with games with guests and the members. Amy is the new tennis concierge and, with a constant smile, she seems to be 24/7 vigilant to make sure you find plenty of partners for singles, doubles or mixed. Also unique is the fact that the members at the club (who hail from around the world) are incredibly welcoming to resort guests – eager to include them in their singles and doubles games. Turning to the facility, the 20 green clay courts are meticulously maintained and sit in a lush setting with pink flamingos and other wild birds strolling peacefully around (of course, not on the courts!). And, because this setting is so ideal, the one constructive feedback is it would be nice if the “Court 21” offered more food and drink options so that you could settle all day at the courts. This is a small critique because you are just a shuttle bus away from the main hotel resort that has a beautiful pool, direct access to a talcum powder soft, sandy beach and delicious foods served by a warm staff – including Paula and others who make the guests feel like long time members.
This is one of the best tennis clubs I have ever played at on the east coast. For all levels there is something for everyone to improve your game at the Longboat Resort Tennis Center. The staff are wonderful, friendly , coordinating and planning your tennis schedule whether it be private lessons or group clinics. The pro shop has top tennis apparel and racquets to buy or demo. Tennis pros are actually real tennis pros ! Some of them came from the Colony – on Longboat key, which was once the top destination for tennis training and tennis families. A shout out to Susan in the Pro Shop who a has gone out of her way to schedule and plan our tennis this week. Last a shout out to Randy – Tennis Pro , who inspired my kids just starting out 5 years ago. For any tennis parent with a competitive junior playing USTA/ UTR matches, Randy is in a different league and could be a high level coach at any tennis academy in the country. Any time you can have with him is special. Recommend you call ahead and book time with him if available before arriving at the Resort.
I had a great visit and was so fortunate to have Amy and the staff coordinating play for me. I was introduced to some amazing ladies and players and felt so welcome. Already planning our next trip back to The Resort at Longboat Key.
Beautiful resort w/ top notch tennis facilities. The tennis pros are fantastic!
The tennis center is one of the most beautiful I’ve visited and I’ve been to a lot of resorts. My boyfriend and I call this place paradise especially if you love tennis. My favorite tennis instructor is Jackie. She’s the best teacher I’ve ever had so love how beautifully landscaped the grounds are, how friendly the staff and the incredible amenities.
This club is clean, beautiful and very comfortable. The staff are so hospitable. The tennis pros are so friendly and effective in assessing and providing instructional needs. I loved working with both John and Tom.
The coaching here is solid. I’ve tried several instructors throughout the years and they’ve all offered something to my tennis game. Good sense of awareness to my personality and they don’t appear bored or as if they are a ball machine feeder. I particularly appreciate how they can keep drills going with larger groups. I cannot say enough about the level of coaching. Hard to think of a negative because every instructor has offered something fresh for me. They are really good at judging my level and keeping me on pace to keep climb upwards. Courts are immaculate
Just back from yet another magical experience at the Resort at Longboat Key Club. There was a group of 6 of us this year and John created a program that was perfect for us. He gave us meaningful instruction, kept us moving and challenged us along the way. We love the pro shop and came home with lots of goodies! Hope they bring food service back to the resort – it was the only thing missing.
Please visit and stay at the resort at Longboat Key Club. You and your family will have an unforgettable experience. The golf course is prestigious and the Tennis Center is one of the best tennis facilities in Florida. The staff and tennis professionals are very knowledgeable and very friendly. The resort at Longboat Key Club Is the perfect place to spend your next vacation!
The tennis courts are lovely. The pro shop has nice clothes and helpful staff. Susan went beyond to schedule courts for our annual girls tennis getaway. It can be frustrating to pay high room rates to stay at the LBKC and then be told you cannot book courts in advance. Susan recognized this and helped us out. We very much appreciated her assistance.
Just came back from a wonderful trip to The Resort at Longboat Key. It was one of the best tennis facilities/clubs I’ve ever been to. Everything was better than I anticipated: from the friendly and accommodating staff in the tennis shop (Sue and the other ladies), the beautiful har tru courts, the excellent clinics and lessons with top-notch Pros – John, Jen , Thomas and Mirage. I learn something different from each Pro…all adding something of value to improve my game. I have never been to a tennis facility where everyone was so friendly and the instruction so incredibly good. I learned more about my game in a few days then I have all year! Cannot wait to return.
I’ve never been to a tennis camp/resort where the tennis pro are so good (and diverse in their way of teaching). Every pro I played with focused on a different part of the game. John Woods (the head pro) improved my serve dramatically in 1 lesson. Miraj focused on balance, court position, shot selection. Sammy is all about patience (no need to rush on every shot). And Thomas was the perfect pro to play sets with at the end of my 1 week training. I am a 4.5 player and thanks to the pros at the Resort I am hoping I can compete against 5.0 player!
Best tennis resort ever! Friendly, helpful folks, wonderful courts- great all Around!
Great clubhouse, beautifully maintained courts and grounds. And fantastic service from club staff, esoecially Sue! Thanks for taking great care of us!!
great pros and super easy bookings
The 22nd Annual Vineyard Classic was held at this fabulous resort. My nine friends, and I, were able to have an outstanding experience staying at the resort while participating in our annual tennis tournament which was played at the Tennis Garden of Longboat Key Club. Director of Tennis John Woods, the Concierge, Sandi and the maintanence staff saw too it that everything that ensured a successful event was taken care of. They are truly service driven, wonderfully welcoming and totally professional. Awesome tennis experience. A very well maintained facility. As for the resort itself, it is a slice of paradise. The staff at the front desk, bar and restaurants were well trained and definitely provided 5star service. Food was excellent at all meals and the prices were unusually moderate for this type of resort. The beach, pool spa and firtness facilities are world class and we play to play our event here again in the years to come. Kudo’s to all. Thank you Tiffani and Kim for making it happen!
This was my second visit to Longboat. The resort staff were not as good as they were during my previous visit. I was surprised since the resort wasn’t as busy this time. Fortunately the tennis staff was exceptional again. They picked up where the resort staff wasn’t helpful. The tennis clinics and lessons are good. There are also local residents and other guests who want to play. The employees work very hard to find matches for you. The Key and Sarasota are great places to visit, and there are other things to do in this area. I would recommend Longboat.
The hotel portion of the resort is undergoing some major renovations at this time, which are needed. However the Tennis Gardens were beautiful and had excellent service! My daughter and I took a lesson and it was top notch! We will certainly be going back.
We loved to play there!! Just amazing!!!!
I found the coaching extremely helpful and importantly very simple to adapt to, which was critical for me on a 4 day break from work on my own. I used 3 coaches, John, Ron and Sami, interestingly all 3 were remarkably consistent in their approach with me which really helped consolidate learning across the stay. Session with Sami really stood out, he really is a fantastic coach but all were great. Really recommend it.
I came to Longboat Key Club with my whole family to play golf, tennis and just enjoy the beautiful beach. Susan and the rest of the crew at the tennis club where super helpful in getting me and my brother into clinics and setting up games with other players. Made our vacation perfect!
The har-tru tennis courts are in great condition. They are kept up very well. The staff is very nice and helpful. The Director of Tennis, John Woods, was willing to help make sure I got in some tennis time.
It is not only great tennis but beautiful white sand beaches.
My husband and I had a wonderful long w/e at the Longboat Key Tennis Resort. We had excellent lessons and game play. We are beginners and that was taken into consideration. We are definitely coming back this year to pick up where we left off. The accommodations were excellent for us as we did need the washer/dryer since we were playing so much tennis. The pro shop was amazing and Susan was so helpful to us. We bought some fabulous new outfits that we just could never find where we live. Your Pros were patient and considerate of our level and taught to our needs. We appreciated that aspect. We have encouraged our community to try this resort out. We are looking forward to returning. The biggest disappointment was the noise at the pool. One pool with music and tons of kids screaming and jumping around was absolutely annoying. It would be worth their while to build a kiddie pool somewhere else. Having a bar and music is inviting to adults but a total turn off when you can’t sit there because of the noise level and the splashing. This is all about tennis….so based on that alone it is worth it! Of course the beach is out of this world too.
I had the pleasure of visiting the Resort at Longboat Key for my 50th birthday last weekend. I came with 6 of my friends and we had a wonderful time. Four of us had a private lesson with Ron. He was perfect. He warmed us up, kept us moving and tweaked our game. It was so much fun that the time flew by! I highly recommend Ron as your pro!
We have just returned from a weeks tennis at the Tennis Gardens at Longboat Key Club, having booked a ‘tennis tune up’ package. The facilities are exceptional, and we enjoyed tennis clinics every day with either, Ken, Mirage & Ron and have learnt so much in just a week. Thank you. The Pro-shop team, Polly, Susan and Sandy, were absolutely fabulous in making us feel welcome, scheduling our clinics and lesson, and maximising our time on court, with other guests in some great doubles games. The Pro-shop is very well stocked and both my husband and I, enjoyed a little ‘retail therapy’ in between sessions. The new tennis shoes made all the difference! This was our first ‘tennis’ holiday, and we look forward to returning in the future, and would thoroughly recommend the ‘Tennis Gardens’ for a great tennis experience in beautiful surroundings. Thanks to everyone for a fab week.
I came to Longboat Key for the Tennis and it was amazing! I took clinic everyday and Ken the head pro organized games for me with great players. I did a fantastic lesson with Sammy and walked away with terrific instruction to incorporate into my game.
great facility, layout and tennis shop and professionals make it a great experience for all levels of players
Instruction is frankly the best I’ve ever had, tennis complex is beautiful, really excellent coaching from John and Randy – it was on another level. The resort is really well kept, beautiful rooms, heated pool, pristine area of the beach, and the food is quite excellent! I came here specifically for the tennis and will definitely be back, largely due to the quality of coaching!
My tennis team has been spending a weekend at LBK one weekend a year for the past 5 years. The pros are terrific (Sammy is our favorite), the courts are perfect and the lodging is beautiful. I can’t wait for our trip each year!!
Friendly staff. Clinics were terrific. Pro shop very well stocked and super nice staff.
18 courts that are in a beautiful setting and well maintained with beautiful clay and clean and welcoming amenities. The pro shop is very well stocked and the staff is excellent. All pros were great instructors each giving a new approach to the game.
Excellent facility. Tennis is integrated with local players so there was a reliable group for the tennis concierge to draw on when lining up matches for me. I had matches for all four days I was there. The staff was nice and cooperative.