The 410-acre The Resort at Longboat Key Club straddles the southern tip of a long, narrow barrier island opposite Sarasota. It consists of two developments: Islandside, which borders the beach and Gulf of Mexico, and Harbourside, a primarily residential enclave, which faces Sarasota Bay.
Hotel guests bed down in the 226 rooms and suites in a cluster of mid rise towers just behind the beach on Islandside, where there are eight Har-Tru courts, a spa, fitness center, and 18 of the resort’s 45 golf holes. However, the focal point of the resort’s tennis activity can be found at the $4.5 million Tennis Gardens, three miles away along Sarasota Bay in Harbourside. This handsomely designed facility has 20 Har-Tru courts, one of which is a stadium with seating for 500 spectators, as well as a full service pro shop and an outdoor players’ lounge. The USTA named it Facility of the Year when it opened in 2009, and for several years it served as the host site for the Sarasota Open, a men’s professional tournament.
Briana Harris Francois had a history with the Tennis Gardens even before taking over as tennis director. Previously, she directed the club’s summer camps while also teaching adults as a member of the professional staff. Born in Ohio, she took up tennis at age 13 and showed so much talent she earned a scholarship to train at IMG Academy in Bradenton and another to attend Ohio State University. She left in her junior year to compete on the WTA satellite tour and then returned to Ohio State to finish her degree. A series of coaching opportunities followed, which eventually led her and her husband to move to Sarasota and an opportunity to direct the junior program at Celsius Tennis Academy and then summers at the Resort at Longboat Key Club. She also established her own B. Harris Kids, a free youth tennis and tutoring program for needs-based and at-risk kids in the community of Sarasota.
Tennis Programs: Like Palm Beach, Sarasota has a social season from November to April when seasonal residents return and activity on the courts intensifies. During that period, having the eight additional courts at Islandside helps meet demand for the desirable morning time slots. To help shift that demand, the club began offering more programs in the afternoons, in the way of Cardio tennis, singles strategy, doubles strategy, and live-ball drills.
Activities like those allow people to just drop in. But LBK’s success can also be traced to the changing demographics, with younger members playing afternoons while their kids are in school And because there are kids, the resort also stages junior clinics during the summer and major holidays.
Among the staff is Sammy Aviles, a near legend on Longboat Key for his years with the Bollettieri tennis academy and then the now sadly shuttered Colony Beach & Tennis Club.
Court Complex: There are 20 Har-Tru courts at Harbourside Tennis Gardens and another eight at Islandside.
Court fees: None for hotel guests
Off Court
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.
Accommodations
The resort lodging consists of a cluster of seven white concrete towers rising from four to 10 stories and constructed in a halo around the Resort Center just behind the dunes lining the Gulf of Mexico beach. Their unprepossessing appearance is deceptive: The rooms themselves turn out to be very spacious—none smaller than a suite—with broad deep balconies or terraces and handsome interiors. The best have views of the beach; the rest overlook the lagoon or golf course. All have full kitchens, washer-dryers, and wired and wireless Internet access.
Getting there
Seasons: Year-round, however busiest from November into April.
Travel Instructions: The nearest airport is Sarasota Bradenton International (SRQ), which is 9 miles away and accessible on several national and commuter airlines as well as Canadian Airlines. The alternative is to fly into Tampa International Airport (TPA), 72 miles to the north. Rental cars and shuttles are available at both airports.
Very nice tennis progarm.. multiple clinics,games, live ball and things to participate in every day. Staff and pros are super accommodating and are very strong! Briana and Katelinn run the place exceptionally, do a great job and are super nice and accommodating!
SF
The Resort at Longboat Key is excellent and does not disappoint!! Can’t wait to return!
JB
NF
We played in a custom group pickleball tournament. Brianna and Connor were exceptional.
LM
The pro shop staff were great. We needed to rent racquets two days in a row and they remembered which ones we rented and were very quick to assist us. The whole experience was top notch. We’ll definitely be back!
EF
KM
CL
NF
Brianna and her staff went above and beyond. Holy cow! This was such an excellent tennis trip and the disco tennis night was the most fun ever!! We can not wait to return! Tennis, the hotel, food and drinks exceeded all expectations!! We can not recommend The Resort at Long Boat Key enough. An annual trip to paradise for sure!
RH
Everything about LBK Tennis Gardens and resort is wonderful. The staff, the pros, and the members are all amazing. It’s paradise.
MK
We loved The Tennis Gardens at Longboat Key! Katelinn was so helpful in arranging our private lessons and clinic times. The pro shop is beautiful with a wide selection of tennis gear. The tennis area is impeccable and the courts are maintained beautifully. We had the pleasure of working with both Mike and Maraj who were excellent and helpful in taking our game to the next level. Our family also enjoyed meeting the other tennis members and guests and felt very welcomed by all we met. All and all, it was a fantastic experience and we are planning our next trip back. We highly recommend the Longboat Key Club and The Tennis Gardens and Longboat Key!!!!
MW
You have to go to the Resort at Longboat Key Club to experience how unique and special the setting, amenities and location are. So close to SRQ, downtown and St. Armands Circle and with access to world class tennis, golf, fitness center, spa, marina, and the gulf of Mexico on a pristine beach. The pros are great and the only reason I didn’t rate the instruction the ‘ best ever’ is that I’ve been lucky enough to receive pointers from Fred Stolle, Owen Davidson, Ross Case, Tracy Austin, Taylor Dent and Johan Kreik at various tennis fantasy camps over the years. The tennis gardens at the club consist of 20 beautifully manicured har Tru courts. Director of tennis Brianna, Kaitlin, Ali, Conner and Balia kept my wife and I busy throughout our stay.
MW
I’m a tennis nut and discovered this gem of a resort in 2015 and haven’t stopped coming back. The resort in on the Gulf of Mexico and has 45 holes of golf, a marina, spa and fitness center. But if tennis is your passion, the 20 court tennis gardens in the place to be. The pros and support staff are top notch and go above and beyond to make your experience memorable. Shout out to Briana and Kaitlinn who recently took amazing care of us, and Randy who holds great liveball group sessions that I’ve participated in.
JW
Both Kaitlin and Briana made the tennis outstanding as they were both fun, amazing players, and so gracious. My husband and I really enjoyed while improving our tennis. The staff is prepared for all levels and the courts are impeccable.
RR
A wonderful Resort !
SB
The resort itself seems a little rundown, and there were staffing issues — not enough people working in the beach, and some days housekeeping didn’t get to our room. The tennis facilities were great — amazing courts The highlight of our trip was our lessons with David — a superb pro who really helped us and was positive, clear, and so encouraging.
GO
Each February my husband and I take a tennis trip to Sarasota, FL with friends, and it never disappoints. We stay at The Longboat Key Club and play tennis down the road at the Tennis Gardens. LOVE the Tennis Gardens–beautiful courts and atmosphere–and the folks at the club are friendly and helpful with reservations. There are several options for clinics and lessons, and they helped us choose what was best for our group. Our pros were Ken and Miraj–both so skilled. I always take home at least one new tip (ask Miraj about his family’s secrets!) but wish I could stay longer to learn more from these guys. Maybe next year…
MW
Brianna & her staff are very welcoming & friendly to guests of the resort. They reply to emails quickly & are helpful and accommodating . Randy’s live ball clinic is fast paced with good movement. I’d suggest other drills/ points play for diversity. My private lesson with Ken was super helpful to my ground stroke.
PC
Thank you for a great tennis experience. Briana Harris Francois and the pro shop staff were excellent.
WD
We absolutely love this Resort. Everything about it is amazing. Our favourite is the tennis resort, the staff are amazing. Our coach Sergio was the very best we hit with him every time we booked, couldn’t have asked for better. Our thanks to all at the resort ?????? Until next time thank you for a wonderful time.
MB
Our 9 year old took a lesson with tennis pro, Sergio. Wonderful instruction, patient, with a perfect balance of keeping it “light” and working on her game. Would highly recommend to both adults and children for tennis lesson!!!
TC
Amazing experience! We had a family reunion and the staff prepared a Round Robin Tennis Tournament for us that the family is still talking about. Thank you LBKC Tennis Team for an unforgettable time!
CO
We went to Longboat Key Club for our family reunion and it was an amazing experience. Every staff member we came across was friendly and went out of their way to help us out. We also had a family tennis tournament organized by the tennis pros and it was AWESOME! They were so sweet and even treated us to snacks and champagne to finish the tournament off. Such a fun and memorable family experience.
MB
Brianna was very accommodating and organized an awesome large family tennis tournament for kids and adults! We had a blast! Drinks, snacks, tennis, beautiful courts and setting!
RC
I would recommend this resort to all my family and friends. Wonder experience!
MD
Our experience at the Tennis Garden at Longboat Key Club was amazing! We play tennis as a family and this was our vacation this year. The staff (Brianne and Katelinn) were really friendly and accommodating. We had asked for the stadium court to play on, so we could get really nice, memorable photos and they made it a priority to do that for us. I hope you guys get used to us, because we will be back soon. The manager Brianne went above and beyond to make this a trip we will never forget. I also want to give a huge thank you to Tommy!
SS
Had a great time at the Resort and the Tennis Gardens, looking forward to coming back.
TT
My experience at the Resort/Tennis Gardens was exceptional. All the staff in both areas were extremely helpful, kind, and competent. The facilities were beautiful and clean. Would absolutely comes back.
EM
I really enjoyed my stay at the Resort and playing at the Tennis Gardens. The Resort was beautiful and the Tennis Gardens were pristine. The Pro shop was well stocked, clean, and had helpful staff. Overall a great experience.
MB
I played in the Cinco de Mayo tennis round robin. It was extremely well organized and fun. The pro shop had a lot of great merchandise and the front desk was very helpful. Cant wait to come back.
CH
I played both tennis and pickleball at the Tennis Gardens on my vacation. The experience was excellent and easy. Some clubs the booking and paying process can be very convoluted, but this club made it very easy for guests. The instruction and clinics were really informative and good exercise, definitely a bang for your buck. Would recommend.
SH
I had an excellent time at the tennis facility. My private lesson was one of the best I’ve ever had; it was very informative and helped transform my game in a mater of an hour with small changes. The front desk was very kind and accommodating in helping arrange private clinics and games. The clinics were a great workout and had a fun social atmosphere. Would go back.
CH
The Tennis Gardens was an exceptional experience. The pro shop was neat and the staff was helpful, excited, and kind. Booking was smooth and seamless, as was paying. All the pros I met were extremely knowledgable and qualified, and the pro I worked with was professional, well versed in tennis, a good teacher, and made my lesson tough but not exhasuting. I also played in one of the clinics offered. The clinic was well organized and gave me a chance to practice the skills I had learned in my private lesson. I would absolutely come back to the Tennis Gardens and recommend it to others.
ID
Delighted to be back at Longboatkey Resort. Would highly recommend this Resort. We had the best time, We particularly love the Tennis centre, the staff are amazing.
RK
Everything you need to take your game to a higher level. Sammy’s and Montana’s coaching tips were very helpful. Beautiful accommodations with Gulf view.
PW
We will be back!
WS
Great spot for tennis and golf lovers! The staff is fantastic! They set me up with competitive matches and made me feel very welcome! Particularly the staff and pros were friendly and seemed to care about you getting the most out of your time at the resort. The courts are some of the best I’ve ever played on! The beach and the rest of the facilities are nice too. Very kid friendly if that’s your priority.
JD
The Resort at Longboat Key Club is an outstanding facility with lots to offer. The pool, hot tub, and service was first class. We were there for a tennis vacation, and we thoroughly enjoyed clinics, private instruction, and “game arranging”. The pro shop offers an outstanding selection of beautiful tennis clothing with a full range of sizes. The dining experience at the Whiskey Bar was very special! This type of vacation is on the expensive side, but we thoroughly enjoyed our stay, and we are very likely to return.
GB
The staff in the pro shop and fitness center are outstanding. Game arranging was excellent! It is with pleasure that I highly recommend Tania Lea, Tennis Concierge at the Longboat Key Club. Before my arrival to the club Tania had arranged a number of matches. This was reassuring. I was travelling from far up North primarily to play lots of tennis and I had never been to the club before. Tania made a great first impression. Upon my arrival, Tania completely filled my days with a variety of quality matches. On top of all this Tania gave me an excellent tennis lesson. She listened to what I was looking for and gave me that perfect mix of feedback to improve my game while letting me enjoy playing points against a tennis pro! Tania made The Longboat Key Club experience fun and educational.
MR
This review is primarily concerned with the tennis facilities and coaching at the Tennis Gardens at Long Boat Key Club (LBKC), which are our favourite destination and exceptional. We specifically booked this holiday to visit the Tennis Gardens for the second time and enjoy again the fantastic coaching provided by Maraj Maharaj. We feel he is the best tennis coach we have ever had, anywhere in the world. He didn’t disappoint us, his coaching was BRILLIANT MAN, BRILLIANT! This included both his one to one lessons and the group clinics he ran, the latter he made great fun and really enjoyable. We would also like to thank Randy Ardenfriend for the excellent Live Ball sessions he ran. We plan to visit next year just to benefit from Maraj’s coaching again. Thank you Maraj and all at LBKC and the Tennis Gardens for a fantastic holiday, exceptional tennis facilities and superb coaching. During our stay the resort was undergoing extensive renovation, which accounts for the grading of some of the facilities.
LS
The tennis game coordinator, Tania Lea, does an excellent job of arranging games at your skill level. The women in the pro shop are all friendly and helpful and the tennis pros are outstanding. One of the big draws at the resort is their tennis center.
CR
Tennis center staff kept me playing which is the reason this is our 9th year at LBKC. Not necessary to bring a tennis partner, the (excellent) concierge has you covered. Lovey upgrades happening now to the rooms. First class! Great beaches and restaurants, it’s all here.
VS
My experience with the Tennis Gardens this trip was outstanding. I called Tania, the Tennis concierge, just a few days before my arrival. She contacted me the next day with arrangements she made for me to play in four matches with members, both ladies and mixed doubles. In addition, I took a clinic with Thomas, which included a lot of personalized tips and instruction. I was impressed with the level of care and professional attention.
DS
As a tennis and golf destination with a beautiful beach, the Resort at Longboat Key is an outstanding choice. Customer service is extraordinary in all areas of the resort. Tennis Gardens has an exceptional staff which includes one of the best pro shops on the west coast of FL. Sammy Avila heads a staff of pros who are engaging and knowledgeable. Special shout out to Susan in the pro shop who catered to our every need on and off the court. And the har-tru courts are some of the best we have ever played on! Looking forward to our next visit!
KJ
I look forward to the clinics every year.
ES
Really enjoyed my stay at the Resort at Longboat Key Club. Both tennis and golf facilities were exceptional. I recommend booking tennis lessons and clinics well in advance as schedules do fill up. Never had any issue with court availability during the day and lit courts are available in the evenings. If you need playing partners, definitely call the tennis concierge ahead of time to help set up games with other players at your level. Several of the pros are top notch and have the experience to pinpoint and work on specific weaknesses in your game as opposed to just hitting with you. After playing 3-4 hours a day for a 6 day period, I felt a significant improvement in my game. I would definitely recommend the tennis program to anyone wanting to improve their game.
DV
The tennis complex and staff are exceptional. The resort is very expansive. Beautiful beach. Bikes available. rooms are large with a small kitchen. Great location. The only thing that’s lacking is the food in the restaurant and room service. Breakfast is fine.
SM
The courts and facilities are exceptional. The staff are very friendly and accommodating. They will arrange matches, clinics and lessons. We highly recommend and will hopefully be back soon!
366 Reviews on “The Resort at Longboat Key Club”
Very nice tennis progarm.. multiple clinics,games, live ball and things to participate in every day. Staff and pros are super accommodating and are very strong! Briana and Katelinn run the place exceptionally, do a great job and are super nice and accommodating!
The Resort at Longboat Key is excellent and does not disappoint!! Can’t wait to return!
We played in a custom group pickleball tournament. Brianna and Connor were exceptional.
The pro shop staff were great. We needed to rent racquets two days in a row and they remembered which ones we rented and were very quick to assist us. The whole experience was top notch. We’ll definitely be back!
Brianna and her staff went above and beyond. Holy cow! This was such an excellent tennis trip and the disco tennis night was the most fun ever!! We can not wait to return! Tennis, the hotel, food and drinks exceeded all expectations!! We can not recommend The Resort at Long Boat Key enough. An annual trip to paradise for sure!
Everything about LBK Tennis Gardens and resort is wonderful. The staff, the pros, and the members are all amazing. It’s paradise.
We loved The Tennis Gardens at Longboat Key! Katelinn was so helpful in arranging our private lessons and clinic times. The pro shop is beautiful with a wide selection of tennis gear. The tennis area is impeccable and the courts are maintained beautifully. We had the pleasure of working with both Mike and Maraj who were excellent and helpful in taking our game to the next level. Our family also enjoyed meeting the other tennis members and guests and felt very welcomed by all we met. All and all, it was a fantastic experience and we are planning our next trip back. We highly recommend the Longboat Key Club and The Tennis Gardens and Longboat Key!!!!
You have to go to the Resort at Longboat Key Club to experience how unique and special the setting, amenities and location are. So close to SRQ, downtown and St. Armands Circle and with access to world class tennis, golf, fitness center, spa, marina, and the gulf of Mexico on a pristine beach. The pros are great and the only reason I didn’t rate the instruction the ‘ best ever’ is that I’ve been lucky enough to receive pointers from Fred Stolle, Owen Davidson, Ross Case, Tracy Austin, Taylor Dent and Johan Kreik at various tennis fantasy camps over the years. The tennis gardens at the club consist of 20 beautifully manicured har Tru courts. Director of tennis Brianna, Kaitlin, Ali, Conner and Balia kept my wife and I busy throughout our stay.
I’m a tennis nut and discovered this gem of a resort in 2015 and haven’t stopped coming back. The resort in on the Gulf of Mexico and has 45 holes of golf, a marina, spa and fitness center. But if tennis is your passion, the 20 court tennis gardens in the place to be. The pros and support staff are top notch and go above and beyond to make your experience memorable. Shout out to Briana and Kaitlinn who recently took amazing care of us, and Randy who holds great liveball group sessions that I’ve participated in.
Both Kaitlin and Briana made the tennis outstanding as they were both fun, amazing players, and so gracious. My husband and I really enjoyed while improving our tennis. The staff is prepared for all levels and the courts are impeccable.
A wonderful Resort !
The resort itself seems a little rundown, and there were staffing issues — not enough people working in the beach, and some days housekeeping didn’t get to our room. The tennis facilities were great — amazing courts The highlight of our trip was our lessons with David — a superb pro who really helped us and was positive, clear, and so encouraging.
Each February my husband and I take a tennis trip to Sarasota, FL with friends, and it never disappoints. We stay at The Longboat Key Club and play tennis down the road at the Tennis Gardens. LOVE the Tennis Gardens–beautiful courts and atmosphere–and the folks at the club are friendly and helpful with reservations. There are several options for clinics and lessons, and they helped us choose what was best for our group. Our pros were Ken and Miraj–both so skilled. I always take home at least one new tip (ask Miraj about his family’s secrets!) but wish I could stay longer to learn more from these guys. Maybe next year…
Brianna & her staff are very welcoming & friendly to guests of the resort. They reply to emails quickly & are helpful and accommodating . Randy’s live ball clinic is fast paced with good movement. I’d suggest other drills/ points play for diversity. My private lesson with Ken was super helpful to my ground stroke.
Thank you for a great tennis experience. Briana Harris Francois and the pro shop staff were excellent.
We absolutely love this Resort. Everything about it is amazing. Our favourite is the tennis resort, the staff are amazing. Our coach Sergio was the very best we hit with him every time we booked, couldn’t have asked for better. Our thanks to all at the resort ?????? Until next time thank you for a wonderful time.
Our 9 year old took a lesson with tennis pro, Sergio. Wonderful instruction, patient, with a perfect balance of keeping it “light” and working on her game. Would highly recommend to both adults and children for tennis lesson!!!
Amazing experience! We had a family reunion and the staff prepared a Round Robin Tennis Tournament for us that the family is still talking about. Thank you LBKC Tennis Team for an unforgettable time!
We went to Longboat Key Club for our family reunion and it was an amazing experience. Every staff member we came across was friendly and went out of their way to help us out. We also had a family tennis tournament organized by the tennis pros and it was AWESOME! They were so sweet and even treated us to snacks and champagne to finish the tournament off. Such a fun and memorable family experience.
Brianna was very accommodating and organized an awesome large family tennis tournament for kids and adults! We had a blast! Drinks, snacks, tennis, beautiful courts and setting!
I would recommend this resort to all my family and friends. Wonder experience!
Our experience at the Tennis Garden at Longboat Key Club was amazing! We play tennis as a family and this was our vacation this year. The staff (Brianne and Katelinn) were really friendly and accommodating. We had asked for the stadium court to play on, so we could get really nice, memorable photos and they made it a priority to do that for us. I hope you guys get used to us, because we will be back soon. The manager Brianne went above and beyond to make this a trip we will never forget. I also want to give a huge thank you to Tommy!
Had a great time at the Resort and the Tennis Gardens, looking forward to coming back.
My experience at the Resort/Tennis Gardens was exceptional. All the staff in both areas were extremely helpful, kind, and competent. The facilities were beautiful and clean. Would absolutely comes back.
I really enjoyed my stay at the Resort and playing at the Tennis Gardens. The Resort was beautiful and the Tennis Gardens were pristine. The Pro shop was well stocked, clean, and had helpful staff. Overall a great experience.
I played in the Cinco de Mayo tennis round robin. It was extremely well organized and fun. The pro shop had a lot of great merchandise and the front desk was very helpful. Cant wait to come back.
I played both tennis and pickleball at the Tennis Gardens on my vacation. The experience was excellent and easy. Some clubs the booking and paying process can be very convoluted, but this club made it very easy for guests. The instruction and clinics were really informative and good exercise, definitely a bang for your buck. Would recommend.
I had an excellent time at the tennis facility. My private lesson was one of the best I’ve ever had; it was very informative and helped transform my game in a mater of an hour with small changes. The front desk was very kind and accommodating in helping arrange private clinics and games. The clinics were a great workout and had a fun social atmosphere. Would go back.
The Tennis Gardens was an exceptional experience. The pro shop was neat and the staff was helpful, excited, and kind. Booking was smooth and seamless, as was paying. All the pros I met were extremely knowledgable and qualified, and the pro I worked with was professional, well versed in tennis, a good teacher, and made my lesson tough but not exhasuting. I also played in one of the clinics offered. The clinic was well organized and gave me a chance to practice the skills I had learned in my private lesson. I would absolutely come back to the Tennis Gardens and recommend it to others.
Delighted to be back at Longboatkey Resort. Would highly recommend this Resort. We had the best time, We particularly love the Tennis centre, the staff are amazing.
Everything you need to take your game to a higher level. Sammy’s and Montana’s coaching tips were very helpful. Beautiful accommodations with Gulf view.
We will be back!
Great spot for tennis and golf lovers! The staff is fantastic! They set me up with competitive matches and made me feel very welcome! Particularly the staff and pros were friendly and seemed to care about you getting the most out of your time at the resort. The courts are some of the best I’ve ever played on! The beach and the rest of the facilities are nice too. Very kid friendly if that’s your priority.
The Resort at Longboat Key Club is an outstanding facility with lots to offer. The pool, hot tub, and service was first class. We were there for a tennis vacation, and we thoroughly enjoyed clinics, private instruction, and “game arranging”. The pro shop offers an outstanding selection of beautiful tennis clothing with a full range of sizes. The dining experience at the Whiskey Bar was very special! This type of vacation is on the expensive side, but we thoroughly enjoyed our stay, and we are very likely to return.
The staff in the pro shop and fitness center are outstanding. Game arranging was excellent! It is with pleasure that I highly recommend Tania Lea, Tennis Concierge at the Longboat Key Club. Before my arrival to the club Tania had arranged a number of matches. This was reassuring. I was travelling from far up North primarily to play lots of tennis and I had never been to the club before. Tania made a great first impression. Upon my arrival, Tania completely filled my days with a variety of quality matches. On top of all this Tania gave me an excellent tennis lesson. She listened to what I was looking for and gave me that perfect mix of feedback to improve my game while letting me enjoy playing points against a tennis pro! Tania made The Longboat Key Club experience fun and educational.
This review is primarily concerned with the tennis facilities and coaching at the Tennis Gardens at Long Boat Key Club (LBKC), which are our favourite destination and exceptional. We specifically booked this holiday to visit the Tennis Gardens for the second time and enjoy again the fantastic coaching provided by Maraj Maharaj. We feel he is the best tennis coach we have ever had, anywhere in the world. He didn’t disappoint us, his coaching was BRILLIANT MAN, BRILLIANT! This included both his one to one lessons and the group clinics he ran, the latter he made great fun and really enjoyable. We would also like to thank Randy Ardenfriend for the excellent Live Ball sessions he ran. We plan to visit next year just to benefit from Maraj’s coaching again. Thank you Maraj and all at LBKC and the Tennis Gardens for a fantastic holiday, exceptional tennis facilities and superb coaching. During our stay the resort was undergoing extensive renovation, which accounts for the grading of some of the facilities.
The tennis game coordinator, Tania Lea, does an excellent job of arranging games at your skill level. The women in the pro shop are all friendly and helpful and the tennis pros are outstanding. One of the big draws at the resort is their tennis center.
Tennis center staff kept me playing which is the reason this is our 9th year at LBKC. Not necessary to bring a tennis partner, the (excellent) concierge has you covered. Lovey upgrades happening now to the rooms. First class! Great beaches and restaurants, it’s all here.
My experience with the Tennis Gardens this trip was outstanding. I called Tania, the Tennis concierge, just a few days before my arrival. She contacted me the next day with arrangements she made for me to play in four matches with members, both ladies and mixed doubles. In addition, I took a clinic with Thomas, which included a lot of personalized tips and instruction. I was impressed with the level of care and professional attention.
As a tennis and golf destination with a beautiful beach, the Resort at Longboat Key is an outstanding choice. Customer service is extraordinary in all areas of the resort. Tennis Gardens has an exceptional staff which includes one of the best pro shops on the west coast of FL. Sammy Avila heads a staff of pros who are engaging and knowledgeable. Special shout out to Susan in the pro shop who catered to our every need on and off the court. And the har-tru courts are some of the best we have ever played on! Looking forward to our next visit!
I look forward to the clinics every year.
Really enjoyed my stay at the Resort at Longboat Key Club. Both tennis and golf facilities were exceptional. I recommend booking tennis lessons and clinics well in advance as schedules do fill up. Never had any issue with court availability during the day and lit courts are available in the evenings. If you need playing partners, definitely call the tennis concierge ahead of time to help set up games with other players at your level. Several of the pros are top notch and have the experience to pinpoint and work on specific weaknesses in your game as opposed to just hitting with you. After playing 3-4 hours a day for a 6 day period, I felt a significant improvement in my game. I would definitely recommend the tennis program to anyone wanting to improve their game.
The tennis complex and staff are exceptional. The resort is very expansive. Beautiful beach. Bikes available. rooms are large with a small kitchen. Great location. The only thing that’s lacking is the food in the restaurant and room service. Breakfast is fine.
The courts and facilities are exceptional. The staff are very friendly and accommodating. They will arrange matches, clinics and lessons. We highly recommend and will hopefully be back soon!