There is a certain breed of tennis player who cannot be stopped by the weather, and the debate over winter tennis in Florida vs. summer tennis in New England resorts is one they live rather than argue.
From the prominent Coachella Valley to the breezy coastlines of San Diego and Santa Barbara, this guide covers seven standout properties that have made California one of the most celebrated tennis destinations in the world.
Kiawah Island Golf Resort has been serving unforgettable match moments from the time its first guests stepped onto the tennis courts in 1976. Fifty years later, that legacy continues to rally. In late 2025, the acclaimed Roy Barth Tennis Center added two new padel courts to its award-winning lineup.
There is a certain breed of tennis player who cannot be stopped by the weather, and the debate over winter tennis in Florida vs. summer tennis in New England resorts is one they live rather than argue.
From the prominent Coachella Valley to the breezy coastlines of San Diego and Santa Barbara, this guide covers seven standout properties that have made California one of the most celebrated tennis destinations in the world.
This guide covers six padel resorts in Italy, from a family-friendly all-inclusive village on the Calabrian coast to a five-star lakeside retreat in Veneto.
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.
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 four 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 Morning Madness, daily all level clinics, doubles strategy, and live-ball drills.
Activities like those allow people to make reservations 30 days prior because of the demand.. But LBKC’s success can also be traced to the changing demographics, with younger members playing afternoons. The resort also holds junior clinics during the summer and major holidays.
Briana Harris Francois had a history with the Tennis Gardens even before taking over as The Director of Racquet Sports. 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 3.5 and showed so much talent she earned a scholarship to train at IMG Academy in Bradenton and another to attend The 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, to direct the junior program at Celsius Tennis Academy and then full time 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.
Among the staff is Sammy Aviles, a near legend on Longboat Key for his years with the Bollettieri Tennis Academy and the Colony Beach & Tennis Club, Jason Grose, Karin Miller, Prakash Maraj, Randy Ardenfriend, and Carlos Gomez.
Court Complex: There are 20 Har-Tru courts at Harbourside Tennis Gardens and another 4 at Islandside.
Court fees: None for hotel guests playing tennis. Pickleball is $25per person in season and $15 from May-September.
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.
Pickleball with Katelinn was amazing, the resort outstanding as well as the service. Super recommended would go there again.
MH
Wonderful experience all around
RO
Hands down the greatest, most friendliest staff and facilities, in Florida!
This team really makes you feel like family, with the courts and the rest of the facilities in tip top shape!
Best part, the views unimaginable views and wildlife!!
PF
The Tennis at the resort I absolutely love. I enjoy taking lessons with Karin Miller. She has brought my tennis game and confidence to the next level. I look forward to vacationing at the resort every year and make sure to book my lessons with her well in advance. I also enjoy attending Liveball classes. She brings a lot of energy to the court. The front desk staff, Kaitlyn, Allie Roger and Brianna do a fantastic job in the pro shop and organizing the lessons and clinics.
KW
Another amazing trip to Longboat, and hands down one of the best tennis clubs around! Longboat Key Club offers top-notch drills, private lessons, and a fantastic pro shop experience. The staff truly makes it special—always welcoming, knowledgeable, and full of energy.
The tennis shop is outstanding, with Alli, Kate, Rodger, and Isabel going above and beyond to make every visit enjoyable and personalized.
Pickleball here is just as impressive, with 8 courts available for daily open play, along with a great lineup of lessons and clinics.
DG
The member-guest tennis event was so much fun! The day ran like clockwork and the staff were all great!
PE
Carlos is a really good teacher and he made my lesson really fun. I like him. You guys have such a good tennis club and I can’t wait to come back sometime!
MI
Great club and fantastic staff
LN
I have been a long-term marina guest at Longboat Key Club for the past six or seven years, and our experience has been nothing short of exceptional. We have attended several events over the years, and every one of them has been fantastic. From the DJ and photo booth to the prizes, decor, amazing food, and bar, everything is always done beautifully. Truly the best of the best.
One of the highlights for me is Tennis at the Gardens. It is some of the best tennis I have ever played. Briana and her staff are incredibly inviting and encouraging, and they always go out of their way to get me involved in events, lessons, clinics, and matches. Their energy and enthusiasm make the experience even more special.
The Front Desk staff, Katelinn and Alli, have also become like family to us. After coming here for so many years, it is clear how dedicated and professional they are. They never miss a beat, are always on top of things, and consistently make us feel welcomed and valued.
Longboat Key Club continues to exceed expectations in every way, and we always look forward to coming back.
MC
Alli at the front desk was great!
DE
The best “team”! From the desk, to the pro’s, to the leadership this group provides an amazing tennis experience. They care, they teach, they play hard! Such a wonderful tennis experience.
GR
I had amazing clinic and private lesson experiences with the coaching staff that revolutionized my game—and we were only there 2 days! Wish we could stay longer, we will definitely be back
VS
Incredible facilities and best of the best staff, all on beautiful Longboat Key. What else could you ask for in a tennis resort?
AA
The tennis garden staff was very helpful and always makes me feel welcomed whenever I go into the shop. The shop is very clean and have an amazing snack bar.
JC
love this place work staff is great and very friendly and knowledgeable
AJ
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If I could give Ms Bria and her Team more stars, I truly would.
What began as a simple referral turned into an exceptional experience for my son. From the moment we walked in, Ms. Bria and her team set a standard of excellence that is rare to find. They are warm, professional, incredibly knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in making a positive impact – regardless of age level or skill.
I want to give a special THANK YOU to Ms. Bria, who went above and beyond to make time for my son on extremely short notice. Her leadership, kindness, and commitment is truly unmatched. She runs an operation where every detail reflects care, expertise, and integrity. The attention to detail on and off the court was amazing!
During our time there, my son trained one‑on‑one with Mr. Kevin and Ms. Karin, and both were OUTSTANDING! Each brought a unique teaching style, deep tennis knowledge, and the perfect balance of competitiveness and encouragement. Their ability to break down techniques, push him appropriately, and build his confidence made a tremendous impact in a very short period of time.
The entire staff is welcoming, supportive, and truly dedicated to helping growth — not just as a competitor but as a person.
We will absolutely be returning, and I would recommend Ms. Bria, her Longboat Staff, and especially Mr. Kevin’s and Ms. Karin’s instruction, to any parent who wants their aspiring tennis player (or themselves) to receive high‑quality, thoughtful, and effective tennis training. This is the kind of environment where players at all age levels thrive.
AV
I came down for spring break I enjoyed my lessons with Sammy and doing the live ball clinics with Briana!!! We come to this resort every spring break never fails to impress!!!!!!
CB
Tennis staff and pros we’re awesome!
EB
Always a fantastic vacation at the Longboat Key Club Resort. The entire staff is amazing in their attentiveness, especially Sherman the concierage.
Then there are Paula and Anna, servers at the pool, Carol on the switchboard, and the attendants at the entrance all of whom also contribute to my perfect stay.
Allie and her crew at the tennis center are extremely accommodating, and always look out for me which I appreciate.
My only gripe concerns the seagulls who twice swooped down and stole part of my lunch. In years past, there were wires running from building
to building to discourage these thieves, but this year, they were gone, and were desperately needed.
Continue with the glorious sunsets, the beautiful weather (though not so perfect this trip), the tennis pros, the hotel staff, etc. and I’ll be back.
MR
I had a great time as usual
I did liveball tennis with Randy , Carlos and Karin. They were excellent. Very professional ,, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. It is a drill that is a good fun workout and learning experience.
The front desk staff are approachable, courteous and helpful
I can’t wait to play again at LKC
BD
I took a private lesson with Carlos on two different days. He was great. He identified some things for me to work on, and was very positive and encouraging. The facilities are excellent.
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422 Reviews on “The Resort at Longboat Key Club”
Pickleball with Katelinn was amazing, the resort outstanding as well as the service. Super recommended would go there again.
Wonderful experience all around
Hands down the greatest, most friendliest staff and facilities, in Florida!
This team really makes you feel like family, with the courts and the rest of the facilities in tip top shape!
Best part, the views unimaginable views and wildlife!!
The Tennis at the resort I absolutely love. I enjoy taking lessons with Karin Miller. She has brought my tennis game and confidence to the next level. I look forward to vacationing at the resort every year and make sure to book my lessons with her well in advance. I also enjoy attending Liveball classes. She brings a lot of energy to the court. The front desk staff, Kaitlyn, Allie Roger and Brianna do a fantastic job in the pro shop and organizing the lessons and clinics.
Another amazing trip to Longboat, and hands down one of the best tennis clubs around! Longboat Key Club offers top-notch drills, private lessons, and a fantastic pro shop experience. The staff truly makes it special—always welcoming, knowledgeable, and full of energy.
The tennis shop is outstanding, with Alli, Kate, Rodger, and Isabel going above and beyond to make every visit enjoyable and personalized.
Pickleball here is just as impressive, with 8 courts available for daily open play, along with a great lineup of lessons and clinics.
The member-guest tennis event was so much fun! The day ran like clockwork and the staff were all great!
Carlos is a really good teacher and he made my lesson really fun. I like him. You guys have such a good tennis club and I can’t wait to come back sometime!
Great club and fantastic staff
I have been a long-term marina guest at Longboat Key Club for the past six or seven years, and our experience has been nothing short of exceptional. We have attended several events over the years, and every one of them has been fantastic. From the DJ and photo booth to the prizes, decor, amazing food, and bar, everything is always done beautifully. Truly the best of the best.
One of the highlights for me is Tennis at the Gardens. It is some of the best tennis I have ever played. Briana and her staff are incredibly inviting and encouraging, and they always go out of their way to get me involved in events, lessons, clinics, and matches. Their energy and enthusiasm make the experience even more special.
The Front Desk staff, Katelinn and Alli, have also become like family to us. After coming here for so many years, it is clear how dedicated and professional they are. They never miss a beat, are always on top of things, and consistently make us feel welcomed and valued.
Longboat Key Club continues to exceed expectations in every way, and we always look forward to coming back.
Alli at the front desk was great!
The best “team”! From the desk, to the pro’s, to the leadership this group provides an amazing tennis experience. They care, they teach, they play hard! Such a wonderful tennis experience.
I had amazing clinic and private lesson experiences with the coaching staff that revolutionized my game—and we were only there 2 days! Wish we could stay longer, we will definitely be back
Incredible facilities and best of the best staff, all on beautiful Longboat Key. What else could you ask for in a tennis resort?
The tennis garden staff was very helpful and always makes me feel welcomed whenever I go into the shop. The shop is very clean and have an amazing snack bar.
love this place work staff is great and very friendly and knowledgeable
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If I could give Ms Bria and her Team more stars, I truly would.
What began as a simple referral turned into an exceptional experience for my son. From the moment we walked in, Ms. Bria and her team set a standard of excellence that is rare to find. They are warm, professional, incredibly knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in making a positive impact – regardless of age level or skill.
I want to give a special THANK YOU to Ms. Bria, who went above and beyond to make time for my son on extremely short notice. Her leadership, kindness, and commitment is truly unmatched. She runs an operation where every detail reflects care, expertise, and integrity. The attention to detail on and off the court was amazing!
During our time there, my son trained one‑on‑one with Mr. Kevin and Ms. Karin, and both were OUTSTANDING! Each brought a unique teaching style, deep tennis knowledge, and the perfect balance of competitiveness and encouragement. Their ability to break down techniques, push him appropriately, and build his confidence made a tremendous impact in a very short period of time.
The entire staff is welcoming, supportive, and truly dedicated to helping growth — not just as a competitor but as a person.
We will absolutely be returning, and I would recommend Ms. Bria, her Longboat Staff, and especially Mr. Kevin’s and Ms. Karin’s instruction, to any parent who wants their aspiring tennis player (or themselves) to receive high‑quality, thoughtful, and effective tennis training. This is the kind of environment where players at all age levels thrive.
I came down for spring break I enjoyed my lessons with Sammy and doing the live ball clinics with Briana!!! We come to this resort every spring break never fails to impress!!!!!!
Tennis staff and pros we’re awesome!
Always a fantastic vacation at the Longboat Key Club Resort. The entire staff is amazing in their attentiveness, especially Sherman the concierage.
Then there are Paula and Anna, servers at the pool, Carol on the switchboard, and the attendants at the entrance all of whom also contribute to my perfect stay.
Allie and her crew at the tennis center are extremely accommodating, and always look out for me which I appreciate.
My only gripe concerns the seagulls who twice swooped down and stole part of my lunch. In years past, there were wires running from building
to building to discourage these thieves, but this year, they were gone, and were desperately needed.
Continue with the glorious sunsets, the beautiful weather (though not so perfect this trip), the tennis pros, the hotel staff, etc. and I’ll be back.
I had a great time as usual
I did liveball tennis with Randy , Carlos and Karin. They were excellent. Very professional ,, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. It is a drill that is a good fun workout and learning experience.
The front desk staff are approachable, courteous and helpful
I can’t wait to play again at LKC
I took a private lesson with Carlos on two different days. He was great. He identified some things for me to work on, and was very positive and encouraging. The facilities are excellent.