This 13-story, 491-room hotel trails along 1,200 feet of beach on the Atlantic Ocean at roughly the midpoint of the island and a short drive from Crandon Park.
The resort takes its architectural clues from the Colonial West Indies, but the comfort and very attentive service are all Ritz-Carlton in marble baths, feather beds, down comforters, and Frette linens. Among its amenities are a 20,000-square-foot spa, five restaurants and lounges, and an oceanfront Ritz Kids pavilion with a children’s-only pool and oceanfront playground. But the most significant amenity from the point of view of tennis players is the on-site facility designed by former touring pro and noted television commentator Cliff Drysdale.
Tennis Staff: Cliff Drysdale Tennis manages the club’s operation and installed Max Mangones as director. Originally from Haiti, Mangones came to the U.S. at age 15 and went on to play Division II college tennis at Miami’s Barry University. He heads of a staff of as many as 10 international pros in season, catering both to the needs of active local members and to those of guests.
Tennis Programs: The weekly roster includes a 90-minute clinic every day, supplemented by three more on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings. Two things distinguish these clinics: the large turnout (often 20 or more people) and their lively and challenging organization. Although mine began, as clinics often do, with work on forehands and backhands, it quickly moved to live-ball drills in a variety of formats as we players rotated through half a dozen pros. As a hotel guest these afford an immediate introduction to some of the local players, though if you prefer playing to drilling the staff can draw on that same stable to set up matches. Finally, from early June to late August, the Tennis Center adds a summer day camp for juniors ages 7-17. Clinics aside, there are a number of special events scattered throughout the year, among them luxury ladies’ retreats and social round robins.
Also part of the complex are three lighted padel courts, a racquet sport played on an enclosed court (different from paddle tennis) that has become enormously popular in places like Mexico—where it originated—Argentina, Spain, and Italy and enthusiasm for the sport is spreading world wide.
Court fees: $15/day and includes a can of balls
Off Court
Golf Courses: The resort has no golf course of its own but guests can play at the highly rated public course in nearby Crandon Park.
Spa & Fitness Center: A 20,000-square-foot spa and fitness center with 21 treatment rooms overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. Its treatments draw on the local history of the Tequesta Indians, explorers, and coconut plantations for ingredients and inspiration, whether that’s a coconut nourishment to soothe the skin or a detoxifying ceremony to purify and restore balance. The Fitness Center has an array of TechnoGym equipment, its cardio elements facing windows with views of the foliage outdoors. It also hosts a selection of classes that include boot camp workouts, Pilates, yoga, cycling, and stretching.
There are two outdoor pools, one for adults only, the other a large amoeba-shaped zero-entry expanse bordered by lounge chairs.
Children's programs: The Ritz Kids program provides supervised activities for those ages 4 to 10+ in partnership with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society. Not mere babysitting, it instead seeks to exploit children’s natural curiosity as a way of introducing them to the natural wonders and culture.
Dining: There are several tasty options: contemporary American cuisine at the Fountain Cafe, a selection of tequilas and Mexican fare at the oceanfront Cantina Beach, and gourmet burgers and international appetizers at Dune Burgers on the Beach. In addition, Light Keepers is about to open and will focus on coastal cuisine.
Accommodations
There are 402 rooms altogether, 37 of them suites. All have terraces that overlook the ocean, bay or gardens.
Getting there
Seasons: Year-round, though hot and steamy in summer.
Travel Instructions: By Air: The Ritz is roughly 17 miles from Miami International Airport (MIA), which is served by all the major airlines.
204 Reviews on “The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne - Cliff Drysdale Tennis”
Excellent
4.7
204 reviews
On Court Experience
5.0
Off Court Experience
5.0
Overall Tennis
5.0
Overall Pickleball
4.7
Overall Padel
4.7
Adult Tennis Camp Experience
5.0
Tennis Instruction
5.0
Padel Instruction
5.0
Pickleball Instruction
4.7
Adult Tennis Camp Experience
5.0
Accomodations
5.0
Resort Amenities
5.0
CH
Best Coaches, great staff and the best ambiance all around. Clinics are amazing!!
AS
Went here on a girls tennis trip and had an amazing time. Matt and Antoinewere fabulous!
JM
I have travelled with my tennis team here for 5 years and we have been absolutely delighted with the tennis experience. The courts are situated among the beautiful palm trees and are close enough to the beach for an occasional ocean breeze. The tennis pros made our team clinics fun and educational. We liked how we could customize our clinics to focus on areas that we wanted to improve. Staying at the Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne next door allowed us to walk over to the courts in just a few minutes. It was so convenient! I would highly recommend.
BM
This is my fifth year visiting this resort. My tennis team comes once a year in January or February. There are 14 of us and we all absolutely love everything about this tennis resort. We have been lucky to have Matt as a pro every year He always remembers us and makes the tennis part of the trip enjoyable and memorable. He has the best energy and makes the three hours of tennis each day fly by. We have looked at other resorts but none combine the perfect tennis, resort, vibe that our girls are looking for. Can not recommend enough.
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204 Reviews on “The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne - Cliff Drysdale Tennis”
Best Coaches, great staff and the best ambiance all around. Clinics are amazing!!
Went here on a girls tennis trip and had an amazing time. Matt and Antoinewere fabulous!
I have travelled with my tennis team here for 5 years and we have been absolutely delighted with the tennis experience. The courts are situated among the beautiful palm trees and are close enough to the beach for an occasional ocean breeze. The tennis pros made our team clinics fun and educational. We liked how we could customize our clinics to focus on areas that we wanted to improve. Staying at the Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne next door allowed us to walk over to the courts in just a few minutes. It was so convenient! I would highly recommend.
This is my fifth year visiting this resort. My tennis team comes once a year in January or February. There are 14 of us and we all absolutely love everything about this tennis resort. We have been lucky to have Matt as a pro every year He always remembers us and makes the tennis part of the trip enjoyable and memorable. He has the best energy and makes the three hours of tennis each day fly by. We have looked at other resorts but none combine the perfect tennis, resort, vibe that our girls are looking for. Can not recommend enough.