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.
209 Reviews on “The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne - Cliff Drysdale Tennis”
Excellent
4.7
209 reviews
On Court Experience
5.0
Off Court Experience
5.0
Overall Tennis
5.0
Overall Pickleball
4.8
Overall Padel
4.8
Adult Tennis Camp Experience
5.0
Tennis Instruction
5.0
Padel Instruction
5.0
Pickleball Instruction
4.8
Adult Tennis Camp Experience
5.0
Accomodations
4.9
Resort Amenities
5.0
SC
Great Tennis Clinic!!
Max, Matt, and all the team are awesome!!!
The courts are in perfect condition, the service is in every detail, towells, ice, icewater…
Thanks for all the great time!!!
TI
I’ve been playing in the clinic here for 5+ years and take private lessons on occasion. The team here is a balanced group of younger and experienced pros all of whom have great court side manner and are always trying to help the players improve. The facilities are well kept although the drainage is challenging and so play can get cancelled when there is even a modest rain and not enough time for the courts to dry. Generally the guests are a good mix of locals and Ritz-Carlton hotel guests and I have made a lot of good friendships from this experience.
LJ
All the Pros are super welcoming & friendly! Always greet everyone with a genuine smile and give great instruction best of all!
GS
Matic Leskovar has worked with me tirelessly and helped maintain and improve my tennis game tremendously. Best tennis coach ever
AK
The tennis program was well-organized without feeling too intense, which suited us perfectly. We both had lessons with Matt who was professional, encouraging and patient. A great place for couples looking to stay active while still relaxing.
BD
Can’t wait to come back! I am a level 4.0 and I had an amazing experience at this tennis resort. The highlight of my trip was working with Matt. His tips instantly improved my game.
VF
I’m a 3.5 level female player and the pros at the clinics in the morning do a great job pairing you with the correct people so you’re always playing at your level. We actually brought friends who now fell in love with the clinics as well awesome place great staff.
RF
My wife and I have been coming here for 17 years and it is by far one of the best tennis programs in the country. The staff is amazing and the morning clinics are the best. We’re actually thinking about moving to Miami so we can play every day.
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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209 Reviews on “The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne - Cliff Drysdale Tennis”
Great Tennis Clinic!!
Max, Matt, and all the team are awesome!!!
The courts are in perfect condition, the service is in every detail, towells, ice, icewater…
Thanks for all the great time!!!
I’ve been playing in the clinic here for 5+ years and take private lessons on occasion. The team here is a balanced group of younger and experienced pros all of whom have great court side manner and are always trying to help the players improve. The facilities are well kept although the drainage is challenging and so play can get cancelled when there is even a modest rain and not enough time for the courts to dry. Generally the guests are a good mix of locals and Ritz-Carlton hotel guests and I have made a lot of good friendships from this experience.
All the Pros are super welcoming & friendly! Always greet everyone with a genuine smile and give great instruction best of all!
Matic Leskovar has worked with me tirelessly and helped maintain and improve my tennis game tremendously. Best tennis coach ever
The tennis program was well-organized without feeling too intense, which suited us perfectly. We both had lessons with Matt who was professional, encouraging and patient. A great place for couples looking to stay active while still relaxing.
Can’t wait to come back! I am a level 4.0 and I had an amazing experience at this tennis resort. The highlight of my trip was working with Matt. His tips instantly improved my game.
I’m a 3.5 level female player and the pros at the clinics in the morning do a great job pairing you with the correct people so you’re always playing at your level. We actually brought friends who now fell in love with the clinics as well awesome place great staff.
My wife and I have been coming here for 17 years and it is by far one of the best tennis programs in the country. The staff is amazing and the morning clinics are the best. We’re actually thinking about moving to Miami so we can play every day.
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.