Golf Courses: Topnotch does not have a golf course of its own; however, guests do have privileges at the exclusive Country Club of Vermont and the staff can arrange for guests to play on the 18-hole championship course at the Stowe Country Club nearby.
Spa & Fitness Center: At 35,000 square feet, the highly rated Topnotch Spa is central amenity. It offers 120 rejuvenating and skin-care treatments as well as a full-service salon, indoor pool, a whirlpool with cascading waterfall, and state-of-the-art fitness studios for daily classes, yoga and Pilates instruction, weight training and cardiovascular workouts, and personal training.
Horseback Riding: The equestrian center just across the road from the resort offers guided trail rides, instruction in both English and Western riding, a training ring for experienced riders, and pony rides for kids. It’s open from mid-May to November. During the winter months, the equestrian center offers sleigh rides through the Vermont countryside.
Biking & Jogging Trails: Across Rte. 108 from the resort, near the indoor tennis courts and equestrian center, is the trail head for the Stowe Recreation Path. Begun in 1981, this 5.3-mile paved byway parallels Rte. 108 all the way into Stowe, providing bicyclists, joggers, and in-line skaters with their own traffic-free thoroughfare. The winding path crosses the Little River 11 times on the way from Main Street in Stowe to just beyond Topnotch. Along the way it passes century-old trees and affords views of quintessential Vermont village architecture, fields of wildflowers, covered bridges. and Mount Mansfield. And it’s free. Bikes and in-line skates can be rented from the Nordic Barn Recreation Center.
In addition to the indoor spa pool, there are two pools just outside, the larger of them open seasonally, the smaller one, which is heated, and its adjacent hot tub are open year round. Both pools are surrounded by flagstone decking and stonework. And in winter, there is skiing at nearby Mt. Mansfield.
Children's programs: The experienced resort staff keeps kids active and engaged throughout their stay, offering a variety of fun things geared specifically to kids. With family activities such as kite-flying, berry picking, arts and crafts, snowshoeing and evening bonfires as part of an ever-changing schedule, the kids will find plenty to do. The summer summer junior camps are also a favorite with kids ages 6-12.
Dining: The Roost, a modern lobby bar and restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, capitalizing on its indoor-outdoor setting to offer a casual place to gather, not only for good food but also its lively bar scene, craft beers, and outdoor fire pit.
197 Reviews on “Topnotch Resort - Topnotch Tennis Academy”
I love coming to Topnotch every summer and winter. The tennis academy is great. The instructors are very attentive and genuinely interested in improving your game and skills. The resort itself is of a very high standard and close to Stowe mountain, so great location for skiing. The grounds are beautiful and overall ambience is of quiet luxury.
Simba youre the best! Thanks for the special attention!
Beautiful resort, great staff. Tennis and pickleball coaches were amazing! Fitness instructors were great and accommodating to injuries. Facilities were kept very clean. I definitely plan to return later this year.
Simba is a wonderful instructor who is greatly skilled with a terrific courtside manner. He has high energy and is very encouraging. Highly recommended.
The tennis center makes Top Notch a destination! Their staff and programs are extraordinary!
The Top Notch tennis staff members are exceptional in every way – accommodating when you call for lessons and court times, and provide excellent feedback on the courts. I love the tennis community there!
The tennis instruction at Topnotch is excellent. I frequently take small group lessons and my tennis has improved tremendously over the past couple of years. There is a great variety of daily tennis and pickle ball clinics to choose from. They are for all ages and abilities. The pros at Topnotch are high energy, fun, and they want to help you get better at tennis which I love! The junior program is also excellent. I have 3 kids all of whom have had group lessons and private lessons, they have always thoroughly enjoyed playing at Topnotch. I highly recommend!
The tennis setting and instruction at Topnotch is really topnotch. The town of Stowe has so much more to offer too, year-round.
The tennis staff is very enthusiastic in making sure you get your time worth. Coach Simba is outstanding. He has worked with my 11 year daughter for more than a year. My daughter has come a long way from where she was as tennis player more than a year back. I have been to maby tennis academies in Florida and i certainly tell you that coach is one of the best not only in Vermont but all of North East and beyond. My daughter has more confidence in winning tournaments and all that credit goes to coach Simba who has led and guided her to this level in tennis. I would recommend Tom Notch Tennis to any one who wants to have private, semi private or group lessons here. The staff is also very friendly and professional and with the feel of of a resort, it’s just amazing.
The tennis staff is a refreshing blend of warmth + constructive coaching. It’s a high energy / positive place to play!
The staff at Topnotch Tennis Academy are wonderful and accommodating. They offer one on one lessons, twice weekly cardio and daily clinics. There is something for everyone! I’m relatively new to tennis and have taken lesson with the junior and senior pros. I always have a great time while improving my game. They have year round in door courts as well as seasonal outdoor courts.
Topnotch is an excellent tennis destination. There are 4 great indoor courts that are climate controlled for play during the winter as well as many outdoor clay courts. There are clinics and round robins daily and the private lessons are superb as well, no matter which instructor you choose. My wife and I love playing at Topnotch as much as we can.
There are absolutely no weaknesses to this resort! The tennis program is especially amazing!!!
TopNotch has amenities and services that truly stand up to its name. The tennis center instructors provide personalized, skilled, and friendly service making it a wonderful climate for developing your tennis or pickle ball game. Also, the newly renovated tennis facility is beautiful!
I have had on average of 2 to 3 hitting sessions a week with the exceptional tennis staff during the six months that I am in Vermont every year. I find the tennis staff exceptional in teaching attitude and positive attitude. Simba Happy is an amazing director and runs fantastic clinics for children snd adults. I’ve been playing tennis for 50 plus years and very much appreciate having this first rate facility and teaching available to me. It’s really first class.
Topnotch has been.a favorite resort for our family for over a decade. We just returned from another ski/tennis vacation and loved it. Tennis Center has been recently upgraded under expert leadership of Simba Happy. Excellent instruction. Highly recommended.
Just returned from a terrific week at Topnotch, highlighted by its tennis camp. Coaching by Simba Happy & his team is tops, IMO, based on their 2 hour morning Adult Academy + a private lesson I squeezed in between family vacation obligations. I left each Academy with clear takeaways for my game and was amazed at how coaches Georgi and Jamie were able to quickly spot areas for improvement and share actionable tips to practice in the moment and after–thus avoiding the ‘one-size-fits-all’ trap in many group clinics. So also, my lesson gave me many clear takeaways for forehand, backhand & serve [we didn’t focus on volleys]+ valuable ideas about how I can coach & mentor the next generation of tennis enthusiasts, starting with my grandchildren. Speaking of of whom, my boy-girl twins took a terrific Junior Academy with Georgio, and I came away amazed by their progress after 2 hours.
We did five days of 2-hour clinics at Topnotch and would return again. The instructors were excellent, engaged, and kept things moving- I really can’t say enough good things about them. They have a total of 6 outdoor har-tru courts and four indoor hard courts. If the weather is bad, indoor courts are used. But the summer Vermont weather is glorious for tennis and we had great weather. Overall we either used 2 or 3 courts, depending on overall participants (maxed out at 12, I believe)-each court had a pro. The levels of players varies each day (from 3.0-5.0) but the instructors try to put similar-level players together and tailor drills to skill level, after observing everyone. We are 3.5 and 4.5 and both felt challenged, although the 4.5 had a few days where he was the best player (not all days though) and oftentimes the pros would step in and play in the drills so that was great, particularly for the strongest players. We both prefer to play singles and although most drills involve 2 players per side, we felt like the instruction was useful regardless of whether you play singles or doubles. We didn’t stay at the resort and instead stayed in downtown Stowe but it was an easy 8 minute ride every morning for the 9:30 am clinics (which was a great time to do clinics…not too early but left the rest of the day to enjoy). It is a bit cheaper if you stay at the resort (and even cheaper if you buy the tennis package)—all prices are online so you can decide what works for you. They have a nice locker room if you need to shower (note: I couldn’t find a hair dryer in the women’s locker room). Simba Happy runs the tennis program and he was delightful to be around and does a fantastic job. We both learned things during our week at Topnotch and felt like we got a great workout each day. These clinics are geared to teach and not just give you a good workout, which we both appreciated. We would definitely like to return and would recommend Topnotch to others!
Resort was very pretty and had a nice outside setup and pool area. The tennis instructors were friendly and knowledgeable and were able to critique missteps quickly. They were approachable and flexible to what our group requested to work on. I definitely felt they were experts not only in the sport but also in how to break down and teach technical aspects of a player’s game.
Simba, Jamie and Cole were fabulous. We will be back!
The pro staff was incredibly accommodating and the setting was perfect. It’s now going to be a regular destination!
I’ve enjoyed being a both a member and guest at Topnotch Resort and Spa & Tennis Center. Director Simba Happy, Elite pro Jamie Watson & Certified Pro Cole Hennessy are all exceptional humans and great instructors. I’ve had the pleasure of working with both Jamie and Cole and can tell you they have an almost unlimited amount of patience and understanding for the optimistic or pessimistic players. Rather than repeat an instruction when I don’t comprehend (or correct), Jamie & Cole both change the explanation or direction so that I grasp the over all concept and can execute the task. I am so pleased with my continued growth and development and growth on the court. I happily recommend this location and all of the pros that work here.
I’m 61 years old and I’ve played tennis my whole life. I think the indoor and outdoor courts are a fabulous feature especially in the winter time and I think the professionalism of the Tennis program is outstanding is currently run by Simba Who has a very special demeanor and is an outstanding head tennis pro. I am in Vermont for six months of the year and play at the stove top notch resort at least twice if not three times a week. It is a wonderful setting and a very special facility. I am very appreciative of the improvements that have been made to the indoor facility specifically.
Tennis staff are extraordinarily talented!
Simba in the best!
Amazing place to play tennis Incredible tennis director who is skilled at teaching and runs a high-functioning shop. Highly recommend without reservation !
Simba and the staff at the tennis centre are top notch ; )
Topnotch is an AMAZING resort with the most energetic and welcoming staff you will ever meet in your entire life! It has the best tennis program I’ve ever experienced and I cannot think of a single weakness!
Amazing tennis pros who take the time to work with you on an individual basis. Great options for group and individual clinics & lessons for all abilities. Upgraded facilities with tons of amenities. Fun & friendly environment. Love spending time here.
Love, love, love this place!
The tennis pros are first class – experienced, knowledgeable, patient & kind, but still push you to grow and develop They crest a fun atmosphere Simba is amazing!!
The tennis program at Top Notch in Stowe, is, well, top notch. Simba and his staff are friendly, knowledgeable, talented instructors who make the game fun and engaging.
The tennis offerings are what I have most experience with. I play 2-3 days per week in private lessons/matches. The tennis pros and staff are just that, Top Notch. This is a space where I feel welcomed, challenged, and learn from the best.
Amazing consistency, great tennis pros, spa and overall employee staff. Great experience, every time!
Topnotch tennis is unsurpassed, particularly when you’re working with the incredible head pro, Shaun Zemanek. He’s the best pro we’ve worked with anywhere around the globe. The resort is lovely, the setting heavenly, and dining options in the area are great. Don’t miss it.
Topnotch Resort is a stunning “mountain modern” design with gorgeous Mountain views, excellent food and beverages. And, oh yeah, great tennis.! We have enjoyed this place for about 10 years now and it remains our favorite vacation of the year! Consistently excellent tennis with Shawn Zemanek every morning followed by a delicious lunch on the patio overlooking the pool. Then off to hike or bike in the afternoons. Beers and hot tub in the evening! The best people, tennis, activities and nourishment all in one. We’ll definitely be back!
We were staying at another resort, and when rain cancelled our hiking plans, we made reservations for a private lesson. Lucky us! Simba Happy was an amazing instructor…super positive attitude and excellent explanation of the mechanics. Our timing was good too, because my husband was able to roll into a doubles game after our lesson. The indoor facility was excellent…good lighting and enough insulation so we could hear what Simba was telling us. (at our home court, we are in a bubble, and it’s hard to hear what anyone says). Overall, very happy with our experience and looking forward to going back! We felt very welcome by the staff and the local players.
Coaches were very nice and helpful.. didn’t try and change everything you have learned. They did try and give you something to work on, and make you better, as you were thinking about some things as you went!
Return every year to Top Notch for tennis camp and enjoy it !!
I have been going to Topnotch tennis for many years. My tennis team does a yearly trip every year. I love the pro’s there. They are great with all levels, and help with everyone’s game. Can’t wait to go back next year!!
Return every year to Top Notch for tennis camp and enjoy it !!
Top Notch has fantastic facilities and rates
We are a family of four and we play here indoors all the time during the winter months. We have taken lessons all over and we can honestly say that Shaun and Simba are among the best pros you will find. We take weekly clinics, cardio tennis, junior classes for the kids, family tennis lessons and I do ladies USTA team practice with Shaun. You will not be disappointed with your lessons with them. Shaun and Simba have more positive energy than you can believe, they are excellent teachers both strategically and technically and, if you just want to hit, they are also fit athletes who play great at a high level. What more could you want?
My husband and I have returned to Topnotch at least once a year for the last 10 years for the two main reasons many of us take tennis vacations — the instruction and the environment. We’ve had the pleasure of working the the Topnotch staff, and in particular Shaun Zemanek, over the years and consistently find that we work hard, our game improves, and we have an absolute blast. We find nothing more satisfying that landing back in our hotel room in a blissful state of exhaustion and excitement over what we’ve accomplished. Shaun won’t baby you — so don’t expect him to be obsequious! Do expect great insight and adjustments to your game that you can take home and actually implement. The daily academy at Topnotch breaks participants into small groups (no more than 4 per court w/ a coach) at like levels. They do a great job of making sure everyone on the court is challenged, moving, and learning. A demo and summary by Milan at the start and end of the session ties key points together. We’ve travelled around the world to various tennis resort locations and Topnotch remain at the top of our list. What a bonus that the location is in Stowe with all its incredible scenery, hiking, and food. Lastly, the spa at Topnotch is outstanding and can massage away all those sore muscles! If you haven’t been to Stowe and Topnotch, you’re missing out on an incredible tennis holiday.
While the staff at Topnotch is great, the facilities are not. The indoor courts are dated and look terrible. There is so much stuff behind the curtains that it is actually dangerous. I have run into crap behind the curtains numerous times. The curtains are also ripped, as is the ceiling. The lighting is awful. There is so much mold and ball fuzz in there, everyone gets allergic reactions at some point while playing. The bathrooms are also dated. It’s a bummer considering this is the only indoor facility within miles, you’d think they would try harder to keep it up and attract people outside of Stowe. The outdoor courts are worse, with the exception of the “pro” court, which rarely available in the summer/fall. The courts are often covered in leaves, trash, and haven’t been swept. Most people in town go to Stowe Tennis Club in the summer, for good reason. Topnotch needs to step it up for everyone. However, the pro staff is fantastic. I can’t say enough good things about their energy, enthusiasm and knowledge of tennis!
Excellent staff, location and resort experience. Indoor facility a bit dated and needs some TLC. Overall a great spot.
Our children just finished up their session yesterday afternoon. My husband I were just saying how wonderful everyone at TopNotch is. The coaches are all so good with the kids making an hour long lesson productive and fun! The gentleman at the front desk, the coaches are all friendly and pleasant to be around. They truly make tennis a fun experience.