You don’t need to spend more than a few minutes in the modest pro shop or around the courts at Tops’l to begin to sense an almost palpable enthusiasm for the game and its players. Drop in unannounced, and the first question someone is likely to ask is not “Can I help you?” but “Are you looking for a game?” You’re made not simply to feel welcome but wanted, even needed. Without actually stepping on the courts you can sense that tennis matters there, and despite competition from an alluring beach, you find yourself nonetheless being drawn back to the racquet club just to be part of the action and camaraderie.
Depending on your perspective, Tops’l is either a tennis resort with a beach or a beach resort with tennis, but either way there is no competition from golf or any other recreational amenity. That alone underscores the high value the resort puts on tennis. But it’s one thing to offer tennis as an amenity, quite another to ensure that guests take advantage. And the entire staff, from tennis director Joe D’Aleo on down behaves as if the racquet club were not so much a workplace as a second home. Their enthusiasm and personal attention helps make Tops’l a haven for vacationers who themselves want to spend hours on the court.
Tops’l opened in 1985 on 52 beachfront acres adjacent to the Topsail Hill State Preserve. The architectural motif throughout is toned down Mediterranean, with rough cream-colored stucco and red tile rooms. There are numerous one- and two-story condos to either side of the entrance road and around the tennis courts. Most of the development, however, is concentrated along the beach, where several tall towers rise behind the primary dune line. These overlook another stretch of magnificent Gulf Coast beach, all white and high dunes. The newest of those towers has 164 2- and 3-bedroom units with balconies and oversize windows. Between it and beach is very large pool with an expansive deck, private bathhouses, and cabanas, whirlpools, and a small poolside restaurant called the Pavilion for lunch and snacks. All of this is linked by an on-property shuttle.
Although I’d prefer not to look up from the beach and see that cluster of monoliths, I am otherwise a huge fan of Tops’l. Part of its appeal is directly attributable to the genuine enthusiasm of its tennis staff, and part to the resort’s focus on tennis. There is no golf course here to divert attention from what’s happening at the 12-court tennis complex. And in fact because that complex also has an exceptionally well equipped and well staffed fitness center—which includes indoor and outdoor swimming pools—the courts are a more than usually appealing place to hang out.
The tennis complex and clubhouse consists of 12 Rubico courts (a kind of clay), one of them a small stadium, and 10 of them with lights. All have been laid out on a series of terraces each protected from the wind by the surrounding townhouses and pine trees. Recent renovations to the club have included a new Club Tiki bar and restaurant next to the club pools. The interior of the clubhouse also received attention in the form of an updated steam room and sauna. Walkways, grass, and shrubs separate one pair of courts from the next. And each pair of courts has a patio covered by a large blue awning for shade and furnished with chairs and tables and water coolers. The club has some 650 members, about 100 of whom live locally.
Tennis Staff: Joe D’Aleo the Director of Tennis has been on staff at TOPS’L for over 19 years. He has an affable personality and devotion to the game, which ensures a great atmosphere and enthusiasm for tennis and tennis players. A USPTA-certified elite professional who played for Georgia Tech, he brings both teaching and playing skills to the position. “TOPS’L is all about tennis and making sure that all of our tennis guests feel like they are members,” he says of his approach. “We always go the extra mile to make sure all of our guests get all the tennis they need during their stay.” Sharing his enthusiasm and approach is head pro Sam Vickroy and Assistant pro Tyler Marengo.
Tennis Programs: Tops’l has a tennis desk whose staff devotes much of their time to setting up games. During the busy summer, there is also an active weekly calendar of clinics, drill sessions, and round robins, including a Play with the Pro clinic and a very well attended Saturday morning mixed social round robin. That last event draws as many as 40 players and is successful because D’Aleo does not simply throw players together but instead invests time and effort in trying to match everyone according to their level. In the spring and fall, TOPS’L has been very successful in recruiting league teams to come down for long weekends by offering a combination of clinics, round robins and tournaments. These have proven to be very popular. All in all, TOPS’L offers 13 different tennis packages, variously for individuals, groups and teams or they can customize a tennis package to fit your needs.
Courts Fees. None
Off Court
Beach: Those towers notwithstanding, the resort has been sensitive to the natural environment. The tall dunes along the beach remain intact, and so to reach the broad boulevard of white sand you cross over the dunes on a wooden boardwalk. In spring, scrub magnolias bloom right on the dunes as does purple-flowered Florida rosemary.
Golf Courses: A complimentary 18-hole mini course aside, TOPS’L does not offer on-site golf, though arrangements can be made to play locally.
Spa & Fitness Center: The fitness center at the courts has a large, well-equipped, spaciously laid out, and well-staffed workout room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the courts. Other facilities include indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a racquetball court. Aerobics, yoga, and water aerobics classes are also available. There is a massage therapist on call at the Racquet Club (there are two massage rooms at the tennis center). Just outside the entrance to the resort is the Blue Heron Spa, an independent operation that offers a more extensive array of services.
A lighted fitness trail (much of it asphalt) with 20 Parcours stations runs from 1¼ miles, from the beach condos around the courts and back.
Children's programs: From Memorial Day to Labor Day, Tops’l operates a camp for children ages 5-12. It consists of a variety of activities, mostly outdoors, and runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday (and includes an afternoon junior tennis clinic). Babysitting services can also be arranged.
Dining: The Ocean Club Restaurant at the entrance to Tops’l provides a convenient place for high-quality evening dining, complete with a live band for entertainment. Curiously, however, there is no place on property for breakfast (though the Sandbar Market & Emporium in the TOPS’L Clubhouse does sell some of what you may need to make breakfast), and only one place for lunch, the Blue Dunes Grill next to the pool on the beach. There is also a small outdoor Tiki Bar poolside.
Accommodations
Lodging ranges from suites and studios to 3-bedroom condos variously located on or near the beach or around the tennis courts. Rates vary seasonally, but differ from those in southern Florida by being highest in summer and over Spring Break, lowest in winter.
Getting there
Seasons: High season here is May to Labor Day, when tourists are more prevalent; however tennis teams and groups of players tend to come during spring and fall.
Travel Instructions: By Air: Although there are regional airports in Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport(VPS), 30 minutes west, Pensacola Regional (PNS), 90 minutes west, the new major gateway is Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP), roughly an hour’s drive to the east in Panama City. Rental cars are available at all three.
Expert tips by pros Joe and Sam. They keep it fun while working with players of varying levels.
Great clay court facility in a casual vacation setting.
JK
We landed at Tops’l Tennis solely based on location, availability and price. We arrived in Miramar Beach area with no reservations or knowledge of the area. After two nights at the nearby Courtyard we ended up in a tennis condo at Tops’l. The first morning there, the clinic was cancelled due to the low temps, so I scheduled a lesson with Joe for the next day. Please note, I’ve played at facilities all over the country, some of the finest facilities out there. I’ve taken many lessons from top/name professionals, but the lesson from Joe…..best I’ve had in the last 15-20 years. He is quick to evaluate your game and where you need improvement. With me it was ‘tweaks’, fine tuning, minor adjustments, all of which he was very good to point out. There is a lot of activity around the courts. After the lesson Joe introduced me to a ‘local’, who in turn introduced me to others, and I ended up having a terrific tennis experience there. It is an open, friendly place that is welcoming to strangers and wants to make sure you have a good time. The courts are all har-tru, very well maintained and layed out in a very nice manner……..no more than one adjacent/next to another. The layout requires you to walk amongst the courts which increases your interaction with others and the possibility of meeting other players. The courts are surrounded on 3 sides by condo’s and by the clubhouse and pool facility on the other. It is a very appealing, comfortable setting.
AR
The worst condo I have ever staying in the 25 years I have been going. Nothing worked. Ice maker broken. The dryer didn’t work. Water leak on floor right when we got there. The place was falling apart.
TC
We have a group of 12-15 that go every year for the excellent service we get from Joe D’Aleo the head tennis Pro who does a wonderful job of organizing our accommodations and court time. The courts are right out the back door of the condos and always in very good shape, ready for play. Being in San Destin Florida restaurants are very good and easy to get to. We will be back for sure with our group next year as our tennis destination!!
TG
Tops’l never fails to deliver! We recently returned to Tops’l for the Helen Drake tournament. Always a fan favorite. Probably our 7th or 8th time playing this event, and it continues to be one of the best in the south, and the nation. High level tennis, great scheduling, smooth running, and accommodating and professional staff. Joe and his staff are available during the entire span of the event. We travel to Tops’l from TN, and it’s worth the 6.5 hour trip, every time. Go for the tournament, and return to enjoy fun round robins, pick up matches or a quick hit with a top pro! We try to get to Tops’l once or twice a season. The clay is spectacular and the beach is gorgeous. The pools at all the properties are fantastic, and so well maintained. We travel with our young son, and the kids activities and movie nights are fantastic! You can look hard, but you cannot find a better Tennis/Beach vacation for the entire family, then Tops’l.
JM
I visit Tops’l every year in April for their annual Hellen Drake Tennis Tournament. This is a tournament and a vacation that me and my friends look forward to every year. The quality of of this event starts when you check in, all the way to the tournament directors. I would recommend this resort and tournament for any tennis enthusiasts. I already have booked my room for 2020.
RR
Top notch tennis and workout facility. 14 Har-tru court in very good condition.. Gym has just been upgraded with latest equipment. Indoor/out pool.. hot tub, steam room, massage rooms.. two other outdoor pools…2 tiki huts for food/drink (clubhouse and at beach) Beach a 5 minute walk from clubhouse…. one of the best beaches ANYWHERE…. and I have been all over the world Shopping…restaurants galore in area (Emeril lives in town and has a restaurant near bye..) Ocean Club right outside guard gate is great food ! Let Joe and Sam take care of you….
RC
I attended the Helen Drake Tennis Tournament at Tops’l. As always, the tournament was well organized and the courts were great. We stayed in a tennis villa right beside court 3 and watched some great tennis matches! Always look forward to this tournament!!
KA
Joe and his staff are amazing! Truly going the extra mile for the guests! Beautiful facility and the courts are in perfect shape and condition! We will come back for many years to come!
SW
Amazing venue for tennis tournament. Well groomed courts, attentive staff, gorgeous weather! Outside bar with incredible bar staff: all smiles.
JM
Great tennis facility and great people!!
MH
Great location, friendly knowledgeable staff. Drills were a bit bobbin and boring. Overpriced tennis weekend. Tennis villas definitely showing their age.
CT
Our tennis team spent a 3 day trip at Tops’l. It was a great experience and the Tennis pros were professional and a good time was had by all!! Highly recommend it!
CL
I brought a team of 10 players and we had a blast at the beautiful Tops’l resort. Joe D’aleo, tennis director, made sure my team was taking care of. Him and his tennis assistant, Sam, ran fun and competitive drills with my group. The tennis courts were in great shape. The facility was clean and the staff very professional. The villas were a few steps from the courts. The pool, steam room, hot-tub, and tiki bar added a very relaxing touch to our trip. We will definitely come back.
CV
Topsl is a great place for Tennis and for relaxing at the beach. The recent Helen Drake Tournament was a great success due to the planning, scheduling and management by Joe D ‘Leo and his staff.
SB
TOPS’L is a tremendous tennis experience. It is a great facility with other great amenities, housing, best beaches in the world, new fitness center and a great staff. The design of the tennis facilities is the best I have seen near the ocean. The courts are protected from the wind and it is a very social place. It is extremely easy to get in a game. There are lots of tennis playing visitors and the best attribute is that the local players are very good in accommodating visitors into their tennis games.
AO
Topsl is in a League/Class all it’s own & is incomparable! The Tennis Program, Professional Staff, Courts, Spa/Exercise Facility, Resort, Location, etc. are equal & similar to the Uber Fabulous ~ Emerald Coast Beaches ~ Topsl is situated along which have been rated #1 in North America and some of the finest in the planet!
DL
Have visited Tops’l twice yearly with seven friends for over twenty five years. Joe and staff always do an excellent job accommodating our group. We are always welcomed and made to feel at home.
LC
Awesome resort – we go every year. Courts are superbly maintained, and the staff is so helpful. And the beach is just a walk away!
LK
Great tennis vacation, Joe and his staff are great
BF
This resort is amazing. The tennis staff is exceptional and the tournaments are fun. Beautiful Spot. Great Rooms and The Beach is Crystal Water and White Sand.
GM
The Helen Drake tournament is simply a blast. High level competition, high level organization by the tournament directors and staff surrounded by a world class facility
DP
This is wonderful tournament every time I get the opportunity to play. Joe, Scott and the staff run a great tournament. The courts are well kept / watered, the matches are on time and the facility is top notch. Everyone is so friendly / welcoming. You literally feel like you are playing in your own backyard.
RF
This years 35th Helen Drake @ TOPS’L was my first but hopefully not my last. It was a good time. The facility as a whole was/is top notch! The Director of the tournament was very professional, as well as pleasant. Sadly, living on a VERY limited budget, I could never afford to stay on the property while at the tournament. I had to see what the Helen Drake was all about…and I am so glad I did. I truly feel this was the best designated tournament I have been involved in. The only negative was the lack of breakfast and lunch snacks.
WW
Terrific facilities for tennis aficionados and their families. Great competition in a relaxed Southern environment.
GB
We participate in the Helen Drake tournament at Tops’l every year in April. The tournament is a lot of fun and run very well. The resort is in a great location and the courts are kept in tip top shape. If you are a tennis player, want to enjoy the beautiful beaches and atmosphere in Destin, FL, put this resort on your list.
MK
Stayed down the street a couple of years ago and wanted to try TOPS’L Beach an Tennis Resort for a change. You get a choice of properties with different benefits to choose from. We choose the Beach Manor with mixed results. Our property did not have tennis privileges so we were not happy. On the bright side, I played the Helen Drake tennis tournament at the onsite tennis club and had a very fine experience. Well run, very organized, great facility, and Director Joe Alero runs a superd event! Just make sure that yor rental has tennis privileges!
JG
Just attended the Helen Drake Tournament. Joe and his staff do an amazing job of running the tournament and keeping matches on time. Tops’l is a great facility for tennis lovers. All the pros-Joe, Sam, and Tyler – are exceptional instructors and make a clinic fun! I recommend Tops’l for your tennis vacation. ( and the beautiful beach is right there too!)
BS
It is a beautiful tennis facility. I have been coming for the Helen Drake tournament for 8 years and I plan of coming for many more. Joe and Scott and the staff do an excellent job of running the tournament and preparing the courts for each match. I highly recommend it.
TR
We LOVED our stay at TOPS’L. The recreational activities were amazing, but you when you’re tired, you can ask for better rest than laying on the most gorgeous beaches in the country! Thank you to the exceptional staff for making our visit unforgettable!
JD
A great resort with wonderful tennis facilities. The staff really welcomed our group for our tennis week. The courts were well maintained, the pro shop had a great variety and great sale on their tennis clothes. The meals provided were very good and the accommodations were very handy to the courts. Overall, a great week!
RC
This is the 21st year I have organized our lady’s tennis trip to Tops’l. Joe and his staff are wonderful and very easy to work with. Each year I bring a group of 10 to 14 ladies and we have always had a great time. We can’t wait till next year!!!
RG
Best clay courts, best pros, excellent instructions, it is the total package. While the tennis is outstanding the amenities are unexpected plus. The pros truly care about improving your game and on top of that they are good people!
JO
First of all there were no weaknes’s this resort was beautifully laid out Everything within walking distance Right on the beach Pools everywhere a gym that is star quality and instruction that was number one in my book I was overjoyed at flora & fauna Destin Florida and Miramar beach This the place to be in May!!! Five Stars
JH
Great trip again with my Chattanooga tennis friends. We come twice yearly to topsl. Joe the pro does a great job with the tennis programs.
SW
Tops’l is an awesome resort! I just returned from my fifth trip there, playing tennis with my 3.0-3.5 ladies crew. The resort is pristine, with beautiful white sand beaches, great pool areas, and a nice gym and spa. We’ve stayed in the rental houses and condos – both are great, very comfortable. Most important, the tennis pros are terrific – and the clay courts are so much fun!
LT
I visited Tops’l on May 4 of this year. It had been 6 years since my last visit and it was just as lovely as I remember. The accommodations were very good, the resort itself was immaculate, from the beautiful landscaped grounds, the fantastic tennis center, pools — a tennis player’s paradise. The beach is fabulous. The tennis (the reason we keep going back) is the best. Joe, Sam and Tyler are professionals and work with us to help improve our game. Everything on the premises, we hardly left the grounds.
JO
I thought that I knew what a 5 star resort was. Tops’l was a 10 star From the pro’s to the pools & the beach Ocean club the courts so much more that I cant even say I was so impressed I would come back by myself Thank you
WS
Great coaching, great courts, great location!
DT
Joe & Sam are exceptional tennis pros & make this tennis destination what it is!
IB
Tops’l has a great facility, not sure excactly how many courts, but they are all nestled between 2 floor apartment buildings, giving a sense of your own private courts. We travel as a group of 8 from Atlanta each year and always get 4 or 5 hours of coaching each year. Although we range from 3.5-4.5 the coaching is done in a way where we all benefit. It’d relaxed but informative and fun. Coaches joe & sam are a couple of fun, yet knowledgable pro’s who can get the extra mile out of us. All in all a great place, with great coaches and we’ll be returning again next year.
NN
TOPS’L consistently provides excellent service, accommodations, and experience for tennis trips. Located at the gorgeous beach setting of Destin, there is plenty to do once tennis is over for the day, too. We look forward to going each year.
MM
Great tennis program. Top notch instruction and a great environment. Be part of the family at Topsl Resort
DK
Tops’l is a great place. Awesome tennis with friendly, helpful pros and staff. You can stay on the beach or at the tennis courts; but, either way, you are on the property and can easily get to everything. I highly recommend it.
TU
We are from Louisiana and annually we have traveled with our entire high school tennis team to Tops’l for years. The facilities are great. Courts are right outside your room no matter where you are in the resort. More importantly the Pro’s there are wonderful. Accommodating in everyway. Hands on teaching offered almost all day. And if you want a match they usually can easily get you one. Great Tennis Community.
NN
Always a wonderful time at Tops’l. Looking forward to my visit this year.
RC
I go there every October with my ALTA buds. The weather is perfect. The pros are great, fun to be with, helpful etc. It is all good and I look forward to returning every year.
HG
Great tennis facility , with amazing coaches ! Been going there for years with teams and friends! Always a fun time and then there’s the beach !!
SM
We recently celebrated the 20th Anniversary of our team attending TOPS’L with our tennis group from Atlanta. For 20 years this group has made a kind of reunion around tennis and have always had a fabulous time. Joe and his team offer professional instruction and the facility is always in topnotch condition. Cheers to the next 20 years!
HM
Went there w/a group of ladies that I play tennis with in my community. Got there on a Wednesday afternoon just in time to play 2 hours of fun tennis and get in a little exercise after the ride over. Next two mornings had 2 hours of great drilling from the pros. What a fun girls outing, our condos were right next to each other which made it very convent to enjoy lunch and dinners together. We will be returning back in the fall, as we all loved the time spent there!
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302 Reviews on “TOPS'L Beach & Racquet Resort”
Expert tips by pros Joe and Sam. They keep it fun while working with players of varying levels.
Great clay court facility in a casual vacation setting.
We landed at Tops’l Tennis solely based on location, availability and price. We arrived in Miramar Beach area with no reservations or knowledge of the area. After two nights at the nearby Courtyard we ended up in a tennis condo at Tops’l. The first morning there, the clinic was cancelled due to the low temps, so I scheduled a lesson with Joe for the next day. Please note, I’ve played at facilities all over the country, some of the finest facilities out there. I’ve taken many lessons from top/name professionals, but the lesson from Joe…..best I’ve had in the last 15-20 years. He is quick to evaluate your game and where you need improvement. With me it was ‘tweaks’, fine tuning, minor adjustments, all of which he was very good to point out. There is a lot of activity around the courts. After the lesson Joe introduced me to a ‘local’, who in turn introduced me to others, and I ended up having a terrific tennis experience there. It is an open, friendly place that is welcoming to strangers and wants to make sure you have a good time. The courts are all har-tru, very well maintained and layed out in a very nice manner……..no more than one adjacent/next to another. The layout requires you to walk amongst the courts which increases your interaction with others and the possibility of meeting other players. The courts are surrounded on 3 sides by condo’s and by the clubhouse and pool facility on the other. It is a very appealing, comfortable setting.
The worst condo I have ever staying in the 25 years I have been going. Nothing worked. Ice maker broken. The dryer didn’t work. Water leak on floor right when we got there. The place was falling apart.
We have a group of 12-15 that go every year for the excellent service we get from Joe D’Aleo the head tennis Pro who does a wonderful job of organizing our accommodations and court time. The courts are right out the back door of the condos and always in very good shape, ready for play. Being in San Destin Florida restaurants are very good and easy to get to. We will be back for sure with our group next year as our tennis destination!!
Tops’l never fails to deliver! We recently returned to Tops’l for the Helen Drake tournament. Always a fan favorite. Probably our 7th or 8th time playing this event, and it continues to be one of the best in the south, and the nation. High level tennis, great scheduling, smooth running, and accommodating and professional staff. Joe and his staff are available during the entire span of the event. We travel to Tops’l from TN, and it’s worth the 6.5 hour trip, every time. Go for the tournament, and return to enjoy fun round robins, pick up matches or a quick hit with a top pro! We try to get to Tops’l once or twice a season. The clay is spectacular and the beach is gorgeous. The pools at all the properties are fantastic, and so well maintained. We travel with our young son, and the kids activities and movie nights are fantastic! You can look hard, but you cannot find a better Tennis/Beach vacation for the entire family, then Tops’l.
I visit Tops’l every year in April for their annual Hellen Drake Tennis Tournament. This is a tournament and a vacation that me and my friends look forward to every year. The quality of of this event starts when you check in, all the way to the tournament directors. I would recommend this resort and tournament for any tennis enthusiasts. I already have booked my room for 2020.
Top notch tennis and workout facility. 14 Har-tru court in very good condition.. Gym has just been upgraded with latest equipment. Indoor/out pool.. hot tub, steam room, massage rooms.. two other outdoor pools…2 tiki huts for food/drink (clubhouse and at beach) Beach a 5 minute walk from clubhouse…. one of the best beaches ANYWHERE…. and I have been all over the world Shopping…restaurants galore in area (Emeril lives in town and has a restaurant near bye..) Ocean Club right outside guard gate is great food ! Let Joe and Sam take care of you….
I attended the Helen Drake Tennis Tournament at Tops’l. As always, the tournament was well organized and the courts were great. We stayed in a tennis villa right beside court 3 and watched some great tennis matches! Always look forward to this tournament!!
Joe and his staff are amazing! Truly going the extra mile for the guests! Beautiful facility and the courts are in perfect shape and condition! We will come back for many years to come!
Amazing venue for tennis tournament. Well groomed courts, attentive staff, gorgeous weather! Outside bar with incredible bar staff: all smiles.
Great tennis facility and great people!!
Great location, friendly knowledgeable staff. Drills were a bit bobbin and boring. Overpriced tennis weekend. Tennis villas definitely showing their age.
Our tennis team spent a 3 day trip at Tops’l. It was a great experience and the Tennis pros were professional and a good time was had by all!! Highly recommend it!
I brought a team of 10 players and we had a blast at the beautiful Tops’l resort. Joe D’aleo, tennis director, made sure my team was taking care of. Him and his tennis assistant, Sam, ran fun and competitive drills with my group. The tennis courts were in great shape. The facility was clean and the staff very professional. The villas were a few steps from the courts. The pool, steam room, hot-tub, and tiki bar added a very relaxing touch to our trip. We will definitely come back.
Topsl is a great place for Tennis and for relaxing at the beach. The recent Helen Drake Tournament was a great success due to the planning, scheduling and management by Joe D ‘Leo and his staff.
TOPS’L is a tremendous tennis experience. It is a great facility with other great amenities, housing, best beaches in the world, new fitness center and a great staff. The design of the tennis facilities is the best I have seen near the ocean. The courts are protected from the wind and it is a very social place. It is extremely easy to get in a game. There are lots of tennis playing visitors and the best attribute is that the local players are very good in accommodating visitors into their tennis games.
Topsl is in a League/Class all it’s own & is incomparable! The Tennis Program, Professional Staff, Courts, Spa/Exercise Facility, Resort, Location, etc. are equal & similar to the Uber Fabulous ~ Emerald Coast Beaches ~ Topsl is situated along which have been rated #1 in North America and some of the finest in the planet!
Have visited Tops’l twice yearly with seven friends for over twenty five years. Joe and staff always do an excellent job accommodating our group. We are always welcomed and made to feel at home.
Awesome resort – we go every year. Courts are superbly maintained, and the staff is so helpful. And the beach is just a walk away!
Great tennis vacation, Joe and his staff are great
This resort is amazing. The tennis staff is exceptional and the tournaments are fun. Beautiful Spot. Great Rooms and The Beach is Crystal Water and White Sand.
The Helen Drake tournament is simply a blast. High level competition, high level organization by the tournament directors and staff surrounded by a world class facility
This is wonderful tournament every time I get the opportunity to play. Joe, Scott and the staff run a great tournament. The courts are well kept / watered, the matches are on time and the facility is top notch. Everyone is so friendly / welcoming. You literally feel like you are playing in your own backyard.
This years 35th Helen Drake @ TOPS’L was my first but hopefully not my last. It was a good time. The facility as a whole was/is top notch! The Director of the tournament was very professional, as well as pleasant. Sadly, living on a VERY limited budget, I could never afford to stay on the property while at the tournament. I had to see what the Helen Drake was all about…and I am so glad I did. I truly feel this was the best designated tournament I have been involved in. The only negative was the lack of breakfast and lunch snacks.
Terrific facilities for tennis aficionados and their families. Great competition in a relaxed Southern environment.
We participate in the Helen Drake tournament at Tops’l every year in April. The tournament is a lot of fun and run very well. The resort is in a great location and the courts are kept in tip top shape. If you are a tennis player, want to enjoy the beautiful beaches and atmosphere in Destin, FL, put this resort on your list.
Stayed down the street a couple of years ago and wanted to try TOPS’L Beach an Tennis Resort for a change. You get a choice of properties with different benefits to choose from. We choose the Beach Manor with mixed results. Our property did not have tennis privileges so we were not happy. On the bright side, I played the Helen Drake tennis tournament at the onsite tennis club and had a very fine experience. Well run, very organized, great facility, and Director Joe Alero runs a superd event! Just make sure that yor rental has tennis privileges!
Just attended the Helen Drake Tournament. Joe and his staff do an amazing job of running the tournament and keeping matches on time. Tops’l is a great facility for tennis lovers. All the pros-Joe, Sam, and Tyler – are exceptional instructors and make a clinic fun! I recommend Tops’l for your tennis vacation. ( and the beautiful beach is right there too!)
It is a beautiful tennis facility. I have been coming for the Helen Drake tournament for 8 years and I plan of coming for many more. Joe and Scott and the staff do an excellent job of running the tournament and preparing the courts for each match. I highly recommend it.
We LOVED our stay at TOPS’L. The recreational activities were amazing, but you when you’re tired, you can ask for better rest than laying on the most gorgeous beaches in the country! Thank you to the exceptional staff for making our visit unforgettable!
A great resort with wonderful tennis facilities. The staff really welcomed our group for our tennis week. The courts were well maintained, the pro shop had a great variety and great sale on their tennis clothes. The meals provided were very good and the accommodations were very handy to the courts. Overall, a great week!
This is the 21st year I have organized our lady’s tennis trip to Tops’l. Joe and his staff are wonderful and very easy to work with. Each year I bring a group of 10 to 14 ladies and we have always had a great time. We can’t wait till next year!!!
Best clay courts, best pros, excellent instructions, it is the total package. While the tennis is outstanding the amenities are unexpected plus. The pros truly care about improving your game and on top of that they are good people!
First of all there were no weaknes’s this resort was beautifully laid out Everything within walking distance Right on the beach Pools everywhere a gym that is star quality and instruction that was number one in my book I was overjoyed at flora & fauna Destin Florida and Miramar beach This the place to be in May!!! Five Stars
Great trip again with my Chattanooga tennis friends. We come twice yearly to topsl. Joe the pro does a great job with the tennis programs.
Tops’l is an awesome resort! I just returned from my fifth trip there, playing tennis with my 3.0-3.5 ladies crew. The resort is pristine, with beautiful white sand beaches, great pool areas, and a nice gym and spa. We’ve stayed in the rental houses and condos – both are great, very comfortable. Most important, the tennis pros are terrific – and the clay courts are so much fun!
I visited Tops’l on May 4 of this year. It had been 6 years since my last visit and it was just as lovely as I remember. The accommodations were very good, the resort itself was immaculate, from the beautiful landscaped grounds, the fantastic tennis center, pools — a tennis player’s paradise. The beach is fabulous. The tennis (the reason we keep going back) is the best. Joe, Sam and Tyler are professionals and work with us to help improve our game. Everything on the premises, we hardly left the grounds.
I thought that I knew what a 5 star resort was. Tops’l was a 10 star From the pro’s to the pools & the beach Ocean club the courts so much more that I cant even say I was so impressed I would come back by myself Thank you
Great coaching, great courts, great location!
Joe & Sam are exceptional tennis pros & make this tennis destination what it is!
Tops’l has a great facility, not sure excactly how many courts, but they are all nestled between 2 floor apartment buildings, giving a sense of your own private courts. We travel as a group of 8 from Atlanta each year and always get 4 or 5 hours of coaching each year. Although we range from 3.5-4.5 the coaching is done in a way where we all benefit. It’d relaxed but informative and fun. Coaches joe & sam are a couple of fun, yet knowledgable pro’s who can get the extra mile out of us. All in all a great place, with great coaches and we’ll be returning again next year.
TOPS’L consistently provides excellent service, accommodations, and experience for tennis trips. Located at the gorgeous beach setting of Destin, there is plenty to do once tennis is over for the day, too. We look forward to going each year.
Great tennis program. Top notch instruction and a great environment. Be part of the family at Topsl Resort
Tops’l is a great place. Awesome tennis with friendly, helpful pros and staff. You can stay on the beach or at the tennis courts; but, either way, you are on the property and can easily get to everything. I highly recommend it.
We are from Louisiana and annually we have traveled with our entire high school tennis team to Tops’l for years. The facilities are great. Courts are right outside your room no matter where you are in the resort. More importantly the Pro’s there are wonderful. Accommodating in everyway. Hands on teaching offered almost all day. And if you want a match they usually can easily get you one. Great Tennis Community.
Always a wonderful time at Tops’l. Looking forward to my visit this year.
I go there every October with my ALTA buds. The weather is perfect. The pros are great, fun to be with, helpful etc. It is all good and I look forward to returning every year.
Great tennis facility , with amazing coaches ! Been going there for years with teams and friends! Always a fun time and then there’s the beach !!
We recently celebrated the 20th Anniversary of our team attending TOPS’L with our tennis group from Atlanta. For 20 years this group has made a kind of reunion around tennis and have always had a fabulous time. Joe and his team offer professional instruction and the facility is always in topnotch condition. Cheers to the next 20 years!
Went there w/a group of ladies that I play tennis with in my community. Got there on a Wednesday afternoon just in time to play 2 hours of fun tennis and get in a little exercise after the ride over. Next two mornings had 2 hours of great drilling from the pros. What a fun girls outing, our condos were right next to each other which made it very convent to enjoy lunch and dinners together. We will be returning back in the fall, as we all loved the time spent there!