Tennis enthusiasts don't need to travel to such renowned tennis resorts as La Manga in Spain or the Four Seasons in Nevis in order to experience top-notch tennis clubs. Numerous North American resorts offer both high-end accommodations and superb tennis facilities. The following resorts in the country stand out among the tennis crowd for their overall attention to detail and exquisite environment.
La Quinta Resort & Club — La Quinta, California
With accolades from none other than Rafael Nadal, the superstar tennis pro who played at the resort's BNP Paribas Tennis Open, La Quinta Resort & Club is definitely a favorite of players. Nadal raved about the facilities along with the atmosphere of this desert oasis which and its sense of tranquility. An original desert hideaway, at the foot of the spectacular Santa Rosa Mountains, La Quinta has been the personal refuge for Hollywood luminaries and guests from around the world since 1926. Remarkably secluded and personal, the resort’s masterful layout and hand-crafted hacienda-style architecture makes the hotel feel more like a charming village. While you could easily spend a week lounging in the sun beside one of 41 pools that sit just steps from your guestroom door, the lush 45-acre resort offers so much more.
Tennis is serious business at La Quinta and its 23 courts, which have been graced by some of the top players in the game, and featuring a mix of hard, grass or clay surfaces. Not too many resorts can boast that, and guests have the opportunity to experience the playing surface of all four Grand Slam tennis events. The tennis center is set in the heart of the resort, which is full of flowering pathways, California citrus trees, colorful year-round gardens and 800 accommodations. Tennis is within very easy walking distance of the spa, fitness center, several pools, shopping and resort restaurants.
Sea Island — Sea Island, Georgia
Sea Island, situated on Georgia’s Golden Isles, is a Forbes Five-Star resort that boasts world-class accommodations including The Cloister and The Lodge. The Cloister at Sea Island — the grand centerpiece of the resort — has been defined by legendary elegance since its inception in 1928. It extends into lush, captivating gardens while rising boldly at river's edge. Tennis players will embrace the experience at The Sea Island Tennis Center, which includes The Cloister and Retreat Tennis Centers, as well as eight Har-Tru courts.
In addition to your accommodations, the Classic Package combines two daily instructional sessions and court time each day with reduced prices in the Tennis Center shop. USPTA professional instructors provide a full-service program of year-round instruction, which can be customized for skill level, clinics, round robins and partner matching. The pro shops are filled with the latest equipment, accessories and active wear fashions. The Platinum Package combines instructional sessions, including private training with former pros Murphy or Luke Jensen each day. There’s also daily personal fitness classes, unlimited court time and a $50 resort credit for purchases in the Tennis Center shop.
Pinehurst Resort — Pinehurst, North Carolina
This renowned southern resort is more than one of the world's top golf retreats, it is also a great place for tennis. Nestled among the Sandhills of North Carolina, Pinehurst's southern hospitality, elegant accommodations and its many family recreational activities put it on par with top hotels worldwide. The Pinehurst Tennis campus includes 24 courts (18 clay and 6 hard surface); many open for night play. The tennis center received the prestigious honor of being named the site for the 1994-96 U.S. Clay Court Tournament and annual tennis events include the USTA Men's Nationals. Equipment, lessons, ball machine and pairing service with a Pinehurst Tennis Club member are all available. With over 450 members at the Pinehurst Tennis Club, the tennis staff can always arrange a singles or doubles game for you at your level. Few resorts can provide this quality of pairing service.
Topnotch Resort and Spa — Stowe, Vermont
There are many people, including tennis fans, who are surprised to learn that a first-class tennis resort exists in Vermont, which is ideally known for its skiing. An idyllic country retreat set in an awe-inspiring setting, Topnotch Resort and Spa is a gracious escape where guests experience a tradition of New England luxury resorts and where hospitality plays front and center. From an extensive tennis menu that satisfies both the competitive and club player, to instruction that will propel anyone's game to the next level, Topnotch Resort and Spa is a true haven for tennis aficionados.
Six seasonal outdoor courts (four Har-Tru) and four indoor hard courts, with over 30 programs for all ages and levels of play, ensure that any level of tennis traveler will be well served. Certified instructors employ the unique Play-to-Win teaching method, and the newly refurbished Tennis Center facilities include cutting-edge technologies like an intelligent ball machine and Dartfish video analysis. All of this takes place in the exhilarating setting of the Green Mountains.
