For tennis enthusiasts, the number of luxury hotels that truly accommodate their passion for the sport is low. Many of the best resorts may offer court access and lessons with a pro, but that’s usually the extent of what’s available. Thankfully, there are properties that prioritize tennis as a highlight of their programming, providing guests ample opportunity to build their schedules around the tennis court with a variety of related activities that will not only improve their games but also put them in touch with like-minded travelers. Here are some of the best.
Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina
This resort has two tennis facilities, one of which is the Roy Barth Tennis Center in East Beach. Barth, who was one of the founding members of the ATP Tour, usually makes the rounds during clinics to offer invaluable tips on how to improve your game. There are stroke-a-day clinics, private lessons, and doubles camps with Barth himself, all of which can be preceded by an always helpful early-morning stretching session. Combined, the resort oversees 24 tennis courts—one is a practice court outfitted with an automated ball retrieval system in case the tennis center can’t match guests.
When to Go: Mild weather here means you can go year-round.
Rates: rooms from $595; court fees, $36/hour; lessons from $33.
Four Seasons Nevis
The six hard courts—one with bleachers—and four red-clay courts (with views of Nevis Peak) are used for clinics, game matching, private lessons, and a weekly round-robin tournament. All this is overseen by the world’s top tennis management team, called Peter Burwash International (PBI), which brings the highest standards to tennis programs all over the world. But to keep things social, the Caribbean resort also hosts a tennis happy hour, when guests can combine practice with boozy drinks.
When to Go: There are no indoor courts, but Nevis’s generally mild weather makes it a good year-round destination for tennis.
Rates: rooms from $385; court fees, from $35/hour; one-on-one sessions, from $65/hour.
Boca Raton Resort & Club, Florida
This Waldorf Astoria resort’s tennis center is complete with 30 clay-based courts, including 18 Hydro-Grid and 12 Har-Tru courts, and a fully stocked pro shop, as well as a tennis concierge to assist in planning guests’ tennis vacations. But its most impressive amenity right now is its partnership with legendary racqueteer Jimmy Connors. A three-night package has a lot of perks—such as a private airport transfer in a Maserati Quattroporte, couples' massages, and an intimate Morimoto dinner—but none will top the half-day tennis lesson that Connors will administer.
When to Go: Any time but summer is great for tennis in Florida.
Rates: rooms from $420; private lessons, from $125/hour; Ultimate Experience package starting at $23,875.