Think about your fondest childhood memories. Chances are, most of them occurred during the summer, when you were free to play all day, school was an afterthought, and your parents had time off to take the family on vacation. Now think about your favorite times as parents yourself. How many of those happy recollections occurred in the summer months? June through August are the perfect months for a tennis getaway weekend. The weather is great. The kids are out of school, and you’ve got unused vacation days. The only question to ask yourself is “Where shall we go?”
Net News has done the leg work for you. We’ve compiled the best tennis destinations around, and even suggested a weekend itinerary for each resort. So, read about these great locales below, and then start booking your trip. More great memories await.
Baha Mar
Nassau, The Bahamas
bahamar.com
+(1) 242.788.8000
A place where the luxury meets the Bahamian breeze, Baha Mar is the newest resort destination in Nassau, The Bahamas. The $4.2-billion resort destination is comprised of three international hotel brands — Grand Hyatt, SLS, and Rosewood — offering a sweeping array of amenities and experiences, including more than 40 restaurants, bars, and lounges; 11 magnificent pools; a stunning stretch of white sand beach; cultural programming by day, after-hours excitement by night; and a world-class tennis club.
The Racquet Club at Baha Mar, directed by Peter Burwash International, features nine new tennis courts with daily programming for every level of player, including kids. In the summer, Baha Mar hosts tennis camps, clinics, and group play for junior players, inclusive of hotel guests and local kids. For all guests this summer, book a stay and receive up to $300 food & beverage credit when you book at Grand Hyatt and SLS Baha Mar this summer (kids under 5 eat free). Stay three nights at Rosewood Baha Mar and receive a complimentary fourth night.
Weekend Itinerary
Friday
Arrive at Baha Mar
- Check out Dean’s Blue Hole Pool, featuring waterfalls, rock walls and a private grotto looking directly into The Sanctuary, home to nurse sharks, sea turtles, tropical fish, stingrays and more.
- Try your luck at the Baha Mar Casino
- Enjoy dinner at one of more than two dozen restaurants
Saturday
Tennis clinics begin at 10:30 a.m.
- The Current Gallery & Art Center offers an array of art and cultural experiences
- Visit the island’s only rooftop lounge, the Skybar at SLS
- End your day at Bond, a 10,000-square-foot night club
Sunday
Tennis clinics begin at 10:30 a.m.
- Don’t miss the ESPA Baha Mar spa before you leave
- Journey home and begin planning your next stay
The Racquet Club at Big Canoe
Big Canoe, Georgia
bigcanoepoa.org
706.268.3367
Just one hour north of Atlanta, The Racquet Club at Big Canoe is set against a backdrop of the beautiful North Georgia Mountains. With 10 tennis courts (eight outdoor and two indoor) and four Pickleball courts, Big Canoe is the perfect location for your tennis getaway. Take part in one of the many clinic offerings or let the professional staff, led by Matt Motil, USPTA, set up a custom schedule for your group or team.
From the first-time player to the tennis enthusiast, Big Canoe has a program to fit all skill levels. Weekly round robins for both men and women are offered, as well as clinics, and both private and group lessons. Special tennis events are held throughout the year, including holiday socials, Flex Leagues, tournaments, and charity events.
Off-court activities include boating and fishing on Lake Sconti, 20 miles of hiking trails, the swim club, and a 27-hole golf club. With such amenities, it is no wonder Big Canoe was honored in 2012 by the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association as having the Best Amenities Package for a large community, and it received the 2017 Bliss Award for Tennis Community of the year.
Weekend Itinerary
Friday
Arrive at Big Canoe property
- Take in a late afternoon tennis clinic
- Dinner at Black Bear Pub at Clubhouse (overlooking Lake Sconti and the mountains of Big Canoe)
Saturday
Morning tennis clinic
- Boat rental at the marina with picnic lunch
- Afternoon team round robin
- Cookout and gather at your mountain rental home
Sunday
Morning tennis clinic
- Yoga at fitness center or just lounge at the pool
- Head out of Big Canoe and be home in about 1 hour
Bear Lake Reserve
Tuckasegee, North Carolina
matchpointresorts.com
214.744.3806
Ever wanted to play tennis in the clouds? Bear Lake Reserve is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains along the hidden gem Bear Creek Lake. The 2,700-acre community offers the Daniel Nestor core formula for successful doubles that can help to take your game to the next level. Nestor is a former Olympic gold medalist who holds 95 professional tournament wins and 12 Grand Slam titles. He has been called one of the best doubles players in the history of tennis.
The tennis courts and pro shop are located at the highest point on property with stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Bear Lake Reserve’s tennis getaways are designed for players and teams of any level; they are fully customizable with low player-to-coach ratios. Make the short drive from Atlanta to create memories with old and new friends in a breathtakingly scenic setting.
Away from the court, guests can participate in a plethora of outdoor activities from a Jack Nicklaus designed golf course to biking and hiking trails, a private movie theater, paddle board and jet ski rentals, and more.
Weekend Itinerary
Friday
Arrive at Bear Lake Reserve
- Attend an afternoon tennis clinic
- Have dinner lakeside at the Bear Lake TapRoom and Dining Room
Saturday
Morning tennis clinic
- Hike up to the waterfalls
- Relax by the pool or check out the spa
- Have a relaxing meal in rental home
Sunday
Morning tennis clinic
- Catch a movie in the private theater
- Pack up your things and drive home
Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island, Georgia
jekyllisland.com
912.635.4000
Nestled under live oaks draped with moss and surrounded by manicured hedges and wild palmettos, the Jekyll Island Tennis Center is a public tennis facility featuring 13 Har-Tru clay courts. The Tennis Center also includes a pro shop with tennis racket stringing, racket rental, ball machine rental, and tennis equipment and apparel. The Tennis Center offers private instructional lessons and hosts many USTA tournaments for adults and juniors.
Beyond visiting the award-winning tennis center, visitors can experience 10 miles of sun-drenched beaches, four award-winning golf courses, and Georgia’s only rehabilitation center for endangered sea turtles. Take a tour through the maritime forest. Watch the dolphins play while on a guided kayak excursion. Take a bike ride through the Historic District. From the early settlers to travelers from around the world, Jekyll Island has fascinated everyone who’s ever crossed its barrier shores.
Weekend Itinerary
Friday
Arrive at Jekyll Island Tennis Center
- Afternoon doubles drills
- Dinner at any one of Jekyll’s restaurants, from fine dining to beachside casual
Saturday
Morning tennis instruction
- Lunch with your team or offsite at your restaurant of choice
- Take a late-afternoon hike or guided kayak tour
- Gather with your friends or family for an evening meal
Sunday
Morning tennis clinic
- Afternoon play guided your pro
- Prepare for the short drive home
Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort
Hilton Head, South Carolina
palmettodunes.com
877.567.6513
Tennis lovers are able to book their ultimate tennis vacation at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort on Hilton Head Island, and enjoy tennis court time, lessons, clinics, and more at the award-winning Palmetto Dunes Tennis & Pickleball Center. Palmetto Dunes was named No. 3 “Best Resort in the South” in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards. It truly is Hilton Head tennis and pickleball at its very best.
Boasting 21 clay courts, including four lighted for night play, 16 lighted pickleball courts and a beautifully well-stocked, 1,800-square-foot tennis pro shop — Hilton Head Island’s largest — the Palmetto Dunes Tennis & Pickleball Center has been named the top tennis resort in the Carolinas by Tennis Magazine. There’s also a helpful, energetic staff whose primary goal is to make your visit a rewarding one.
World-class tennis isn’t all that Palmetto Dunes has to offer. Guests may play one of the 2,000-acre resort’s three award-winning, championship golf courses, bike along the beach, kayak the 11-mile inland lagoon system, or explore Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina for a variety of dining, shops, entertainment, fishing charters, nature tours, water sports, and more.
Weekend Itinerary
Friday
Arrive at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort
- Go to Happy Hour to meet fellow tennis enthusiasts
- Check out HarbourFest at Shelter Cove Harbour
Saturday
Breakfast at the Palmetto Dunes General Store
- Daily tennis drill
- Try a game of pickleball
- Dinner at Big Jim’s for BBQ, burgers, or pizza
Sunday
Breakfast in your room or at the General Store
- Daily tennis drill
- Return home and put your new tennis skills to work
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
Miramar Beach, Florida
sandestin.com/tennis
833.719.4711
Located on Florida’s beautiful Emerald Coast, you can improve your tennis game and enjoy the many amenities that Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort’s 2,400 acres has to offer, including more than 7 miles of sugary white sand beaches. Sandestin was named one of the top 25 US Tennis Resorts by Tennis Resorts Online and #1 Rated Tennis Pro Shop. Guests can experience 12 world-class HydroGrid clay and three hard tennis courts. Additionally, Sandestin provides a wide range of experiences, including private lessons with USPTA and USPTR pros, a highly-ranked junior tennis program, and round robin tournaments for all skill levels.
When staying at Sandestin you will have access to bicycles, boogie boards, kayaks, the fitness center, and the resort’s tram service. Then there are all the spectacular activities that have made Sandestin so popular, including four championship golf courses; a luxurious spa; dining options for every occasion; the Village of Baytowne Wharf where you will find shopping, ziplining, an arcade, and weekly events such as outdoor concerts and firework shows; and 7 miles of white sand beaches.
Weekend Itinerary
Friday
Arrive at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
- Stretch your legs with a walk on the beach
- For dinner, check out one of Sandestin’s 20-plus restaurants
Saturday
Tennis lesson or free play on an open court
- Golf on one of four courses
- Check out the Baytowne Adventure Zone
Sunday
Tennis lesson or free play on an open court
- Try some water sports or relax in the spa
- Make the short drive home
Spectrum Resorts
Gulf Shores, Alabama
thebeachclub.spectrumresorts.com
888.260.7263
With eight, lighted Rubico clay tennis courts, regular clinics, ocean views, and four on-site restaurants, The Beach Club in Gulf Shores, Alabama is a natural choice for a weekend getaway. This Spectrum resort is the perfect place to bring your family and friends for a relaxing and rejuvenating vacation. With condos for any group size and the amenities of a resort, you’ll be able to truly relax and unwind — and play plenty of tennis, of course. Clinics for adults are available year-round (and for teens most of the year) for just $10 per person, with private lessons available upon request.
When away from the court, you can fill your agenda with multiple activities, from arts and crafts for the kids, foam parties, mechanical surf board, rock wall, dance parties, Mermaid classes, and much more. There’s also more relaxing undertakings such as live music and yoga classes, an ice creamery, newly renovated Clubhouse, and an indoor pool.
Weekend Itinerary
Friday
Arrive at The Beach Club
- Unwind with a walk on the beach
- Dinner at Coast Restaurant
Saturday
Hit the tennis courts
- Play some basketball or hike a trail
- Eat great food and play games at The Village Hideaway
Sunday
Get in one last tennis match
- Relax by the pool
- Return home
Sea Island
Sea Island, Georgia
seaisland.com
855.572.4975
With an extensive array of experience and activities, Sea Island offers tremendous options for off-the-court time — on the beach, in a boat, with a fishing rod in hand, at the spa, and on and on. The availability of private lessons, custom clinics, and 16 Har-Tru courts combined to make Sea Island the perfect spot for a weekend getaway and a place to improve your game.
Weekend tennis packages include the Classic and Inn Tennis Package. The Classic offers luxury accommodations at The Cloister, a one-hour clinic or drill session daily, one-hour private lesson with a Sea Island tennis professional daily (For two people, the lesson will be shared.), and two hours of court time daily. The Inn package consists of accommodations at The Inn, four hours of court time per player during your stay, which may include round robin play based upon availability; four hours of scheduled group clinics per player with an Elite Pro; and transportation to and from The Inn and The Cloister Tennis Center.
An exceptional destination appealing to those who appreciate gracious service and heartfelt hospitality, Sea Island is home to four Forbes Five-Star experiences — The Cloister at Sea Island, The Lodge at Sea Island, The Spa at Sea Island, and the Georgian Room restaurant — and an extensive array of engaging nature adventures and recreational experiences. Located on the southeastern coast of Georgia, Sea Island is a true paradise for active adults and families. The resort plays host to a 65,000-square-foot spa, six pools (one indoor), three championship golf courses, horseback riding on the beach, salt marsh nature tours, fishing, boating, water sports, shooting school, five miles of private beach, casual to Five-Star dining and of course, tennis.
Weekend Itinerary
Friday
Arrive at Sea Island
- Walk on the beach or swim in one of six pools
- For dinner, your options range from casual to fine dining
Saturday
One-hour clinic or tennis drill
- Take a tour of the salt marsh or go horseback riding
- A romantic dinner at Tavola at The Cloister
Sunday
One-hour clinic or tennis drill
- Shooting school
- Stop by the candy shop before heading home
TOPS’L Beach and Racquet Resort
Destin, Florida
TOPSLTennis.com
855.969.3166
As you arrive at TOPS’L Beach and Racquet Resort, you will experience the serenity of being secluded from the more populated areas of this beach destination, while still being conveniently located to nearby shopping, dining, and gulf-front attractions. Situated on 52 private acres, this full-service resort is bordered by the beautiful beaches of the Gulf of Mexico and a nature preserve — so without ever getting in the car, you can choose from relaxing at the beach, playing tennis and racquetball, or hiking, kayaking or paddle boarding, all while experiencing the resort’s natural beauty.
The Club at TOPS’L is the best-kept secret on the Emerald Coast. Nestled in the tranquil setting of Northwest Florida amongst towering pines, stately oak trees, and the beautiful Gulf of Mexico, TOPS’L offers a variety of premier activities for families, couples, and singles. Membership at the TOPS’L Club includes 12 newly renovated clay tennis courts, fitness center, year-round heated pools, steam room hot tub, and sauna, racquet ball, complimentary yoga, and group fitness classes.
A short drive west of TOPS’L is Destin, Florida, filled with thrilling watersports from parasailing to snorkeling, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing and boating charters, plus exciting shopping and dining venues. The area also is home to more than a dozen championship golf courses. Just to the east, experience the luxury and gorgeous scenery of Scenic Hwy 30A, with 16 distinct beach communities each displaying their own architecture and culture.
Weekend Itinerary
Friday
Arrive at TOPS’L
- Treat yourself to a massage
- Dinner at Blue Dunes Grill
Saturday
Tennis lesson or open play
- Try a new water sport or play a round of golf
- Relax at the Blue Dunes Pool Deck
- Dinner at Club Tiki
Sunday
Tennis lesson or open play
- Visit the Coffeen Nature Preserve
- Make the short drive back to Atlanta
WaterColor Florida
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
matchpointresorts.com
214.744.3806
WaterColor tennis is conveniently located near the sparkling water and white sand beaches on Florida’s Gulf Coast. You can hear the waves as you play and then enjoy a nice walk through the stores and dining areas on your way to an afternoon on the beach. The resort offers the Daniel Nestor core formula for successful doubles that will take your game to the next level. WaterColor also has daily drills, cardio tennis, pickleball drills, ball machine, private and group lessons, and court reservations for open play.
Tennis getaways at WaterColor are designed for players and teams of any level and are fully customizable with low player-to-coach ratios. Make memories with old and new friends in a breathtakingly scenic setting. Amenities include five award-winning Har-Tru courts and programming, and two pickleball courts. WaterColor was rated the best tennis facility on Fort Walton Beach in 2017 and 2018 and voted among the Top 20 best resorts and best tennis vacation location in the nation by Tennis Resorts Online.
When not on the courts, nearly every activity on Highway 30A can be a family activity to create memories that will be treasured for years. There are several amazing pools, including the beach club pool, hotel and restaurants, bike and walk paths, hiking trails, paddle boards, kayaks, boathouse, outdoor concerts, movie nights, and fishing excursions (deep sea and bay).
Weekend Itinerary
Friday
Arrive at WaterColor
- Play pickleball or get a lesson
- Catch a movie or concert
Saturday
Private or group tennis lesson
- Relax at the pool or visit the many local shops
- Dinner at one of the onsite restaurants, featuring fresh, local ingredients
Sunday
Private or group tennis lesson
- Take a guided hike, or one last stroll on the beach
- Travel home
