Last-Minute Valentine's Day Getaways

Since President's Day is Monday, Valentine's Day falls on a long weekend, so why not take advantage and make a quick escape just for the two of you. Here are half a dozen suggestions of intimate resorts where you can reconnect on and off the court, if not over Valentine's Day weekend then another.

•Rosemary Beach, in the Florida Panhandle, is not so much a resort as a small, architecturally inspired town set behind high white-sand dunes along the Gulf of Mexico. Pathways and narrow streets connect neighborhoods of cottages, large and small, with a few shops and restaurants, a day spa, two village greens, a bed-and-breakfast, and a racquet club with 8 clay courts. Valentine's specials start at $189/night with lots of complimentary amenities, including free tennis lesson and personal fitness training for two, discounted spa treatments, a champagne toast, DVD rentals, late checkout, and more.

•Green Valley Spa, St. George, Utah. Promise an elegant junior suite with down bedding, a jetted tub, fireplace, and private courtyard, just steps from the courts and a full-service spa and a short drive from the red-rock spectacle that is Zion National Park. But do it in a card on Valentine's Day and wait at least a week before going, because there's a junior tournament scheduled for weekend of Feb. 13-14, taking up courts ordinarily used for the science-based Vic Braden Tennis College programs, a great way for the two of you to improve your on-court play. In spring, room only packages start at $189/night.

•Rancho Valencia Resort, Rancho Santa Fe, California. Bed down in an ultra-spacious Mediterranean suite with an oversize bath, cathedral ceiling, a hand-painted tile fireplace, and private garden patio. On Sunday, Feb. 14, join locals from all over San Diego County and other guests in a big mixed doubles round robin, followed by appetizers and drinks and lots of camaraderie or have the staff set up matches or clinics for you any day.

•Meadowood Napa Valley, St. Helena, California. Hurry: With only 85 rooms, suites, and cottages, many Valentine's weekend room types are already booked. But what could be better on Valentine's Day than a gorgeous setting, fine wine, great food, and visits to vineyards combined with with a solid tennis instruction, spa services, even world-class croquet courts?

•Wild Dunes, Isle of Palms, South Carolina. Couple a carriage ride through historic Charleston with the best of a resort vacation, including a diverse and well-honed tennis program, a choice of hotel and villa lodging, 2½ miles of beach, 36 holes of golf, and miles of bike trails. Check out their "Wild Winter Promotion" rates, with deluxe rooms at the Boardwalk Inn and some villas reduced 30%.

•Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. It's still shoulder season here in northeast Florida, so you probably won't be getting in the Atlantic, but that only adds to the allure of the 15 Har-Tru courts under former touring pro Mike Leach, and to the spa, oceanview fitness center, and handsome junior suites just steps from the ocean. On Sunday, Feb. 14, they're running their annual Sweetheart Mixer, a couples round robin. During this off-season, an oceanfront room with daily breakfast and unlimited tennis starts at $237/night.

Your Recent Reviews

Here's a sample of recent critiques of the top resorts and camps by other vacationers.

• Reunion Resort & Club of Orlando, Florida
  "excellent courts and well stocked pro shop, very friendly staff and nice clinics and instruction, would like to see more tournament type options."—J.M., Int., March 2010

• Lodge at Ventana Canyon, Arizona
  "We had a wonderful time at the lodge. The tennis instruction was incredible. Eric and Scott we really enjoyed learning new things and you were both wonderful and made our drills challenging and fun. I would definately recommend coming here for a fun ladies getaway like we did. The weather is beautiful the accomodations were nice and the surrounding area was wonderful to walk around and explore. I hope to come back again at a future date."—J.R., Adv. Int., February 2010

• TOPS'L Beach & Racquet Resort, Florida
  "The resort is perfectly located to provide easy access to the tennis, beach, dining and shopping. But once you arrive at Tops'l it is hard to leave the resort. I don't normally repeat vacation getaways to the same location, but the staff and facilities at Tops'l keep bringing me back. It is nice to return where the Tennis Professionals are the same staff - this says something about the environment created on and off the tennis courts. Thanks again for a great tennis getaway to Joe and all his staff. This year our team is trying to plan to enjoy a 2nd visit in 2010 to play in one of your tournaments."—E.L., Adv. Int., March 2010

• Amelia Island Plantation, Florida
  "Great teaching pros! Friendly, helpful pro shop staff. Tennis villas were well appointed and comfortable. On site plantation shuttle was super convenient!Gotta have a Falcon burger!"—E.R., Adv. Int., March 2010

• Desert Springs, A JW Marriott Resort & Spa, California
  "Excellent teachers, beautiful setting, lots and lots of tennis courts from Hard to Clay to Grass. On Sat., the pros do a Peter Burwash show that is funny, educational, and completely enjoyable....not to be missed. Frankly, I can't think of any weaknesses."—S.M., Adv. Int., March 2010

On the Road

Dispatches from my latest travels

Club Med-Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Little Dix Bay, British Virgin Islands

Boulevard Village & Tennis Club, Vero Beach, Florida

The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton, South Carolina

Four Seasons Resort and Club at Las Colinas, Texas

Caneel Bay, A Rosewood Resort, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

Vic Braden Tennis College at Green Valley Resort & Spa, Utah

Wintergreen Resort, Wintergreen, Virginia

Sponsors

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NE Tennis Holidays
#1 U.S. tennis camp; VT/FL/NH Cape Cod;Fine dining/lodging
netennisholidays.com

Summer Rates: Caneel Bay
#1 Carib. Tennis Resort awaits Rates: $395+ from May 1, 2010
www.caneelbay.com

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Sponsors

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Everett Potter's Travel
Value-focused Travel Advice Interviews, Reviews, Articles
www.everettpotter.com

Mariani's Virtual Gourmet
Weekly food, wine and travel reports from around the world
www.johnmariani.com

Family Travel Forum
Family Travel Information Advice, Custom Planning
www.familytravelforum.com

Sports Psychologist
Mental Coaching by Phone or in Palm Beach, Florida Office
www.JohnFMurray.com

Sponsor

NEW ENGLAND TENNIS HOLIDAYS

The #1 rated adult tennis camp in the U.S. & Canada by Tennis Resorts Online seven yrs in a row

•Blvd Village & Tennis Club, Vero Beach, Florida
Oct thru May, 13 clay cts. Courtside villas, restaurant, pool, fitness ctr. & min. to the beach
•Sugarbush, Vermont
May thru Sept. Exceptional Lodging & Meals Outdoor clay cts., indoor courts onsite Fully appointed Health & Racquet club with massage, steam rooms, pools and more.
•Ocean Edge Resort, Cape Cod, Mass.
Selected 3-day weekends starting in May.
•Waterville Valley, New Hampshire.
Selected 3-to-5-day weekends starting in June.

Phone 800-869-0949. www.netennisholidays.com

Sponsor

Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort on Hilton Head Island, S.C. ranks "No. 5 in the World" on Tennis Resorts Online. Featuring 23 clay and 2 Nova ProBounce courts, a helpful staff and a full schedule of activities, tournaments and instructional programs, the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center is the perfect year-round tennis destination. For info and reservations call: 888-322-8720 or visit  www.palmettodunes.com

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Win a Tennis Vacation

Two minutes of your time could win you a tennis vacation. Rate any resort or camp you've been to and you're automatically entered in our sweepstakes for one of the following tennis holidays:

• New England Tennis Holidays at Sugarbush: Two nights lodging in a Clay Brook condominium, two days of tennis camp (five hours a day) on Har-Tru courts, lunch both days, and dinner the second night for two people at this new Vermont venue for the top-rated New England Tennis Holidays.
• Saddlebrook Tennis: A tennis weekend for two, including two nights luxurious accommodations, five hours of intensive tennis (for both people), video analysis, breakfast daily, and admittance to the spa and fitness center at this world-renowned resort in Wesley Chapel, near Tampa, Florida.
• TOPS'L Beach & Racquet Resort, Destin, Florida: Three nights lodging in a two-bedroom courtside Tennis Villa or deluxe two-bedroom condominium plus complimentary court time, tennis clinic, round robin, one-hour use of ball machine, and souvenir for two players.

Exclusive Packages and Specials

Discounts, room upgrades, and special packages only available on Tennis Resorts Online.

Saddlebrook Tennis (Hopman), Florida
Free Upgrade to One-bedroom Suite + Amenity Basket
Book the Saddlebrook Tennis School (which offers five hours a day of instruction) and a regular deluxe guest room at Saddlebrook Resort and they'll upgrade you to a one-bedroom suite* at no extra cost (two-night minimum) and include a complimentary Saddlebrook Amenity basket.

To get it, phone toll-free 800-729-8383 and ask for the Tennis Resorts Online Upgrade.

*Subject to availability at the time of booking

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Port Royal Racquet Club, South Carolina
Special Weekend Group Packages
A specialist in group packages, Port Royal is offering Tennis Resorts Online users a special 4-day/3-night program for groups of 4 or more. It consists of deluxe lodging in two-bedroom villas (based on 4 people per villa), 6 hours of clinics, complimentary court time, a welcome social, souvenirs and a 15% discount on pro shop merchandise. The cost is $405/person with lodging; $150/person without lodging.

To book, call Tanda at 843-686-8803 and tell her you want the "Tennis Resorts Online Group Package."

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John Newcombe Tennis Ranch, Texas (Juniors)
TRO Special: 10% Off Junior Camps
Tennis Resorts Online has secured a 10% discount on any weeklong (Sun.-Fri./Sat.) junior camp you book at the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch. The discount may not be combined with other offers. To get it, phone toll-free 800-444-6204 and mention this discount code: JR-TRO10. Request a brochure.

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(More Discounts & Specials)

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