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Tennis Resorts Online, a guide to tennis resorts and tennis camps

A Critical Guide to the World's Best Tennis Resorts and Tennis Camps
Index of Tennis Resorts & Camps by Name and Location Search for Tennis Resorts and Tennis Camps Using Your Criteria Top 100 Tennis Resorts & Tennis Camps Rate a Tennis Resort or Tennis Camp Tennis Packages and Discounts Calendar of Tennis Events Junior Tennis Camps
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Top 10 Resorts for Families News/family trip planning/fun
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Everett Potter's Travel
Surviving the Unfriendly Skies Also great hotels, best places
www.everettpotter.com

On the Road

Dispatches from my recent travels:

Upcoming Events

Tournament indicates a tournament

May 16-19, 2008
HSBC Whistler Master Doubles Round Robin, Whistler Racquet Club, British Columbia Canada
Men's and women's doubles in 35, 45, 55, and 65 divisions and Mixed Doubles where combined ages are 75, 100, or 120.
May 16-18, 2008
Ladies 4.5 Interstate Team Challenge, TOPS'L Beach & Racquet Resort, Florida
For teams of women with an average NTRP rating of no higher than 4.5.
May 12-18, 2008
36th USTA Spring Senior Hardcourt Championships, La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, California
A dual event: the Women's National Hardcourt Championships in singles and doubles for age categories 50 and over, 60 and over, 70 and over, 80 and over, and 90 and over; and a simultaneous men's singles and doubles tournament in age categories 60 and over, 65 and over, 70 and over, 75 and over, 80 and over, and 85 and over. For more information please contact tennis director, Bill McGrath, at 858-551-4616 or by email.
May 12-18, 2008
TournamentMasters Series Hamburg. www.amrothenbaum.de.
Men's event. 
May 3-18, 2008
TournamentCampionati Internazionali D'Italia. www.internazionalibnlditalia.it/.
The Italian Open, now a combined men's and women's event, held in Rome's Foro Italico. Opening rounds take place May 3-4 with the main draw beginning May 5.
May 23-25, 2008
Dennis Ralston Adult Premier Camp, Broadmoor, Colorado
Memorial Day weekend camp for all NTRP levels
May 30-June 1, 2008
Dennis Ralston Adult Premier Camp, Broadmoor, Colorado
For all NTRP levels
June 6-8, 2008
29th Annual Banana Open, Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center, South Carolina, Phone: 843-785-1152
Men's and Women's Singles and Doubles and Mixed in even NTRP ratings of 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0
May 25-June 8, 2008
TournamentROLAND GARROS (French Open). www.rolandgarros.com.
Rafael Nadal and Justine Henin-Hardenne are defending champions
June 9-12, 2008
Dennis Ralston Premier Camp, Broadmoor, Colorado

For all NTRP levels


(More Events)

  

TRO's Top 100
Tennis Resorts and Camps
For 2008

May 1, 2008. The results of our annual reader survey have been compiled, and for 2008 you've ranked California's Rancho Valencia Resort as the No. 1 Resort and Roy Emerson's Tennis Weeks in Switzerland as the No. 1 Camp. As always, these rankings are based on the reviews submitted by vacationers like you over the past year.

Top 10 Resorts
Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa in Rancho Santa Fe, CA 1. Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa
  1. Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa, CA
  2. The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa, AZ
  3. Kiawah Island Golf Resort, SC
  4. Bio-Hotel Stanglwirt, Tirol Austria
  5. Caneel Bay, A Rosewood Resort, U.S. Virgin Islands
  6. The Broadmoor, CO
  7. Pinehurst Resort & Country Club, NC
  8. Wintergreen Resort, VA
  9. Palmetto Dunes Resort, SC
  10. Saddlebrook Resort, FL
Top 5 Camps
Roy Emerson Tennis Weeks at the Palace Hotel, Gstaad, Switzerland 1. Roy Emerson Tennis Weeks
  1. Roy Emerson Tennis Weeks, Switzerland
  2. New England Tennis Holidays, NH
  3. PBI Tennis Camp at Bio-Hotel Stanglwirt, Tirol Austria
  4. Saddlebrook Tennis (Hopman), FL
  5. Vic Braden Tennis College, Green Valley Spa, UT
(Complete List)

Packages and Discounts

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

Sea Colony Resort, Delaware
Exclusive Weekend Specials
Bethany Beach at Sea ColonyFrom early September to late May, Sea Colony has two special weekend (Friday-Sunday) packages exclusively for Tennis Resorts Online readers.
"Singles Spectacular": a weekend clinic for one with 10 hours of instruction, match play, a tournament, a 1-hour massage and lodging in a 1-bedroom condo. Cost: $600.
"Double the Fun": a weekend clinic for two with 10 hours of instruction, match play, a tournament, a 1-hour massage and lodging in a 2-bedroom condo. Cost: $850.
To book, phone 302-539-4488 and tell Dave Marshall you want the "Tennis Resorts Online special."
New England Tennis Holidays at the Inn at Essex, Vermont
$50 Off 5-Day Sun.-Thurs. Packages
New England Tennis Holidays at the Inn at EssexFrom May 15-July 4, New England Tennis Holidays is giving Tennis Resorts Online users a $50 discount on its five-day Sunday-Thursday package at its Inn at Essex location.
spaceTo take advantage, phone (800) 869-0949 and say you want the Tennis Resorts Online $50 Inn at Essex Discount.
New England Tennis Holidays, New Hampshire
$50 Off 5-Day Sun.-Thurs. Packages
New England Tennis HolidaysFrom May 15-July 4, New England Tennis Holidays is giving Tennis Resorts Online users a $50 discount on its five-day Sunday-Thursday package.
spaceTo take advantage, phone (800) 869-0949 and say you want the Tennis Resorts Online $50 North Conway Discount.
(More Discounts & Specials)



Recent Reviews

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

Bio-Hotel Stanglwirt, Tirol Austria
4½-Ball Rating "The coaches are delightful and manage to achieve progress with very clear instructions and in a friendly manner. The hotel rooms are very generous, silent and well equipped. The setting is magnificent and the spa worth the trip on its own. Our son has fallen in love with the Lippizaners and has riding lessons after his tennis. We look forward to our next visit in a few months!!"—T.H., April 2008


New England Tennis Holidays, New Hampshire
4½-Ball Rating "The superb staff didn't try to brainwash me with a new techniques, but worked with me to fine tune the strokes I had brought with me. I especially enjoyed the video analysis of my strokes. I had no idea until I saw what I was doing how to really correct my flaws. Everyone on the staff went out of their way to make my stay enjoyable. The campers were great, no big egos to worry about here. The round robins in the afternoon were a great way to "experiment" with my new toys. The red clay courts made this old body feel young again. Great value for the dollar."—J.K., April 2008


Caneel Bay, A Rosewood Resort, U.S. Virgin Islands
5-Ball Rating "I'm a 5.0-5.5 tennis player and a first time visitor to Caneel Bay. I came with my racket hoping that I'd find someone who could give me a good hit while I was taking a break from the beach. Not only did I get a great hit with Patrick, the teaching pro at the resort, but he also found ways to fine tune parts of my game that I didn't even realize needed improvement. I also convinced my girlfriend, a complete novice, to come along to the social mixers.
spaceThere was a wonderful blend of many different levels and Patrick found some perfect matches for my girlfriend with some extremely nice locals and she hasn't stopped talking about it. We'll definitely be coming back to Caneel Bay with tennis in mind!!!"—T.J., April 2008


Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa, California
4-Ball Rating "My family of 5 recently returned from a richly rewarding week at Rancho Valencia resort in Rancho Santa Fe, CA. The tennis instruction was superb (but not too intensive) and easily accomodated a range of abilities. The staff (virtually without exception) was comprised of warm and gregarious human beings who were a genuine pleasure to spend time with.
spaceThe resort itself was located in a spectacularly beautiful setting with superb food and access to all of San Diego's various activities. I highly recommend this resort as a destination for families who wish to have an activity (tennis) to complement their California vacation."—J.Z., April 2008


Saddlebrook Tennis (Hopman), Florida
5-Ball Rating "I would return to Saddlebrook for their tennis clinic in a heartbeat. After 3 days of 5 hours each I found myself wishing for another month. The instructors challenged yet supported us, only 3 players per pro. They take you up from where you currently re playing. The accommodations are blissful and you couldn't ask for a friendlier staff."—G.O., April 2008


  
Sponsors

Bio-Hotel Stanglwirt
Spectacular Austrian setting PBI tennis, posh hotel/spa
www.stanglwirt.com
Wofford Tennis Camp
Learn to win and have fun Great Camp in South Carolina
rodraytenniscamp.com
Swarthmore Junior Camp
6/15-8/9; Co-ed; Res. & Day Ages 9-18; Wkly & Multi-Week
swarthmoretenniscamp.com

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About the Author

red bullet"A terrific resource for tennis players and their families."
—Wall Street Journal, March 22-23, 2008

red bullet"Tennis Resorts Online is a one-stop shop of a web site that provides unbiased reviews of hundreds of tennis camps, resorts and hotel complexes throughout the world."
—Frommer's Newsletter, April 7, 2004

red bullet"This online resource for tennis resorts is the most reliable one out there."
—Newsweek, November 25, 2002

red bullet"I know of nowhere else that you can find this amount and quality of information about tennis vacations. The web site is up to date, accurate and answers all my questions. Roger Cox is a real pro and makes my choices easy with his many years of experience in tennis/travel."
—Gene Mayer, former Top 10 player and French Open Doubles Champion

red bullet"A helpful resource ... which has a wealth of information on these 'swinging' vacation spots."
—Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel online

red bullet"Cox's experience as a travel writer ... has made him an unparalleled expert in the field of tennis travel."
—USTA Magazine

red bullet"An authority on tennis resorts, Cox is to tennis travel what Webster is to dictionaries"
—Tennis Week

ROGER COX has spent more than 25 years writing about tennis travel. That long stint included a 17-year stretch for Tennis magazine, during which he visited more than 300 tennis resorts on five continents and personally participated in over 50 tennis camps—several of them more than once. His informed perspective on the entire tennis resort and tennis camp landscape underpins this web site.
   No resort paid to be surveyed here. These are not ads but reviews based on Cox's broad, firsthand knowledge and on the wisdom of the Tennis Resorts Online visitors, who are invited to comment about their own vacation experiences. The point of it all is to help you make better choices about where to take your next tennis vacation.
   Apart from his stories for Tennis, Cox has written hundreds of additional articles—mostly about travel and occasionally illustrated with his own photos—which have variously appeared in Budget Travel, Continental Magazine, New York Magazine, Travel & Leisure, Esquire, Money, Working Woman, GQ, Tennis magazine, Tennis Life Magazine, USTA Magazine, Diversion, Men's Fitness, Men's Journal, The Robb Report, New Choices, New England Tennis, Bridal Guide, and For the Bride, among numerous others. He has also written two books—The World's Best Tennis Vacations (Stephen Greene Press/Viking Penguin, 1990) and The Best Places to Stay in the Rockies (Houghton Mifflin, 1992 and 1994)—and the Melbourne (Australia) chapter to the Wall Street Journal Business Guide to Cities of the Pacific Rim (Fodor's Travel Guides, 1991). He is probably on the road somewhere right now.