Off the top of my head, I can't think of another tennis resort that offers an "Early Bird" drill session at 6 a.m. during the week. But in an era when people frequently head for their health club before going to work, it makes perfect sense to provide the alternative of a tennis workout instead. So tennis director John Mullman added one because he not only has members who want to be able to get their tennis in that early but also hotel conference guests, whose only opportunity comes before the day's meetings begin.

Granted, if you've come to the Four Seasons Resort and Club on vacation, you're probably not about to get up at 6 a.m. for anything. But the mere fact that something is available at that odd hour suggests how responsive Mullman and his staff are to the needs of members and hotel guests. And at that early hour, Mullman himself is often one of the pros awake and on court helping jumpstart the players' days.

Overview

Although the Four Seasons Resort and Club is better known for its golf, thanks to having an 18-hole Tournament Players Club golf course and hosting the annual Byron Nelson Classic, it also has the largest tennis complex of any of the Four Seasons resorts. That includes eight outdoor hard courts, one of them a sunken stadium, and four newly resurfaced (August 2006) indoor courts. Those indoor courts are part of a Walmart-sized 176,000-square-foot Sports Club. Enclosed in dimpled, peach-hued blond brick, this vast space embraces not only those four indoor courts but also an expansive fitness center, a saltwater lap pool, a running track, squash and racquetball courts, the golf and tennis pro shops, and a members-only restaurant and lounge. Tennis players get their own cafe, Racquets, which overlooks the indoor courts, serves lighter fare and smoothies, and whenever possible tunes its televisions to tennis events. Blond wood paneling, broad carpeted hallways and decorative oriental vases give the club a Dallas-inspired panache throughout. Just outside there is a children's play area adjacent to the family swimming pool, and between the Sports Club and the hotel runs the subterranean spa, with its own swimming pool on the roof.

Tennis Features

Pro Shop: 972-717-0700

Having both indoor and outdoor courts to work with gives this Four Seasons options when it comes to tennis programming. At the same time it has to balance the needs of members with those of social and conference guests. For tennis director John Mullman the key has been to integrate resort guests into the ongoing programs for members.

Tennis Staff. With more than two decades of teaching experience—half of it here at the Four Seasons—Mullman has carpentered together a varied program. In addition to those "Early Birds" workouts, there are evening drill sessions, weekly clinics, Saturday morning group play, studious game matching, and the option to substitute in leagues. His staff specializes in tailor-making long weekend events for tennis groups and teams.
Mullman is part of a strong team that includes U.S. Open doubles quarter finalist Brent Haygarth, four-time Scottish No. 1 Robin Scott, and former India Davis Cup player Fazaluddin Syed. And WTA Tour professional Tara Snyder also occasionally drops by, sometimes helping with clinics or giving exhibitions. In an annual survey of members, the tennis staff ranks higher than any other Sports Club department, for the quality of instruction, level of service, and value for dollar.
Courts & Fees. 12 hard courts (all individually lighted), 4 of them indoors. Four the outdoor courts have now been resurfaced in U.S. Open blue.

Your Call

Here's what others have had to say about Four Seasons Resort and Club.

• ""—M.J., Adv., May 2008

• "Wonderful tennis pros who give top notch clinics. Great food Great tennis facilities Weaknesses-none"—G.M., Adv. Int., May 2008

• "The best place for relaxing and having fun. A great hotel with great facilities and excellent coachung staff. I highly recommend."—S.M., Int., April 2008

• ""—M.R., Int., April 2008

• "Absolutely awesome!!!!! The instructors, the bartenders, the staff, the facility are Wonderful!"—S.S., Adv. Int., April 2008

• "Oustanding instruction with John Mullman and Tara Snyder for my teenage junior tournament tennis players (17 yr old son & 15 yr old daughter). Very interesting, high-energy, and productive in achieving the goal of new instruction methods for going to the next level for tournament competition."—D.B., Adv., April 2008

• "A very wonderful place to do business and pleasure.Wonderful staff specially the tennis staff. Come and see for yourself, I promise you will be wanting to come back and experience it all again."—R.S., Int., April 2008

• ""—R.B., Int., April 2008

• "The tennis staff at the Four Seasons Resort and Club is excellent! They are a great mix of wonderful instruction, contagious enthusiasm, and on-court knowledge. I would recommend that both visiting and local tennis enthusiasts schedule a tennis camp immediately. Each different pro contributes a new perspective and focus. The only weakness is the lack of hours in the day to play tennis at the Four Seasons Resort and Club!"—D.K., Adv. Int., April 2008

• "While the Resort and Club are undergoing a major renovation (the TPC golf course just got a $10million make-over), the tennis facilities have been suffering. However, the end seems to be in sight and the results will be stunning. The indoor courts and the professionals are fabulous and my team of 10 women got terrific instruction.
  We held a 10 hour, two day camp and they brought a sports psychologist for a lunch and we worked all aspects of the game. The hotel is great and the spa does everything.
  When the outdoor courts are refinished and the new pool is unveiled, it will be an unbelievable tennis/golf/spa destination."—K.S., Adv. Int., April 2008

• "Great instruction. Video taped strokes, very helpful. Highly trained pros with positive attitude."—L.H., Int., April 2008

• "Absolutely phenomenal facility. Attended several tennis drill sessions at the facility in Las Colinas. Loved it! Exceptional service, treatment and tennis!!! Doesn't get any better than that."—N.B., Adv. Int., April 2008

Other Recreation

Golf Courses. There are two 18-hole championships golf courses at the Four Seasons Resort and Club and a Byron Nelson Golf School

The Tournament Player's Course Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas: Designed by Jay Moorish in consultation with Byron Nelson and Ben Crenshaw, this 7,009-yard course is home to the annual PGA Tour EDS Byron Nelson Championship. The legendary Donald Ross designed this first of the Broadmoor's courses in 1918 and it was later redesigned by Robert Trent Jones. It remains the most forgiving
Cottonwood Valley Course: Designed by Robert Trent Jones and Jay Moorish this Par 71, 6,862-yard course is available exclusively to Sports Club members. Its No. 1 green is shaped like the state of Texas, with a sand bunker in the shape of Oklahoma.

Spa & Fitness Center. Thoroughly remodeled in 2004, the spa retains its Zen-like atmosphere but has been completely modernized. There is a salon adjacent to the larger women's spa area, while both locker rooms have electronic key lockers, dray saunas, steam rooms, heated whirlpools, and cold plunges. Spa dining is available in the relaxation area of both the men's and women's areas. The Fitness Center encompasses some 6,000-square-feet of the Sports Club, where it has a full array of Nautilus and Body Master equipment; a forest of Stairmasters, exercycles and other cardio equipment; free weights, indoor and outdoor jogging tracks, indoor and outdoor lap pools, and a full schedule of free exercise classes (aerobics, yoga, Pilates, water aerobics). Personal training and nutritional counseling are also offered.

And ... There are two squash and four racquetball courts, half a basketball court, several sports studios (for Tae Kwon Do and gymnastics among other activities), a child-care center,

Children's Programs

During the summer, this Four Seasons runs a "Kids For All Seasons" program from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily for children ages 5 to 13. In addition, the Sports Club schedules a wide-ranging array of recreation and classes for kids as young as 2 years old as part of its "Summerfest" series. That includes junior tennis camps and classes on selected dates as well as swimming, golf, racquetball and squash, and fitness classes. During the rest of the year the Sports Club offers weekend and after-school tennis programs for everyone from "Mini Marvels" (3-5 year olds) to "Elite" (advanced/tournament players). Children of hotel guests can easily be integrated into these sessions.

Lodging

The main nine-story hotel has 307 rooms, in blue, gold and red color schemes and slightly formal dark woods. Most have views of the serpentine swimming pool or golf course. In addition there are ninety villas to the north and south of the hotel along the golf fairways.

Restaurants

The main dining option in the hotel is Cafe on the Green, a handsome semi-circular room with an elegant Asian feel and New American cuisine with an Asian flair.

See Also

Among the other top tennis resorts with this Four Seasons' style are:

• The Broadmoor, Colorado
• The Greenbrier, West Virginia
• The Lodge at Pebble Beach, California
• The Phoenician, Arizona
• Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne, Florida

Travel Essentials

Seasons. Year-round.

Four Seasons Resort and Club
4150 North MacArthur Blvd
Irving, TX 75038
972-717-0700
Toll-free: 800-819-5053
Fax: 972-717-2550
Web Link: Four Seasons Resort and Club

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Travel Instructions. The resort is 7 miles from the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).

General Tourist Information. Visit the Texas web site or contact them at 800-888-8TEX.

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