TOPS'L Resort
Top 10 U.S. Tennis Resort Tennis pkgs: 888-248-4964
www.topsl.com
Longboat Key Club/Resort
On Florida's SW coast;home of New 20-court Tennis Gardens
www.longboatkeyclub.com
Here's what others have had to say about Colony Beach & Tennis Resort.
"Horrible and sad. This place has finally imploded. We can all hope a group with experience running a hotel comes in and revives the Colony, because it certainly isn't being run well now! The location is the only strength. Weaknesses: everything."—J.H., Adv., July 2010
"I went to The Colony over our kids' spring break and while I wasn't sure what to expect after a legal battle between the owners and management shut the place down for a year, I was pleased to see the place open for business. It was quiet to be sure, but in some ways this just meant a guaranteed beach chair and an easy time booking tennis courts.
My favorite tennis instructors were still there and I got plenty of tennis in. The Colony has such a great set up for tennis families that I wanted to put the word out to those who were unsure: it is up and running!"—S.L., Adv. Int., April 2010
"We have not been down to the colony in about 4 years,
prior to that my family and i had been there 5 years in a row. not only was the tennis wonderful, but the the place is totally beautiful. the beaches rival the carribean. the staff and managment always went above and beyond to make
sure my stay was first rate. granted the condos need some
updating, but other than that , the layout is perfect. my favrorite vacation"—W.D., Adv., April 2010
"After visting the former "jewel" of resort tennis destination 8 years ago I had to visit again just to see what the situation was. What a sad finding. The posts are accurate. The place is in total disrepair. I could not recommend this place for anyone at this point. This is an awesome location and hopefully will be refurbished to its former top resort."—R.K., Adv., March 2010
"I took a group of 20 there in January 2008. Instruction was good but not phenomenal. Courts and resort are beautiful, but condo are in a sad state of disrepair...Rusted stoves, inadequate AC, old shag carpeting and electric outlets that kept tripping the breaker switch! Also, had a major problem at check out when the weekend staff attempted to impose a surcharge on every member of my party despite my protests. Finally straightened it out but didn't get much more of an "oops; sorry" from the group trip coodinator."—S.B., Int., February 2010
"Strengths: Beautiful location, wonderful tennis instruction, both hard and soft courts, wonderful deli and restaurant-bar on location.
Weaknesses: none"—P.J., Adv. Int., January 2010
"I don't have any strenghts for this place. It was crap."—C.F., Adv. Int., January 2010
"The accommodations were gross and unkempt. During our entire stay, there was a pair of dirty, old socks under the stairs that no one bothered to clean up. The exterior of all the buildings looked old, dated and worn. All around the courts there was piled up junk, including a cement roller, a ladder, and other misc. equipment.
Although The Colony resort was rated number 1 for 8 years by 'Tennis Magazine,' I believe the tennis was mediocre at best. Most instructors were very unenthusiastic and couldn't even feed 2 balls at once. The drills and coaching were dated and the courts were in disarray. Additionally, there was no shade or seats for the clay courts #4, #5 & 6 and for the others across the street. The round robin didn't happen on any of the 5 days I was there, even though I was specifically told it normally has "12 to 20 people in attendance" daily.
The "spa" (eeeewww) was more an old gym locker room. My friends and I wouldn't dare use the services. It looked more like the place that Flo from that show “Alice” might get her hair done. Nasty!
The looped video that the resort plays on the TVs in the rooms pretty much sums up this "resort". It's literally from the 80's with Bud Collins' and the host. It showcase the resort and talks about the great, I kid you not, jazzercise classes (picture circa 1982 Jan Fonda).
In addition to all of this, The Colony is in currently in litigation between the resort management and the condo owners. It closed in September '09 and was slated to reopen in December '09. If and when it opens, I beg you, do not go. This place is terrible! I should have stayed home!"—C.D., Adv., January 2010
"I tried the Colony for one day December 28, 2009. The tennis program seems moribund. It appears to have suffered from the ongoing unresolved dispute between the Resort's property owners and managers. Only two tennis pros were available, and my adult clinic included only one other participant. The cost of the clinic exceeded the amount I had been quoted before visiting. I would recommend staying away until the combatants resolve their disputes, allowing normal operations to resume."—M.G., Int., January 2010
Rate Colony Beach & Tennis Resort
After closing in late September of 2009, the Colony 
reopened in late December, its tennis operation now overseen by co-directors Sais Maharaj and Claudiu Retean. I have not yet had a chance to revisit to reassess the property or programs. So until I do, you may want to rely on the reviews of vacationers who have.
Pro Shop: 941-383-6464
The Colony was not the first to use a tennis host or hostess—such figures have long been staples of private clubs and old-line tennis resorts—but it has made matching players a centerpiece of its tennis table. Most resorts insist on a day's notice; the Colony asks for only four hours, and if it can't find someone among the current roster of guests it turns to a select coterie of designated hitters who live in the community. It's a matter of pride to assure that those who need a game find one, and it employs two full-time people to arrange matches and reserve courts.
Beyond that crucial service, the Colony offers the usual private and semi-private lessons, a menu of clinics for both adults and juniors, and social tennis happy hours. Just exactly what will be in the schedule varies with the season . Activity reaches a zenith during Christmas week and the period from February through April. A typical week then may also include round robins, exhibitions, and challenge the pro events. Even at the Colony the tennis energy waxes and wanes with the seasons, so if nonstop tennis action is what you crave, plan to vacation during those busy periods or ask what specific tennis programs will be going on during the week you're thinking of visiting.
Tennis Staff. Sais Maharaj and Claudiu Retean co-direct the program. Maharaj comes from a family of avid tennis players in Trinidad, a passion that took him to the No. 1 ranking among juniors in Trinidad and Tobago and then to the Carson-Newman College tennis team and a stint on the pro tour. He has 30 years of teaching experience. Retean was nationally ranked in his native Romania and has nine years of experience teaching and coaching.
Tennis Programs. Besides private and semi-private lessons, the Colony runs half a dozen or so daily clinics geared to different levels of adult and junior players. Each lasts one to two hours and provide yet another means of meeting other tennis players. What you won't find in the Colony syllabus is a full-fledged tennis camp, although they will put one together on a custom basis if you want to organize your own group.
Courts & Fees. The Colony
has 11 courts altogether. Of those, 10
are clay, engineered to be watered from below, and one
hard. Two of the clay courts have lights. There are no
court fees.
There is more to the Colony than tennis.
Beach. Twelve miles of white sand line the Gulf of Mexico side of Longboat Key. The Colony lies a little south of the midway point. The resort provides complimentary lounges and shade huts and there's a swimming pool and beach bar overlooking the beach. Other beachside amenities include a sand volleyball court and children's playground and jungle gym.
Watersports. A beachfront watersports center rents small sailboats (Hobie cats and Sunfish), windsurfers, aqua cycles, rafts, boogie boards, ocean kayaks, and snorkeling equipment. It also runs sailing courses.
Biking & Jogging Trails. You can jog along the beach or on 12 miles of bike paths on Longboat Key (the Watersports center has bicycles for rent).
Fitness Center. Located in its own small building near the entrance, the professionally staffed fitness center contains a high-quality selection of cardiovascular equipment—including treadmills, Life Cycles, rowing machines, and Stairmasters—plus line of Body Master stations, Universal free weights, and a Gravitron. There are aerobics and fitness classes in a mirrored room and the option of booking a personal trainer.
Spa. Recently expanded, the Health Spa offers a menu of services including Swedish and neuromuscular therapy massages, shiatsu, reflexology, lymphatic drainage, facials, salt scrubs, and mud, hydro, and herbal wraps.
Golf. Too small to have a golf course, the Colony nonetheless has privileges at six local golf courses and offers golf packages that include transportation to and from those courses.
The Colony has year-round, supervised children's programs, both offered on a complimentary basis. The program is divided in two by the ages of the children: Kinder Kamp for those ages 3 to 6 and Kidding Around for those 7 through 12. These run 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and some evenings. Babysitting service can also be arranged (at extra cost). Among the activities for kids are tennis programs, kids fitness and aerobics, beach games, nature walks, and more. At certain times of the year there are also special programs that parents and their kids can participate in together.
Accommodations at the Colony consist of 208 1- and 2-bedroom villas and 25 specialty suites that include duplex penthouses and cottages on the beach. The villas, all fully air conditioned, occupy 15 or so two- and three-story structures dispersed around the 18-acre property. All have fully equipped kitchens, living areas with Murphy beds and televisions, dining areas, balconies or porches, and a marble bath with a jetted tub. Renovations completed in 1997 introduced three design schemes—tropical floral, cabana stripe, and provincial—chosen to make the rooms lighter and airier, something they needed. Still, these are not as fancy as the hefty winter rates lead you to expect, and that leads some guests to question whether the Colony is truly worth its premium prices.
The Colony is that rare resort whose cuisine consistently ranks highly not only with resort guests—who are after all a somewhat captive audience—but with locals as well. That can be traced directly to the award-winning contemporary Continental cuisine (think herb-crusted grouper, crispy Long Island duckling, grilled veal chop) served in the Colony Dining Room, which overlooks the Gulf. There are also two more casual options: the Monkey Room, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the outdoor Monkey Bar, which serves sandwiches and salads (weather permitting). All three have children's menus.
Also on the property is Tastebuds, a small grocery market and deli, which carries sandwiches, pizza, specialty items, and wine, beer, and liquor to take back to your villa.
For comparison's sake, look at these multidimensional resorts, whose large size and varied recreation makes them very different from the Colony's intimacy:
If you're looking for other havens for active players, notable for their strong game matching, look at:
Rates vary seasonally and by location. In general they are highest over the year-end holidays and from February to mid-April, lowest during the summer, and somewhere in between during the rest of the year. Choices range from a one- or two-bedroom condo (which they call a suite) to a beachfront cottage or expansive "Specialty" suite.
Seasons. Year-round, but busiest over Christmas week and from February to April.
Travel Instructions. The nearest airport is Sarasota 
Bradenton International (SRQ), which is 9 miles away and accessible on several national and commuter airlines as well as Canadian Airlines. The alternative is to fly into Tampa International, 72 miles to the north. Rental cars and shuttles are available at both airports.
General Tourist Information. Visit the Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau website or contact them at 655 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236; (941) 957-1877 or (800) 522-9799, or the Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau website or contact them at P.O. Box 1000, Bradenton, FL 34206-1000; phone (941) 729-9177.