NE Tennis Holidays
#1 U.S. tennis camp; VT/FL/NH Cape Cod;Fine dining/lodging
netennisholidays.com
Vermont Tennis Vacations
2/3/5-day pgms or a la carte Pro-student 4:1. Onsite Spa
VermontTennisVacations.com
Here's what others have had to say about Essex, Vermont's Culinary Resort & Spa and Vermont Tennis Vacations.
"STRENGTHS: Courts are well maintained and tennis pros are always available. Easy to get to Essex by air, by AMTRAC trains, or by auto. A shopping center, and an outlet center are nearby. Has a nice country feel, but Burlington is close enough with all city services and facilities. Restaurant services by the Vermont Culinary Institute are world class special. WEAKNESSES: Summer outdoor tennis is great, but cold weather tennis is a total bomb out."—J.H., Int., January 2010
Jim Glanville, the general manager of The Essex, and several of the owners are all themselves avid tennis players, which explains the 
decision in 2004 to add six Har-Tru courts to this 120-room inn's amenities.
Guests bed down in handsomely decorated rooms
—some with gas-log stoves, whirlpool baths, or even kitchenettes—and dine on meals prepared by chefs who trained with the New England Culinary Institute. An added bonus is the inn's proximity to the airport in Burlington. After several seasons of hosting the camp programs of New England Tennis Holidays, the Essex has now introduced its own Vermont Tennis Vacations, a program of 2-, 3-, or 5-day camps.
I've referred to this as an inn because it was originally called the Inn at Essex, but as tennis and other amenities were added, "inn" began to seem like too narrow an expression of the guest experience, so the name was changed to the somewhat cumbersome The Essex, Vermont's Culinary Resort & Spa. Whatever. But there is not doubt that it has been made more appealing by the opening of a 21,000-square-foot spa.
Now guests who overdo it will be steps away from relief, whether that means a massage, facial, or body treatment or simply relaxing in the sauna or steam rooms. The complex also includes a 25-yard indoor heated swimming pool with a heated Jacuzzi on its outdoor terrace and a complete fitness center with weight and cardio equipment and a selection of classes. Overseeing this and the rest of the recreation is John Morris, whom many of you will know from his stints with All American Sports (OK, you need a long memory for that), Amelia Island Plantation, and most recently WaterColor Inn & Resort.
Pro Shop: 802-878-1100
Tennis Staff. Tennis director Rob Barr and head professional Anders Lundberg are now running the Essex's tennis programs. Barr ran New England Tennis 
Holidays programs here for six years and has coached on the ATP and WTA tours. Lundberg played for the University of Texas and has been ranked No. 1 in his native Sweden in three different age divisions. Together they will spearhead the five-hour-a-day tennis camp being introduced at the Essex. Dubbed "Vermont Tennis Vacations," this 2-, 3-, or 5-day program will cover technique, tactics, hot selection, match psychology, court coverage, and movement utilizing fast-paced competitive drills in a fun and challenging environment.
Tennis Programs. Aside from the camp, the resort stages a weekly roster of tennis activities and events during the May to October outdoor season. These include daily stroke clinics, junior clinics, Cardio tennis, mixed scrambles, and the Essex Pro Challenge, which affords guests the opportunity to play a set again Barr or Lundberg, both of whom have held ITF world rankings. In addition, there is a weekly pro singles or doubles exhibition, followed by cocktails at the pool.
Courts & Fees. There are six Har-Tru courts. Court fees: None for camp participants or hotel guests.
Golf Courses. The Inn also owns the Links at Lang Farm, a 4,100-yard, 18-hole, par-60 course with a full practice facility and a clubhouse. Each of its holes has multiple tees to accommodate golfers of differing abilities. In addition, the Inn can make arrangements for guests to play at local courses, including the Vermont National Country Club, the only New England course designed by Jack Nicklaus.
Spa & Fitness Center. The two-story, white clapboard spa backs up to the woods at one side of the property just across from gardens and white picket fence surrounding the outdoor pool. It's a peaceful place of stone and wood, with fireplaces in the men's and women's lounges, maple flooring, and picture windows. The menu of treatments is broad, from the sports massages I crave to green tea and ginger wraps and noni fruit calming facials. For the fitness center, Morris insisted on high-quality (and quiet) TechnoGym equipment, setting it and a variety of cardio stations in a room with views on the forest. There's also an indoor lap pool.
And ... At the back of the property stands an adventure center that focuses on team building programs but also has a recreational menu of zip lines, rock and ice climbing wall, an overhead challenge course, and more. There's also hiking and biking in the nearby mountains and woods, and guided fly fishing trips.
The inn has 120 rooms and suites. Nearly half have Vermont hearthstone stoves or fireplaces. Each is individually decorated. All have been renovated with the help of Vermont artist Susan Sargent.
There are several dining options, all overseen by chefs or interns trained at the New England Culinary Institute. Although there is fine dining at Butler's Restaurant (and a rave-inducing Sunday brunch), the more casual Tavern, with its bar and option of dining outdoors on the patio, is where you'll find most of the guests. It's open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and it's menu includes some spa or low-calorie, low-fat options.
May 1-2, 2010: VT Culinary Resort and Spa Senior Classic
Men's and women's USTA-sanctioned singles and doubles tournament with divisions for 45s, 55s, and 65s.
Agu. 26-29, 2010: Dream Team Weekend with Wilander & Pernfors
www.VtTennisVacations.com
Join former world #1 Mats Wilander, former world #10 Mikael Pernfors, and Futures Tour pro Cameron Lickle as they bring the Wilander on Wheels (WOW) tennis fantasy camp to The Essex Resort & Spa in Greater Burlington, Vermont. It's a special 3-day, 3-night weekend of tennis tips, training, and socializing.
Oct. 1-3, 2010: Vermont Open Tennis Championships
A USTA-sanctioned prize money event, with men's and women's singles and doubles competition in Open and 45s divisions.
If you're looking for an all-day tennis camp with lots of social atmosphere, also check out any of the following:
The prices for the tennis vacation package below include 5 hours/day of group instruction, lodging, three meals daily, and all taxes and gratuities. Rates are per person/double occupany. See the website for single-occupancy options.
Tennis Vacation Packages: May & June 2010
2-day: $529. 3-day: $795. 5-day: $1,239
Tennis Vacation Packages: July-September 2010
2-day: $589. 3-day: $859. 5-day: $1,295
Seasons. The resort is open year round; however, the tennis season runs from late May to mid September
Travel Instructions. The newly renovated and expanded Burlington International Airport has direct jet service from Chicago, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Newark, New York and Boston. Major carriers include American, Business Express, Continental, Delta, JetBlue, United, and US Airways. Major car rental agencies are located in the terminal itself. Upon request, The Essex provides complimentary shuttle service.
To reach the Inn from the airport, take a left out of the terminal onto Airport Drive. Travel ½ mile to Williston Road, turn left and continue for 1.7 miles to Industrial Avenue (first set of lights). Turn left for 1½ miles to the next light. Turn left again onto Route 2A North for 1.8 miles to a 5-way intersection in Essex Junction. Bear right onto Route 15 East for 1½ miles to VT 289 East and then .2 of a mile to Exit 1O, Essex Way. Turn right and a quarter-mile along you'll see the entrance to the resort on the left.
General Tourist Information. for general information about travel in Vermont, visit the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing web site or contact them at 6 Baldwin Street, Drawer 33, Montpelier, VT 05633-1301; Phone 800-VERMONT (800-837-6668).