One of the Leading Hotels of the World, the turreted Gstaad Palace is a landmark in Switzerland's Saanen Valley, two hours east of Geneva. Though best-known in the United States for its skiing, this mountain village is if anything even more beautiful in summer and fall. And it's then, in fact, that tennis legend Roy Emerson arrives to conduct six-day tennis camps on the hotel's four red-clay courts.
The hotel itself dates to 1913 and has been managed since 1938 (and owned since 1947) by the Scherz family. At 150 rooms, it is Switzerland's largest pension and yet for all its size retains the feel of an inn. Among its amenities are indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a spa and fitness center, an indoor squash court, and mountain bike rentals. Golf, horseback riding, clay-pigeon shooting, and river rafting are all nearby. For tennis players, the reason to come is Roy Emerson. Personable and outgoing, this winner of 12 Grand Slam singles titles runs 5-hour-a-day clinics. "We go through most aspects of the game," he says of the program. "It's a pretty serious 6 days. We play a lot of doubles."
Roughly midweek the routine is broken as everyone goes off with Emmo on a picnic in the Alps, and at least once during the session he rounds up guests for a night out at a typical Swiss place for dinner. Camps sizes vary from 15 to 40 (he has access to other courts in town if necessary). "We get all standards of play, and gear the instruction accordingly," he says of his approach. Though he trained under the legendary Australian Davis Cup coach Harry Hopman (where Emerson won 36 of his 40 matches), he backs off the rigorous Hopman methods for those who aren't up to it.
The crowd is typically a mixture of Americans, Swiss, Germans and other Europeans.
If looking for other luxury resorts with programs by a former touring pro, check out:
The prices for the Emerson weeks include lodging for six nights, instruction, all meals, one massage, use of the swimming pool and gymnasium, and taxes. Contact Roy Emerson directly if you're interested by email to Roy Emerson Tennis Weeks. For rates at the hotel, visit the Palace Hotel web site.
Emerson Weeks: June 17-23, 2012
From CHF 3,780; non-participant in same room, CHF 2,980
Emerson Weeks: June 24-30 & July 1-7, 2012
From CHF 3,780; non-participant in same room, CHF 2,980
Emerson Weeks: July 15-21 and 21-27, 2012
From CHF 3,780; non-participant in same room, CHF 2,980
Emerson Weeks: Aug. 26-Sept. 1 & Sept. 1-7, 2012
From CHF 3,780; non-participant in same room, CHF 2,980
Seasons. June-September.
General Tourist Information. For general information about travel to Switzerland, check out the Swiss National Tourist Office website.