Gstaad Palace
Roy Emerson Tennis Weeks
CH-3780 Gstaad, Switzerland
Your Call
Here's what others have had to say about Gstaad Palace/Roy Emerson Tennis Weeks and Roy Emerson Tennis Weeks.
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"Roy Emerson Tennis Weeks is the best experience you can imagine!
The setting at the Palace Hotel is exquisite. The hotel is beautiful, but warm and welcoming with staff who treat you like family. Spa and fitness center are world class. Indoor/outdoor jacuzzi are a popular spot after a full day of tennis. The food is simply outstanding. Every meal is a new highlight, perfectly prepared and with remarkable variety.
Of course the "draw" for all of us is Roy Emerson and he exceeds all expectations. Roy and his charming wife, Joy, personally see to all the arrangements and quickly make you feel like a life-long friend. Their personalities set the tone for a fun, relaxed week. We work hard and everyone comes with the hope of improving, but there is no pressure. Whether beginner or advanced player, everyone comes away feeling the week was geared toward their needs. Roy is on court with us all the time, supplemented by a group of pros who share his teaching philosophy and sense of fun. The ratio of students to pros is 3-4:1 .... you feel like you're getting private instruction.
We are attending for the 4th time this year. What impressed us the most in our first year was how many people we met who have been coming for 10+ years. With a perfect combination of great tennis instruction, a fairly-tale, picturesque setting, gourmet cuisine and a fun, friendly environment ... what more could you ask for?"—M.C., Int., March 2012
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"As a relative newcomer to the sport, I was looking for a week of concentrated tennis coaching in a nice environment with first class accommodation. Of course, the name 'Roy Emerson' was the first attraction to this camp, but I also asked my Swiss friends their opinions on the Gstaad Palace. Their views convinced me that this would be the right location and I duly signed up for a week in July 2011.
I have to say I wasn't disappointed in any way. Both Roy and Joy made everyone feel very welcome from the start and it was nice to mix with nice people from a variety of countries. The tennis coaches were all very experienced and above all, patient. I received a lot of individual coaching from Roy and from the other coaches and I can say that my modest game improved significantly as a result of this week.
The Palace Hotel is excellent with first class facilities and fine dining and the lunchtime picnic in the mountains was quite delightful. I'm going back again in July this year."—G.M., Int., February 2012
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"I attend the Roy Emerson Tennis week in September 2011. Roy and Joy Emerson are the consumate hosts. They both warm and hospitable. Also, Roy's Aussie sense of humour both on and off the court was very entertaining. Because most of the coaches also stayed at the resort it meant that they ate and socialise with everyone. This I found to be a fantastic touch to the week at Gstaad.
The biggest stength of this tennis week is that each player is exposed to wide variety of coaches (including Roy himself) and they cater for a diverse range of standards. Being a regular club player, I was concerned about the level of play and the amount I could learn. I was pleasantly suprised in that I learnt something from each of the coaches and that the organised scratch matches were mainly of a high level.
This setup had its downside in that I found that certain coaches to be more suited to my style of play than others and because of the rotation system, I was unable to spend more time with them. Having said that, I found the experience with each coach to be pleasant and I noticed that Roy endeavoured to cater for everyone and all requests that were made.
The accommodation at Gstaad Palace was impeccable. My room was superb and the staff at Gstaad Palace were friendly and polite. The food was fantastic and the service was exceptional in the restrauant.
The only small issue I had was that it was not clear what food and drinks were included and excluded from the Roy Emerson week package. Of course this is only minor issue because the friendly staff at the Gstaad Palace were happy to clarify this, but it would have been nice not to have to do this.
Be aware that some of the drinks at the Gstaad Palace bar are very expensive, but I suppose this is to be expected in a 5 star hotel! However, if you stick to the package deal provided, the week represents good value.
Overall, I rate this week very highly and would not hesitate to recommend it to my fellow tennis players."—T.N., Adv., January 2012
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"Time is money. Time here was well spent on what I felt to be personal instruction. The mighty man himself, Mr Emerson would start each of the 2 daily sessions with a demonstration and insight to the world of tennis that us mortals only see on television. His anecdotes should be serialised.
The coaches are very sharp; my game was tested to the full. Fitness was notably missing in my game. It was good to have one on one sessions, practice, try, develop a bigger repertoire.
The setting is peaceful and beautiful, but it could have been held in the forecourt of a prison and still be brilliant, for the tennis was what I went for and what I got. Pairing up was always judged right by the coaching team, so there was no disparity in games.
Everyone was offered Mr Emerson's expert knowledge both individually and in a group that he takes in all sessions. Yes, I was holding the racket too hard, but due to the years of using shovels I didn't notice, but he spotted it at 100 yards!!. Light hands, and let the racket head go in the direction of the ball, great insight, words that I'll remember and take with me on court.
Yes, you may have to re-mortgage the house, but what you'd get is a week of the best tennis of your life, and from a man that is so genuine, he seems to be a long lost uncle!!
The Emerson family are there, his wife Joy is a good hostess and makes you feel at home and welcomed. His son Tony, is one of the coaches and has the patience of a saint, will stay on court with you knocking 'till you are tired; not very long!"—E.M., Int., January 2012
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"This is as close to a Utopian experience for a tennis player as possible. The setting is amazing, with beautifully maintained clay courts laid out with a view of a glacier even in the summertime. The tennis is both challenging and instructive: Roy demonstrates a separate stroke or strategy twice a day,which is then followed by a two-hour session with either Roy or one of the seasoned pros.
The week is filled with humor and good cheer, all with an exquisite array of great food and wines, a professional hotel staff that is mostly constant over the 10-years we have been there,and, if more is needed, an Olympic-size pool and world-class spa. Joy Emerson adds the final touch of fun and grace to the week, and by the end of the week you feel like you've joined a tennis family."—T.S., Adv., December 2011
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"simply put have had a great time. The pros, the setting, the company have been wonderful. As long as i am physically fit i will be coming annually to Gstaad and Roys camp. I cant wait until my teenager can join me at the camp and receive the occasional caustic yet spot on pearls of wisdom from the Great man himself. I am a decent player but 2 little hints from Roy and my game has improved dramatically this year.
I would probably prefer a few more drills tossed in but one plays so much tennis during the week that it probably has little impact. Gstaad Palace is a sight to behold and the general atmosphere is incomparable no matter what level of tennis one plays."—V.E., Adv., December 2011
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"2011 marked our 6th tennis week in Gstaad with Roy and all his wonderful instructors! The tennis is amazing and the Palace Hotel is unparalleled in service and cuisine. Joy and Roy Emerson's attention to detail makes the week a joy. When you break down the hotel, meals, and instruction - the value is unbeatable. You could not have the same experience anywhere else in the world. Weaknesses: somedays the mountains are only gorgeous instead of breathtaking."—K.S., Adv. Int., November 2011
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"This was our 10th visit. Great pros, beautiful facilities, terrific group of participants from around the world, plus the warm atmosphere created by Roy Emerson and his wife Joy. Roy makes the program work for players of all ages and levels. Hotel is over-the-top in elegance, great food and service."—S.S., Adv., November 2011
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"Only positives. The people, the hotel, the setting, the tennis - it is an experience, a delight. Everything and everyone is professionl and everyone cares. Best vacation and best tennis ever."—S.E., Int., November 2011
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"The setting on the red clay courts at the five (5) star Palace Hotel in Gstaad, Switzerland is beyond belief. Roy and his staff provide exceptional personal coaching and you receive specific attention from Roy directly on all aspects of your game. The cuisine is sumptuous and is served by an Italian wait staff. You will even meet the owners of the Palace Hotel as they participate in Roy's Tennis weeks directly."—T.L., Adv. Int., November 2011
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"On the insistence of a good friend I booked up my Roy Emerson tennis week this September. It was to be everything it was billed for and more. I love my tennis, and what was so brilliant about this camp was in addition to the excellent coaching, the element of FUN which accompanied it....humour on and off the courts,with Roy ever present, cracking wise ones, an last but not least the Gstaad Palace is a setting that surpasses the imagination, luxury on every front. The food was sensational, and the company terrific."—M.B., Adv. Int., November 2011
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"The Camp is professionally run. Roy's enthusiasm is infectious.He pays individual attention to everyone and makes learning a joyful experience. All the Coaches are trained so well to look at individual needs. Joy Emerson brings in the homely touch.Both of them take every effort to ensure that you and your wife are well taken care of.We are vegetarians.They spoke to the Chef and the MatD so that we did not go hungry.
The Spa and the ambience of the Hotel is outstanding. The Palace is ideally situated with the best view of the mountains."—K.V., Int., November 2011
Rates and Reservations
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.
Gstaad Palace
CH-3780 Gstaad, Switzerland