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Total Tennis
Saugerties, New York
| RESORT HOME | | RATES | | WEBSITE | |
Your Call
Here's what others have had to say about Total Tennis.
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"I was rather surprised at how lazy the pros were: sitting in chairs during private lessons, sitting on ball baskets during drills and while addressing the group, eating while on the court, texting in between drills, not helping to pick up balls, making us feed our own balls,, etc. The personalities of the pros can vary between jovial and engaging to rude and arrogant. And do not get me started on the offensive vulgar language that they use. Not quite the professionalism I expected. If we had received consistent feedback on our playing to make up for the lackadaisical instruction and attitude, it would have been a bit more tolerable. Everybody could use improvement, no matter what your level, but unfortunately, I did not walk away with much to work on. Perhaps the instruction is better for beginners and intermediates.
Other than that, the food is fantastic and the relaxed atmosphere can be a nice social get-away spent with family and friends. Go with low to no expectations and you may be pleasantly surprised."—M.P., Adv., March 2012
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"Love this place as it's all about tennis and good food. Like the rustic camp atmosphere where you really bond with other camp participants. Also, it's great that you can room with your child while they attend the junior program. The pros and the instruction are excellent as well and they do a good job of matching player levels in the groups."—P.D., Adv. Int., March 2012
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"Great instruction, but a lot of hours in a short time."—B.A., Adv. Int., March 2012
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"I've gone to Total Tennis several times and have always had a great experience there. The coaches are excellent--enthusiastic and knowledgeable. It's a very friendly and relaxed place, with lots of returning guests, but very warm towards newcomers. The lodging is far from luxurious, but it's comfortable, clean and cozy. The food is surprisingly good. A great value and enjoyable time overall for people who are focused on playing lots of tennis."—A.C., Adv., February 2012
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""—R.H., Adv. Int., September 2011
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"Location is in a lovely rural setting. Facilities are comfortable and appropriate. The nice central lodge living rooms tend to get you out of your not so spacious room and into the more social setting with other folks each evening. The folks we met were enjoyable and interesting, a really nice aspect of this program is the community dining and social time in the living room before and after dinner.
Two other tennis resorts we've attended were "day campers" only. We arrived each day for warm-ups and hitting and instruction and at the end of the day everyone split off to their respective inns. At Total Tennis we got to know some other folks breaking bread, playing bingo, relaxing and talking together. Much nicer for us than just hitting and quitting.
Food is so tasty and varied, a real challenge to only eat what we need instead of all we would like. Our room was just big enough, maybe 10 X 10 plus a compact wash room with toilet, lav, and shower, and a built-in closet. All were clean and in good condition.
Tennis instructors are friendly, engaged, and helpful. We both (a 2.0 and a 4.0) received a lot of helpful instruction and drills to reinforce the new skills. Instructors are a mix of year-round and seasonal, and all we worked with were very good.
The red clay courts were fabulous, a different clay from what we play in FL and NC. Courts conditions were good to excellent, swept during lunch and after play daily.
Swimming pool was enjoyable in mid-August, probably has a pretty short season for adults but kids would get more enjoyment from the unheated pool. Hot tub isn't so hot but was relaxing none the less.
We heard rave reviews on the massages but didn't get around to trying them. Next time. We did drive to Woodstock village (nine miles) and to Saugerties village (a couple of miles) and liked them both. A very pretty area of NY, 100 miles from NYC.
Attended on recommendation from another advanced player (we met at Van der Meer Tennis at HHI). Almost everyone we met at Total Tennis seems to have attended here before, most many times and all seem likely to return again.
And so will we return to Total Tennis -- this is our favorite tennis vacation so far. The tennis program, the dining, the social settings, the folks we met, the accommodations, all met or exceeded our expectations.
We're recommending this tennis resort to family and friends without hesitation."—J.C., Adv., August 2011
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"The tennis was excellent. Both of my pros were great. My only gripe is with the accomodations. I knew about the very basic rooms beforehand, so can't complain too much. I went there for the tennis and had a great time. I went with my 12 yr old daughter who also thoroughly enjoyed herself. I would definitely go again. And by the way, the food was also pretty good."—N.R., Low Int., August 2011
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"Great price, wonderful food, nice facillities. Owner is not friendly, awkward personality. Teaching staff very nice, good teachers, good program. Avoid owner---"—L.H., Adv. Int., May 2011
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"Go to Total Tennis for a great instructive experience. Fantastic instructors, great facilities and a lot of fun. And don't miss out on the Oreo pie served at lunch."—C.D., Adv. Int., April 2011
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"This is our third time at Total Tennis. Dollar for dollar, you can't find a better value in the Northeast for the combination of tennis instruction, food and lodging. The instruction is very solid with the same pros that have been there the previous two times. The pros remembered me from my previous times which was a nice touch. Food is very good with the chef offering plenty of variety for everyone's taste. Lodging is very very basic with no TV's or phones in the room, which really wasn't a big deal since you aren't in the room much anyway. This encouraged group activity in the main lodge around the fire. They also have a bar open in the evenings in the main lodge and massages available in the afternoon after tennis. While I didn't do a massage this time, it was very good from my previous visit. All in all, a great tennis camp that's really a gem for us in NYC."—J.W., Adv., December 2010
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"We had a great experience, the tennis pros were very attentive and helpfull...We will definetly come back...plus very close to NYC "—C.W., Int., December 2010
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"This is my 2nd time going here in 1 year and my friend’s 3rd time. It seems most people are repeat visitors or new people come with friends who have been here before. On both w/e’s I went, they were completely filled (80 people max this time) so that says a lot for this place. Ellen, the manager, runs the front desk is always very friendly and efficient. Ed is the Owner / Director and there are 20 pros.
There is an indoor hot tub, large outdoor pool, big indoor tennis facility used when it rains and in colder months, massages available, and the food is delicious. The views are gorgeous – 20 outdoor courts with mountains behind. There is a hill to get to the courts and the program is somewhat intense (lots of drills, games, instruction, play).
Rooms:
The earlier you book, the better the room you can request. All are very basic, no-frills,no TV, no phone, some smaller than others, but all clean. You are not in the room for much time, only to sleep and change.
1. Cherry Hill – $25 more a night. Newer bathrooms (with bathtub), full size beds, ¾ wall divider and a nice view.
2. Main Lodge
3. Cabins – Nice, quiet, had separate heat, a porch, a bathtub.
4. Barn – Most (or all?) on the 2nd floor. DJ plays music Sat night so then it is noisy. Our room had a shower (no bathtub) and rooms smaller here than the cabin.
Dress:
On Friday and Sat night mostly everyone wears jeans. In October, the mornings were very chilly so we dressed in layers. Sunglasses and/or hats a must at times as it was very sunny on the courts.Pros:
Observing different pros, some critique more than others. We called beforehand to request specific pros each time (based on friend’s recommendations) and our requests were granted. All the guests seemed satisfied with their pros.
Drinks:
Upon check-in you get a Total Tennis cup with a lid to use on the courts. I brought my own insulated bottle so the ice wouldn’t melt quickly (as it did last time I was there) and also easier to distinguish my bottle from everyone’s cup. There is Gatorade and water on the courts. I would always stop in the kitchen before going to the courts to fill my bottle with ice and cranberry juice. And for those who want alcohol, there is a bar in the main lodge and also in the barn Sat night. Some people bring their own alcohol but Ed reminds everyone to drink it in their rooms.
Food and Program
Food is delicious, organic, plentiful, and healthy.
Friday dinner 7:30 PM – salad bar, roasted chicken, pasta stuffed with cheese, veggie dishes, strawberry shortcake
Saturday breakfast 7:45 – 8:30 – French toast, bacon, eggs, cereals, banana nut muffins, fruit
8:45 – meet at the courts. Ed describes each level (beginner, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, etc). He then calls out the levels and unless you came with your own group, you are put into a group of 4. We were initially with 2 guys who came together but after a short while the pro asked if the guys would mind if they split up because clearly one belonged in a 3.5 group rather than our 3.0. Ed, then brought over a women who thought she was a 3.5 but didn’t belong there and the guy went to her group – a smart move for all concerned.
Mini-tennis and drills in the morning. Each person gets 1/2 hour private lesson for the w/e and your group decides who goes when(Sat 11:45, 3:15, 3:45 or Sunday at 11:45). If you take the 3:45 on Sat you can't do the round robin play.
Sat lunch 12:00 – salad bar, pastrami and swiss on bread, tuna, veggies, choc chip cookies, fruit,
1:15 – demo by the pros, then back into your group.
4:00 – 5:00 optional doubles round robin play
You start with a partner and play against 2 others for 15 minutes. If you win you stay on the court, if you loose you move down a court and switch partners. You do this 4x.
Sat 6:30 – 7:30 – wine and cheese party
Sat dinner 7:30 – salad bar, sirloin slices, mashed potatoes, swordfish with mango sauce, great pasta with porcini mushroom sauce, veggies, ice cream sundaes, etc.
Sat 9-11 dancing in the barn with Goldie the DJ – bar, dancing, ping pong, pool, foosball
Sunday breakfast 7:45 – 8:30 - pancakes, eggs, cereals, fruit, banana nut muffins
8:45 – meet at the bleachers . If you played on clay one day, you are then assigned to play on hard or grass surface courts.
Sun lunch 12-1:00 – meatloaf, tomato and mozzarella on bread, tuna, spag. squash, pasta, kale and other veggies, oreo brownies
1:15 demo by the pros
More emphasis on games and playing this afternoon.
3:15 your week-end at Total Tennis ends…..don’t forget to tip the PROS !
Note: There were 6 people who came up Thursday. For an extra $100 you get an extra night, 3 meals, and some tennis instruction Thursday and Friday – something we will consider in the future."—R.P., Int., October 2010
Rate Total Tennis
Rates and Reservations
Rates include lodging, three meals a day, roughly 5 hours/day of tennis instruction (with the option for half-day sessions). Higher rates may apply over holidays.
Weekend and 2-day midweek prices quoted here, though longer sessions also available as are more intensive weekend programs.
Spring 2012
2-day midweek, $415; 2-day weekend, $4515
Summer 2012
2-day midweek, $435; 2-day weekend, 515
Fall 2012
2-day midweek, $415; 2-day weekend, $515
1811 Old Kings Highway
P.O. Box 28
Saugerties, NY 12477