Love all: the best hotels for tennis lovers

Words: Penny McCormick

If your idea of heaven is the sound of a ball hitting a taut racquet and the thrum of a rally, then chances are you’ve joined the ‘racketeering’ craze. That’s the new term reflecting the explosion in popularity of tennis, pickleball and padel which has resulted in numerous hotels and resorts incorporating state-of-the-art courts. This allows enthusiasts to combine the thrill of the game with the pleasure of travel. Ready to serve up your perfect tennis getaway? Here’s where to enjoy a good rally and relax in style. 

Parklane Resort & Spa, Cyprus

The posh, pristine Parklane, on a long stretch of Blue Flag sandy beach in Limassol, is home to fragrant olive groves, citrus and palm trees and phenomenal leisure facilities. For those travelling with children, the hotel has one of the largest children’s clubs and play areas in Europe. Wellness travellers will appreciate the interesting thalassotherapy treatments in its stylish Kalloni Spa, while ‘racketeers’ can warm up in the ParkFit health club with Technogym equipment before using the padel and clay tennis courts for friendly matches. There’s also a mini football pitch with FIFA-spec grass and four swimming pools for dips afterwards. Epicures will enjoy indulging in its five distinctive restaurants, including the bright, fun La Petite Maison.

High Life says
Visit Lefkara, Cyprus’ most picturesque village, to admire the local embroidery and lace-making skills or sample some fragrance at the oldest perfume factory in the world. 

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SO/Sotogrande Spa & Golf, Spain 

Guests can be as active or as lazy as they wish at this chic Andalusian hideaway, which has a special energy and vibe, accentuated by its artistic and understated elegance. Comprising a collection of whitewashed buildings – a nod to traditional cortijos (farmhouses) – its abundant facilities include the scenic La Reserva Club, which has four clay courts for tennis players and four glass-walled padel courts. Additional activities include golf, table tennis, basketball, volleyball and cycling. When it comes to dining, five restaurants and bars cater to all tastes, while a theatre provides evening shows. 

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Relax on the secluded golden sands of nearby Playa del Búnker, whose clear waters and natural beauty make it an ideal spot for salty swims or a picnic with views of the Mediterranean coastline.

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The Wigwam, Arizona

For a sun-soaked getaway, The Wigwam, set in the captivating Sonoran Desert, is renowned for treating mind and body, offering a range of bungalow-style accommodation from suites to casitas, some with their own pools. Guests can improve their swing and footwork during drop-in tennis clinics on nine tennis courts – there’s no need for excess baggage as racquets and other sports equipment are complimentary. Pickleball is a favourite, with regular tournaments organised. There’s also the option to join cardio, yoga or aerobics classes at the Motion Studio, and enjoy a round of golf on one of three 18-hole golf courses. Having worked up an appetite, dining options range from the alfresco Red Allen’s Bar & Grill overlooking the golf courses’ greens, to the Wigwam Bar, popular for its live music, cocktails and regular Taco & Tequila events. 

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The Wigwam couldn’t be in a better location for visiting attractions such as the Japanese Friendship Garden and White Tank Mountain Regional Park.

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Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens, Greece

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, you’ll be serving like a pro after a stay at this sophisticated Grecian hideaway on the Athens Riviera with its own private beach. The on-site Tennis Club (above) has partnered with former world number eight pro Janko Tipsarević, and his top-notch Tipsarević Luxury Tennis Services offer coaching and clinics, in addition to tournaments and boot camps. If you need to decompress post-match, there are two pools and a superb spa, inspired by Hippocrates, which offers everything from ancient Greek foot rituals to Biologique Recherche facials. 

High Life says
There’s little reason to leave this resort – all 74 acres of it – but a must-do is a dip in Vouliagmeni Lake and its thermal waters. 

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Curtain Bluff, Antigua

Very few resorts can claim the same quality and beauty as the Tennis Centre at Curtain Bluff, an elegant, all-inclusive, barefoot luxury resort where guests can spend time rallying on one of the four picturesque courts, an easy lob shot from the Caribbean Sea. During its Tennis Challenge Week in November the resort hosts former touring world pros who help sharpen guests’ games and play alongside them. Fear not if you are a beginner, as private lessons are offered from the in-house coach. Pickleball and squash are also on the extensive menu of activities – snorkelling trips just off the coast are particularly recommended – though it may be hard to peel yourself away from the sun-lounger! In the evenings, dinner is a dressy affair, with plenty of dancing, too, especially at the Sea Grape Restaurant, which hosts an island barbecue to the soundtrack of a steel band. 

High Life says
Hire a car and visit the pretty English Harbour with its private yachts, before taking in the sunset at Shirley Heights.  

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Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa, Spain

Home to The Racquets Club, one of Europe’s leading tennis destinations, this plush retreat on the Costa Cálida has a whopping 26 courts on clay, hard and AstroTurf surfaces, while year-round academies – including intensive weekday and weekend programs – are designed by elite coaches to enhance every aspect of your game. With a prestigious history of hosting the Davis Cup, Fed Cup and ATP events, this is an exceptional setting for tennis players – but if you’re a newbie, don’t let all those high-flying records put you off – the resort is designed for players of all abilities. Combined with a cutting-edge spa, top-notch dining experiences and views of the sparkling Med, it's the ultimate tennis-focused escape.

High Life says 
Carve out time for a day trip to the nearby historic city of Cartagena for ancient Roman ruins and lively waterfront charm.

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