If you’re looking for an all-inclusive Caribbean resort with excellent tennis facilities and professional coaching, look no further…
Club Med Columbus Isle, Bahamas
Christopher Columbus landed on the island of San Salvador in the Bahamas way back in 1492, and called the native Lucayan inhabitants “sweet and gentle.” What Columbus would think of the guests at the island’s Club Med Columbus Isle resort is entirely up for debate, but I’m sure he’d be impressed with the tennis facilities. The resort has eight clay courts, four of which are floodlit. Both beginners and advanced players can benefit from group classes tailored to differing levels. Classes are held six days a week.
Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic
Seriously, is there anything that Casa de Campo doesn’t have? It’s got history, great golf, a hip adults-only nightclub, celebrities and international concerts. Heck, it’s even a prime location for surviving the zombie apocalypse. And yes, it’s perfect for tennis enthusiasts. You can enjoy unlimited tennis at the resort’s La Terraza Tennis Center, dubbed the Wimbledon of the Caribbean. It has 13 fast-dry Har-Tru tennis courts, with 25 professional coaches on staff and available for classes. Ideal for perfecting that deadly serve before the zombies attack…
Curtain Bluff, Antigua
The Curtain Bluff resort hosts the annual Antigua Tennis Week, attracting professional players from across the globe, which gives a clear idea of the standard of its tennis facilities. Guests can use the tennis center’s four championship hard courts. The resort’s three resident pro coaches, meanwhile, are on hand from 7 a.m. onward to help pair-up guests, to challenge guests, and to give private lessons. Private lessons cost $70 per hour. Just don’t let the pretty scenery distract you from your game: the beach is close enough for John McEnroe to easily throw his racket at it.
Carlisle Bay, Antigua
Another stunning resort in Antigua for tennis lovers, Carlisle Bay has five courts, three of which are floodlit for nighttime play. You’ll have to book the “Super Chill Out” package to have a genuine all-inclusive experience, but after that you can play all day, with the white sand beach in one direction and the tropical rainforest in the other. Professional instructors are available for one-on-one and group lessons at extra cost.
Couples Swept Away, Jamaica
Couples Swept Away is a 19-acre resort in Negril, Jamaica with all kinds of sports activities fully included, so fitness fanatics will be in heaven. The tennis facilities are superb, with 10 floodlit courts — five hard and five clay. Pro coaches are on hand for lessons, and guests can receive one free private lesson with a pro each day. And if you’re obsessed with racket sports but want a change from tennis, head to the resort’s air-conditioned squash and racquetball courts. After all that, you might decide you’ve had enough of smacking balls around, at which point you can go drink endless premium drinks on the pristine beach.
Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa, Puerto Rico
The Wyndham Grand Rio Mar is a great spot for tennis in Puerto Rico. The world-class facilities include 11 Har-Tru courts and two Laykold hard courts, with four courts floodlit for evening play. There’s also a player-matching program for singles and doubles players, and tennis lessons for beginners and advanced players. The inclusive package at Wyndham Grand Rio Mar includes daily tennis, but you’ll have to pay more for classes. Alternatively, you can ditch the full all-inclusive [gasps!] and go for the Stay & Play Tennis Package. This won’t get you much beyond breakfast when it comes to food and drink, but you will have unlimited access to the tennis courts and one hour of instruction (per person) with a tennis pro.
