Unless you’re Nadal or Djokovic, nothing says life of leisure more than the non-competitive sport of tennis. Maybe you’re in it to improve your backhand. Or maybe you’re just in it for the stylish outfits. Whatever the reason, you’re all in, especially if that means you can travel to these hotels. Whether it’s this hotel’s clay court that rival Roland Garros, or this court that was built into an oceanside rock, at these tennis courts around the world, its game, set, match.
Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc
Location: Antibes, France
The legendary French Riviera hotel, Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, isn’t just where the Cannes crowd comes to pose—it’s also where you come to play. Hidden among the pines and manicured gardens are five clay tennis courts where you can channel your inner Serena Williams (or just look good trying). And they’re lit for night matches too. Just in case you want to spend the daylight in the seaside cabanas where Greta Garbo luxuriated or in the sparkling blue waters where Kirk Douglas water-skied.
After a set or two, cool off with a dip off the famous diving board, or book a treatment at the Dior Spa Cabana. Hôtel du Cap is more than its courts. This 19th-century mansion-turned-hotel has been hosting royalty—actual and Hollywood—for decades. Guests arrive by boat, Bentley, or via the tree-lined entrance that feels like the opening scene of a movie. Days here are for poolside rosé at the iconic seawater infinity pool carved into the rock. Or maybe for art-filled strolls through the sculpture-dotted gardens. And evenings are for one of the 10 on-site restaurants and bars, where the French Riviera shows off in every direction.
Cap Estel
Location: Èze-bord-de-mer, France
Set between Nice and Monaco, Cap Estel feels more like a private villa than a hotel. It has just 20 rooms and suites spread across four distinct residences. So, it’s low-key enough that you can work on your backhand without an audience. The tennis court here is suspended dramatically above the Mediterranean, with views so expansive that they’ll test your focus more than your opponent does. It’s the kind of place where you forget the score halfway through because you’re too busy staring at the coastline.
After your game, there’s the serene Sothys spa, an indoor-outdoor pool with sweeping sea views, and a private beach that’s as peaceful as it is photogenic. The fine dining is refined and seasonal. You can choose from two on-site restaurants, with produce often sourced from the hotel’s gardens. And if you still have some energy after your match, in the summer they host Les Nuits Dime On. It’s a series of live concerts under the stars, with a very limited number of guests. A true musical and culinary experience amid ficus trees, palm trees, the sea, and the gentle warmth of summer.
Il San Pietro di Positano
Location: Amalfi Coast, Italy
The tennis court at Il San Pietro isn’t next to the hotel—it’s 350 feet below it, carved into the cliff-side, accessible by a private elevator that feels like a ride into a Bond villain’s lair. Once you arrive, you’ll find one of the most jaw-dropping courts on earth, with nothing between you and the Tyrrhenian Sea but a chain-link fence and some very lucky lizards. The court is tucked into its own little green oasis, and you get the kind of ocean view that makes you question how this place is even real.
Play a few games, then head back up for limoncello and a long lunch on the terrace in their Michelin-starred restaurant. You’ve earned it. After lunch, you can head to the private beach club or use one of the hotel’s small fleets of boats to explore the coast. Or, if you need more exercise, you have a lot to choose from. There’s a unique outdoor fitness area beneath the lemon orchard, and a yoga class on the beach. Always finish strong with a private wine tasting (they have a cellar with 600 labels). Or, maybe a treatment in the spa to relax and gather some strength for the next day? The Amalfi Coast is your Italian oyster.
Passalacqua
Lake Como, Italy
You only need one tennis court when it’s as elegant as this one. Yes, George Clooney lives nearby. Yes, you might see him. But stay focused. The court at Passalacqua is pristine, tucked among terraced gardens with Lake Como shimmering in the background. It’s a true old-world estate with just 24 rooms, so the court always feels exclusive. It’s perfect for a casual rally followed by aperitivo hour, preferably in something linen, that’s entirely too chic for actual sport.
Passalacqua isn’t just a hotel, it’s a storybook brought to life. Each of the suites is filled with antique Murano glass, hand-painted frescoes, and jaw-dropping marble bathrooms. Breakfast is served on your private terrace, and dinner is a movable feast. Perhaps under the olive trees or in the frescoed salon? You can relax in the lakeside pool, or in the spa set in an 18th-century greenhouse. They even have their own vintage boat if you want to cruise to Bellagio for lunch post-match. Or stay in, and explore their many secret tunnels and hidden nooks for reading or sipping something local.
Rafa Nadal Academy
Mallorca, Spain
Technically, this one isn’t a hotel—it’s a pilgrimage site for serious tennis fans. Rafa Nadal’s academy is the real deal. Six indoor courts, 19 outdoor hard courts, a team of world-class coaches, and a program that can challenge everyone from nervous beginners to near-pros. Want to do footwork drills while Rafa himself is hitting on the next court? Not impossible. You’ll leave sore, happy, and with slightly terrifying dreams of your coach shouting, “Footwork!” in your sleep.
But the academy isn’t just for the hyper-competitive. There’s a luxury residence on-site, with beds designed especially for athletes, which you can book even if you’re not one (they don’t check). They also have a wellness spa and pool, plus access to top-tier gym equipment and bio-mechanics labs. They also offer more kinds of massages than muscles you knew you had. On-site is also the Roland Garros Restaurant—modelled after the prestigious Parisian Grand Slam and the Player’s Buffet—serving food designed by the academy’s nutrition specialists. It’s boot camp, but make it five-star.
Amanyara
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
Amanyara’s courts are just far enough removed from the beach that you can break a sweat, then collapse into turquoise water. There are four clay courts, private coaching sessions, and a tennis program that’s way more polished than your serve. And because it’s Aman, there’s always cold water waiting court-side and no shortage of post-match pampering options. While you’re there, you cannot miss the Detoxification Programme by Novak Djokovic. It is a three-day wellness reset for the body, mind, and spirit, designed by a tennis world champion.
Off the court, Amanyara is all serenity and sea breeze. Set on the edge of a nature reserve, Amanyara is all minimalist pavilions, glass walls, private pools, and outdoor showers under the stars. The spa has its own reflecting pool. There’s daily yoga and snorkelling in protected reefs, and dinner is served under the stars with zero light pollution. The dining focuses on clean, seasonal, often Caribbean-Japanese fusion dishes in The Restaurant for breakfast and dinner and in The Beach Bar for lunch and snacks.
FAQs
Q: Where is Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc located?
A: Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc is located in France.
Q: Where is Passalacqua located?
A: Passalacqua is located in Italy.
Q: Where is the Rafa Nadal Academy located?
A: Rafa Nadal Academy is located in Spain.
