Hotels & Resorts

11Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Europe, Hotels & Resorts

Forte Village Sardinia guide: Sports academies, activities and luxury holidays

Located on the southern coast of Sardinia, Forte Village is one of Europe's leading luxury sports resorts, combining world-class sporting facilities, specialist academies and outdoor adventures with five-star accommodation and Mediterranean beaches. Set in Santa Margherita di Pula, around 45km from Cagliari, the resort is surrounded by lush gardens and offers eight hotels, 13 luxury villas, restaurants, bars and the Acquaforte Thalasso & Spa. From football and tennis to cycling, swimming and watersports, Forte Village offers a wide range of activities for guests of all ages and abilities. It also hosts international sporting events, making it a destination for both active holidays and sports tourism. Sports and activities Whether you're looking to try something new, improve...

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10Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Europe, Hotels & Resorts, Winter Sports

The Ski Lodge: new boutique hotel opening in Verbier for 2026-2027 ski season

The Swiss Alps will welcome a new hotel for the 2026-2027 winter sports season, with The Ski Lodge set to open its doors in Verbier this December. Located in the centre of the popular mountain resort, the privately owned boutique hotel will feature 36 rooms and suites, a spa with an indoor swimming pool, a restaurant and a bar. As well as providing accommodation for skiing and snowboarding holidays, The Ski Lodge is designed around relaxation and recovery after a day on the slopes. The hotel is the creation of Frédéric Mydske, a property developer who grew up skiing in Verbier and previously founded Swiss aparthotel brand BASE. “I grew up skiing these mountains, and every good day in Verbier ends the same way – tired, but happy, and looking for somewhere good to land,” said Myd...

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19Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Asia & Oceania, Bucket List, Hotels & Resorts, Outdoor & Adventure, Trips & Experiences

Sports travel bucket list: pedal kayaking at Hanz Outdoor Resort in Japan

A new water activity, the "pedal kayak", has been introduced at Hanz Outdoor Resort in Japan, offering guests a fresh way to explore the water.  This innovative kayak allows forward movement simply by pedalling with the feet, removing the need for a traditional paddle. Designed for ease and accessibility, the pedal kayak glides smoothly across the water, making it especially suitable for first-time kayakers, children, and older guests. Its intuitive operation allows participants to focus less on technique and more on the experience of being on the water.  Guests can enjoy the quiet rhythm of pedalling while taking in the surrounding natural scenery, creating a relaxed yet active outdoor experience. A two-hour pedal kayak trip is priced from ¥9,500 / £44 per person.  About Hanz Out...

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19Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Asia & Oceania, Events, Football, Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business, Trips & Experiences

Steven Gerrard heads to Singapore for Beyond the Pitch event at Resorts World Sentosa

Former Liverpool and England football captain Steven Gerrard will be in Singapore this October for the inaugural Beyond the Pitch event at Resorts World Sentosa. Scheduled for 4-5 October 2026, he will take part in an interactive football clinic, share stories and lessons from his career, and join members of Singapore's football community in a conversation about leadership, football development and the future of the game. Created by World Football Legends, Beyond the Pitch is a new series designed to bring audiences closer to the people behind some of football's most celebrated careers, not only through what they achieved on the field but through the experiences, challenges, leadership lessons and defining moments that shaped them. "Beyond the Pitch is about bringing people closer...

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29Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Asia & Oceania, Bucket List, Hotels & Resorts, Tennis & Padel

Sports travel bucket list: padel with Martita Ortega at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

What could be better than a luxury escape to the Maldives? How about spending it on court with one of the world's greatest padel players? This August, guests at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi will have the rare opportunity to train alongside former world No.1 Martita Ortega during an exclusive two-day residency in partnership with LUX Tennis. Taking place from 18-19 August 2026, the limited-availability experience combines elite coaching with one of the world's most spectacular island destinations, giving padel enthusiasts the chance to sharpen their game while learning directly from one of the sport's biggest stars. Ortega made history in 2019 by becoming the youngest player ever to reach the World No.1 ranking on the World Padel Tour, a record she still holds. Known for her...

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9Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Europe, Hotels & Resorts, Tennis & Padel, Trends, Trips & Experiences

Tennis travel: Europe’s best resorts and hotels for tennis holidays

Tennis is no longer just a sport people play when they arrive at a resort. Increasingly, it is the reason they book the trip in the first place.  As sports-focused travel continues to grow, tennis holidays are emerging as one of the fastest-growing segments of the luxury travel market. From dedicated coaching programmes and professional-level academies to tournament experiences and wellness-focused recovery facilities, travellers are increasingly choosing destinations based on the quality of the courts as much as the quality of the hotel.  Industry reports point to a rise in destination-driven travel centred around sport, with tennis joining golf as one of the key activities inspiring holiday decisions. The growing popularity of racket sports has not gone unnoticed by the h...

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6Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Europe, Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business, Tennis & Padel

Aphrodite Hills Resort in Cyprus unveils its new Racket Club

Aphrodite Hills Resort has strengthened its reputation as one of Europe's leading sports tourism destinations with the opening of its new Racket Club, part of a wider investment programme across the luxury Cyprus resort.  Officially unveiled in May 2026, the fully renovated facility features upgraded tennis and padel courts, contemporary changing rooms, a dedicated retail space and a new Healthy Bar serving wellness-focused food and drinks. The development forms part of a broader enhancement strategy that also includes an upgraded gym, new dining concepts and continued investment in the resort's golf facilities. Nestled along Cyprus's southwestern coast near Paphos, Aphrodite Hills is a luxury integrated resort combining world-class sport, wellness, accommodation and leisure exp...

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6Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts, Sports Travel, Trips & Experiences

Sports resort in focus: Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa

As one of Europe's most established sports resorts, Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa offers far more than a traditional golf getaway. Set within the expansive La Manga Club resort in Murcia, southeast Spain, the property combines luxury accommodation, wellness facilities and an impressive range of sports infrastructure, making it a standout destination for active travellers, training camps and sports-focused family holidays. The hotel made headlines as the first Grand Hyatt property in Spain when it opened following an extensive refurbishment. Today, it serves as the centrepiece of a resort that attracts golfers, tennis players, football teams, cricketers and wellness travellers from across Europe. Rooms and suites The hotel features 192 guest rooms, including seven si...

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5Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Europe, Hotels & Resorts, Tennis & Padel, Trends

Tennis travel: Mouratoglou Tennis Center opens at Mandarin Oriental Bodrum

Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum has unveiled the opening of the Mouratoglou Tennis Center at the resort. The inauguration was attended by Patrick Mouratoglou, founder of the globally renowned Mouratoglou brand and one of the most influential figures in professional tennis.  Following an opening ceremony, a full programme of high-energy tennis and padel matches created a vibrant atmosphere. Turkish tennis icon İpek Soylu was among the guests, with figures such as Zeynep Tuğçe Bayat, Anıl Altan, Ece Sükan and Cansel Elçin, all coming together to share in the excitement of this event. And as the sun set over the Aegean Sea, the celebrations culminated in an exclusive gala dinner.  The Mouratoglou Tennis Center selected Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum to be its sole and long-term location ...

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3May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Bucket List, Europe, Golf, Hotels & Resorts, Trips & Experiences

Sports travel bucket list: Rocco Forte Hotels’ grand European golf tour

Here’s one for the golfers… hospitality group Rocco Forte Hotels has introduced “The Grand European Golf Tour”, a curated collection of golf experiences across its European destinations, created in partnership with Golf Travel Centre.  Guests can combine stays at Rocco Forte's celebrated hotels with play at Europe's most prestigious courses, all within easy reach of the properties. From historic championship layouts in Scotland to the award-winning fairways of Verdura Resort in Sicily, each experience is designed for discerning golfers seeking world-class sport complemented by culture, cuisine, and renowned hospitality. The hotels and destinations The Balmoral, Edinburgh: Standing at the east end of Princes Street, The Balmoral combines Scottish heritage with contemporary fiv...

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3May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Bucket List, Events, Hotels & Resorts, Trips & Experiences

Sports travel bucket list: the new Porto Carras Athlos event in Halkidiki

The Porto Carras Athlos is a new three-day international sports tourism and wellness event that will be held for the first time in northern Greece, at the highly acclaimed Porto Carras Grand Resort in Halkidiki.  Located alongside a nine-kilometre sandy coastline, the resort is surrounded by a verdant area of 18,000 acres, with gardens under the shade of pine trees dressing the slopes of Mount Meliton.  Its facilities include an 18-hole golf course, the biggest organic vineyard in Greece, a spa and wellness centre, restaurants with high-level gastronomy, a casino and a marina that provides integrated services. In addition, a wide range of sports and cultural activities on land and sea are available to visitors of all ages.  About the Porto Carras Athlos The event...

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3May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts, Trends

Luxury wellness tourism: Marriott International and Lefay confirm joint venture

Marriott International and the Leali family, founders of Lefay, have announced their plans to enter into a joint venture to bring the highly awarded luxury wellness hospitality brand Lefay into the Marriott portfolio.  This collaboration combines Lefay’s approach to holistic wellbeing with Marriott’s global scale, and the power of its award-winning Marriott Bonvoy loyalty platform. Lefay will be the first brand in Marriott’s portfolio dedicated exclusively to luxury wellness. Founded in Italy in 2006 by Domenico Alcide and Liliana Leali, Lefay is known for its immersive resorts in natural settings and its proprietary Lefay SPA Method, which blends scientific research with holistic wellness traditions. The brand’s philosophy centers on space, serenity, and sustainability and aims...

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28Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Europe, Hotels & Resorts, Tennis & Padel, Trends

Tennis travel: Rafa Nadal Tennis Center at Don Carlos Marbella

With the tennis season in full swing, players and fans alike are seeking destinations where they can enjoy their favourite sport.  In southern Spain, the five-star Don Carlos Marbella serves up a Mediterranean resort that is anchored by elite tennis. Set along the Costa del Sol, the property combines beachfront relaxation with structured, academy-level training.  At its core is Spain’s first Rafa Nadal Tennis Center, positioning the resort as a must-visit for sports travellers looking to sharpen their game while enjoying one of Europe’s most iconic coastal escapes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg_-Sb5VAjA Rafa Nadal Tennis Center: a flagship for tennis tourism The defining feature of Don Carlos Marbella is its Rafa Nadal Tennis Center – the first of its kind in Spa...

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28Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Bucket List, Europe, Hotels & Resorts, Trips & Experiences, Wellness & Fitness

Sports travel bucket list: Porto Elounda x Common Bond fitness retreat in Crete

As the peak summer crowds begin to fade and temperatures soften across the Mediterranean, early autumn is emerging as the ideal window for fitness-focused travellers seeking a more restorative escape. One for the sports travel bucket list is an exclusive fitness and wellness retreat held at Porto Elounda Golf & Spa Resort in Crete – part of the Elounda Collection – in partnership with Common Bond from 13-20 September 2026.  Guests will take part in a fitness and rejuvenation retreat led by Common Bond’s team of expert trainers across Barrecore, KOBOX, Triyoga and Reformcore, offering participants a premium and well-rounded fitness and wellness experience. New for this year’s retreat will be the incorporation of Reformer Pilates, combining high energy with low impact to deliv...

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28Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business

Simone Biles named Mandarin Oriental’s first global wellness ambassador

Mandarin Oriental has made a golden appointment in its wellness team. The hospitality giant has announced Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast of all time, as its first-ever global wellness ambassador.  Regarded as one of the defining athletes of her generation, in her new role Biles will collaborate with Mandarin Oriental's wellness board, sharing her insights and perspectives with the group's recognised specialists in lifestyle performance, meditation, movement, nutrition and sleep to help shape future programmes and experiences.  She will support and participate in global storytelling, campaign activations and the development of innovative wellness initiatives aligned with Mandarin Oriental's evolved wellness strategy, integrating mental, emotional, and physical bala...

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14Feb By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Destination Guides, Europe, Golf, Hotels & Resorts

Limassol Greens: Cyprus’ newest golf travel destination

Limassol has strengthened its position as a rising Mediterranean sports tourism hub with the official opening of the 18-hole championship golf course at Limassol Greens – a landmark development that blends urban accessibility, winter sun appeal and five-star hospitality. Set within one of Cyprus’ most ambitious lifestyle-led real estate projects, the par-71 course has been designed by renowned architect Cabell B. Robinson, whose portfolio includes some of Europe’s most respected layouts.  Spanning 6,304 metres of carefully contoured terrain, the course combines flowing fairways, immaculate greens and strategically placed bunkers to deliver both challenge and playability. Course design: strategy shaped by the elements Limassol Greens has been carefully crafted to offer chan...

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10Jan By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business

Marriott Bonvoy and International Cricket Council sign global partnership

Marriott Bonvoy and the International Cricket Council (ICC) have signed a strategic partnership which will see Marriott International’s travel platform appointed as the ICC's official accommodation partner through to 2029. The deal gives Marriott Bonvoy’s 260 million members the opportunity to embrace the excitement of the game across continents and showcases Marriott Bonvoy’s extensive offerings to cricket’s passionate global fan base. Peggy Roe, EVP and chief customer officer, Marriott International, said: “Cricket continues to grow as a global sport, with rising fan engagement worldwide and momentum. With more than two billion fans globally, we are proud to serve as the ICC’s official accommodation partner and look forward to delivering exclusive access and once-in-a-lifetime expe...

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22Dec By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Africa, Hotels & Resorts, Trips & Experiences

A day in the sporting life of Somabay

Have you ever dreamed of experiencing life as a professional athlete? Follow in Ramy Salameh's footsteps and travel to Somabay, a premier sports tourism destination on Egypt’s Red Sea featuring world-class facilities. Imagine a day which starts by watching an ATP tour tennis tournament and ends on horseback viewing the sun melt below the Red Sea Mountains. And in-between getting to play a nine-hole Par 3 golf course, snorkel above a family of turtles gliding passed a coral reef, before slipping into the Red Sea’s only Thalasso Tonic seawater-based therapy pool to pummel your every sinew into a more relaxed state. This was a day I experienced during a stay in Somabay, one of the most beautiful peninsula’s on Egypt’s dazzling Red Sea coastline and one which continues to e...

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24Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Hotels & Resorts, Trips & Experiences, Venues & Stadiums

Elevate your sporting experience in Paris

Seine-Saint-Denis was the beating heart of Paris 2024 and a major reason why the French capital has been ranked the world’s top sports city in 2025. Ramy James Salameh discovered the reinvention of the northern Parisian suburbs accelerated by the Olympics. Let me set the scene. I was swimming in France’s highest pool, some 140 metres above the ground beneath a neon sign declaring ‘head in the clouds’ and beside floor-to-ceiling windows looking out upon the gleaming venues of the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. I’d checked into the H4 Hotel Wyndham Paris Pleyel Resort in Seine-Saint-Denis a part of northern Paris which encompasses a collection of suburbs beyond the Périphérique, now boosted by the Olympics and evolving into a symbol of creative energy, cultural renewal and sporting legacy...

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18Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Europe, Events, Golf, Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business

All eyes on Ireland as golf’s Ryder Cup heads to Adare Manor in 2027

With Europe clinching a dramatic Ryder Cup victory over the USA at Bethpage Black, all eyes now turn to Ireland as the countdown begins for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor, where golf’s greatest team event will celebrate its 100th anniversary. Team Europe stars Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy played pivotal roles in New York, with Lowry delivering the decisive half point that ensured Europe retained the coveted trophy in front of packed galleries. Ireland’s Ryder Cup roots run strong, with Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley and Darren Clarke among recent captains, having also provided unforgettable moments such as McGinley holing the winning putt in 2002 and Clarke’s performance at the K Club in 2006, when Ireland last hosted the event. The Island of Ireland is no stranger to hostin...

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