In the Luxury Travel Trend Watch: 2025 report, first revealed by Globetrender founder and CEO Jenny Southan at the 2024 Virtuoso Symposium in Dubai, “racketeering” was named as one of the seven key luxury trends to watch out for in 2025. The trend of racketeering, a term coined by Globetrender, reflects the growing popularity of racket sports like tennis, pickleball and padel being played during holidays.
To meet the growing demand, hotels and resorts are investing in state-of-the-art courts, clinics and tournaments. In this guide, we look at some of the best places to book for tennis and padel holidays in Europe.
Main image: Verdura Resort, a Rocco Forte Hotel
Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como, Italy
The iconic Grand Hotel Tremezzo’s Art Nouveau palazzo adorns private parks offering spectacular views over Lake Como and three idyllic swimming pools. As one of the first estates on Lake Como to have a tennis court during its opening year in 1910, Grand Hotel Tremezzo’s spectacular clay courts provide breathtaking views over the lake for friendly doubles or a tournament under the warm Mediterranean sun. Free to use for guests, tennis enthusiasts will enjoy personalised coaching aimed to improve skills and hone techniques. See more at grandhoteltremezzo.com
Terre Blanche Hôtel Spa Golf Resort, France
Terre Blanche Hôtel Spa Golf Resort, nestled in the heart of Provence’s picturesque countryside in the Var region of southeastern France, is a world-class resort offering a range of activities. As well as two 18-hole championship golf courses, a spa, fitness facilities and award-winning restaurants, Terre Blanche is also home to two floodlit tennis courts, which are open seven days a week. Individuals, couples and group tennis lessons are available for guests to book. See more at terre-blanche.com
Evian Resort, Évian-les-Bains, France
Tennis fans will love the Evian Resort – a serene sporting sanctuary on the shores of Lake Geneva where luxury hospitality meets world-class coaching, and every court comes with a view of the Alps. Evian Resort boasts four premium tennis courts, three green set courts like those seen in professional tournaments and one artificial grass court. A partnership with LUX Tennis also offers private lessons for adults and children with former professional players. Adding to the appeal are two new padel courts, catering to the demand of this fast-growing sport, and three new pickleball courts, nestled within the grounds of the Hôtel Royal. See more at evianresort.com
Airelles Château de La Messardière, Saint-Tropez, France
Add a touch of French Riviera style to your game at the glamorous Airelles Château de La Messardière, perched on a hilltop on the outskirts of Saint-Tropez. Set among the hotel’s 25 acres of gardens are two grass tennis courts and two new padel courts which are complementary to hotel guests along with the hire of racquets and balls. Adding to the style, hotel guests are required to wear white attire when playing tennis or padel. See more at airelles.com
Bahia del Duque, Tenerife
The five-star Bahía del Duque, part of Leading Hotels of The World, is situated on the beautiful and vibrant southern coast of Costa Adeja in Tenerife. Across 100,000sqm, the hotel boasts five swimming pools, 386 keys, direct access to Bahia Beach, two tennis courts, one padel court and a pickleball court, and a state-of-the-art Wellness Centre. See more at thetaishotels.com
The Lensbury, London, England
The Lensbury, a premier sports resort situated beside the River Thames in south west London, hosts regular tennis retreats for guests. The resort has 24 top quality multi-surface tennis courts – including four clay, three grass, four artificial grass, eight floodlit macadam, three floodlit mini courts alongside two mini red artificial grass courts – as well as a spa, gym and fitness facilities, swimming pool and watersports. Read our review here and see more at lensbury.com
Elounda Collection, Crete, Greece
Elounda Collection in Crete has increased its racquet sports offerings, fusing world-class sports facilities with a blissful Mediterranean escape. For the 2025 season, Elounda Collection has partnered with LUX Tennis, bringing comprehensive tennis, padel and pickleball services to the resorts as well as a series of star events. From 13-14 July 2025, Russian tennis pro Karen Khachanov is taking residency at the hotel. Guests will have the exclusive opportunity to meet him, join group training sessions and even book one-on-ones. Through private lessons and flexible court bookings, guests can hone their racquet skills at their own pace. See more at elounda-collection.com
Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa, Murcia, Spain
Located within the prestigious La Manga Club Resort in Murcia, southeast Spain, the Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa is one of Europe’s top sports resorts. La Manga Club is also home to The Racquets Club, which features 28 tennis courts in three surfaces, several floodlit padel courts and a pickleball court. The centre provides world-class training and coaching for players of all skill levels and ages. Equipment can be rented or purchased in the pro shop. See hyatt.com and lmctennis.com
The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, Costa Navarino, Greece
Tennis enthusiasts seeking a Greek escape are invited to enjoy the stunning facilities at The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, Costa Navarino. Chosen by legendary tennis coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, as the site for his first academy in Greece, the Mouratoglou Tennis Center offers the opportunity to play on brand new, state-of-the-art courts with breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea. Those joining a tennis camp at the resort will receive personalised lessons designed by the coach that supported Serena Williams to 10 of her Grand Slams and scouted emerging stars including Stefanos Tsitsipas and Coco Gauff. Designed to blend seamlessly into the classic Messinian landscape of olive trees and local vegetation at Navarino Dunes, the centre offers 12 tennis courts, three padel courts and two pickleball courts. See marriott.com and costanavarino.com
Forte Village, Sardinia, Italy
Forte Village is a landmark of the international tennis and padel scene with 13 tennis courts and three padel courts hidden among 50 hectares of beautiful gardens and lush pine forest. It has always been a favourite of professional tennis players including current men’s world No.1 Jannik Sinner, who played at Forte Village in March 2019, at only 18 years old on the ITF Men’s World Tennis Tour. Forte Village’s courts are suitable for players of all ages and abilities, with specialist lessons available on request to help players perfect their style and competition techniques. See fortevillageresort.com
Verdura Resort, a Rocco Forte Hotel, Sicily, Italy
Verdura Resort’s world-class tennis and paddle club welcomes beginners and advanced players to join its courses and learn tips from professionals. Combined with its 2km of private beach and Kyle Phillips-designed golf courses, the Rocco Forte hotel is the perfect place for players of all ages and levels to improve their tennis game. Verdura Resort offers tennis coaching programmes with resident Sunball coaches and also hosts guest tournaments, special camps, and events with famous ex-professionals. See roccofortehotels.com
Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, St. Moritz, Switzerland
Perfectly situated amid the lush alpine terrain and overlooking Lake St. Moritz, the Badrutt’s Palace’s mountainside tennis courts are available to use throughout the season, with certified instructors on hand to support guests in mastering their technique or practising their serve for the very first time. Making for an unparalleled tennis experience, the crisp, fresh air elevates game with every swing, while the 155 elegant rooms provide a comfy spot to rest post-match. Tennis equipment is available to rent on site. See badruttspalace.com
Hotel Castello di Reschio, Umbria, Italy
A spectacular 1,000-year-old castle sitting on the 3,700-acre Reschio Estate in the heart of the Umbrian hills, Hotel Castello di Reschio is an exquisitely restored and stylishly reimagined 36-room hotel. The estate offers a haven for tennis enthusiasts, boasting pristine courts for guests to hone their skills. Whether engaging in friendly matches with friends or seeking private lessons from seasoned coaches, the tennis experience at Reschio is unparalleled in its grandeur setting. The nearby tennis pavilion is stocked with refreshments, providing the perfect respite between games or a spot for supporters to cheer on during matches. See reschio.com
Castelfalfi, Tuscany, Italy
Just an hour from Pisa, Florence and Siena, Castelfalfi is Tuscany’s ultimate countryside escape, serving up an active getaway with a scenic backdrop of an ancient medieval village, vineyards and olive groves. Tennis obsessed guests can perfect their serve on scenic red clay tennis courts or dive into padel – one of the fastest growing racquet sports in the world. Private tennis coaching is also available for those looking to take their game one step further. See more at castelfalfi.com