Romance on the Courts-Three Sweet Valentines Tennis Destinations

In our tennis circle, there are many couples, including my partner and myself, who met on the tennis court. Tennis continues to be one of the places where we are happiest, and there's nothing we like more than taking our game on the road.  Here are three destinations that we would consider perfect for a romantic tennis getaway.

#1 Koh Chang Island, Thailand

We  managed to find one tennis club on this tropical island paradise. The Koh Chang Tennis Club is well maintained, lit for night play and very reasonably priced. It's located in central Khlong Proa on the west coast of Thailand's second largest island.

The staff is very friendly and they can provide you with racquets, balls and cold towels if you need.  Give them a call to make a reservation, or have your hotel front desk arrange it for you.  Koh Chang Tennis Club is open from 0700 to 2200 everyday.

Call them at 084-892-6992 or email at a7lek@mail.ru




Koh Chang Tennis Club


What To Do After Tennis

 Motorcycle Trip around the island

We rented a motorcycle and toured this island that is lined with white sand beaches.  After tennis, we hung out at a little roadside Thai restaurant, cooled off and enjoyed some hot Thai cuisine.  Then we hit the open road (a narrow windy one) and took a look at the island's west shore.  A beautiful national park offers some spectacular viewpoints and Lonely Beach almost at the end of the road attracts hippies, backpackers and those who want the no-frills Thai beach experience.  We hung out there, taking in the unbelievable view while enjoying cool beverages on the lay-down ocean front deck.

Where We Stayed
We stayed at the Chai Chet Resort, about 4 kilometres to the south of the courts. An elegant and reasonably price resort overlooking the bay and a large stretch of white sandy beach. All down the beach are cottages and hotels.  At night you can stroll down there and check out the action at different beach restaurants and bars.  We took in a fire show with dinner one night.
The staff at the Chai Chet is very helpful and welcoming.  The pool is amazing, not to mention the swim-up bar.  It's a great place to enjoy a cool Chang Beer after a hot tennis workout.
Our sea-view room was very nice with an unique bathroom and shower that had the effect of a rocky stream running through it. 

Chai Chet Resort

#2 

Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort and Tennis Center Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort labels themselves the ultimate destination for anyone who wants to improve their tennis skills.  Ranked amount "The 50 Greatest US Tennis Resorts" by Tennis Magazine  Palmetto Dunes offers tennis packages and vacations for players all skill levels and a top notch family resort destination. The resort's Tennis Centre features 23 clay and two Nova ProBounce courts(six of which are lighted for night play).  There is also a full schedule of seasonal activities, daily round robin tournaments and a wide array of instructional programs.

What to Do After the Game

Hilton Head Beaches

Miles of pristine beach, sun drenched, wind-swept.  You can enjoy the sound of the surf or get right in it and take a lesson on riding it.   The ocean one of the most wonderful features of  Hilton Head Island.  But if that isn’t enough, Hilton Head boasts more than 20 golf courses, over 50 miles of paved bike pathways and an 11-mile lagoon network for paddling.   

Where We Stayed

Palmetto Dunes Resort

One of the world’s finest tennis facilities is a definite reason to stay here, but so is the location.  It is set on 3 miles of the beaches that Hilton Head Island is so famous for.  The resort has 3 18 hole golf courses, an oceanfront pool, bike rentals and more.

Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

1-866-380-1778

#3 Key West Florida Bay View Tennis Courts

Bay View Tennis Courts

You’ll never forget playing tennis at Bay View in Key West.  Like everything else in this unique tip of the United States, it seems to have a flavor of its own.  There are a group of regular KeyWesters and guests, and a sign up sheet to get on these free courts.  They make you feel very welcome, and after a few rounds of tennis, you can see why some people choose never to leave.  The facility has five courts that are also lit for night play.

What to Do After

The sunset is a reason for celebration every night in Key West.  Once you’ve seen one, you’ll understand why.  The city’s Mallory Square sets the stage for the sun’s always dazzling exit from the day over the Gulf of Mexico, highlighting the solar spectacle with art and street performers, all watched by thousands of people.

Where We Stayed

The most laid back way to stay in Key West has to be camping.  This southernmost tip of the continental United States is only about 90 miles from Cuba and shares with it a balmy climate that makes sleeping outdoors comfortable most of the year.  Boyd’s Campground is an interesting mix osnowbirds, young campers, regular  folks who have Key West on their itineraries, and even tennplayers.  Besides being on the ocean, the campground has a great pool that is one of the social centers of the resort.

Boyd’s Campground, Key West

Have a wonderful Valentines Day!

Tennis at 700 Year Stadium in Thailand

tennistourist.ca

November means cooler temperatures in North America and Europe, so playing tennis in a warmer climate sounds appealing.  Here’s a tennis destination we discovered in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Tennis at 700 Years Stadium in Chiang Mai Thailand

We went looking for tennis and found a world-class facility in Chiang Mai.  The 700 Years Stadium built in honor of the city's seventh century anniversary features 11 practice courts and one center court which are open 7am to 9pm.  They are lit at night, sometimes a good idea because the days can be very warm in Thailand, even in the north.  There is a pro-shop there that is stocked with virtually everything you would need to play the game.  

How to Get there

You can find the courts by going down Chotana road to the new city hall.  Turn left and keep going until you cross Canal Road.  Once you're in the sports complex, follow the signs and arrows.

What to do after tennis

Wat Doi Suthep

 

After playing tennis we took our rented motorcycle and rode up the mountain to Doi Suthep budhist wat (temple).  The views were stunning and hill tribes people sold their traditional crafts at some spots on the way up.  The Doi Hutep wat was magnificent.  Be prepared for lots of tourists at this well-known temple though.

Where we stayed

Chiang Mai Boutique House Hotel

We arrived there at night.  We clambered out of the songthaew(open air shared taxi) after a twelve hour train ride from Bangkok, and there it was, the Chiang Mai Boutique House, an eclectic statement of a hotel that gently represents many of the elements of this northern city, and is a backstreet refuge in this city of bars, stunning Buddhist Wats(temples), markets and Thai massage parlors.  The rooms are wrapped around a courtyard, pool and breakfast lounge area where you can watch the interesting world of Chaing Mai pass by your eyes while surround by northern Thai design.

Chiang Mai Boutique House Hotel

2 Ratchapakinai Road, Phrasing, Muang, Chiangmai 50200

For more places in the world to play tennis visit:

www.tennistourist.ca