review: total tennis vs newks vs saddlebrook

[Elaine S.]

How big was the group at Saddlebrook? Trying to decide between Newks & Saddlebrook the week after Thanksgiving(or the following week if flights are exorbitant), and both seem to be a great place to have fun and play tennis.

Also, I'm trying to get my girl-pal to come, but she's still wavering... if I do it alone, which one would be better for a lone woman? I'm not exactly a hermit, but have a little difficulty barging in on couples that seem to be in deep conversation... (no, not looking for any hookups - boyfriend just doesn't play tennis...)

[vinouspleasure]

elaine,

there were about 20 people at saddlebrook when we were there, they described it as a very light week. There was little to no socializing with the people on other courts after tennis.

At newks, it's almost impossible not to socialize after tennis. There is a central pub with music, contests, etc. Given your criteria, I'd head to nukes... One of the key differences is that saddbrook is a destination resort while nukes is close enough to austin to draw a big local crowd. I'd call sooner rather than later as they may book up that week.

hope you'll report back with your experience.

best,

[Geezer Guy]

Originally Posted by Elaine S.

How big was the group at Saddlebrook? Trying to decide between Newks & Saddlebrook the week after Thanksgiving(or the following week if flights are exorbitant), and both seem to be a great place to have fun and play tennis.

Also, I'm trying to get my girl-pal to come, but she's still wavering... if I do it alone, which one would be better for a lone woman? I'm not exactly a hermit, but have a little difficulty barging in on couples that seem to be in deep conversation... (no, not looking for any hookups - boyfriend just doesn't play tennis...)

I've not been to Saddlebrook, but heard good things about it. Have been to Newk's several times. Twice I went with a group, but the other times I traveled alone. Newk's is great for single travlers. All meals are taken as a group, and the pro's join you for meals as well. If you want to socialize a bit after supper, but pro's are happy to join you. Want to just head back to your room and prop your feet up? That's fine too. Almost every year I've been there, there have been other single travelers as well.

The size of the group at Newk's has varied quite a bit the weeks I've been there. Usually the lower the number of campers, the more attention you get from the Pro's. The high the number of campers, the better chance of having someone else there of your skill level. I prefer weeks with fewer campers. If that's a concern, just call their 800-number and ask them how many reservations they have for the week in question.

[Elaine S.]

Originally Posted by Geezer Guy

If that's a concern, just call their 800-number and ask them how many reservations they have for the week in question.

Funny - I just asked Newk's, and they said they have about 2-6 people the week of Thanksgiving (I have no idea what the "2-6" part means... can't they just count?), and ONE player registered for the week after (11/29+).

Judging from your response to the other thread, I'm guessing that one person is you, Geezer Guy!?

[Geezer Guy]

I've always gone down for the full week-long program (which is Sun - Fri). Usually that's what most people do, but occasionally someone will just do a partial week. Maybe that's what the "2-6" means. And, with Thanksgiving falling in the middle, maybe some are just doing Sun - Wed.

As for the one player the 11/29 week... I'm somewhat hesitant to either confirm or deny...

[Elaine S.]

Ah - I didn't know that you can just do partial weeks - should ask how much that costs...

As for the one player that week - hey no need to answer if you don't want to!

I thought it was funny that you were saying you had the best time when you were the only participant there, and so far it looks like one player is getting that dream day-long private lesson for a week! (I personally prefer a little bigger group though - at least a couple more for some social doubles afterwards if we're not too tired!)

[Geezer Guy]

Actually, I do think there's at least one more person that's planning to go down for the weekend and then stay through for the first few days of "my" week.

They're very flexible - I'm sure they'll let you attend for however long you want.

[TenS_Ace]

gonna be a good weekend!!

[TenS_Ace]

I'm pretty sure the group from Oklahoma will be there, so the 2-6 will be inflated come GAME TIME!!

[Geezer Guy]

Originally Posted by Elaine S.

How big was the group at Saddlebrook? Trying to decide between Newks & Saddlebrook the week after Thanksgiving(or the following week if flights are exorbitant), and both seem to be a great place to have fun and play tennis.

Also, I'm trying to get my girl-pal to come, but she's still wavering... if I do it alone, which one would be better for a lone woman? I'm not exactly a hermit, but have a little difficulty barging in on couples that seem to be in deep conversation... (no, not looking for any hookups - boyfriend just doesn't play tennis...)

Any decissions? If/when you go, post a review when you get back. I'm always interested in what people think...

[leeroy85]

I went to Saddlebrook for weekend package in July approx 5 years ago. I was hoping for a mock pro training session and to hit with people better than myself. Disappointed cause had older teacher who did not play pro tour and people on court was worse than me. Great breakfast though. Pool was nice. Tipping was a pain. Making exist out ot resort was tough in rush hour. Saw Mardy Fish and Todd Martin hitting. Wanted to be put through what aspiring juniors are out through.

[dbusiness]

Originally Posted by leeroy85

I went to Saddlebrook for weekend package in July approx 5 years ago. I was hoping for a mock pro training session and to hit with people better than myself. Disappointed cause had older teacher who did not play pro tour and people on court was worse than me.

Don't know if Curly or Howard was there 5 years ago but if your ever
grouped with a weaker player or group just ask them and they will bump
you up, that's what they did for me.

I've been to Saddlebrook four times and it was a tough but enjoyable tennis experience. As others have said they don't normally take a lot of breaks and you will be worked as they believe that your fitness is just as important as hitting drills. This year I went for a week and by the 3rd day felt like a needed a break but just got a massage and felt ready for battle the rest of the week.

The resort can get expensive as mentioned with the tipping, valet charge if you rent a car, and the resturants, and resort charge but it was worth it.

[EKnee08]

Originally Posted by vinouspleasure

my wife and I have been to all three of these. She is trying to get to be good enough to get her teaching certificate. I'm not really looking for improvement, just an active vacation where I hit a ton of tennis balls. Here are my thoughts:

Total Tennis
The tt experience is very dependent on your pro because IMO, they have the widest range of ability with their pros. This is especially true in the summer where they bring pros from colleges and other areas. The setting for the outdoor courts is beautiful and peaceful, especially in the fall. Lodging is somewhere between rustic and spartan but the rooms are clean. I believe the chef may be CIA trained and the food is very, very good. I've always been in the strongest group there and I've never seen anyone stronger than a strong 4.0 though I'm sure they get 4.5s from time to time. I should add that TT, with the right pro, is a great value.

Newks
Newks is all about fun. The pros are fun, they have a great attitude and they make sure everyone has a good time on and off the courts. The food is solid, instruction is solid and the after-tennis is is the best of the three resorts. The rooms are very nice, the rates very reasonable, particularly when they have 2-1 for deals. I played with strong 4.5s when I was there. We had a fabulous time at newks.

Saddlebrook
We recently spent our anniversary at Saddlebrook. It was very expensive compared to the other two. We paid a little extra for a suite and it was beautiful, by far the nicest of the three resorts. The resort itself is beautiful, with lush palms, a beautiful pool, spa and outdoor hot tubs.

I had heard that the tennis is very demanding, meant to get some aerobics in before we went but just didn't have time. The first day was pretty easy, I was a little sore getting to the court for day 2. The 2nd day our pro really worked me. One of the things I noticed here were the lack of breaks...its non-stop tennis, two people picking up balls while the others hit. My wife and I were really hurting starting day 3 and the pace quickened right off the bat. For some reason, after lunch that day I started feeling better and I was good to go for the rest of the stay. However, the pro did get me to a point on the last day where in the middle of a drill I was so tired I could no longer hit a backhand over the net. I think they look for that moment and work with you once in you're in that state.

From what I could see, Saddlebrook has the best pros and they really care about your experience. They took the three other players on my court for privates with the tennis director. He worked with my wife on her backhand slice. At the end of the day, I had 3 balls and I was trying to help my wife with the stroke, he saw us working on it and he spent another 20 minutes with us, working with three balls. This was after everybody had left the courts. Then he offered to hit with me but I was too tired. This was above and beyond anything we expected or could imagine.

You have to pay for the food at saddlebrook but our package included breakfasts and two dinners. The breakfast were absolutely great, better than most nyc restaurants. We ate at the on-property steak house. The food was very good, again as good as some nyc steakhouses. Without the package, the steak house would have been as expensive as a nyc steak house. We ate in the sports bar one night, the food was very good and reasonably priced.

We went to saddlebrook for our anniversary, thinking it was a splash-out, expensive luxury vacation but given the level of instruction, commitment to excellence and the beauty of the resort, we're going back. btw, this was the only resort where I saw 5.0/5.5 level players. Unfortunately, I wasn't strong enough to play with them and ended up on the next strongest court, a 3.5 court. Our pro made up for it by working me very hard and he also played in against me, so in the end, it didn't really matter.

I have been to total tennis as well as Saddlebrook but not Newks in my single days several years ago. Your assessment is right on! Saddlebrook is very serious but a luxurious setting with the suite. We took a package which included the spa and sports massages. Great instruction and experience. There were stronger players than at total tennis.

I live in the NYC area so total Tennis is just a short 2 hour drive to Saugerties (It is just a few minutes from Woodstock. ) To me if you want to get away for a long weekend and hit alot of balls, there is no better value, particularly in the summer. Food was included. I used to go there with a bunch of buddies for laughs and will do so again with my wife once my kids are a little older. I was always on the top court and not a lot of competition. (I was a 4.5 to 5.0) and some of the others on the top court were 3.5-4.0. When I used to go, I always got the top instructor, Craig, who was excellent and helped my game. He worked with some local juniors who were nationally ranked. However, it is my understanding that he has moved on. I think it is very good for beginners to intermediates. The owner, Ed is also a nice guy and was very accessible.

[EKnee08]

Originally Posted by dbusiness

Don't know if Curly or Howard was there 5 years ago but if your ever
grouped with a weaker player or group just ask them and they will bump
you up, that's what they did for me.

I've been to Saddlebrook four times and it was a tough but enjoyable tennis experience. As others have said they don't normally take a lot of breaks and you will be worked as they believe that your fitness is just as important as hitting drills. This year I went for a week and by the 3rd day felt like a needed a break but just got a massage and felt ready for battle the rest of the week.

The resort can get expensive as mentioned with the tipping, valet charge if you rent a car, and the resturants, and resort charge but it was worth it.

Right on the money! Last time I was there was even longer ago than you, about 8 years ago-with Curly and maybe, Howard. Tough but great and massages really helped!

[EKnee08]

Originally Posted by Elaine S.

How big was the group at Saddlebrook? Trying to decide between Newks & Saddlebrook the week after Thanksgiving(or the following week if flights are exorbitant), and both seem to be a great place to have fun and play tennis.

Also, I'm trying to get my girl-pal to come, but she's still wavering... if I do it alone, which one would be better for a lone woman? I'm not exactly a hermit, but have a little difficulty barging in on couples that seem to be in deep conversation... (no, not looking for any hookups - boyfriend just doesn't play tennis...)

Did you go? I just saw this thread. I went to Saddlebrook with a pal and we were basically on our own so I don't know if it would make sense for you to go there alone. However, does your boyfriend play golf? At least when I was there years ago, on the same grounds there was a well regarded golf school. So, if he plays golf, you could still go there together, participate in your own activities and hang out afterwards. In addition, there is a great spa there.

[pennc94]

Originally Posted by dbusiness

The resort can get expensive as mentioned with the tipping, valet charge if you rent a car, and the resturants, and resort charge but it was worth it.

I have been twice to Saddlebrook. Who are you tipping (aside from when dining or at the spa)?

[leeroy85]

Originally Posted by leeroy85

I went to Saddlebrook for weekend package in July approx 5 years ago. I was hoping for a mock pro training session and to hit with people better than myself. Disappointed cause had older teacher who did not play pro tour and people on court was worse than me. Great breakfast though. Pool was nice. Tipping was a pain. Making exist out ot resort was tough in rush hour. Saw Mardy Fish and Todd Martin hitting. Wanted to be put through what aspiring juniors are out through.

I think Randy was his name. Think he was former military guy. He can hit ok but not what I was expecting. It was so hot, there were no other group I could hit with. You think they would move an adult to hit in the junior program?

[vinouspleasure]

My 14 yo son and I just returned from a weekend at total tennis. Tennis, food, instructors (bubla, ty) were absolutely great. If you get Bubla as a pro, your experience here is actually very similar to saddlebrook for about 1/4 the price...

[dbusiness]

Originally Posted by pennc94

I have been twice to Saddlebrook. Who are you tipping (aside from when dining or at the spa)?

You tip the bell hops when they bring you luggage in, bell hops if you have them cart you around, bell hops if you go get groceries for the week (they will bring them in for you). + dining and spa. + I believe a $14 daily resort fee

Maybe I'm just a 3 star guy staying at a 4 star resort as I can park my own car and handle my groceries if the resort wasn't so spread out like a campus.

[Texas Scrambler]

Just got back from three days at Newks and had a great time. I am married but went alone (she doesn't play) and had a great time with the instructors and other campers. I give Newks 5 out of 5 on instruction. My last day I had two instructors for just me the whole day. One in the morning and one in the afternoon. I am a 4.0 player and learned more in the 3 days than the last 10 years. The instructors took our group out to dinner to a unique restaraunt on Saturday night. The accomodations need updating though, my room was very 70's. I went the first week of January and most the locals found the weather cold, but being from Canada, I liked the generally sunny weather and highs in the low 50's. A nice break from indoor tennis.