From intensive tennis weeks to private one-on-one coaching, independent activity holiday company Mark Warner has been serving up tennis holidays for nearly 50 years. Each of its five properties in Greece and Turkey have a choice of courts, and with a team of expert coaching staff on hand, there are options for all ages and levels.
Guests all enjoy complimentary access to the courts and equipment, with social tennis sessions included in their stay and drills sessions also available. Additional activities which can be booked and paid for either in advance or locally range from serve clinics and group tennis coaching sessions, to one-on-one tuition and private tennis lessons as well as LTA courses and mini and junior LTA courses for children.
Padel and pickleball
Alongside traditional tennis, two resorts are introducing padel tennis this summer, while Phokaia Beach Resort in Turkey has added three pickleball courts. As the UK’s fastest-growing sport, padel is played on a smaller court and the ball can be played off the walls – meaning it is kept in play much longer and is considered easier than conventional tennis. Pickleball is an even more recent addition to the UK tennis scene. A cross between tennis, badminton and ping pong, it is very popular in the United States and has a number of high-profile fans.
Intensive Tennis Week at Paleros Beach Resort, Greece
Nestling in a sheltered bay alongside the Ionian sea on the west coast of mainland Greece is Paleros Beach Resort. Along with fantastic facilities, the resort is also home to Mark Warner’s popular Intensive Tennis Weeks and offers a diverse range of sports activities from rowing and wakeboarding to cycling.
The next available course, led by tennis pro Andrew Parsons, is running during the week of 24 September. This specialised programme (£300 per person) offers a week of intensive coaching and game playing. With 20 hours of on-court tennis instruction, including clinics in groundstrokes, net play, service, tactics, and match play, as well as a speed serving competition and singles and doubles tournaments, this is an excellent opportunity for serious players to up their game. Participants must be at least 13 years old.
How to book: Mark Warner offers a week at Paleros Beach Resort from £1,279 per person. Cost includes flights from London Gatwick airport, seven nights’ half-board accommodation and transfers, the Intensive Tennis Week course, a wide range of sports activities, tuition, and fitness classes. Based on two people sharing. Departing 24 September; markwarner.co.uk
Family tennis at Aeolian Village Beach Resort, Lesvos
Newly opened for 2023, Aeolian Village Beach Resort is tucked into a private corner of Eressos beach, a gorgeous sandy bay on the southwest coast of Lesvos. Set in mature gardens, against a backdrop of mountains, it is a short walk from the laid-back seaside village of Skala Eresou. With outstanding sporting facilities, experienced instructors, as well as expertly crafted sundowners and ample sun loungers, Aeolian Village offers a perfect holiday balance between activity choices and chilled-out hospitality.
Choose from three astro tennis courts, as well as a newly-opened padel court. Mark Warner’s tennis staff are available for coaching and guidance, whether in private or group lessons, or in one of the sociable tournaments. As at all Mark Warner resorts, children can try tennis in the included childcare activity sessions, or there are specific LTA courses and intensive sessions on offer at an extra cost.
In addition to tennis, childcare activities range from sailing, windsurfing and water polo for teenagers, to arts and music, beach, and pool fun for younger guests, with six different age-appropriate clubs from four months to 17 years.
How to book: Mark Warner offers a week at Aeolian Village Beach Resort from £1,174 per person. Based on a family of four sharing, travelling in early July, including flights from Gatwick, seven nights’ half-board accommodation and transfers, a wide range of sports activities, tuition, and fitness classes; markwarner.co.uk
Padel at Kamari Beach Resort, Rhodes
Padel tennis is the fastest-growing sport in the UK. Played on a smaller court than tennis – and generally considered to be easier – it is taking gyms by storm. Why not get ahead of the game and try your hand while staying at Kamari Beach Resort in Rhodes.
Stretching across pristine Lardos Beach, near the popular town of Lindos, Kamari Beach Resort, with its white-washed buildings, huge pools and lawned gardens, has three hard floodlit tennis courts and is a great destination for tennis lovers. The famously sunny island has a warm, gentle breeze that makes for perfect playing conditions.
Along with the traditional tennis courts, 2023 will see the opening of three new padel courts at the resort, so you can try a spot of padel tennis against family, friends, or fellow guests.
How to book: Mark Warner offers a week at Kamari Beach Resort from £879pp. Based on two people sharing, travelling in October, including flights from Gatwick, seven nights’ half-board accommodation, transfers and a wide range of sports activities, tuition, and fitness classes; markwarner.co.uk
Pickleball at Phokaia Beach Resort, Turkey
In a prime beachfront setting, close to the town of Foça in Turkey, Phokaia Beach Resort features three floodlit tennis courts which are ideal for anything from a friendly game to a competitive tournament.
New for 2023 are three pickleball courts, giving guests the chance to test drive this fast-growing sport. Also enjoy the other activities and facilities on offer, including three pools, watersports, sailing, windsurfing, cycling and classes. Alternatively, sit back, relax and soak up the spectacular sunsets with a sundowner in hand.
How to book: Mark Warner offers a week at Phokaia Beach Resort from £929 per person. Based on two adults sharing, flights from Gatwick, seven nights’ accommodation including breakfast and lunch each day, plus five dinners, transfers, a wide range of sports activities, tuition, and fitness classes; markwarner.co.uk
Images: Mark Warner