Recently recognized by Newsweek as "the most reliable, online resource for tennis resorts," Tennis Resorts Online keeps gathering the kudos. Forbes ASAP surveyed 3,200 sites in 165 categories, ranking this site the tops in Sports Travel, citing its detailed reviews as a reason for the award. The International Association of Web masters & Designers gave the site its Golden Web Award for its design, originality and content having "achieved levels of excellence." What's more, you can save money by visiting it.
What's important about the site, says Roger Cox, its highly respected editor with more than 17 years of experience in this specialized field, is that "at anytime of the year [you can] search for resorts and camps by specifying how much you're willing to pay for lodging. If, for example, you search for rates under $100 per night, you'll get a list of more than 40 properties."
Among the example of low to very low cost accommodations are: John Newcombe's Tennis Ranch, offering two-for-one pricing through the winter and then an extra $100 off any of the Sunday through Friday packages as well for anyone mentioning Tennis Resorts Online; Van der Meer Racquet Club at Shipyard Plantation on Hilton Head Island has rates like $80 per night at Crowne Plaza (just steps from the courts) or Holiday Inn, a 5-minute drive away, for about $50.
Also the Tops'l Beach & Tennis Resort and the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, both in the Florida Panhandle, has deals like a studio condo at Tops'l or a hotel room at the Bayside Inn in Sandestin, each starting at about $80.
Cox notes that the cost of tennis programs remains about the same year round, but lodging is lower off-season. On the other hand, the Van der Meer Tennis facility is taking 10% off the price of any scheduled clinic (excluding daily programs) booked between now and February 28, 2003. To get the discount, you enter "TRO Special" in the "Comment" section when you book online or ask for the "TRO Special" when you call them at 800/845-6138.
Once a year Cox publishes The Top 100 Tennis Resorts & Camps based on reader ratings. His site does not accept resort advertising, but he still gives away tennis vacations as prizes to readers who send in their ratings and reviews.
To check out this site, go to www.tennisresortsonline.com.