There are those who travel with the goal of visiting each and every one of the art galleries they come across along the way; There are those who pursue photographing birds in their natural habitats; others – more and more – are jumping on the set-jetting bandwagon, the powerful film tourism, while others choose destinations that allow them to continue enjoying their passion for sports… and the good life.
Stay in an exclusive hotel with a tennis court overlooking the Mediterranean or the African savannah; in an establishment with a special sensitivity towards equines in the heart of England, or next to a golf course in the middle of the desert, it is priceless. There are numerous proposals with exceptional services and experiences that make their guests feel as if they were in paradise…
Cary Grant, Elisabeth Taylor, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Pablo Picasso and Karl Lagerfeld are among the illustrious guests of this historic retro-chic hotel located in one of the most beautiful places on the Côte d’Azur. The establishment, a sumptuous white Belle Époque building, is one of the most coveted hideaways for celebrities during the Cannes Film Festival, lovers of the good life and tennis fans.
And its clay courts surrounded by pine and olive trees by the sea have earned the reputation of being the most beautiful in the world. After a hard-fought match – or a session with a personal trainer – there is nothing better than a swim in the saltwater pool dug into the rock or a relaxing Martini on the terrace, facing the Mediterranean. The Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, which has been the source of inspiration for one of the perfumes in La Collection Privée Christian Dior, currently has 40 rooms, 68 suites and three villas.
Located on the edge of Windsor Great Park, just an hour from London, the establishment can boast of being the only British hotel with its own world-class polo fields. Here fans can watch and practice high-level matches – as Princes William and Harry did in the past – and trot their own horse around the property’s 97 hectares, among wildflower meadows.
Coworth Park, a Dorchester Collection property, combines the warmth of a country hotel with touches of elegance and eccentricity. Guests can spend the night in former stables and cabins converted into rooms and suites; taste the cuisine of Adam Smith, its Michelin-starred chef; stroll through the enviable rose garden, or disconnect from the world in its five-star spa.
The greatest of this sport have passed through the courts of its tennis club, from Björn Borg, who served as its first director 45 years ago, to Manolo Santana, Boris Becker, John McEnroe and Serena Williams. Like them, those who take refuge in this emblematic hotel, a member of Leading Hotels of the World, built as an Andalusian village on the Golden Mile, can immerse themselves in a paradise of sports and good taste.
Its villas and suites with views among lush gardens exude warmth and a Mediterranean flavor that permeates everything. Various swimming pools, a state-of-the-art gym, access to the Marbella Club Golf Resort and, above all, the exclusive Six Senses spa – an authentic refuge facing the sea – and the gastronomy elevate the stay to another level. And among the twenty restaurants on Puente Romano, places such as Nobu, COYA and Cipriani stand out, along with Leña and Bibo, both from Dani García.
If paradise existed, one might believe it was located in Laucala, a remote island surrounded by the blue waters of Melanesia. Horseback riding, sailing, surfing, snorkeling, diving, kayaking in mangroves, hiking… and, of course, golf by the sea, between cliffs and impressive volcanic mountains. A complete tour of the countryside requires a minimum stay of three nights, perhaps insufficient time to experience staying in an exclusive complex of 25 villas with views of the coral reefs and jungle, some of them built over the sea. , on top of a hill or in the middle of the rainforest.
The only access to Como Laucala Island is by private jet and its offer includes wellness activities, with steam baths and treatments based on spices, herbs, flowers and fruits of tropical vegetation; an interesting gastronomic proposal, and even the possibility of collecting ingredients to make your own essential oils, soaps or lotions.
A game of tennis on safari? The answer, although it may be surprising, is yes. One would expect to spot wild animals, enjoy sunsets, exchange stories around a campfire… However, this lodge nestled in the heart of the Singita Grumeti wildlife reserve, a 140,000 hectare area overlooking the Serengeti plains, It also has a tennis court, a privilege available to very few. Who wouldn’t want to play a couple of sets spotting giraffes or zebras in the distance?
Living this adventure is the icing on the cake of an experience in a unique environment. Singita Sasakwa offers a perfect balance between casual luxury and sophisticated elegance. Built in the style of an Edwardian manor house, its wooden-floor cabins decorated with antique furniture have fireplaces, terraces and private pools, cozy spaces surrounded by nature where the guest can feel in total freedom.
This exclusive complex with views of the hills of the Calblanque Natural Park and the Mediterranean that is home to three of the great 18-hole courses of the Old Continent is an Eden for sports lovers. A total of 28 tennis courts, eight soccer fields, seven paddle tennis courts and a high-end gym and backwater court complement an ambitious proposal that has earned it the recognition of Best Sports Resort in Spain by the World Travel Awards for the fourth time. time.
The hotel, which opened its doors last year as the first Grand Hyatt on the Peninsula, is inspired by the typical architecture of the area, with clear Moorish influences. It has 192 rooms, including seven exclusive suites, that exude luxury and sophistication, a first-class wellness center and an outstanding gastronomic proposal.
Surrounded by an arid landscape, dominated by gigantic twelve-million-year-old granite formations, lies The Boulders, one of the best tennis complexes in the United States. In its facilities, guests can improve their technique with the racket, but the commitment off the court goes beyond this sport.
The resort is an oasis of cacti, willows, bushes and wildflowers dotted with small villas and haciendas inspired by typical constructions of the Sonoran Desert, with wooden beams, fireplaces and stone showers and decorated with local art. Four swimming pools with crystal-clear waters, two golf courses, a 10m2 spa, various bars and restaurants specializing in local cuisine and activities to explore the surroundings by bicycle or horseback complement a first-class stay.
South African Gary Player, one of the best golfers in history, designs the course of this world-renowned complex built on the island of Saadiyat, on the shores of the Persian Gulf. Its fame attracts fans from all over the world who find in this Mediterranean-style complex surrounded by nature a haven of tranquility just a few minutes from the capital, an ideal location for visiting cultural attractions such as the Louvre.
Off the course, guests at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort can relax in a hammock on the private beach or in one of its four pools, enjoy water activities or visit the Iridium Spa. Inside, noble materials and a modern style dominate the rooms and the 376 rooms and suites.