The 12 Best Golf and Tennis Resorts for Luxury Travelers in the United States
Itineraries
Casa Palmero, Pebble Beach Resort.
Pebble Beach. The American Club. Kiawah. These names evoke curving fairways, breathtaking views, and challenging water holes. But today’s luxury traveler isn’t just seeking the greatest 18 holes, they’re looking to experience a memory to last a lifetime.
Today’s innovative hotel and resort destinations ensure that while amenities like golf, tennis and wellness may still be a prime draw, the accommodations, dining and level of service match with the Five Star name.
Today’s Active Traveler Is Different
For some, this may mean once-in-a-lifetime experiences on Pinehurst’s Number Two or hitting a backhand with instructors who teach the pros, while for others, that may mean a guided morning hike in Sedona’s Red Rocks, a cycling trip through France or a holistic spa experience at a destination wellness resort.
No matter the activity, the data has shown that today’s luxury traveler is more discerning than ever before. No longer is it enough to merely travel to the latest, off-the-beaten-path destinations; personalized travel is the new “luxury.” Experiences have to go deeper and appeal to personal interests. Tailor-made excursions continue to become de rigueur. Travel must also address certain desires – including meeting the needs of any non-golfers or tennis players in the family.
We’ve done the legwork for you, rounding up 12 (we couldn’t narrow it any further!) of the country’s most incredible resorts where active travelers can relax and kick back in style.
Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Just 45 minutes from the burgeoning hipster paradise of Charleston, South Carolina sits the endless sunshine of Kiawah Island Golf Resort, one of the country’s best places for golf and tennis lovers. Stay at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island, an intimate resort resembling an old Southern estate, where you’ll relax in the elegant spa or fine dining restaurant after a day spent practicing your backhand on one of 19 Har-Tru clay courts or five hard courts, as well as a practice court featuring a ball machine and automated retrieval system. The resort offers regular women’s tennis weekend programs, stroke-a-day clinics, drill sessions, mini camps and more. Prefer the links? You’ll find more than 90 holes of championship golf, designed by major names like Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio and Gary Player. Our favorite? The Pete Dye-designed Ocean Course, one of only four courses in the U.S. to have hosted every major PGA event in the country. It boasts spectacular views of the Atlantic Coastline from every hole.
Clients also love the many private home options available here. Book early to secure oceanfront or “Premier” homes, many of which boast pools as well. There are also economical condo and villa-style accommodations. Lily Pond Luxury clients also enjoy upgrade on arrival, subject to availability, daily full breakfast for two guests per bedroom, a $100 USD Resort/Hotel credit to be utilized during your stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full), early check-in/late check-out subject to availability, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a full bottle of sparkling wine from the honor bar as a welcome amenity.
Monterey, California
With an Oceanside setting this pristine, it’s almost believable that championship golf is a secondary perk. Casa Palmero, part of Pebble Beach Resort, offers just 24 Mediterranian-style rooms overlooking the first and second fairways of the Pebble Beach links.
Perks for Lily Pond Luxury clients include:
Upgrade on arrival subject to availability, a Continental Breakfast Basket delivered to your room daily
$100 USD resort credit to be utilized during your stay (which can be used on retail, spa, food & beverage and golf at The Links at Spanish Bay or Del Monte Golf Course - the credit cannot be used on Spyglass Hill Golf Course or Pebble Beach Golf Links, and it is not combinable, not valid on the room rate, and has no cash value if not redeemed in full)
Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Another favorite? The romantic Inn at Spanish Bay, with its evening bagpiper who plays along the cliffs as the sun sets. But the real highlight are the five courses, from the famed Pebble Beach Golf Links, rated America’s #1 public golf course by Golf Digest, to the challenging Spyglass Hill or The Links at Spanish Bay, a unique Scottish-style experience.
Kohler, Wisconsin
It’s hard to believe, but two-and-a-half hours from Chicago and one hour from Milwaukee sits one of the country’s finest five-star hotels and golf escapes – The American Club. Located on the grounds of the Kohler campus in an English Tudor-style mansion, the luxury resort that was once a dormitory for Kohler workers is now a peaceful retreat (with spa-like bathrooms full of Kohler products, naturally). Take advantage of the onsite Kohler Academy Golf School, which offers a unique JC Video System to monitor your swing, as well as one-, two-, three- and four-day programs designed to cater to your individual game. When you’re ready to hit the links, take advantage of four Pete Dye-designed courses, plus a regular tournament series designed to cater to the competitive among us. This area is particularly popular this year, thanks to the Ryder Cup tournament, which will be held in Wisconsin nearby at Whistling Straits.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Many equate the Cape with preppy yachting parties, lobster bakes and beaches, but it’s also home to some of the country’s best golf, thanks to the area’s only Nicklaus Design golf course at Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club. It’s perfect for new and experienced golfers alike, with its onsite golf Academy, as well as nightly events like ‘Wednesday Women’s Workshop,’ ‘Monday & Wednesday Night Pee Wee Golf,’ and ‘Friday Night Fun.’ Tennis aficionados won’t be disappointed either – the resort also offers fundamental group classes, on-court workouts and ample programming for adults and kids alike. There’s also a tennis happy hour, perfect for socializing after a long day on the court. Opt for rooms at The Mansion at Ocean Edge, adjacent to the historic Victorian-style Nickerson Mansion, the most elegant of the resort’s accommodations. Many guests also prefer to stay just on the ocean side of the Cape, at Chatham Bars Inn, which offers an attractive mid of cottage and resort-style accommodations, about 20 minutes away.
Lily Pond Luxury Client Perks:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Daily in-restaurant breakfast for two guests per bedroom
$100 USD equivalent Spa Services credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
Early check-in / late check-out subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi.
Half Moon Bay, California
Just north of San Francisco, discover the impeccable Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, an intimate escape perched high above the Pacific Ocean. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, try The Legends Golf package, which features unlimited play on the Old Course, Arnold Palmer’s classic American parkland-style course, and the Ocean Course, a Scottish-links-style designed by Arthur Hills. The package also includes overnight accommodations in a coastal view guestroom, unlimited same-day replays for one or two players, use of a golf cart, warm-up range balls, bottled water, access to locker rooms, and a golf-themed amenity. Prefer tennis? Try one of six courts for daily clinics, doubles mixers or private lessons.
Lily Pond Luxury Clients Perks:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Daily full breakfast in the Conservatory Restaurant for up to two guests per bedroom
$100 USD equivalent in Resort or Hotel credit to be utilized during your stay (excluding alcohol, taxes, gratuities and cannot be used in Spa, retail or 3rd party entities, nor applied toward room rate, tax or valet parking - it has no cash value if not utilized during dates of stay)
Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Pinehurst, North Carolina
Dubbed “The Cradle of American Golf,” Pinehurst Resort, with its three hotels, condos and eight 18-hole courses, was once a true golfer’s retreat. But recent renovations have left its southern charm – like the Carolina Room, where diners still dress in blazers to come to elegant multi-course dinners and watch ballroom dancing – but also given it modern upgrades, like a 31,000-square-foot spa with 28 treatment rooms. While the 31 miles of golf, the largest number of golf holes in the world at a single golf resort, remains the main draw, tennis lovers will also find something to smile about, thanks to expert instruction and 16 clay courts. A visit to Pinehurst feels like a step back in another era, thanks to touches like elegant afternoon tea served in the lobby and vintage photographs that dot the halls showing well-heeled guests from the resort’s more than 125+ year history, but one with a luxurious touch.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas may feel like an odd choice to welcome one of the country’s top golf retreats, but it’s precisely the reason why so many top links players love the 18-hole, par-70 course at Wynn Las Vegas. It’s a challenging Tom Fazio-designed course (recently updated from the 2005 original after a several-year hiatus) and the only one available attached to a resort on the strip, letting you go from blackjack table to tee box without ever leaving the resort. Of course, some of the country’s top courses, like Shadow Creek, are also nearby, so you’ll likely want to golf several times during your stay. And, of course, there’s plenty to do at night, from award-winning Cirque show La Reve to world-class shopping by names like Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Graff to the five-star spa to dozens of upscale restaurants – including the top-notch SW Steakhouse and the new Delilah, a fun supper club concept. We prefer the Tower Suites at both Wynn and Encore, which offer private check-in and entrances, as well as larger villas that are ideal for groups.
Perks for Lily Pond Luxury Clients include:
Upgrade on arrival to the next room category, subject to availability
Daily Breakfast Credit of $30 per person, for up to two guests per bedroom (to be utilized in Tableau, The Drugstore, Jardin, Goodies on Demand, Tower Suites Lobby Bar. Excludes in-room dining)
$50 Spa Credit and $50 Food and Beverage Credit, once per stay.
Early check-in and late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Palm Beach, Florida
It’s no surprise that our travelers love Florida – and particularly Palm Beach – for its warm weather fun. While there are many courses and courts to hit in the area, guests return to iconic property The Breakers time and again to enjoy the resort’s two courses as well as onsite John Webster Golf Academy, and also the 10 Har-Tru tennis courts and top-notch instruction. Pair this with an afternoon at a poolside cabana or shopping on Worth Avenue and you have a trip worthy of the athletes (both the sport and shopping kind) in the family.
Perks for Lily Pond Luxury Clients include:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Signature breakfast daily for two guests per bedroom served in The Circle or The Beach Club Restaurant
$100 USD Resort/Hotel credit to be utilized during stay (cannot be transferred between reservations, not combinable, not valid on room rate or for gift cards, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi
For many dates this year, we are also able to secure a 6th night free for guests. Inquire about your preferred dates today!
Miami, Florida
When it’s backed by a name like Donald Trump, you know that the amenities at Trump National Doral® are going to be over the top. The Trump Organization recently put more than $250 million into the property to complete a dramatic renovation of the historic 800-acre resort. This included a total rooms overhaul, plus updating the four championship golf courses like the signature “Blue Monster”, adding a new clubhouse and new spa facility. Take advantage of the onsite Jim McLean Golf School, get fit for new clubs with True Spec Golf’s expert fitters and more than 30,000 combinations of club heads and shafts in stock, or plan a zen-out weekend in new spa suites, featuring serene accommodations with Spanish Revival details in a villa-like setting just steps from the main clubhouse. You’ll also enjoy high-end dining from names like BLT Prime, an upscale steakhouse, as well as services of the Trump Card, where you’ll enjoy personalized attaché services, one-of-a-kind experiences and more.
San Diego, California
Spanning 45 acres of lush gardens, trails and olive groves, Rancho Valencia, a Relais & Chateaux resort just outside of San Diego, offers a well-appointed escape for those seeking an active and healthy lifestyle. Fresh from a $30 million renovation, the property has 18 recently resurfaced plexi-pave championship tennis courts and an expanded spa and fitness center, with a 1,000-square-foot Serenity Yoga Pavilion that now hosts numerous Yoga sessions, fitness classes, exercise programs and retreats hosted by top-tier fitness and wellness professionals. We love the active influence of this luxury resort, where all classes are complimentary and end with a fresh cold-pressed juice or protein shake. Plus, the resort’s all-suite casita-style accommodations make you feel as if you’re in a well-appointed private home, albeit one with Frette terry robes, Illy espresso machines and perhaps a private plunge pool.
Perks for Lily Pond Luxury Clients include:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Daily full breakfast for two guests per bedroom (maximum $40 credit per person)
$100 USD Resort or Hotel credit, (Not valid in Sheridan, the resort's boutique. Not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Irving, Texas
Just moments from Dallas and Fort Worth proper sits a go-to resort for well-heeled Texans and visitors alike, the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas. Following the “everything is bigger in Texas” motto, the resort boasts a 176,000-square-foot sports club, four indoor and eight outdoor tennis courts, a saltwater lap pool, squash and racquetball courts and a running track. One of our favorite options? The early bird challenge – starting at 6 AM – which means you can get in a Tennis match before a day of shopping – may we suggest a visit to the original Neiman Marcus? Of course, golfers will enjoy their fill too, thanks to two courses, the famed TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas, home to the annual AT&T Byron Nelson, as well as the exclusive Cottonwood Valley, available only to guests and members of The Sports Club at Four Seasons, with its bunker shaped like Oklahoma and lake resembling the Gulf of Mexico.
Perks for Lily Pond Luxury Clients include:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Daily continental breakfast for two guests per bedroom, in-restaurant (excludes Sunday Brunch) or via room service
$100 Resort/Hotel credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full, excludes pro shop or gift shop purchases)
Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi
For some 2022 dates, we have a third-night-free package for guests.
Lanai, Hawaii
Let’s face it, when presented with the natural splendor that is Hawaii and its many islands, it’s easy to see that golf and outdoor pursuits could become an afterthought. But the seven-island chain is known for some of the country’s most challenging and enticing links. One of our favorites? Four Seasons Resort Lanai is fresh from multi-million-dollar renovation done to the owner and Oracle CEO Larry Ellison’s exacting standards and posh perks a NOBU restaurant. Just off the coast of Maui, this intimate island is a romantic retreat, but it also boasts Hawaii’s #2 rated golf experience the Jack Nicklaus-designed Manele Golf Course, which boasts dramatic ocean views from every hole (and frequent whale sightings from the fairways) as well as a challenging five-tee concept with first shots taking place over natural gorges and ravines. Take in expert instruction with Trackman swing analyzers before booking an unlimited golf package for two or just enjoying a leisurely sunset nine-hole round.
Lily Pond Luxury Perks include:
Upgrade (one category only) on arrival, subject to availability (applicable to standard room categories only, excludes specialty suites)
Daily Continental breakfast for two guests served in the restaurant (Daily $48.00 USD breakfast credit for two, per bedroom)
$100 USD equivalent Resort or Hotel credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
Welcome Amenity
Complimentary Wi-Fi
For some 2022 dates, we can also offer 5th-night-free packages, and extra resort credit offers.
