This review is long overdue, but I am so glad my local rec tennis pro told me about Total Tennis back in 2018. At first I was unsure about going, since I've never been to a tennis getaway, and I wasn't going with anyone. What's so nice about Total Tennis is that you can go any weekend or mid week session. Be ready to wake up early! Breakfast is early, then morning session of tennis. Break for lunch, and then more tennis! There is a rest period before dinner, wine and cheese hour, and after dinner, you can go to the bar and hang out with people or game room. I have already been a few times by myself and with my mom. The first time I had Tony who is an absolute sweetheart! He is perfect for beginners and is so easygoing and approachable. Then I had some other instructors, but not for long. I was moved to Samantha's group, and by that time, she was a great fit for me. Super funny and energetic. Kept us on our toes and always moving and challenging us. And everyone gets a 30 min private lesson, and you choose what you want to work on with your coach and you can do this any time during your stay. It is also so easy to meet people here and to just feel comfortable. And full room and board, rustic rooms, but adds to the beautiful back-drop of the Catskills. The food is great, and they always do ice cream sundae nights. There is a hot tub, outdoor pool, and you can sign up for massages (extra charge for that)! It is incredible in the fall in Oct! Perfect temperature. I have yet to try the winter!! Thank you to the director, Ed, for always giving me a great experience here :) read more

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Totally terrific experience. I've been wanting to play here for years and am so glad I did. I had a voucher at nearby Holiday Inn Express and did a three hour morning session at Total Tennis. Four of us played instructed by the funny and excellent instructor, Michael. It was a hot day on the clay but we somehow persevered. I am already thinking of when I can come for a two or three night stay. The prices are very good. I had buffet lunch included (3.5 stars) and Evan offered me use of the pool and breakfast even though I'm a day tripper. Friendly staff and a fun and fantastic experience great for Beginners to Intermediate. They have a spa and bar also at this down to earth rustic lodge. Can't wait to be back and bring some tennis friends. read more

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Terrible tennis instruction. Pro talked our ears off. Very little play. Made up stupid games nobody understood. Awful tennis experience. No refrigerators in rooms. The staff froze my insulin. Rest was ok. read more

This is the 2nd time I have been here for a 2 day winter tennis stay . I really liked the first time as 5 to 6 hours of structured play was worked in for each of the 2 days . I had improved since the last time I was here and they placed me with a group that was not challenging . This was changed for one session and I really played had for that session. Then they switched me back . This was disappointing because it made me go backwards in my tennis ability . I won't be returning . We also only really played 4 hours each day as there's a lot of standing around. As usual the food here is very good. Very nice assortment of salad and vegetables . The rooms are basic but that's all you need . I won't be returning - it takes too much trouble and expense to get 2 days of mediocre play time . read more

Total Tennis - A delicious home cooked meal with large salad selection and chocolate cake. - Tennis Near Me - Saugerties, New York

TT reminded me of the movie dirty dancing. suburban feel with a bunch of beautiful people "nobody puts baby in the corner (of the tennis court) when you leave you will feel like Jennifer grey in the last scene (time of my life) minus patrick swayze and start counting the days until you go back .... ITS TOTALLY WORTH IT !!!!!!!!!!!! Wonderful staff and instructors even the staying guest are super friendly. TT really put a lot of thoughts into each meal. Lots of varieties and delicious vegetable healthy options. There's an open salad bar and unlimited beverage station. There are so many advanced players who are really humble. And don't worry, you're grouped based on your level of skills. There are beginners who's never held a racquet. Ed the tennis director is a lovely witty man. He came around during dinner and personally checked on all the guests. Bartender Mark is also very helpful. There's a beautiful lounge area for wine and cheese. If you're looking for a place to play tennis and meet some really amazing people minus the drama this is the place for you!Also there are raffle tickets available to supporting children's education in Kenya it's 5 for $20 the winner gets $400 voucher for the next stay. The funds have helped raise doctors, lawyers don't quote me on the $400 i cant remember if we raised $400 or ..just know its for a great cause! I read a review posted on trip advisor calling this place for poor nyc residents who cannot afford nyc price. I'd love to know where in nyc can you find 10 acres of land with beautiful scenery and well maintained clay courts and variety of different courts (only clay court i know is midtown tennis club $195/hr: lodge/food/swimming pool/hot tub/foosball/table tennis/game room not included) and central park (regular courts) but good luck getting people to talk to you let alone play a game with you. TT provides a comfortable relax atmosphere for anyone who wants to get AWAY from the city and toxics to play some tennis, or simply just eat something delicious and hang out. ps They also provide on site same day service for racquet strings! read more

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so fun, my favorite vacation I've been to over the years. great exercise, great food, great new friends, great memories. love total tennis.

Here's my take: Alot depends if you are placed with others in your same skill level. Elio our Pro was excellent in giving us usable tips and actual lessons on how to improve our topspins. Our group only consisted of 3 people! And we are getting additional private lessons as part of the program. Cons: no tv in our room nor in the main lodge. I checked out the hot tub which looked clean enough but i didnt know about it beforehand and had no bathing suit, plus its a bit of a walk back to our room in the winter. Parking lot is a bit small. Tennis shop was closed. Come on guys, perfect time to make some $? Rooms have been apparently upgraded but aside frim no tv, it was cold! No thermostat. No phone. Called front desk on my cell and was told thermostat was 2 room away in another room! Lol. Someone went there to turn on heat! Basically slept in cold room the night before. Now regarding the food... pretty good, basically great salads, entrees seem heavy on carbs, but there are lots veggie choices. The chicken breasts were tough and theres an overuse of CHEESE! Twice coffee ran out and lastly, we found a hair in our food. So far i'm a little disappointed because i heard the food was supposed to be amazing. The pros include Elio the pro, and nice indoor courts. Apparently they added tip in our bill for housekeeping even though we didn't need any. OH, BTW, no shampoo/conditioner in bathroom! Bring your own! They also highly encourage tips for the pros at $50/pp. feeling like this should've been covered in total cost. All in all, a nice tennis experience, although it seems a little lacking. Website says theres live music on Saturday nts, but that didn't happen during our stay. Also, website said no kids, but at last minute they accepted 5 kids? It didn't bother me, but mgt doesn' t seem to be consistent with what represent on their website. Elio made this experience exceptional. He was knowledgeable, patient, and just knew how to suggest corrections. Wish they had some other activities going on to break up the intensive tennis. read more

Terrific rustic place for tennis and pickleball Fabulous pickle ball instructor Javier Good food and pleasant staff in restaurant Very enjoyable! Had a fun time! Highly recommend renovated rooms read more

Amazing! One of my favorite places to visit. The tennis courts and instructors are top notch. The crowd is friendly, the masseuses' are good and know how to work on tennis players and the meals are exceptional. The food is fresh and well prepared. I highly recommend. Some people complain about the rustic rooms but they all have AC and are more than adequate in my opinion. read more

We have been here many times. This past weekend was the very last time that we will be here. We actually left after the beginning hour of warm-up/drill. We were so looking forward to playing tennis for the weekend this past weekend. Arrived Friday got assigned to room 41, when we arrived in the room there was a very pungent smell coming out of the bathroom as if a dead rodent was in the room and then in the corner under the air conditioner was spiderwebs and sawdust. We reported it to the desk and they sent a maintenance gentleman up and he confirmed the smell and the spiderwebs and sawdust in the corner under the air conditioner. We all know that it's a very basic accommodation - cleanliness had never been an issue b4. We then proceeded to go up to the indoor tennis facility at which time and the owner assigns players to tennis courts. It Seemed they just kept registering people, including children (in the past it was an adult only camp). - there were so many people there. We got assigned to a court where there with eight players - so balls were coming and flying in every direction. Not all the players on the court were the same level player. My friend and I are the same level and at the owner took my Friemd to another court. When we expressed that we came together and wanted to play together, his response was no I need you on this court. Wait, it only gets better. So, rather than playing a continuous two or three hours. In order to accommodate the over abundance of players, you played for an hour came off the court for an hour went back on for an hour came off the court for an hour. If you are a player you know that that kind of play only invites injuries and loss of ones mojo! We strongly recommend that if you are serious players, you may want to inquire before registering if there will be children? If it will be the one hour on one hour off schedule (which by the way you do not even get a vote on) ED just decides who's is going to continue play or follow his one hour on one hour off schedule of play! I think when you pay $1200 for two people to attend a weekend, you should get exactly what you want! It seemed more like Tennis Disneyland than the Adult Camp we have been attending for many many years!! We only hope that the owner does the right thing and refunds our money! @lindaslist read more

Although we got off to a rocky start -- group assignments are arbitrary -- it became one of my favorite experiences. The pros are wonderful, the food is amazing (lots of vegetarian and pescatarian options), and the courts play well. Definitely recommend for any level. read more

I've been coming here for 8 years now, at least once a year. It is a unique place around these parts - a year-round adult tennis camp. And really, if you're a tennis player - Total Tennis gives you everything you'd want for a fantastic weekend. We come up here as a group of 8-12 guys, and they accommodate us and our shenanigans completely! What's great: 9-10 hours on-court, guaranteed, with a pro. (9 in winter, 10 in summer). Clay courts in summer. The food is rock solid and plentiful. The lodge is cozy and conducive to a convivial atmosphere (do I get extra points for the SAT words?) The staff is helpful and friendly. On-site massage. Most of the pros are terrific (special shout outs to Ty, Bubla and Guillermo). Accommodation of player level. We range as a group, anywhere from USTA 4.5 to 3.0 level - and yet they manage to keep us all happy. The value for dollar spent. What's OK: So look, this is not (as others have noted) a high-sheen, luxury resort. The rooms are basic, but comfortable enough. They have some nicer rooms available if you're willing to pay a little extra, but honestly all you need here is a reasonable bed and shower. Take a moment to check your wallet and realize how much you are getting in exchange for what's being spent for a weekend of Total Tennis! What's not great: Nothing, really. OK, so maybe I could live without Ed's Saturday night dinner spiels - but even those have their own charm! read more

Total Tennis - The lodge. Rustic, but good! - Tennis Near Me - Saugerties, New York

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Went for first time in May 2019 with a few guys from a Westchester Club and other friends. I had completely stopped playing tennis over 15 years ago (at 4.0 level) and returned 5 months ago. This weekend was a great help for my game. The instructors, Sharrif and Luis were first rate and gave everyone individual attention as the eight of us in our group were split over two courts. We constantly cycled though fun drills and competitions throughout the weekend to practice all strokes and aspects of the game. The sessions were very well run and organized and Sharrif and Luis had us learning and laughing the whole time. Off the courts, the accommodations were fine, as described in other reviews(bring shampoo and a blow dryer for those who use one), otherwise everything you need. We enjoyed the pool, and the hot tub was nice and clean also. The food was terrific and had a wide variety for both carnivores and vegetarians. The staff was friendly and the campers happy. This place is a great break from day to day and a terrific value. read more

This was my first time going to Total Tennis, but I went with two friends who have gone many times. I loved it, and plan to go back. I stayed in the main lodge and the room was large enough, very clean, with good A/C and wireless service. As for the tennis, I enjoyed the red clay courts, and the 8 hours of drills over a day and a half. The food was tasty, with enough variety at each meal, plus it was all you can eat, in case you couldn't make up your mind. The dinning room is open all night for ice and water all night, and they have plastic bags large enough to use as Ice packs near the ice machine. read more

I won't write a whole review because the existing 25 say it all quite perfectly. (Especially the "think of it as a camp" comments) I will ask management to create some GF dining options or label as such if they already exist. All-in-all less actual tennis time than I was expecting, better coaching than I was expecting (spent most time with Bubla but one equally productive hour w Elio and Tony) I had a Queen bed in Room 20. You had to leave the main building for just a couple of feet to get to it. It is $50 extra per night for a solo room. My room was pretty cold but there was a portable heater in the closet which I turned on and it helped immensely. The shower was a very small stall with the shower head 8 feet up. WiFi signal very strong. The walls were paper thin and you can hear people going up and down the stairs very loudly as well as your neighbors alarm clocks. Bring earplugs! Will go back. Tip #1: take a quick trip to Saugerties Lighthouse on the Hudson while you are here. Tip#2 : come early Friday to do the recurring round robin $15 read more

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I decided to take private lessons Roger was fantastic one of the best pros I've ever had I am staying at my home in Jewette for the summer and I found this great place to play I had dinner a number of times the food happens to be excellent everyone is very nice here and I plan on returning again maybe for the group lessons One of the coaches told me they have round robin on Monday nights I will look into it that would be great read more

Since January 2013, My partner and I have been here roughly 12 x's. Why? Because it is a tennis players dream; the mecca of recreational tennis in tri-state area! Here's the run down: Accommodations: It's simple. Don't expect room service! Some rooms have been recently updated but most are older by design. The beds are decent, there are plenty of towels and every room has a/c. Food: Chef Dan has put together a great menu; therefore it doesn't change a whole lot but I love that everything is locally grown/raised and there's plenty of options for omnivores & herbivores! Me - personally, I am gluten-free and dairy-free and I am a very happy camper here! Tennis: Ahhh.... the tennis! I have been to TT during both summer & winter months with half dozen different pros. They are ALL great!! Unless you are a touring pro, you will learn a lot each time and will get to hit many many balls during the wknd. The pros are knowledgeable and keeps it fun for everyone! I love every one of them! Atmosphere: People are pretty chill & laid back for the most part. It's very social; we often see large groups of people coming together but have also seen solo players (both men & women). As a woman, this is one of the very few places I would consider coming alone for a nice little getaway! Happy Hour: Saturday evenings, they have FREE wine & cheese event which is always a nice little bonus! But otherwise, all drinks are $6-$8 range. Totally affordable! Cost: I think the reason why I have been here 12+ times is because of the affordability of TT. It comes out to less than $250 per day (wknd rate) which includes ALL of your lodging, food and tennis. If you live in the tri-state area and love to play tennis, look no further - this is your spot! read more

Just had a tremendous long weekend at Total Tennis...This was my 12th time there, and they have really upped their game with a new pool, hot tub, and many improvements to the courts. Food was excellent and our pro Mike was outstanding! Still at a very reasonable price. read more

After buying a Jetsetter deal with some friends, we recently spent a weekend here and I loved it! After years of living in NYC and being constantly frustrated by the lack of tennis playing opportunities around (expensive city courts, long subway rides to the borough courts), it was a great feeling to be able to spend 6-7 hours a day on well maintained courts, hitting against players with the same enthusiasm and skill level, and having a lot of fun! Total Tennis is basically like going to camp so don't expect 5 star quality accommodation. Having said that, the rooms did provide the basics (clean bed, towels, private bathroom) and the cleaners came every morning. There are air conditioning units in each room for the warmer days but I'm not too sure what the heating situation is during the Winter. I read a lot of positive reviews about the quality of the food prior to going and was somewhat skeptical at how tasty food could be at a tennis camp. But man, I was surprised! Despite being starving after hours of tennis, the food was actually pretty amazing. It is served buffet style and every option is fresh, tasty and healthy. Breakfast is served from 7:30am onwards, lunch is served after the first session of practice and dinner is served from 7:30pm. The kitchen never ran out of food but instead, was constantly bringing out freshly made trays out and the dining area was extremely clean with big tables to socialize with other people. Onto the actual tennis sessions. On the first day, Ed (the owner) explained the skills in each USTA grading level and players self rate themselves and are then placed into groups of 4. A coach is allocated to each group and they will make sure the players are in the appropriate level and once that is determined, that's your group for the rest of the weekend. I was in a 3.5 group and the coach made us do drills that really worked on our level of skill and ability to play points strategically. The 30 min private lesson was useful and catered to what you specifically wanted to work on. I went with a group of 6 and most of us were more than happy with our coaches. It really does depend on who you get, I was lucky enough to have one who was really focused on improving every player in his group and was able to have fun with us as well (not too bad on the eyes either!). On the Saturday night, they hosted a complimentary cheese and wine affair in the living area for people to socialize and relax. The wine flowed into the dining area during dinner, which probably explained some rowdy (but funny) older women cranking it up on the dance floor in the "barn yard disco" later that night. After a 9-5 tennis day, I wasn't able to keep up with the rest of the camp and retreated back to my room. Even though my room was situated right above the barn yard, I managed to sleep through the music (which apparently stops at 11pm). The overall structure of the weekend was perfect - there was enough time in between breaks but not too slow paced as a lot of tennis was able to be played. Great work out, great break away from the city, and I definitely recommend this to any tennis enthusiast out there! read more

Just got back from 2 day mid week session. It was so much fun. Everyone was so nice. We stayed in a renovated room that was super clean, comfortable, spacious. Our instructor Rich was great, attentive, personable, knowledgeable - improved my game a lot. Food was great. Can't wait to go again. An incredible value. read more

You may not be put in the correct hitting group... the owner and coaches will talk a lot, not take off their jackets, move slowly, sit and look at their phones when your are hitting. They are super nice though but can you imagine a teacher in your child's classroom checking out their phone while teaching. They should ask for your rating or ability at check in so they can group quickly. I asked the owner for more time (after much discussion about what levels are, etc) and not only did he drop me a level he did not put my in my current level (USTA) hitting group the next day when they had room. I went there to get over Paddle Tennis and get my tennis game going again. He has been doing it for 40 years he said. So we should not ever change the way we do things? Total tennis needs to move quickly I believe and try to hyper focus on improving ones games. It is more of a drills weekend. Anyway, the other tennis players that go there are wonderful, food is good, kitchen staff sweet.... just be careful not to expect or ask for more..... read more

Just came back from one of the many stays which are too often to count and there are some positive changes to this wonderful camp. New furniture, fresh paint in the rooms and lodge, paved parking lot, new patios, courts have been cleaned, etc. which looks more updated. The food was always great but the new chefs are amazing. Lots of variety and excitement in the kitchen now so you can really look forward to the meals there. It's still the best value vacation for the money and also the most fun. Even if you don't play tennis, this is a great way to start playing. I enjoy my wifi but prior to last year, you would have to come to the lodge to use wifi. It may have caused more people to socialize rather than hang out in their room but you can't stop progress. My family and I truly love this place and vow to come more often! read more

WOW!!! Where do I start? The facility, the staff, the lessons (Tony), the Jacuzzi, the masseuse (Nikki), the bar, the room and the entire experience far exceeded my expectations. FACILITY: Rustic tennis camp (not a resort) in the foothills of the Catskills. Trees and wildlife (deer) beauty as far as the eyes can see. Staff extends themselves to no end to make sure you are well attended to. ROOMS: Yes they are basic but they are VERY clean and hardly in any fashion borderline. My suggestion is bring your own shampoo, your own soap and your own toiletries and pillows. We slept wonderfully on a comfortable yet firm bed and please disregard any comment of squeaky mattresses...that's silly and untrue. FOOD: Out of this world. Totally unexpected and the dining room and food service area is impeccable. Brightly lit and very comfortable. Coffee always available but if you want to have soda or diet-soda...bring your own. As the cuisine is exceptional, this camp also follows a healthy menu, LESSONS: Both of us are considered solid 3.5 players and do well in mixed doubles, however warm-ups and evaluations we were segregated from the 4.0+ players by a country mile! That's when we hooked up with our pro (Tony) and words cannot express the depth of technical lessons and experience we enjoyed. Tony has an unbelievable eye to address our individual weakness and capitalize on our individual strengths. All of us left as better players under his keen and skillful tutelage. MASSAGE: In one word...Nikki. We chose to get two 25 minute massages in two subsequent days versus and hour massage for one day. Nikki specializes in sports massages for athletes. Those in the know, know there is a HUGE difference between a sports therapist and a masseuse. VALUE: Seriously...do we need to go there? Anyone who do not see the exceptional value with Total Tennis need to have their heads examined. WE ARE DEFINITELY REPEAT CUSTOMERS FROM THIS POINT FORWARD.! read more

Been attending a few times a year for over 30 years and it still is terrific. Why? It's the people. ELLEN at the desk, Bubla and the other pros, the massage therapists, Dan the chef and so on. I always am surprised to find some bloke who has been attending Total Tennis longer than me. I started attending when the camp was located by Ed at a primitive boys school in MA decades ago. Maybe that's why I scratch my head when some people complain about the slightly spartan accommodations now. In comparison this place is the Four Seasons. Wake up groaners and moaners. This place is cheap compared to the camps in Fl or S.C. when you add in the flights and meals. If you look for problems you will find them everywhere? That includes Total Tennis. It's best if you come with a chum at your ability but I have come alone many a year. It's also great to take a kid if they like tennis and don't mind the workout. This is not for the spoiled set. Leave them at home with their nanny. Eclectic E Coast tennis fans. Some from LI, Boston, Westchester, Manhattan and Queens for the most part. Most are 3.0 to 4.0 yet very nice to beginners. read more

I spent the weekend of Oct 18, 2013 at Total Tennis. I cannot say enough good things.The accommodations, food and staff are wonderful. The tennis instruction is superb. This is such an incredible class act. The people who come there are really friendly and nice and most important of all very serious tennis players looking to improve their game. read more

Total Tennis - A beautiful view of the clay courts at Total Tennis on a beautiful fall weekend. - Tennis Near Me - Saugerties, New York

What a great experience! The pros were knowledgeable and fun, the staff was so nice and accommodating and the food was fantastic!

These 4 stars should be taken with a grain of salt. There are a lot of things that I love about this place, but it's all through a lens of managed expectations. Whenever I tell people about this place I always describe it as a camp--not a resort. If you're expecting a resort you'll be disappointed. The tennis pros here range. Some of my friends love their pros and come back and request them again and again. Some pros are just OK. I've liked all of the pros that I've had, although there are a couple that would not necessarily want to work with for multiple visits. They seem to do a good job of accommodating various levels. I know 2.5 players and 4.5 players who have been multiple times. I always go with a group of friends which makes a difference. I imagine it might be difficult to assess and match up random players. The management and pros are generally very good about working with groups--making sure that 2 groups of 4 stay on adjacent courts so they can do joint drills and games. (In fact, the last time I was there we had a group of 13 people and they even had a table reserved for us in the dining room.) I've only ever done the Friday-Sunday sessions. It's a good amount of tennis. I'm always hurting a little at the end of saturday, but ready for more on sunday morning. The accommodations are probably the weakest link here. The rooms that I've seen are clean, but mostly in need up updating. I recently stayed in an updated room, which was fine, but definitely done on a budget. The beds were squeaky and the bathroom fixtures were a little wobbly. Again, if you think "camp" then you'll be fine. There might be nicer rooms, but my group likes to stay in the main building, so that's my only reference. The main building is a little more expensive, but it's close to the dining room which means you can easily run down in the middle of the night for some water or ice. It's also nice to be close to your room before and after meals in case you don't want to carry your gear to meals or just to pop in for anything you forgot. The food is surprisingly good. The dining room itself isn't very appealing and the meals are served cafeteria-style (with bussing service on Saturday nights.) But the food is fresh and delicious. They try to use organic and local food. I believe they even have their own farm nearby where they grow some of the produce. Chef always has a good variety of flavors and textures. Nothing fancy, but always good. Some highlights for me: roasted butternut squash, tennis racquet pasta, scones. My group likes to sit around and have some drinks at night. They have a small bar in the main building and another one in the barn (where they host a party on Saturday nights.) We'll often just gather on the porch by our rooms and have our own party. We bring our own wine for dinner ($5 corking fee) and liquor for cocktails. I've been a handful of times and always have a great time. A large part of that is due to the group that I'm with, but the food and tennis are definitely worth it. Actually, for all it's shortcomings, it's worth mentioning that this place is a great deal compared to any other tennis weekend. I don't think you'll find any other place at this price point that includes room and meals. (And for me, it's within driving distance, which is also a huge money saver.) I might like to splurge and go to one of the resorts in Florida or Texas, but for an annual group trip this is perfect. read more

Someone at my office recommended Total Tennis for coaching lessons. The facility, staff, accommodations, and Tennis Pro's were amazing! Special Shout Out to Henar The whole experience definitely exceeded my expectations. And the food was fantastic!!! All of the other guest were extremely friendly. I can't wait to go back! I highly recommend for novice tennis players. read more

Was at total tennis this past weekend went with girlfriends for a tennis get away. People I had spoken to prior to going said it is fantastic. I just didn't see it. We were kept together and thankfully they added a person that plays good tennis I do not mind the camp like atmosphere at all! But the facility can really use an over hall. But The pool cement was cracked with chunks of cement missing and was very dirty, I know it's a tennis camp but everyone was telling you to go in the pool. The courts are not welll maintained at all it was a very hot weekend they were not swept between the morning & afternoon sessions or watered. The hard courts could have used resurfacing along with weeding , we were 2 days from summer and there were still leaves on the court from the fall. The food was good but it sounds like it has been the same for years. The kitchen and wait staff were very friendly & accommodating. We were there for tennis which was very good read more

Great tennis instructors but terrible management. They'll tell you one thing when you book, and tell you another when you get there. It also took about 6 phone calls to make my reservations. read more

My husband and I were at Total Tennis this past weekend (early June) and cannot recommend it enough!!!! Service: 5 stars The people who run Total Tennis are fantastic. They are extremely accommodating, nice, friendly and helpful. I cannot say enough but here are a few examples from our experience: - We found out about Total Tennis through a friend who organizes groups to go up there twice a year. They had a deal on Gilt so all 10 of us planned to buy it. The deal sold out unfortunately so only some of us got it. My friend called them directly and they said that since they still had space that weekend, they would add more spots to Gilt City so that we could all avail of the discount -- extremely nice of them! - Soooo we are all set for our weekend trip except 10 days prior, I pulled my lower back really badly and could barely move. Hubs and I worried that since everything is paid for, our money is toast. Again, we call Total Tennis, and Ellen lets the two of us reschedule for a different weekend. They are almost booked up for May at this point but we manage to get spots for early June. - We drove up from NYC Friday night and hit some traffic so got to the area only by 845. Schedule says dinner runs 7-845pm so we are contemplating McDonald's but again call the Lodge and receptionist tells us to "come on over!" We arrive and indulge in a delicious and gigantic meal. - Lastly, on our way out, I forgot some clothes in the bedroom closet and didn't realize till we were back in NYC. Again, I call them and within two days my clothes arrive in a priority USPS box - amazing! Food: 5 stars - Total Tennis gives you 6 meals in total: 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts and 2 lunches. All the meals are served in a large cafeteria type space where everyone convenes. The food is cafeteria style with a huge salad bar in addition. There are freshly baked desserts (blondies, cookies, cupcakes, etc) every day. I am not a huge dessert or even baked goods fan but these desserts are too die for. They are super homey which is exactly what you need after playing tennis 6 hours a day. The food itself is also delicious. The menu is basic but the ingredients are flavorful and healthy (e.g. quinoa, big fresh salad bar, roast chicken, etc). No pizza, fried chicken, soda or MSG laden noodles, thankfully! There is also ice tea and coffee and some juices. Instruction: 5 stars - The first day at 830am, Ed (the owner) spells out how the weekend will work. Ed is a great guy, a tennis fanatic but also very patient and nice. Basically you self select into numbered groups based on your level. They aim to have 4 people pair with one instructor. In case you misjudge your group, Ed will come around at around 9am and move you around. If you still feel like you could move up (like I did), you can go talk to Ed and your instructor and they will be extremely responsive and e.g. let you rotate for matches into a higher ability group. - Our instructor was Parija, a 24 year old grad student who plays in Division 1. Parija was fantastic. She has a unique way of delivering instructions that are clear and actionable. Rather than beating around the bush, she will tell you exactly what you need to fix. She also somehow manages to be very nice all the while. - Over the course of the weekend you will get 12 hours of play including a 30 min private. My private ended up being only 20 minutes long which I was kind of sad about but my instructor seemed to be done for the day. I can't complain too much because I thought she was great overall and improved my game a lot. - There are also three tutorials (by Ed) for the entire class of people there that weekend on how to serve, tactics for playing doubles and how to best use slice and top spin. These tutorials happen on the show court at the start of each session and last about 15-20 minutes tops. Accommodation: 4 stars - No complaints about the space. It feels like a camp, for adults, which is what I expected. The rooms are basic but functional with AC, pvt bathroom, etc. Our room was above the barn which is where the Saturday night party happens so it was a little noisy till 11pm when they shut down but honestly we were so spent from the day that the music didnt stop us from falling asleep at 1030pm. I think if you get a room at the main lodge, you may have your own balcony. Your room is also cleaned for you on both days. Check out us at 4pm Sunday. Social: 5 stars Pretty much everyone is from Manhattan. We met a lot of cool people. They have a wine and cheese social on Saturday night, followed by dinner and then a DJ and dancing. Lots of board games and apparently there's a pool too though we didn't go. So would I recommend? Hell yeah! You will be so sore but it is soo worth it. And it's a great deal too. Can't wait to go back!! read more

All the various reviews I read about Total Tennis were pretty on point. It's convenient to NYC, it's in a charming rustic setting in the mountains, the tennis instruction is great and well-organized by skill level, the food is healthy and delicious and it's a pretty good value overall. I just returned from the Friday night to Sunday weekend program and truly enjoyed my experience; I plan to return this summer! The only reason I give it four stars is because I feel that the accommodations could be taken up just a notch. My husband and I payed the upcharge for the slightly nicer room, so I don't know what the regular rooms are like, but ours was recently renovated, modern, clean, air conditioned but VERY basic. For example, the only amenity in the room is soap and kleenex. There is no shampoo/conditioner/lotion or hair dryer provided in the room. As mentioned in another review, there is no TV either. The only furniture was a bed, two nightstands and lamps, a digital alarm clock, and a bench at the foot of the bed. Really, it's okay since after hours of tennis in the hot sun, you won't have much energy to do anything other than sleep. However, it might have been nice to have a bathtub to soak in (there is a hot tub on the grounds) or TV to watch a movie on at night or a hairdryer since I hate having to pack my big one and my hair never air-dries well. Even though you're at "camp" to "work" on your tennis game, creature comforts are always nice. The food really is quite good. I'm vegetarian and always trying to eat healthily and there were fantastic choices of yummy veggies, whole grains, and fruit at every meal. There were healthy meat options as well (roast, salmon, chicken, etc.) and you can easily eat vegan or gluten-free if that's your thing. There's a bar open in the evening in the "living room area" of the lodge and you can buy drinks and bring them to the dining room (wine is a reasonable $5 per glass and $20 per bottle). Or you can bring your own wine for a $5 corkage fee. I had a massage at the spa ($40 for 25 minutes or $80 for 55 minutes) and was very satisfied. By the time I arrived at the lodge on Friday night though, there was only one 25 minute spot left! Next time I'll call Ellen (who is lovely and works reception and runs a lot of the show) and try to reserve a massage before I get there. The pool was also basic but clean and well-sized. I haven't focused much on the tennis instruction because I think most other reviewers have covered it well; my instructors were great and really gave me a lot of personalized points to work on. The drills and games during the day were fast-paced, fun, and appropriate. For anyone who's curious about the gym...it's straight out of 1980 and in a dark hallway. Don't plan on wanting to do your regular workout there. In summary, Total Tennis is a great place to improve your tennis game, the staff is super nice and helpful, it's clean and well kept but very basic, bring anything you think you'll need for the weekend! read more

Don't waste your money!! I went with a friend for the weekend. I had been looking forward to it for months but was disappointed in every way. The tennis instruction was mediocre, the food bland, and the accommodations straight out of the 70s. Our weekend was overbooked (they added a bunch of people two days before off the waitlist when the weather forecast looked good) so when there was the threat of rain on Sunday, they knew there would not be enough indoor court space for everyone and had everyone play for 6 hours in one day on Saturday. Youre better off taking a few private or semi-private lessons. read more

A fantastic retreat focused on tennis. We just finished our second weekend in two years. It is a beautiful setting, walking to the courts from your room through trees or by the pool. They are really a well greased machine, providing water, Gatorade and great cafeteria style meals. The salad bar is always really good! This is not super fancy-so check your Four Season's requirements. Rooms are clean and newly redone. Our room was small-which was fine-we spent so little time in it. Bring outfits to change mid-day-the summer heat is crazy. The pros are very focused, great skill and extra effort in personalized coaching. Maximum of 4 per pro. I hope to return in the winter with our kids. read more

In writing this I'll be mentioning what I liked, which was a lot, but offering clues to help others decide that they may not like certain aspects. First off, I am an advanced tennis player and in pretty good shape. I went with 4 other friends for a weekend, but they were already set as a 4 person group. On Saturday morning they let every non-grouped person self-rate themselves into a wide range of groups. I would recommend going with similarly ranked players in a preset group, but going solo worked really well for me. I was on the "highest" court, and was right next to the "total beginner" court. My pro did not go deep into technical aspects, just a lot of reps and situational drills. Which I think was perfect. Next to us, I was really impressed with how the "beginners" pro started slow, but she was not dragging out the technical aspects of the game. We stayed next to the beginners all weekend and they really improved. I had a competitive match on Monday after my weekend and I was clearly better for it. I pushed myself because I could with my fitness level, but 10 hours on court in 2 days can be a bit much. Pace yourself. In total, beginner or advanced, you will get better if you work at it at Total Tennis. As for the ancillary parts, the staff was friendly. The food was good, especially for being buffet style. You will not go hungry. I have no diet restrictions, but it seemed like they made an effort to offer options. They keep fluids on the courts and give you a water bottle, nice touch. The room I was in was separate from the main lodge. It was rustic. Three small beds, small but clean bathroom, night light and just enough storage. I was alone in the room. Some of my friends felt the accommodations were too sparse, but I enjoyed them. It reminded me of being at a summer camp for tennis, coupled with the communal dining and this veteran was right at home. But if you really prefer more upscale facilities, this may be an issue for you. The main lodge was quaint and has WiFi, a small bar, and a tv room downstairs. On Saturday night they had a dj in the barn. Some people went, while others stayed in the bar area or retreated to their rooms. Again, for me in a weekend dedicated to tennis, it was perfect, but decide for yourself. They have a hot tub I took advantage of and offered massages for an additional fee. All in all, I plan to return in the spring, ideally I'll go with 3 similarly skilled friends, but I would go solo all the same. read more

I have been going to Total Tennis for a number of years. I would suggest going with at least one other person if at all possible who plays at a similar level as yourself. The best part of this place is the ability of the pros to alter their style and intensity based on the level of the players on the court. The effort to put people of like ability together on one court, who don't know each is tricky at best. Ed and his people do an admiral job in this area. The food is excellent and the accommodations are set up for tennis. In other words, if you are looking for a fancy room and amenities, this probably isn't the place for you. If however, you want a lot of court time in only few days, I can think of no better place read more

I have been to Total Tennis 8 times over the past 6 years and we love it and will continue to come back. The tennis instruction is first rate but it does vary a bit according to which pro you receive as each pro has their own style- some talk more than others... but they are all strong players and good pros. They will spot your weaknesses quickly and help you to improve. The food is first rate for 3 meals per day and you don't feel guilty overeating when you are working so hard on the courts. The other campers are usually tri-state professionals and we have met some great people there over the years. Whether you are single or a couple, there is fun for all. The accommodations are very basic don't come with luxury hotel expectations. There are no TV's in the rooms and they are decorated in rustic style. There is a spa which I hear great comments about. There is a hot tub which helps in recuperating your body. Wine and cheese night is fun and there is a DJ on Saturday night. Ed is the Director and he is passionate about tennis and he can at times be blunt, but we have gotten to know him over the years and he and his family are all great people. We have seen improvements to TT over the years with several of the cottages upgraded, the new paddle tennis courts, and adjustments and improvements in the daily schedule. Ideally the pool would be nicer and the barn would have better equipment (pool table, bar, table tennis) for the DJ night.... but these are petty complaints. You go to Total Tennis for the tennis instruction, for a great workout and to improve your tennis game. Ancillary benefits are the social aspect and the great food. read more

This is my first time attending total tennis. I'm a beg ginger in tennis with a couple of summers working with a pro. I've read past reviews so I asked for a renovated room with a at least a full size bed. It wasnt in the main lodge so no wifi which didn't bother me much since I'd forgotten also my phone charger. Oops. My advise is get some uv protection clothes. 5 hours daily in the sun will fry anyone. I was too busy sweating to remember to reapply the sunblock and even reapplication didn't much help. I went for the 3 day full on tennis. The pros were pretty good and it was nice to rally and do drills within a small group. My group was 6 w 2 pros. The 3rd day all the beginners had left so I joined a group of more advanced players and that was a surprise bonus. The food is varied and good. As well as plentiful. The bar could've been open more. But thats not really the focus of total tennis. A day of tennis ends at 3. So a nice cold beer after would've been indulgent and nice!!! The ping pong pong room needs some attention. It's a huge space under utilized. I heard thru the grape vine that they do plan on updating some of the older rooms. Go to total tennis if you want encouraging tennis boot camp. I went by myself and found lots of groups. Fortunately it was easy enough to find some friendly souls to eat and hang out with. The pool is cold. But no complaints. Just happy to have a time that I wasn't sweating buckets. This place is reasonably priced, easy to get to and I plan on visiting again better prepared! We also played on clay courts which was a nice change from NYC public courts! read more

My husband and I have been going to Total Tennis for about 4 years now about 3-4x a year. We live in NYC and always enjoy it as a weekend getaway, but I am sad to say the place is just too tired. We have been able to justify the outdated accommodations and under-maintenanced courts for a long time, but we just CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE. The owner seems totally checked out and we feel like we are just getting ripped off. Here is the breakdown: PROs: (1) Instruction, instruction, instruction There are some VERY STRONG instructors here. I haven't had all of them, but the ones my husband and I have had are awesome. I can't say enough about how great they are and how much they care about your improvement. They are truly the highlight of the weekend. I'd follow them anywhere! (2) Staff - the front desk and other staff is also excellent. They are very helpful and a joy to interact with. CONs: (1) Ed, Ed and Ed (the owner) He just doesn't care about the facility anymore and has not changed a single thing in many many years. He also doesn't care about getting people into the correct groups. Several times he has placed me and my husband in the wrong group and would not correct it, which made for a disappointing weekend. We totally understand it can be challenging to make sure everyone is happy all the time, but this indifference has been a pattern for many visits. The facility also REALLY needs some upgrades, it feels like he just "gave up" - this is the MAIN reason we don't want to come here anymore. (2) Food To be very clear, the food is good and always tastes fresh and well prepared, but they have had the SAME MENU for the past 4 years. I can take any more tennis pasta with porchini mushroom sauce! The menu is literally EXACTLY the same and generic - another example of the owner being extremely complacent. (3) Facilities No hot tub anymore and no reason why. Many of the balls are dead and many of the courts need some serious maintenance OVERALL: I wish this place had some more TLC because I really love the concept, but after so many years and nothing changing for the better I just don't want to give them anymore of my money. Very sorry to say that!! Please reach out if you know of any alternatives! read more

Good lord, I felt like a prisoner on my court! There is no method to the madness of how they assign people to courts, of which you are stuck the entire 2 days. Although if you come with a group of four then your set. So the guy in doesn't know names just asks people in a line what their level is. Most people don't know. I play usta 4.0 and 4.5 singles, and besides a court of 4 men who looked like a similar level, others played at 2.5-3.0 levels (not that there anything wrong with that). The female instructor looked like she just rolled out of bed, comes in with black smudged eyeliner, uncombed hair in her eyes, wearing a snorkel jacket the whole time (not that there anything wrong with that if your not instructing tennis to people who fork over $500 for 2 days of tennis). After 30 minutes of 8 people rotating on 2 courts, ( and the female instructor telling me to change my stroke to a windshield wiper forehand ( great for my tennis elbow), they put me with (very nice) 3.0 players at best and an instructor, who also was a nice enough guy, was clearly on auto pilot,having been doing the same basic drills since 1998! And when I say basic, I mean literally hitting down the line and xcourt at the baseline then net with another player over and over and over for 2 days! Oh and 30 minutes of mini tennis 2x a day. I should have been paid to be a ball feeder. After an enduring 1.5 hrs of said drills, the guy in charge comes over with a clip boar, so I'm thinking finally! Nope, he just says that my afternoon session is from 2-4, even though the other girls I come with we're told we'd all be finished by 1:30. No problem! I say, just refund me the afternoon session. He avoided an answer and told me to talk to the front desk, upon which I was scoffed at and told it would figure it out. I tell him the level of play is not what I was expecting, can I be put on the court with the men? Nope, not an option, I guess I'm the odd one out. I've been playing for 30 years, had plenty of instruction, taught clinics, played college tennis and I can unequivocally say, this is a horrible tennis program, if it can even be called that. There is no plan to instruction, no evaluation, they don't even ask for your level of play when making reservation. The facilities are not well maintained, balls are dead, moat staff could care less, with exception of a few instructors, The only thing that I enjoyed was the social time with the friends I came with- although I would have much rather paid the $500 and gone back to the TOPNOTCH resort TENNIS where there's professional tennis instruction In a beautiful setting. read more