It’s hard to escape the rhythmic thunk of balls being hit across nets at the moment. Whether it’s Wimbledon-inspired or the result of the current padel boom – it’s the fastest growing racquet sport in the UK – we’ve all gone ball-crazy (and we’re not talking about the football!).

So it’s no surprise to discover there are more active holidays on offer this summer in the UK, Europe and around the world, giving guests the chance to learn how to play tennis, padel or both, with expert tuition and plenty of time to practise your best shots – call it a ‘Game, set & getaway’. There are great options for intermediate players, too, who want to improve their ball skills, or just get on to a court they haven’t had to fight to book weeks in advance (IYKYK).

But first things first – are you even pronouncing padel correctly? This mash-up of squash and tennis played on a glass-walled court, hails from Mexico where it was invented in 1969 by businessman Enrique Corcuera. Since then its taken off like Djokovic’s serve and there are 30 million players worldwide including more than 860,000 in the UK.

The name comes from the Spanish word ‘pádel’ (derived from the English word ‘paddle’) with some calling it ‘PAH-del’ with the emphasis on the first syllable and others ‘Pa-DEL’ like the racquet it’s played with. In the GH office, the jury’s still out but whichever way you say it, there’s no doubt you’ll be playing more of it this summer. Here are the best destinations to head to whether you want a tennis holiday, padel break or to hire a house with its own court. New balls please!

Where to play and stayHire an Airbnb with its own centre courtlarge brick house with manicured lawn and hedges under a blue sky.Oliver Pohlmann

Surrey Hills Home, Ewhurst

Airbnb give guests the chance to serve, rally and unwind in style at properties with private tennis courts around the world – sadly, they don’t have one with its own padel court – yet! The most affordable property we found is this country cottage with its own tennis court AND outdoor pool close to Ashdown Forest in East Sussex for under £50pp a night in July. Or how about a two-bedroom penthouse in Surrey at the top of a stunning country house with a private tennis and BBQ terrace for post-match Pimms?

In Kent, you can stay in Lavender Cottage near Yalding set in 2.5acres of gardens with a private tennis court, which is dog-friendly, too – just make sure they don’t try to chase all your balls!

If you’d rather head to Europe for a tennis break – escape the heat by staying in the mountains at this Country House, which sleeps six in the Dolomites. The stunning tennis court in its grounds has been voted the most beautiful in the world by tennis brand Wilson.

2. Win a trophy on an iconic country estate

aerial shot of the padel court at beaverbrookBeaverbrook

Aerial shot of the Padel court at Beaverbrook

Beaverbrook – a mere 20 miles south of the world’s most famous tennis tournament – aces it as another place to play and stay. Nestled in the picturesque Surrey Hills, this opulent 19th-century mansion is every racket-sport lover’s dream, pairing excellent tennis, pickleball and padel facilities with elegant interiors, a rejuvenating post-match spa and top-notch fine dining (take a culinary (tie)break at The Garden House restaurant, which serves up delicious Anglo-Italian dishes). Whatever your personal preference, if you’re looking for immaculate courts and expert coaching to fine-tune your topspin or boost your back-wall blast, this quintessentially English country house serves up racket sports in luxurious five-star style.

3. Play in Mexico, the birthplace of padel

people walking on a path towards tennis courts surrounded by palm trees.

Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita

For a luxury sporting break with exceptional padel, pickleball and tennis facilities, expert coaching and immaculate courts there’s nowhere better than Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita. A five-star resort on the Mexican Riviera Nayarit, just a 45-minute drive from Puerto Vallarta, you’ll soon find your rhythm under the Mexican sun. Whether you’re perfecting your backhand or your bandeja, every shot (of tennis and tequila) comes with a glorious ocean view beneath tropical blue skies. Off court, spacious oceanfront accommodation, award-winning dining and warm Mexican hospitality will reward your sporting efforts.

4. Head to padel’s European headquarters

garden with pergola and tennis court, surrounded by trees and mountains in the background.

Padel soon made its way to Spain from Mexico, where, in 1974, aristocrat Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe-Langenburg built Europe’s first padel courts at the Marbella Club, his luxury resort on the Costa del Sol. These days, the Club’s elegant outdoor court, set within lush subtropical gardens, offers a calm environment where keen players can focus on timing, positioning and finesse. If tennis is your first love, the Puente Romano Tennis Club’s 14 courts provide unrivalled professional-standard facilities at the hotel’s neighbouring resort – with world-class coaches hosting year-round programmes for adults and children of all levels. It’s the perfect place to elevate your lobs and take your globos to new heights.

aerial view of a coastal resort with a large pool and docked boats in the bay.Chris Fynes

Aerial view of La Gavina

Alternatively, on the Costa Brava, you can learn how to play in the legendary Hostal de la Gavina, once a holiday hideaway for Hollywood stars such as Elizabeth Taylor, Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra. These days, thanks to its Club Deportivo sports club, the legendary hotel has reinvented itself as world-class tennis and padel resort, overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean sea. Its red-clay courts evoke the spirit of Roland Garros, promising long rallies and tactical play; while two cutting-edge padel courts provide a sophisticated setting that’ll certainly put the chic into your chiquitas. Spend mornings perfecting your game before relaxing by the sea, unwinding at the spa or dining on the terrace overlooking the bay. Game, set and match.

5. Try padel at sea

outdoor tennis court with net and blue surface on a ship deck.

Oceania Cruises

Hot on the heels of every new travel trend, cruise ships including Cunard’s Queen Anne, and Oceania Cruises’ Oceania Vista and Oceania Allura, now have full-size padel (and pickleball) courts on dedicated sports decks with more planned on new ships such as Oceania Sonata, which launches next year. With mini tournaments and courts that are never too busy, you’ll love playing on the high seas – just don’t let the magnificent view of the horizon encourage you take your eye off the ball.

6. Learn with the elite in Florida

grand building with palm trees and red brick driveway under a clear blue sky.

Courtesy The Breakers

Florida is well known as a centre for excellence when it comes to tennis coaching academies and facilities and The Breakers (the Sunshine State’s ultimate holiday destination for tennis fanatics) is no exception. This iconic resort pairs championship-calibre courts with oceanfront luxury, creating the perfect playground for devoted racket-sport aficionados. Offering tennis, pickleball and padel, there are 16 state-of-the-art courts, as well as clinics and private sessions with certified professional instructors. For Wimbledon wannabes, the resort even has four hydroponic grass courts that are sure to keep you (and your strokes) grounded. Whether you’re honing your slice or sharpening your grass-court skills, this Palm Beach paradise is a smashing sporting retreat.

7. Get fit with the kids on a UK family sports break

two tennis rackets and a ball on blue court.

Down Hall

Award-winning Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate in Essex, the only hotel with an outdoor padel court in southeast England, has introduced a new Padel Tennis staycation this summer from £462pp. Perfect for teenagers, it includes two one-hour court sessions of either padel, tennis or badminton, accommodation in a family room with built-in bunk beds, a Nintendo Switch and in-room snack station packed with treats.

There are also football goals, giant chess, croquet, and boules to play in the grounds, a fully-equipped gym and steam room and sauna at the Eden Spa.

8. Join the Annabel Croft Tennis and Padel Academy in Portugal

tennis courts surrounded by trees near a golf course and ocean in a resort setting

Annabel Croft Pine Cliffs Resort

At Pine Cliffs Resort, a Luxury Collection Resort in the Algarve, guests can sign up for world-class coaching as part of their summer holiday. There are four floodlit tennis courts – two clay and two hard – as well as four state-of-the-art padel courts available for play, day or night, in the Annabel Croft Tennis and Padel Academy. Developed in partnership with the former British No. 1, it’s one of Europe’s leading destinations for both games with group coaching, private lessons and friendly competition, enhanced by the Algarve’s year-round sunshine. Adult Tennis and Padel Weekly Coaching Courses start from £320pp off-peak (Nov-March) and £345pp in peak season (Apr-Oct), while Junior Tennis & Padel Camps start from around £285pp off-peak and £310pp in peak season.