Join the biggest fitness trend of the summer, pick up a racket and play a game of Padel, the fastest growing sport in the world. The racket sport, typically played in doubles on a court 25% smaller than a tennis court, is fun, social and a great workout, loved by sporting legends including David Beckham, Andy Murray, Maria Sharapova, Rafael Nadal and Charles Leclerc. For those looking to play the sport in luxury, we have rounded up the best destinations in the world to do so, including Fairmont Windsor Park in the UK, Velaa Private Island in the Maldives and COMO Castello Del Nero in Tuscany.
For The Best in the UK: Fairmont Windsor Park
Elegantly set beside the 4,800 acres of Windsor’s Great Park with its historical monuments and ancient forests, Fairmont Windsor Park is a brand-new countryside hotel, designed to reflect the site’s heritage–where history and iconic elegance merge to create an outstanding destination. With wellness at the heart of the hotel, Fairmont Windsor Park has jumped on the Padel tennis trend and opened 2 courts for guests and members of the public available through booking. Private lessons are also available with International Senior Padel coach, Patricia Gisper, who will use her lifelong experience to teach players all the court craft required in a fun and friendly manner.
Part of Fairmont Windsor Parks Wellness offerings, the two Padel courts lie in their Outdoor Training Area, which captures the best in current training trends to offer an exciting workout space in an unforgettable outdoor setting. The outdoor gym centres around the huge functional training rig to offer maximum variety for group and one-to-one sessions. It allows users to take on boxing, HIIT, body weight and strength workouts in endless combinations with added climbing ropes for a unique challenge. Assault Bikes, Rowing machines, a 20m sled track and three tennis courts are also available.
Padel is available for guests and non-guests and requires pre-booking. Rates start from £575 inclusive of VAT for a Fairmont King room on a fully flexible basis. For further information, please visit www.fairmont-windsorpark.com
For Unbeatable Luxury: Velaa Private Island
Nestled within the constellation of islands that form the Noonu Atoll in the Maldives, Velaa Private Island takes exclusivity to the next level with facilities and service that go beyond traditional resorts. Getting an early start to the Padel trend, Velaa opened a fully panoramic Padel court last year available for beginners and expert players alike. With instructors’ on-hand, the court comes as demand for the sport continues to rise and offers one of the most beautiful and luxurious locations to play Padel in the world!
Velaa Private Island has a vast variety of sports offerings, from hi-tech water sports including fly-boarding and hover-boarding, Jets skis and towables, to Night Golf, tennis and a climbing wall, there is something for all thrill seekers. For those looking to relax and explore, gusts can partake in personal yoga and meditation sessions, dive into the depths of the secret underworld or take a ride on Yacht Rania, Velaa’s very own Yacht.
The cost for Padel court rental is 125 USD an hour, 175 USD a private lesson and 250 USD for a game with 2 instructors. Villas start from £1,927per night. For further information, please visit https://www.velaaprivateisland.com
For Padel and Pampering Under the Tuscan Sun: COMO Castello Del Nero
Tucked away in the Tuscan hills, COMO Castello Del Nero is a twelfth-century castle retreat situated just a short drive from the small town of Barberino Tavarnelle, where guests can practice their backhand at Sambuca Padel Club. Featuring the latest generation courts, the club offers private lessons with expert coaches, or the opportunity to play at your own pace under the glorious Tuscan sunshine.
Back at the hotel, guests can soothe aching muscles at COMO Shambhala Retreat, offering Asian-inspired treatments to relax mind and body, a state-of-the-art thermal suite and a 25-metre outdoor swimming pool. To re-energise, COMO Shambhala Cuisine is a carefully curated menu of nutritionally calibrated dishes, designed to boost concentration and energy, balance blood-sugar levels and satisfy cravings.
The cost for a private match at Sambuca Padel Club is €48 (approx. £41) for the court and €2 (approx. £1,70) per racket for 90 minutes. Rooms at COMO Castello Del Nero start from £509 per night on a Bed & Breakfast basis. For further information, please visit www.comohotels.com/en/castellodelnero.