The 8 Best Pickleball Resorts in the USA — Where to Play, Stay, and Improve Your Game
By Charles Reed | Editor in Chief, PickleballInsider.pro
Last Updated: March 2026 | Estimated Reading Time: 12 minutes
Affiliate Disclosure: PickleballInsider.pro participates in affiliate marketing programmes. If you purchase a product through one of our links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This never influences our editorial recommendations.
There is a particular kind of pickleball trip that has become increasingly popular among serious recreational players: the dedicated pickleball resort stay. Not a holiday where you happen to find a court, but a purposeful trip to a destination that has built its identity around the sport — where courts are plentiful, instruction is world-class, fellow players are everywhere, and the broader resort experience is worthy of the journey in its own right.
These destinations exist, and they are exceptional. The United States has developed a remarkable collection of resorts and communities that have embraced pickleball as a central offering, ranging from luxury desert retreats in Arizona and Florida to purpose-built pickleball campuses that attract players from around the world. This guide covers the eight best of them.
Whether you are planning a solo improvement trip, a couples’ getaway, or a group retreat with fellow players, this list will give you everything you need to choose the right destination and make the most of your time there.
What Makes a Great Pickleball Resort?
Before diving into the recommendations, it is worth establishing the criteria that distinguish a genuinely great pickleball resort from one that merely has courts:
Court Quality and Quantity — The number of courts relative to the resort’s capacity matters enormously. A resort with 200 guests and 4 courts will have you waiting. The best resorts have enough courts that you can always find a game without a significant wait.
Instruction Quality — Access to professional instruction is what separates a pickleball resort stay from simply playing at home. The best resorts employ certified professional coaches who offer clinics, private lessons, and skill-specific workshops.
Playing Community — The quality of the players you will encounter matters. Resorts that attract serious recreational players provide a better playing environment than those that primarily serve complete beginners.
Overall Resort Quality — Accommodation, dining, spa, and other amenities matter. A pickleball trip should be a genuinely enjoyable holiday, not just a series of court sessions.
Location and Accessibility — Ease of access from major airports and the quality of the surrounding environment contribute to the overall experience.
The 8 Best Pickleball Resorts in the USA
| Resort | Location | Courts | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Margaritaville Resort Orlando | Orlando, FL | 16 | Families & groups | $$$$ |
| The Westin Kierland Resort | Scottsdale, AZ | 8 | Luxury couples & professionals | $$$$ |
| Saddlebrook Resort | Wesley Chapel, FL | 45 | Serious players & instruction | $$$ |
| La Quinta Resort & Club | La Quinta, CA | 12 | Desert luxury | $$$$ |
| Rancho Bernardo Inn | San Diego, CA | 8 | Upscale California experience | $$$$ |
| Callaway Gardens | Pine Mountain, GA | 10 | Nature & recreation | $$$ |
| The Broadmoor | Colorado Springs, CO | 6 | Historic luxury | $$$$$ |
| Kiawah Island Golf Resort | Kiawah Island, SC | 8 | Coastal luxury | $$$$$ |
1. Margaritaville Resort Orlando — Best for Groups and Families
Margaritaville Resort Orlando has emerged as one of the most pickleball-forward resorts in the country, with 16 dedicated courts, a professional instruction programme, and a resort atmosphere that is genuinely fun and welcoming. The resort’s pickleball programme is one of the most comprehensive available — it includes daily open play, clinics for all skill levels, round-robin tournaments, and private lessons with certified professionals.
The resort itself is a full-scale destination — 184 acres with multiple pools, a full-service spa, diverse dining options, and accommodation ranging from standard hotel rooms to private cottages. The atmosphere is lively and social, making it an excellent choice for groups who want to combine serious pickleball with a memorable shared experience.
The Pickleball Programme
The resort’s 16 courts are divided between indoor and outdoor facilities, ensuring play is possible regardless of weather. The instruction team includes several nationally certified coaches who offer clinics ranging from beginner fundamentals to advanced strategy sessions. The daily round-robin format is particularly well-organised, ensuring players of similar skill levels are matched appropriately.
Who It Is Best For
Margaritaville Orlando is ideal for groups of four to eight players who want a combination of serious pickleball and a festive resort atmosphere. It is also excellent for families, as the resort’s broader amenities ensure non-playing family members have plenty to do.
Practical Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Orlando, Florida |
| Courts | 16 (indoor and outdoor) |
| Instruction | Daily clinics, private lessons, round-robin |
| Accommodation | Hotel rooms, cottages, villas |
| Price Range | $250–$450/night |
| Nearest Airport | Orlando International (MCO) — 20 minutes |
2. The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa — Best for Luxury Professionals
The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona, is the most elegant pickleball destination in the country. The resort has invested significantly in its pickleball programme, with eight premium courts, a professional instruction team, and a programme designed specifically for serious recreational players who want to improve their game in a luxury environment.
Scottsdale itself is an ideal backdrop for a pickleball retreat. The desert climate provides near-perfect playing conditions for most of the year — warm, dry, and sunny — and the surrounding area offers world-class golf, spa experiences, and dining that make the trip worthwhile beyond the courts.
The Westin Kierland’s broader resort quality is exceptional. The accommodation is sophisticated and well-appointed, the spa is among the best in Arizona, and the dining options — including the resort’s signature restaurant — are genuinely excellent. This is a resort that will satisfy the standards of even the most discerning professional traveller.
The Pickleball Programme
The resort’s eight courts are premium hard courts with professional lighting for evening play. The instruction programme is led by certified professionals who offer morning clinics, afternoon open play, and private lessons. The programme is structured to accommodate players from beginner to advanced, with skill-based groupings that ensure appropriate competition at every level.
Who It Is Best For
The Westin Kierland is ideal for couples, small groups of professionals, and individual players who want a luxury experience alongside serious pickleball. It is the resort on this list that most closely matches the PickleballInsider.pro audience — affluent, style-conscious professionals who want the best of both worlds.
Practical Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Scottsdale, Arizona |
| Courts | 8 (premium hard courts) |
| Instruction | Morning clinics, private lessons, open play |
| Accommodation | Hotel rooms, suites, casitas |
| Price Range | $350–$650/night |
| Nearest Airport | Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) — 25 minutes |
3. Saddlebrook Resort — Best for Serious Players and Instruction
Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel, Florida, is the most serious pickleball instruction destination in the country. The resort has 45 courts — more than any other resort on this list — and a professional instruction programme that is widely regarded as the best available for recreational players who want to make meaningful improvements to their game.
The resort’s pickleball academy is staffed by nationally certified professionals who offer multi-day improvement programmes, video analysis, and structured skill development sessions. For players who are serious about improving their game — rather than simply playing in a pleasant environment — Saddlebrook is the clear choice.
The resort itself is comfortable and well-maintained, though it is more focused on athletic excellence than luxury aesthetics. The accommodation is functional and pleasant rather than opulent, and the dining options are solid without being exceptional. The trade-off is clear: you come to Saddlebrook to improve your game, and the resort delivers on that promise better than anywhere else in the country.
Practical Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Wesley Chapel, Florida |
| Courts | 45 |
| Instruction | Multi-day academies, video analysis, private lessons |
| Accommodation | Hotel rooms, suites, villas |
| Price Range | $180–$320/night |
| Nearest Airport | Tampa International (TPA) — 30 minutes |
4. La Quinta Resort & Club — Best for Desert Luxury
La Quinta Resort & Club in the Coachella Valley, California, is one of the most beautiful resort settings in the country. The resort’s 12 pickleball courts are set against a backdrop of dramatic desert mountains, and the playing conditions — warm, dry, and consistently sunny — are among the best in the world for outdoor court sports.
The resort itself is a historic property with exceptional amenities. The accommodation ranges from standard rooms to private casitas with plunge pools, the spa is world-class, and the golf courses are among the finest in California. The broader Coachella Valley area offers excellent dining, shopping, and cultural experiences that make La Quinta an ideal destination for players who want to combine pickleball with a genuinely memorable holiday.
Practical Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | La Quinta, California |
| Courts | 12 |
| Instruction | Clinics and private lessons available |
| Accommodation | Rooms, suites, casitas |
| Price Range | $400–$800/night |
| Nearest Airport | Palm Springs International (PSP) — 20 minutes |
5. Rancho Bernardo Inn — Best for the Upscale California Experience
Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego, California, offers a sophisticated pickleball experience in one of the most desirable locations in the country. The resort’s eight courts are set within beautifully landscaped grounds, and the instruction programme is led by certified professionals who offer clinics and private lessons throughout the week.
San Diego’s climate is arguably the best in the United States for outdoor sports — mild, sunny, and consistent year-round. The resort’s proximity to the city’s world-class dining, beaches, and cultural attractions makes it an ideal destination for players who want to combine pickleball with a broader California experience.
Practical Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | San Diego, California |
| Courts | 8 |
| Instruction | Clinics and private lessons |
| Accommodation | Rooms, suites, casitas |
| Price Range | $350–$600/night |
| Nearest Airport | San Diego International (SAN) — 30 minutes |
6. Callaway Gardens — Best for Nature and Recreation
Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia, offers a unique pickleball experience embedded within one of the most beautiful natural settings in the American South. The resort’s 10 courts are set within 2,500 acres of gardens, forests, and lakes, and the broader resort experience — cycling, kayaking, butterfly centre, and world-class gardens — makes it an exceptional destination for players who want to combine pickleball with a nature-focused retreat.
The pickleball programme is well-organised, with daily open play, clinics, and private lessons available. The instruction quality is solid, and the playing community tends to be friendly and welcoming — reflecting the resort’s family-oriented atmosphere.
Practical Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Pine Mountain, Georgia |
| Courts | 10 |
| Instruction | Clinics, open play, private lessons |
| Accommodation | Rooms, cottages, villas |
| Price Range | $200–$380/night |
| Nearest Airport | Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL) — 75 minutes |
7. The Broadmoor — Best for Historic Luxury
The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is one of the most storied luxury resorts in the United States — a Forbes Five-Star property with a century of history and an exceptional standard of hospitality. The resort’s six pickleball courts are a relatively recent addition, reflecting the sport’s growing popularity among the affluent demographic that The Broadmoor serves.
The pickleball programme is well-run and professionally staffed, and the resort’s broader amenities — spa, golf, fine dining, and the spectacular Rocky Mountain backdrop — make it one of the most memorable destinations on this list. The Broadmoor is not primarily a pickleball destination, but it is the most luxurious resort on this list that takes the sport seriously.
Practical Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| Courts | 6 |
| Instruction | Private lessons and clinics available |
| Accommodation | Rooms, suites, cottages, private homes |
| Price Range | $500–$1,200/night |
| Nearest Airport | Colorado Springs (COS) — 15 minutes |
8. Kiawah Island Golf Resort — Best for Coastal Luxury
Kiawah Island Golf Resort on the South Carolina coast is best known for its world-class golf, but its pickleball programme has grown significantly in recent years and now represents one of the finest coastal pickleball experiences in the country. The resort’s eight courts are set within a stunning barrier island environment, and the combination of excellent pickleball, pristine beaches, and exceptional dining makes Kiawah Island one of the most complete resort experiences on this list.
The instruction programme is professionally staffed, and the resort’s playing community tends to be experienced and competitive — reflecting the calibre of guest that Kiawah Island attracts.
Practical Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Kiawah Island, South Carolina |
| Courts | 8 |
| Instruction | Clinics and private lessons |
| Accommodation | Rooms, suites, villas, private homes |
| Price Range | $400–$900/night |
| Nearest Airport | Charleston International (CHS) — 45 minutes |
Planning Your Pickleball Resort Trip: Practical Advice
Book Courts in Advance. The most popular resorts fill their court time quickly, particularly during peak season. Contact the resort’s sports desk when booking your accommodation to reserve court time and instruction sessions.
Choose the Right Season. Florida and Arizona resorts are best visited between October and April, when temperatures are ideal for outdoor play. California resorts are excellent year-round. Colorado and Georgia are best in summer and early autumn.
Consider a Package. Many resorts offer pickleball packages that bundle accommodation, court time, and instruction at a meaningful discount compared to booking separately. Ask specifically about pickleball packages when making your reservation.
Bring Your Own Paddle. Resort-provided paddles are typically entry-level equipment. Bringing your own paddle ensures you play with familiar equipment and can focus on your game rather than adjusting to unfamiliar gear.
Allow Recovery Time. Intensive pickleball — multiple sessions per day over several days — is more physically demanding than it appears. Build rest days or lighter activity days into your itinerary to avoid fatigue and injury.
Final Thoughts
The United States has developed a remarkable collection of pickleball resort destinations, and the eight properties on this list represent the best of what is available. Whether you prioritise instruction quality, luxury amenities, natural setting, or a combination of all three, there is a destination on this list that will exceed your expectations.
For international players — particularly those travelling from Australia, where pickleball is growing rapidly — these destinations represent some of the finest pickleball experiences in the world. The combination of world-class instruction, premium facilities, and the broader resort experience makes a US pickleball resort trip a genuinely worthwhile investment.
For our guide to international pickleball destinations, see: Pickleball in Bali — The Ultimate Travel Guide for the Serious Player.
Charles Reed is the Editor in Chief of PickleballInsider.pro. He has been playing pickleball for approximately one year, holds a DUPR rating of 3.5, and plays primarily on outdoor courts.
Related Articles:
