Padel’s Rise: Resorts Eagerly Attracting Players

Move Over, Pickleball: Padel is the Next Big Racket Sport Taking Hotels and Resorts by Storm

In a thrilling turn of events on the sports scene, padel is rapidly becoming the sport of choice for hotels and resorts around the world. Often described as a blend of tennis and squash, this engaging game has gained a fervent following, with enthusiasts flocking to courts in countries where it has long been established, such as Spain and Argentina. While it’s been around since the 1960s in Mexico, the recent surge in its popularity suggests that padel is ready to claim its place amongst the top racket sports.

The data speaks volumes. According to the 2024 “Global Padel Report” from Playtomic and PwC’s Strategy& consulting branch, nearly 6,000 new padel courts sprouted across the globe in 2023 alone, marking a 16% increase from the previous year. Plus, with more than 2,500 new padel clubs established worldwide, countries like France, the U.K., Germany, and the U.S. are contributing to this growing phenomenon.

Ian Ryder, co-founder of U.K.-based Padel Tripper—a company focused on creating specialized travel experiences centered around padel—emphasizes the sport’s explosive popularity. “In Spain, it’s actually overtaken soccer as a participation sport now,” he states. He predicts that within five to six years, padel will surpass pickleball in popularity in the U.S., capturing the interest of racket sport aficionados everywhere.

Launched in early 2023, Padel Tripper primarily curates padel-related trips in Spain. These offerings include a schedule of experiences along with customizable trips for private groups, featuring a standard three-night, four-day coaching package starting at around $800. This price also includes accommodations, coaching, and access to local tournaments, making it an enticing option for travel enthusiasts eager to immerse themselves in the sport.

So, what makes padel so appealing? Ryder highlights its unique blend of accessibility and social interaction. “For tennis, you’ve got to spend months just trying to get the serve right. But with padel, you can start rallying quickly without much prior skill,” he explains. This quick learning curve has made the sport approachable for players of all levels.

The sport’s intimate playing environment, characterized by a smaller, enclosed court, nurtures a vibrant community spirit. Ryder notes that “everyone’s noisy and laughing” during matches, underscoring padel’s inclusive nature, which boasts a significantly higher percentage of female players than tennis. This atmosphere not only fosters camaraderie among players but also attracts a diverse audience eager for social engagement.

Padel Tripper collaborates with luxury accommodations, one of which is the Hotel Alicante Golf. This venue features on-site padel courts and is conveniently located near one of the top padel centers globally, Bela Padel Center. Ryder emphasizes that, for many padel enthusiasts, the first thing they check when booking a holiday is the availability of padel courts. Hence, hotels that add these amenities are poised to lead the market.

The trend is not limited to Spain; prestigious hotels and resorts worldwide are jumping on the padel bandwagon. For instance, the iconic Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland introduced its Gleneagles Sporting Club last year, outfitted with three state-of-the-art padel courts and coaching services. Meanwhile, the Oberoi Marrakech in Morocco has incorporated a padel court into its fitness offerings, and the Baha Mar resort complex in the Bahamas plans to expand its John McEnroe Tennis Center to include padel courts next year.

The excitement isn’t just found across the ocean—U.S. properties are also refreshing their offerings. The Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa near San Diego recently added three padel courts, transforming one of its existing tennis courts based on guest demands. The resort’s partnership with sporting goods giant Wilson reflects a solid commitment to innovation in racket sports.

Lisa Rosenthal, club director at Rancho Valencia, reveals that guests had been inquiring about the possibility of adding padel. “We’re always looking to stay at the forefront of the racket sports and wellness industry,” she explains. The courts, built by the Spain-based company Grupo Padel Galis World, feature panoramic glass walls that enhance the connection to the beautiful surroundings, perfectly complementing the resort’s existing extensive tennis and pickleball facilities.

Compared to the sometimes-offensive sounds attached to pickleball, which is notorious for its loud “pop” when the ball makes contact with the paddle, the reception of padel has been overwhelmingly positive. Rosenthal describes it as “louder than tennis, but not as loud as pickleball.” Guests at the Rancho Valencia have shown a major interest in trying out padel, and Rosenthal has found that many are intrigued because they are unfamiliar with the padel racket and rules, making it an exciting new avenue to explore within the racket sports realm.

This addition of padel courts has proven especially popular among international guests at Rancho Valencia, many of whom are thrilled to find their favorite sport available while traveling. Rosenthal benefits from being one of the few luxury properties in the U.S. currently offering padel, positioning her establishment as a standout destination for aficionados of the game.