Saddlebrook Resort
Featured in Pickleball Magazine: A Premier Pickleball Destination Just Outside Tampa
By Laura Gainor
For pickleball players looking to combine world-class training, championship golf and tennis, exceptional dining, and easy access to everything the Tampa Bay area has to offer, Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel deserves a spot at the top of your Florida travel list.
Located just 30 minutes from Tampa International Airport, Saddlebrook has long been recognized as one of the nation’s premier racket sports destinations. Today, following a significant resort-wide transformation, it offers an ideal blend of sport, relaxation and group-friendly accommodations that appeal to pickleball enthusiasts, tennis players, golfers, families, corporate groups, and even mahjong retreat organizers.
For pickleball players, the resort features eight dedicated pickleball courts along with instructional programs, clinics and social play opportunities designed for all skill levels. What truly sets Saddlebrook apart, however, is its rich racket sports heritage. The resort boasts more than 40 tennis courts, including all four Grand Slam surfaces, and has been home to legendary training programs that have attracted world-class players for decades.
Saddlebrook serves as the headquarters for both the Professional Tennis Registry and Professional Pickleball Registry, further cementing its reputation as one of the country’s premier racket sports destinations.
Golfers will appreciate the resort’s championship golf experience, making Saddlebrook a rare combination for serious golfers and avid pickleball players to enjoy elite facilities without compromise.
Accommodations are another major advantage. Saddlebrook offers spacious guest rooms and suites, many featuring separate living areas and kitchens that make them ideal for family vacations, girls getaways, guys golf weekends, or extended sports retreats. The resort’s 451-room footprint allows larger groups to stay together comfortably while enjoying a true destination experience.
The expansive pool area serves as the social hub of the resort and is the perfect place to unwind after a day on the courts. Whether you’re relaxing with friends, enjoying a cocktail poolside, or perhaps even setting up a casual game of mahjong, the atmosphere encourages connection and relaxation.
Families will also find plenty to love beyond the resort grounds. Just 15 minutes away, MetroLagoons offers an unforgettable day of adventure with inflatable obstacle courses, kayaking, paddleboarding, waterslides, swim-up bars, and family-friendly activities.
One of the most pleasant surprises at Saddlebrook is the dining. RARE 1981 delivers an upscale steakhouse experience that rivals many of Tampa’s top restaurants, making it the perfect choice for celebratory dinners, client entertainment or date nights. Meanwhile, GOAT provides a more casual yet equally enjoyable atmosphere for gathering with friends after a day of pickleball, golf or tennis. Together, they elevate the resort’s overall experience and eliminate the need to leave the property for great dining.
For meeting planners and event organizers, Saddlebrook may be one of Florida’s most underrated group destinations. Newly renovated ballrooms and more than 200,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space create tremendous opportunities for corporate retreats, incentive trips, pickleball camps, tennis clinics and emerging mahjong retreats. The combination of spacious accommodations, extensive recreational amenities, championship sports facilities, and proximity to Tampa’s attractions makes planning seamless for groups of all sizes.
Whether you’re looking to improve your game, enjoy a golf getaway, host a retreat or simply experience one of Florida’s most unique sports resorts, Saddlebrook delivers a winning combination of competition, connection and classic Florida sunshine.
Experience Saddlebrook Resort with Us
Ready to experience Saddlebrook for yourself? Join Pickleball in the Sun + Mahjong in the Sun, August 21–23, for a weekend of pickleball in the morning, mahjong in the afternoon + resort life in between. Come for Friday night Sunset Mahj, Saturday's Mahjong Marathon and optional pickleball, or make a weekend of it with poolside mahjong, resort amenities and more.
Join us for one event or make it a Mahjcation!