Hotels and resorts have started taking on a different role as guest expectations around recreation, health and social interaction change. Previously, recreational facilities such as swimming pools, gyms, tennis courts and spas were considered complementary services for guests. Today, the growing interest in padel and pickleball is making hospitality companies consider sports facilities in a more integrated way.
This trend is connected to the growing interest in wellness and physical activities while travelling. The Global Wellness Institute’s Global Wellness Economy Monitor 2025 reports that wellness travellers made 1.24 billion international and domestic trips in 2024, constituting 8.3 per cent of all tourism trips and 17.6 per cent of all tourism expenditure. For hotels and resorts, this implies a broader understanding of leisure.
From Recreation Facility To Booking Consideration
Another notable change is the rising influence of sports infrastructure on accommodation decisions. For certain visitors interested in playing padel or pickleball, the presence of a suitable court may factor into their choice of a particular hotel or resort. Thus, the significance of these amenities extends well beyond filling guests’ leisure time.
As hotels respond, new courts are being built and existing spaces converted. For example, the Amanpuri resort in Thailand has two padel courts in addition to four tennis courts, while the Amanyara resort in Turks and Caicos offers tennis, pickleball and padel facilities. These examples show how racket sports are becoming part of the resort recreational experience. The challenge, however, is not only to provide another amenity for customers. For operators, the more important consideration is how to integrate the facility into the guest experience and the hotel’s infrastructure.
Re-evaluating The Usage Of Spaces
The emergence of padel and pickleball has also prompted hospitality operators to re-evaluate how spaces are used. Underutilised tennis or multipurpose courts may be repurposed for these newer sports, while dedicated courts can provide a more structured recreational experience.
The compact nature of these sports makes them interesting from the perspective of space planning. It can also allow for a higher rotation of players, with courts hosting different groups during separate sessions. This means that courts can become more than a physical infrastructure element. They can also serve as spaces for organised activities and socialisation throughout the day.
Building Social Experiences Around Sport
Another element changing the hospitality experience is the social nature of these sports. Playing padel and pickleball can encourage socialising and participation, particularly through doubles matches and training sessions.
For hotels, this means that the experience can extend beyond the courts themselves. Guests who play in the morning could continue their day with breakfast, drinks after a game or another wellness experience, bringing fitness and leisure together with food. The social aspect of these sports could also make a property attractive to people who do not stay overnight but visit at weekends for tournaments and training sessions.
Integrating Sport With Wellness
The advent of padel and pickleball also reflects the development of hotel wellness offerings. Today, wellness programmes no longer include only spa sessions, yoga and gym classes. There is room for active recreation, especially for guests who prefer to participate in activities rather than simply relax.
This means that hotels can incorporate sports activities alongside wellness, recovery and fitness services such as coaching, specialised training, saunas and ice baths. The idea is not to transform every hotel into a sports venue, but to recognise that guests want to continue their usual lifestyles while travelling.
For hotel operators, this calls for a more integrated approach to programme design, staffing and guest interaction. With increasing participation, there may be a need for dedicated coaches and scheduled sessions as part of the offering, especially at resorts where recreational activities play a significant role in the overall guest experience.
The Next Phase
The growing popularity of padel and pickleball is indicative of a larger trend in the hospitality industry, with guests increasingly seeking experiences rather than just amenities. A hotel or resort no longer competes only on the number of rooms it offers, but also on the activities and holistic experiences it provides.
The opportunity for the industry lies in recognising these sports not merely as one-off additions to recreational activities, but as part of a larger trend towards social and experience-based hospitality. As hotels look at ways to reconsider their property designs and programming, these two sports may become an integral part of what leisure at a hotel can mean.
Attributed to Puranjay Katara, Founder and Director, DACE Athletic Club
FAQs
1. How are padel and pickleball changing hotel experiences?
Padel and pickleball are expanding hotel recreation beyond traditional amenities such as swimming pools, gyms and spas. Courts, coaching sessions and organised games can give guests more ways to stay active and socialise during their stay.
2. Why are hotels and resorts adding padel and pickleball courts?
These sports can appeal to guests seeking active leisure, social interaction and wellness experiences. For some travellers, the availability of a suitable court may also influence their accommodation choice.
3. What is the difference between padel and pickleball?
Padel is generally played in doubles on an enclosed court with walls that form part of the game. Pickleball is played on a smaller court using solid paddles and a perforated plastic ball. Both can be played socially and recreationally.
4. How can hotels integrate racket sports into their wellness programmes?
Hotels can combine court access with coaching, scheduled sessions, fitness activities and recovery facilities. The approach depends on the property's space, staffing and guest profile.
5. Can padel and pickleball facilities attract non-resident visitors?
Yes. Courts can potentially support weekend sessions, coaching programmes and tournaments for local visitors who are not staying overnight, creating additional opportunities for guest engagement and facility use.
