Summary
The 963-room Boca Raton Resort lies halfway between Palm Beach and Ft. Lauderdale. It is a perfect spot for tennis players who love to play while enjoying the warm weather and luxurious accommodations. BlueStar rates it a top choice for a high class tennis vacation in Florida.

Overview
A new tennis complex highlights the tennis program at The Boca. The tennis program also has very friendly tennis concierges who find matches for guests, typically by calling on local members. The "tennis concierges," call locals and find players with the same skill levels and also put together a personalized tennis program, including any of five daily clinics, tennis aerobics, and occasional round robins.

There are 18 courts, a very small complex for a resort with 963 rooms and a very active, local membership. There are 12 other courts available but they are off the main resort property which are inconvienient for hotel guests.

Tennis Features
Tennis Magazine recently highlighted the property as one of its favorites in its listing of "The 50 Greatest Tennis Resorts in the United States." One of the pillars to this successful operation is the leadership of Erik Silver, director of tennis for the Resort & Club. Silver, a 20-year veteran of the Boca Raton Resort & Club, leads a team of nine highly-skilled professionals, including head professional Larry Gottfried, former Davis Cup player. In addition, Silver has developed an innovative tennis program consisting of several daily clinics (over 35 hours per week), one-on-one lessons, fitness training and junior camps, which cater to children of all playing abilities ranging in age from 4-17.

To match these available players together, the Resort & Club offers the unique services of a tennis concierge. This person is available for guests and club members to reserve court times and assist players looking for competition at their respective skill levels. In addition to other tennis accolades, the Boca Raton Resort & Club has also been cited as one of the top resorts for finding matches.

The Resort & Club opened the $10 million Tennis & Fitness Center in 1997. These facilities include a two-story Mizner-style tennis clubhouse with viewing deck and elaborate pro shop, as well as 18 Har-tru clay courts. These state-of-the-art courts utilize the latest in HydroGrid technology to maintain a consistent level of moisture on the courts' surfaces (as opposed to the conventional above-ground sprinkler system). This HydroGrid system ensures optimum playability on the courts and offers players a more physically forgiving surface, as the clay does not dry out through a match.

Package rates are per room, double occupancy and do not include taxes and service charges. Rates are based on accommodations in the Cloister; Yacht Club, Tower, Beach Club, Golf Villa and suite rates available upon request. Single, third person and extra night rates also available upon request. Special holiday and value package rates are available for Easter, Passover, Thanksgiving and throughout the summer season.

Tennis Courts
There are 18 courts that guests can utilize during their stay at Boca Raton. All of the courts are clay with a subsurface watering system called HydroGrid. What you cannot see from this perspective is that this entire complex of 18 courts sits atop a parking garage.

There are 5 to 6 daily clinics, a few weekly round robins, tennis aerobics, and a few clinics for juniors between 4-7 years of age and 8-14 years old. During the summer the Boca Raton runs several 5-day Nike Junior Camps, usually in July.

Tennis Staff
Tennis director Erik Silver has been a member here for 25 years, when he first started working in 1978. After eight years as head pro, he took over as director in 1996. He has assembled a large staff of very personable pros, including his assistant director Brett Maynard and head pro Larry Gottfried, and an attentive crew to man the pro shop.

Tennis Programs
Apart from game matching and private lessons, the staff runs 5 to 6 daily clinics, a few weekly round robins, tennis aerobics, and a few clinics for juniors ages 4-7 and 8-14. During the summer the resort runs several 5-day Nike Junior Camps, usually in July.

Court Fees
There are 18 Har-Tru courts at the tennis center (3 with lights) and another 12 at the Country Club. Courts Fees. $18/person/day, but packages offer free unlimited court time.