Sunday, November 24, 2024

Europe’s best sports resorts and hotels | Active sport holidays

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If you’re searching for an active or wellness holiday, Europe offers some of the best sports hotels and resorts in the world. From tennis and hiking to golf and yoga, there are so many European destinations to consider. In what is pretty much our European sports travel bucket list – and in no particular order or ranking – we pick out some of the best sports resorts and hotels to stay in Europe.

Top image: Asana Fitness Club at Seaside A Lifestyle Resort in Crete, Greece

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  • Where: Crete, Greece
  • Sports and activities: fitness; wellness; tennis; padel tennis; basketball; personal training; yoga; Pilates; scuba diving and diving lessons
  • Facilities: suites and rooms; Asana fitness club; Sea Cave wellness spa; Asana Yoga & Pilates Studio; restaurants
  • Website: seaside-hotel.gr 

  • Where: Bavarian Alps, Germany 
  • Sports and activities: triathlon retreats, mountain biking; cycling; wild swimming; skiing; hiking tours; e-mountain bike tours; yoga and fitness classes; nature walks; Nordic walking
  • Facilities: suites and rooms; six spas; located in a 900-acre valley; concert hall; Jivamukti Yoga Centre; two-Michelin-star gourmet restaurant, Luce d’Oro
  • Website: schloss-elmau.de 
Waldhotel Fletschhorn in the Swiss Alps (Image: fletschhorn.ch)
Waldhotel Fletschhorn in the Swiss Alps (Image: fletschhorn.ch)
  • Where: Saas-Fee, Swiss Alps, Switzerland
  • Sports and activities: alpine activities; skiing; cross-country skiing; downhill skiing; snowboarding; sledging; tobogganing; wellbeing; fitness; hiking; snowshoe hiking; climbing; forest bathing
  • Facilities: 12 bedrooms; ski room; spa; private sauna; restaurant; wine cellar
  • Website: fletschhorn.ch 

  • Where: Agia Paraskevi Kassandra, Halkidiki
  • Sports and activities: water sports; fitness; swimming; tennis; basketball; archery; beach volleyball; forest activities; trekking, hiking and mountain biking excursions
  • Facilities: 171 guestrooms, bungalows and villas; beach; adventure park; two tennis courts; basketball court; five outdoor pools; restaurants and bars; spa and fitness centre
  • Website: ajulresort.com 

  • Where: Belek, Antalya, Turkey
  • Sports and activities: golf; fitness; swimming
  • Facilities: 36-hole golf courses, Aspendos and Olympos; rooms and villa; private beach; swimming pools; restaurants, cafes and bars; natural habitat
  • Website: cullinanhotels.com 

  • Where: Mirabello Bay, Crete, Greece
  • Sports and activities: tennis; beach volleyball; mini-football; handball; fitness; yoga; Pilates; swimming
  • Facilities: 318 guestrooms, suites and bungalows; three state-of-the art hard tennis courts; beach volleyball court; mini-football and handball court; yoga and Pilates deck; outdoor gymnastics and bodyweight training areas; swimming pools; restaurants and bars
  • Website: wyndhamgrandmirabello.com 

  • Where: Algarve, Portugal
  • Sports and activities: golf; tennis and padel; cycling; watersports; fitness academies; training camps; fitness; wellness; yin yoga; ballet sculpt
  • Facilities: The Campus sports hub; three world-class golf courses; The Magnolia Hotel; villa rentals; restaurants
  • Website: quintadolago.com 

  • Where: Sciacca, Sicily, Italy 
  • Sports and activities: golf; wellness; swimming; fitness; football; cycling 
  • Facilities: hotel with 209 rooms and suites and 20 villas; Kyle Phillips golf courses; sports academies; 2km private beach; spa and wellness centre; restaurants; kids’ club
  • Website: roccofortehotels.com 

  • Where: Halkidiki, Greece
  • Sports and activities: tennis; football; wellness; fitness; swimming; running; yoga; scuba diving; sailing; biking; watersports 
  • Facilities: five beachfront hotels; 1,000-acre nature reserve; Rafa Nadal Tennis Center; sports academies; private marina; restaurants
  • Website: sani-resort.com

  • Where: Porto Ercole, Tuscany, Italy
  • Sports and activities: golf; tennis; padel; fitness; football; running; wellness
  • Facilities: 18-hole championship golf course; official PGA National Golf Academy in Italy; hotel with suites, rooms and luxury villas; Espace Wellness Center and spa; 77 hectares of grounds; sporting and fitness activities; restaurants; two padel courts; two tennis courts; 5-a-side football pitch; two panoramic jogging paths
  • Website: argentarioresort.it

  • Where: Paphos, Cyprus 
  • Sports and activities: golf; tennis; padel; football; horse riding; cycling; basketball; wellness; fitness; hiking
  • Facilities: PGA National Cyprus Golf Course; PGA National Academy Course, 6 Hole Par 3 Course; golf practice facility with two putting greens and short game area; hotel with 290 rooms and suites; Retreat Spa; restaurants and bars; holiday residences; sports academies; children’s club
  • Website: aphroditehills.com 

  • Where: Sardinia, Italy 
  • Sports and activities: equestrian sports; swimming; cycling; wellness; fitness; watersports; diving; beach volley; football; tennis; sailing
  • Facilities: The Equestrian Centre; The Congress Centre; 4-star hotel; 40 hectares of grounds; swimming pools; private beach; Wellness Centre & Spa
  • Website: horsecountry.it

  • Where: Cartagena, Murcia, Spain
  • Sports and activities: football; golf; tennis; rugby; triathlon; cricket; mountain biking 
  • Facilities: Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa; three golf courses; 28-court tennis centre; 8 Fifa-standard football pitches; 2,000m2 Wellness Centre 
  • Website: lamangaclub.com
  • Book through our affiliates: Expedia | Hotels.com

  • Where: Lake Lucerne, Switzerland
  • Sports and activities: tennis; Alpine golf; cycling; walking; trekking; hiking 
  • Facilities: Tennis Diamond Domes (with three Davis Cup-standard hard courts); Bürgenstock Alpine Golf Club; private residence suites; ten restaurants and bars; two spa and wellness areas; Hammetschwand Lift (highest outdoor lift in Europe)
  • Website: burgenstockresort.com

  • Where: Caldes de Malavella, Girona, Spain
  • Sports and activities: golf; cycling; swimming; fitness; wellness; walking; hiking; trekking; foot golf; mini golf
  • Facilities: two award-winning golf courses; swimming pool; tennis and padel courts; pilates; cycling trails; Forest Park; Outdoor Escape Room; kids sports academies; new state-of-the-art wellness centre
  • Website: camiral.com

  • Where: Perthshire, Scotland
  • Sports and activities: golf; shooting; tennis; riding; off-road driving; falconry; cycling; archery; fishing 
  • Facilities: five-star luxury hotel accommodation; three championship golf courses; indoor tennis centre; Gleneagles Equestrian School; Gleneagles Shooting School; Gleneagles Gundog School; trout lochs
  • Website: gleneagles.com 

  • Where: Lake Como, Italy
  • Sports and activities: swimming; golf; tennis; squash 
  • Facilities: luxury accommodations; Villa d’Este Golf Club; Sporting Club of Villa d’Este; 10-hectare private park; swimming pool 
  • Website: villadeste.com 

  • Where: Alcantarilha, Algarve, Portugal
  • Sports and activities: golf; football; swimming; tennis; padel 
  • Facilities: two 18-hole golf courses; nine-hole golf course; driving range, golf academy and putting green; six tennis courts; two padel courts; two five-a-side football pitches; a Fifa-grade, full size football field; a kilometre of scenic jogging trails; fully-equipped gym; a range of fully-furnished and equipped properties available for purchase
  • Website: amendoeiraresort.com 

  • Where: Estepona, Marbella, Spain
  • Sports and activities: swimming; tennis; beach volleyball; basketball; paddleboarding; tennis; cycling 
  • Facilities: luxury all-inclusive property with spacious suites across 21 acres; eight outdoor pools; kids’ club; spa; fitness and wellness classes
  • Website: ikosresorts.com

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  • Where: Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal 
  • Sports and activities: golf; football; tennis; padel; wellness; fitness; beach sports; water sports 
  • Facilities: nine-hole golf course; The Tennis Centre (five floodlit courts – two clay courts, three hard courts and one padel court); Annabel Croft Tennis Academy; Estima Sports Football Academy; Serenity SPA and Thermal Oasis
  • Website: pinecliffs.com

  • Where: S’Agaro, Costa Brava, Spain
  • Sports and activities: tennis (clay courts); padel tennis; beach; swimming; dance; ballet; football; kayaking; paddle surf; water skiing 
  • Facilities: full-service spa; health club; indoor pool; private beach; sauna; seasonal outdoor pool
  • Website: lagavina.com
  • Book through our affiliates: Expedia UK | Hotels.com 

  • Where: Conwy, North Wales
  • Sports and activities: world-first inland surfing lagoon; Adrenaline Indoors facility; camping; walking; hiking; mountain biking; skateboarding
  • Facilities: Surf Snowdonia; Surf Side bar diner and deli; Wave Garden Spa; Hilton Garden Inn Snowdonia
  • Website: adventureparcsnowdonia.com
  • Book through our affiliates: Expedia | Hotels.com  

  • About: the five-star resort was host of the 2006 Ryder Cup
  • Where: Straffan, Co. Kildare, Ireland
  • Sports and activities: golf; walking; cycling
  • Facilities: two Arnold Palmer golf courses; K Spa; The Palmer at The K Club dining; resort bicycles; mapped garden walks
  • Website: kclub.ie
  • Book through our affiliates: Expedia | Hotels.com

  • About: the home of the 2010 Ryder Cup
  • Where: Newport, Wales
  • Sports and activities: golf; tennis courts; fishing; adventure golf; treetop high ropes course
  • Facilities: three championship golf courses; four hotels; convention centre; two spas; two state-of-the-art health clubs
  • Website: celtic-manor.com
  • Book through our affiliates: Expedia | Hotels.com

  • Where: Sardinia, Italy
  • Sports and activities: Forte Village Triathlon; football; basketball; diving; tennis; golf; boxing; fencing; triathlon; water sports
  • Facilities: academies for various sports; five five-star hotels; four-star hotels; luxury villas and suites; Thalasso & Spa
  • Website: fortevillageresort.com
  • Book through our affiliates: Expedia | Hotels.com

  • Where: Darlington, County Durham, England
  • Sports and activities: golf; tennis; cycling; walking; fishing
  • Facilities: spa and gym; 18-hole championship golf course
  • Website: rockliffehall.com 
  • Book through our affiliates: Expedia UK | Hotels.com

  • Where: Interlaken, Switzerland
  • Sports and activities: skiing; tennis; swimming; water sports; fitness; wellness   
  • Facilities: fitness centre; skiing and snow sports; spa; swimming pools; tennis resort; water sports
  • Website: lhw.com
  • Book through our affiliates: Expedia | Hotels.com

  • Where: Evian-les-Bains, France
  • Sports and activities: golf; wellness; swimming  
  • Facilities: two luxury hotels and spas; Michelin-starred restaurant; Evian Thermal Spa; 18-hole championship golf course; golf training centre; casino
  • Website: evianresort.com 
  • Book through our affiliates: Expedia | Hotels.com
Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort
Image: hyatt.com
  • Where: Kotor Bay, Montenegro
  • Sports and activities: wellness; water sports; paddleboarding; sea and pool swimming; hiking
  • Facilities: Vrmac Health & Wellbeing Retreat de’MAR; fitness centre; private natural beach; two outdoor pools; state-of-the-art Spa Soul centre with Turkish Hammam, indoor heated pool, steam room and sauna; restaurants and bars; bedroom apartments with hot tub or swimming pool access
  • Website: hyatt.com

  • Where: Kirknewton, Edinburgh, Scotland
  • Sports and activities: golf; swimming; fitness; running; tennis; outdoor activities 
  • Facilities: two 18-hole golf courses; nine-hole pitch & putt course; golf academy; putting green; 12-bay floodlit driving range and pro shop; 215 rooms and suites; restaurants and bars; indoor heated swimming pool; gym; sauna and steam room; yoga and fitness classes; jogging trail; outdoor floodlit tennis courts; 1,000 acres of private grounds
  • Website: dalmahoyhotelandcountryclub.co.uk 

  • Where: Lagos, Algarve, Portugal
  • Sports and activities: football; golf; swimming; cycling; running; fitness; wellness
  • Facilities: five-star hotel; football academy; golf academy; wellness centre and spa; access to Dona Ana Beach; fitness bootcamps 
  • Website: cascaderesortalgarve.com 
  • Book through our affiliates: Expedia | Hotels.com

  • Where: Belek, Antalya, Turkey
  • Sports and activities: golf; football; tennis; swimming 
  • Facilities: Faldo Golf Course; Leadbetter Golf Academy; football centre with Fifa-standard pitches; tennis courts
  • Website: corneliaresort.com 
  • Book through our affiliates: Expedia | Hotels.com

  • Where: Heiton by Kelso, TD5 8JZ, Scotland
  • Sports and activities: golf, wellness, fly fishing, clay pigeon shooting, archery
  • Facilities: 18-hole Roxburghe Championship Golf Course; SCHLOSS Spa; 300 acres of land (which includes 2.5 miles of the River Teviot, Trout Loch, beautiful parkland and Estate gardens); Shooting Centre; Country Sports Centre; luxury Scottish Cottages; Estate House (58 additional rooms); Charlie’s restaurant 
  • Websites: schlosshotel-roxburghe.com; roxburghe-golf.com; hyatt.com

  • Where: Split, Croatia
  • Sports and activities: water sports; diving; wellness; fitness; yoga  
  • Facilities: beach activities (diving centre, water sports); access to a pebble beach; swimming pools; fitness centre and spa; indoor and outdoor swimming pools; The Spa with 10 treatment rooms; sauna, whirlpool, steam room; yoga room and lessons
  • Website: radissonblu.com 
  • Book through our affiliates: Expedia | Hotels.com

Editor’s note

Sports Tourism News works with a number of affiliate partners. Products are sold directly by agents and operators. We may earn a commission should you choose to book any tickets or packages.

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