Pickleball + Wellness: 5 Resorts Where You Can Play, Sweat, and Completely Unwind
Because your vacation should feel as good as overhead smash
Pickleball vacations used to mean choosing between court time and downtime. Not anymore. Today, more resorts are pairing top-tier pickleball facilities with full-service wellness centers—think spa treatments, yoga classes, guided breathwork, and strength training that won’t wreck your joints. It’s the best of both worlds: movement, recovery, and maybe even a smoothie bar. What’s more, the more you recover, the more you can play.
Here are five standout resorts where you can play hard and rest well:
1. The Biltmore – Asheville, North Carolina
Set against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Biltmore’s luxury inn and wellness programming make it a standout for East Coast players. The Sports Complex includes outdoor pickleball courts with stunning views, while the adjacent spa offers deep-tissue massages, hydrotherapy, and rejuvenating facials. Explore miles of trails, take a yoga or barre class, then unwind with estate-grown wine. It’s elegance with a pulse.
2. CIVANA Wellness Resort & Spa – Carefree, Arizona
CIVANA lives up to its name: carefree, but intentional. Their two dedicated pickleball courts are nestled into a desert setting that’s peaceful and restorative. The real draw is the daily wellness programming—everything from aerial yoga and TRX to meditation and sound healing. After a morning game, unwind with a therapeutic massage or hit the hydrotherapy circuit before dinner at Seed, their beautifully curated restaurant.
3. Enchantment Resort and Mii amo Spa – Sedona, Arizona
If red rock views, spiritual recharge, and morning pickleball sound like your kind of getaway, Enchantment hits every note. Tucked into Sedona’s mystical Boynton Canyon, the resort offers multiple pickleball courts surrounded by jaw-dropping scenery. But the real secret weapon? Access to Mii amo, its world-renowned destination spa. Here you’ll find Native-inspired therapies, energy work, meditation experiences, and fitness classes ranging from strength to sound healing. The canyon trails are perfect for post-match hikes, and the calm, elevated vibe means you can fully unplug—even if you’re a little competitive on the court. Whether you’re coming for the pickleball or the peace, you’ll leave feeling more centered, more limber, and a lot more spoiled.
4. Lake Austin Spa Resort – Austin, Texas
Tucked along the Colorado River, this all-inclusive boutique resort is all about calm. Pickleball is a newer addition, but their wellness offerings are extensive—think lakeside yoga, aquatic fitness, and a spa with more than 100 treatments. It’s the perfect place for a “wellness + wine” type of getaway, where play is fun, food is nourishing, and the pace is blissfully slow.
5. Pura Vida Retreat & Spa – Alajuela, Costa Rica
Want to mix your pickleball with toucans and volcano views? This yoga-focused resort recently added pickleball to its lush, mountaintop grounds. You’ll find daily wellness classes, vegetarian meals, holistic treatments, and a mix of international guests seeking recharge. It's not built for tournament training—but it's perfect for sun, sweat, and slow mornings.
Bottom Line
Pickleball and wellness are no longer separate vacation categories. The best resorts now offer both: strong serves in the morning, deep tissue massages in the afternoon, and maybe a sunset stretch class before dinner. Whether you're traveling solo, with a partner, or as part of a pickleball-wellness crew, these spots hit the sweet spot between active and relaxed.
