Luxury Resorts Offering Unique Hotel Sporting Experiences

by Noreen Kompanik
Last updated: 7:00 AM ET, Sun August 23, 2026

Move over pickleball!

Sports are increasingly influencing travel across the globe. And while pickleball courts have become a staple at many luxury resorts, a new wave of hotels is raising to bar with very different sporting experiences. These range from minigolf to rooftop batting cages and desert sandboarding. And adventure seeking guests are taking to them like ducks to water.

Dog Sledding at Amangani, Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Slated to reopen in 2026 after an extensive refurbishment, this luxury resort is literally built around outdoor adventure. Amangani sits on East Gros Ventre Butte above Jackson Hole, with broad views of the Tetons and Snake River Valley. Though the resort offers year-round outdoor activities, the winter season is the standout with unusual sports such as heli-skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and the ever-popular dog-sledding experience.

Mini Golf at San Ysidro Ranch, Montecito, California

At San Ysidro Ranch, a 550-acre historic hideaway, guests can play on a professionally designed minigolf putting course and adjacent bocce court just steps from the pool and Plunge Pool Bar. Inspired by the most iconic golf destinations around the country including Augusta National, Pebble Beach and Oakmont Country Club, this playful miniature course is complete with a Masters-inspired leaderboard, a stone bridge and ocean-hued water hazards that mirror the Pacific Ocean.

Fish Like a Local at Three Waters Resort & Marina, Islamorada, FL

Sportfishing at Three Waters Resort & Marina, Islamorada, Florida

Located in the “Sportfishing Capital of the World,” Three Waters 15-acre oceanfront resort puts guests in the middle of Islamorada’s legendary fishing culture with a full-service marina and fleet of experienced local charter captains ready to take guests directly from the resort to both offshore and backcountry waters. Experiences range from half-to-full-day charters, specialized fishing, night fishing and for the little ones, a Fish Like a Local program for first-time anglers the whole family can enjoy.

Falconry at Sea Island Resort, Sea Island, Georgia

Falconry is the star at this lovely resort located on the southeastern coast of the U.S. near Brunswick and St. Simon’s Island. Participants can walk with a trained Harris’s hawk, watching it fly from tree to tree along with a hands-on Falconer’s Apprentice program that teaches the history, equipment, bird training and hunting techniques with the hawk actually flying into your glove.

Pump Track Rendering at NIHI Rote & Hospitality Academy, Rote Island, Indonesia

Pump Track at NIHI Rote & Hospitality Academy, Rote Island, Indonesia

The newly opened NIHI Rote & Hospitality Academy, located on the remote Indonesian island of Rote, will debut a one-of-a-kind pump track in fall 2026 that will serve as the heart of the resort’s outdoor recreation area. Geared towards guests of all ages, the closed-loop course features rollers, berms and gentle jumps designed for BMX bikes, mountain bikes and scooters.

Adventure enthusiasts staying at NIHI Rote can also access some of Indonesia's best surf and dive sites, watersports including foiling, paddleboarding and jet-skiing along with an extensive trail network.

Rooftop Batting Cages at Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach, Oahu, Hawaii

A contemporary oceanfront sanctuary in the heart of Waikiki, Alohilani Resort blends urban energy with restorative island wellness. Its holistic wellness hub, FIT Waikiki, features state-of-the-art facilities, daily classes and an expansive rooftop recreation deck overlooking the water and cityscape. The rooftop deck features several sports amenities including red clay tennis courts and a TRX gym but is most notably Hawaii's only resort with on-site batting cages where guests can practice or perfect their swing accompanied by panoramic ocean views.

Rooftop Tennis at Villa del Palmar, Loreto, Mexico

Elevating the traditional tennis experience, Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto features rooftop tennis and pickleball courts with panoramic views of the turquoise waters of the Sea of Cortez and the Sierra de la Giganta mountains. Set in one of Mexico's most under-the-radar coastal destinations, the courts offer guests the rare opportunity to rally against a backdrop of dramatic desert peaks, sparkling sea and endless blue skies, transforming every match into a memorable experience.

Kiteboarding at Grassy Flats Resort & Beach Club, Marathon, Florida

Owned and operated by “retired” professional kiteboarder, Matt Sexton, Grassy Flats Resort & Beach Club delivers one-on-one instruction and full equipment rentals for kiteboarding, efoiling and wakeboarding, for both beginners and advanced riders. The nearby Lagoon and its Keys Cable Park offer additional progression in a more controlled environment with an innovative, solar powered system, offering a more sustainable and beginner-friendly experience. Grassy Key’s naturally shallow waters create one of North America’s safest learning environments and with a “Guaranteed to Shred” program designed to take guests from their first lesson to a confident rider by the end of their stay.

Sandboarding at Sand Valley, Nekoosa, Wisconsin

Guests at Sand Valley can experience one of the Midwest's most unexpected adventures with sandboarding across the resort's towering prehistoric sand dunes. Available spring through fall, complimentary sandboards let guests carve and glide down the expansive dunes, offering a thrilling experience more commonly associated with desert landscapes than central Wisconsin. Beyond sandboarding, the 12,000-acre resort offers hiking, paddleboarding, grass tennis, fat tire biking, fishing and a wide range of outdoor adventures for all ages.

Seabob Safari at Oil Nut Bay, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

Experience the crystal-clear waters of the British Virgin Islands from a whole new perspective on a guided Seabob Safari at Oil Nut Bay. Using the high-performance, electric underwater scooters, guests effortlessly glide above coral reefs and through secluded bays while spotting tropical fish, sea turtles and other vibrant marine life. Beyond the Seabob Safari, the 400-acre luxury resort offers world-class snorkeling, diving, sailing, paddleboarding and boating adventures, making it an ideal destination for travelers looking to explore the Caribbean both above and below the water.

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