Travel & Leisure
How Padel Became the Reigning Leisure Sport in Luxury Hospitality
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Published in Travel and Leisure on Friday, October 31st 2025 at 8:25 GMT by Observer🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
From Spanish courts to global hotels
The article traces padel’s origins to the 1960s in Spain, where it quickly outpaced traditional tennis in both popularity and cultural significance. By the early 2000s, the sport had spread across Latin America, Eastern Europe, and, more recently, the United States. Today, the International Padel Federation reports over 10 million players worldwide and a compound annual growth rate of nearly 20 % in new club memberships. That growth has caught the eye of hotel operators looking for a fresh, engaging way to differentiate themselves in a crowded luxury market.
The luxury‑hotel pivot
The Observer piece spotlights a handful of pioneering properties that have integrated padel into their wellness portfolios. Among them are the Aman Tokyo, the Four Seasons in Miami, and the Ritz‑Carlton’s boutique resort in Lisbon. These hotels are investing in purpose‑built courts that blend seamlessly with their design ethos: sleek glass walls, eco‑friendly materials, and panoramic views that elevate the playing experience. Some properties, like the Aman, have gone so far as to commission custom courts that echo the architecture of the surrounding landscape, creating a “living canvas” that doubles as a piece of art.
A key driver behind this shift is the sport’s appeal to affluent clientele. The Observer notes that padel’s hybrid nature—combining elements of tennis, squash, and racquetball—makes it an inclusive, low‑impact activity that can be enjoyed by couples, families, and solo travelers alike. The sport’s emphasis on social play also dovetails with the experiential‑travel trend, encouraging guests to form new connections on the court.
Business case and ROI
Hotel executives interviewed in the article emphasize that padel courts are not simply a “nice‑to‑have” amenity. Instead, they serve as a high‑margin revenue generator. The cost of constructing a professional padel court ranges from $250,000 to $400,000, depending on size and customization, but the payback period is typically under two years when factoring in court rentals, coaching sessions, and event hosting. Luxury hotels have found that padel courts drive upsell opportunities: guests often book multi‑day stay packages that include coaching, tournaments, and “padel‑and‑dine” dinner events.
Furthermore, the Observer highlights that padel’s popularity can be leveraged in marketing campaigns. A case study of the Ritz‑Carlton’s Lisbon resort shows that a single high‑profile tournament, broadcast on the hotel’s own streaming channel, attracted over 200,000 viewers worldwide and generated a 12 % spike in bookings for the following quarter.
Integration with wellness and concierge services
Beyond the physical courts, the article points out how padel is being integrated into broader wellness and concierge offerings. Many hotels now partner with local padel academies to offer “beginner to advanced” courses that run alongside yoga, Pilates, and spa treatments. Concierge teams curate personalized padel itineraries, complete with equipment rental, on‑site coaching, and even meet‑ups with professional players. This holistic approach encourages longer stays and fosters repeat business.
The Observer also mentions that some properties have expanded their padel focus into seasonal pop‑up courts on beachfront or rooftop locations, offering guests a sunset‑driven play experience. This kind of creative use of space not only diversifies revenue streams but also enhances brand storytelling, a critical component of luxury hospitality marketing.
Challenges and the future
While the padel boom is undeniable, the article does not shy away from the challenges hotels face. Maintaining court surfaces in high‑traffic environments requires specialized cleaning protocols and regular resurfacing to preserve ball quality. Staffing is another hurdle; hotels must recruit experienced padel coaches, many of whom are hard to find in regions where the sport is still nascent. The Observer notes that a few major hotel groups have responded by launching in‑house training programs, cultivating a pipeline of certified coaches aligned with brand standards.
Looking ahead, the Observer’s writers speculate that padel could become as integral to luxury hotel offerings as tennis or golf once was. They point to emerging markets such as the Middle East and Southeast Asia, where hotel chains are already piloting pilot courts. The potential for multi‑sport complexes that combine padel, beach volleyball, and aqua‑fitness is also on the radar, suggesting a future where the padel court is the centerpiece of a new wave of active‑lifestyle resorts.
Key takeaways
- Rapid global growth: Padel’s 20 % annual growth and 10 million‑player base make it a compelling luxury amenity.
- Design integration: Hotels are creating custom courts that complement their architectural identity.
- Strong ROI: Courts pay for themselves in less than two years through rentals, coaching, and event hosting.
- Holistic wellness: Padel is being woven into wellness programs, concierge services, and experiential marketing.
- Operational challenges: Maintenance, staffing, and training are ongoing concerns that hotels are actively addressing.
In sum, padel’s ascent from a niche Spanish pastime to a mainstream luxury offering underscores the hospitality industry’s relentless pursuit of unique, health‑focused experiences. The Observer’s coverage captures this moment vividly, showcasing how forward‑thinking hotel brands are leveraging padel to delight guests, differentiate themselves, and boost profitability.
Read the Full observer Article at:
[ https://observer.com/2025/10/padel-sport-trend-luxury-hotel-amenity/ ]
