Key facts
- Padel courts are becoming a preferred amenity at upscale hotels and members' clubs.
- The sport is seen as having a lower barrier to entry than tennis or golf.
- Padel courts require less space than tennis courts, allowing for more courts in a given area.
- The sport is popular for corporate events due to its social nature and broad appeal.
- Crafted at Powdermills, a members' club and hotel, is integrating padel as a core offering.
Padel, a racket sport that combines elements of tennis and squash, is rapidly becoming a sought-after amenity for upscale hotels and members' clubs, often replacing traditional sports facilities like tennis courts and golf courses. Chris King, founder of Crafted at Powdermills, a members' club and hotel in East Sussex, noted that the sport's lower entry barrier for all ages and its efficient use of space – fitting four padel courts onto the area of two tennis courts – make it an attractive addition.