Hotel courts as new sites of business networking, but also value-adds in meeting programmes. Photo Credit: Greater Bay Media Entertainment
More hotels in Asia are adding pickle and padel courts as amenities. While these courts may be standard, hotels say the activations around them – from tournaments to themed events and wellness pairings – can be big value-adds for event planners.
Pickleball is a hybrid of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, while padel is a fast-paced doubles game blending tennis and squash. Both are making their way onto rooftops, resorts, and urban courts across Asia.
The new golf?
In Hong Kong, UBS Presents Padel Central is redefining active corporate networking. Managing director Simon Wilson notes: “When people sweat together, laugh over a missed shot, and then share a drink, professional barriers drop naturally.”
He advises planners to prioritise social interaction over pure competition. “At events with a social play format, music drives the energy, and the atmosphere feels more like a community celebration than a sports workout,” he explains.
Courts as corporate icebreakers
At The Fullerton Hotels & Resorts, director of marketing communications Lee Kin Seng describes how pickleball can be woven into corporate itineraries. “Meeting planners can position the pickleball experience as a bonding event, an ice-breaker activity, or a leisurely game after a long day of meetings,” he explains.
Hotel courts as new sites of business networking, but also value-adds in meeting programmes. Credit: The Fullerton Hotels & ResortsA similar approach is seen at Four Seasons Hotel Singapore, where associate commercial director Young Meng Wen notes that introducing padel and pickleball aligns naturally with the property’s wellness focus. Coaching-led sessions, mixed-ability pairings and flexible formats allow participants to engage at their own pace while fostering connection and team spirit.
She also emphasises combining play with wellness touchpoints – such as poolside recovery, healthy dining options or gym facilities – so the games fit into a holistic corporate wellness journey. “Short matches followed by casual networking sessions or team-based formats encourage collaboration rather than individual performance,” she adds.
Wellness, inclusivity and light competition
At Nha Trang Marriott Resort & Spa, general manager Staris Latkas highlights pickleball’s accessibility. “Pickleball is a highly motivational activity that levels the playing field for everyone” he notes, making it suitable for diverse groups, while formats such as mini-Olympiads and branded gear can enhance engagement.
At Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, commercial director Debbie Chee adds that the resort sees potential in formats that “emphasise inclusivity, sociability and wellbeing – short, friendly tournaments hosted by the resort, coached sessions with our pro, or casual recreational play built around wellness-focused itineraries”.
Beyond the court: social play and creative formats
At 212HK, Hong Kong’s “largest indoor pickleball-centred social club”, founder Naveed T. Khawaja emphasises how the sport naturally encourages teamwork and bonding. “Games are short, intense, and require working together as a team to win; all these qualities are important for a good teambuilding session,” he explains.
For planners, tournaments with rotating partners or themed events – such as glow-in-the-dark matches – can be followed by refreshments. “A shared drink post-game helps connect people in a way that other activities cannot,” Khawaja notes.
Glow-in-the-dark matches can connect groups in a way that other activities cannot. Credit: 212HKFrom sport to holistic experiences
For a wellness-driven approach, JOALI Maldives integrates padel into holistic movement and social experiences. Fitness manager Bassem Halawa explains: “Padel is a lifestyle experience rather than a performance-driven activity. Sessions are relaxed and social, encouraging participation regardless of skill level.” Planners can use guided sessions or friendly matches complemented by recovery treatments, mindful cuisine or wellness classes, turning the game into a 360-degree movement-to-recovery journey.
At Club Med, CEO Rachael Harding highlights formats that maximise networking and inclusivity. “For impactful team bonding, we recommend the Round-Robin format where game partners rotate every set,” she explains. “In this way, participants step outside their usual bubbles and collaborate with colleagues beyond their immediate daily circles, all through the shared energy of the game.”
For larger groups, fully branded experiences – from custom jerseys to gala-night trophy ceremonies – can create a strong shared narrative. “This creates a powerful, shared narrative that resonates long after the stay ends,” says Harding.