Pickleball Magazine 7-2 | Page 34

travel

Premier Pickleball Destinations
By Laura Gainor
Lake Nona Region , Florida

What started as a quick hotel search near the USTA National Campus in Orlando , the largest tennis facility in the nation , turned into an unexpected exploratory day around the Lake Nona Region , known as “ a modern mecca for technology , innovation , and community ,” close to the popular Walt Disney World attractions and just minutes from the Orlando International Airport . In the heart of the Lake Nona Town Center is the Lake Nona Wave Hotel , the first hotel of its kind with a stunning architectural structure gleaming with a hightech vibe and more than 200 guest rooms , including 16 one-bedroom suites and two penthouse suites , stateof-the-art technology within each room all controlled by voice or the in-room tablet , and access to amenities nearby such as the Lake Nona Performance Club offering the option to work out with professional trainers while visiting .

As you enter the lobby , you ’ re greeted with the most vibrant-colored , modern furniture and a gallery wall as you walk toward the 50,000-square-foot Lake Nona Sculpture Garden , available to the public as an outdoor gallery featuring iconic pieces that are recognized globally — including the famous Charging Bull sculpture by Arturo Di Modica that is also seen near Wall Street in Manhattan .
Included in your stay is a $ 100 credit for the upscale restaurant , Bacán , which is within steps of the sculpture garden and features a dramatic open theater-style kitchen , signature cocktails , signature dishes and pastries to complete the experience .
Head up to the rooftop and relax by the Haven Pool — the most colorful pool scene — and order signature cocktails and dishes to enjoy poolside .
One of the most unexpected perks of the Lake Nona community was walking a short distance from the hotel and coming across Boxi Park , featuring a fun and social vibe , live music stage , multiple restaurants within the iconic box structures , beer taps and cocktail bars , and ice cream , just to name a few . Take your friends and enjoy the sand volleyball courts and let the kids enjoy the play area at the park .
If these adventures weren ’ t enough , we got in the car and traveled just a few minutes to the Nona Adventure Park to enjoy the inflatable aqua park and obstacle course , watched as kids moved around the Nona Wake cable park on wake boards and knee boards , and grabbed some food at the on-site restaurant to soak up the sun .
While visiting the Lake Nona Region , play pickleball at one of the best facilities in the world just 2 miles away , the USTA National Campus , home of 100 tennis courts , eight pickleball courts and four padel courts . Reserve a court , sign up for professional lessons or visit specifically to play in the PPA Orlando Cup , hosted Dec . 1-4 , 2022 .
For more highlights from the Lake Nona Region , follow @ PickleballintheSun and visit pickleballinthesun . com . •
Laura Vossberg Gainor is the founder of Vossberg Gainor , a marketing consulting agency specifically dedicated to the sport of pickleball . While working with some of the top pickleball brands , USA Pickleball , Pickleball Magazine , and some of America ’ s pickleball entertainment complexes , she recently launched “ Pickleball in the Sun ,” your source for the best pickleball destinations and experiences , from coast to coast .
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