Westside Tennis Club

Saw that this is the club with the 41 year old club trainer (5 years at the club) who is accused of terrible things with a 13 year old, daughter of a club member he was training. It has been on the news and all over the internet. This is the same club where a tennis pro(s) drinks in the parking lot by the entrance and then go back and give lessons to league ladies and kids. Scandals at the club are covered up even though they are reported to the Tennis Director and the Club Management. Members of the staff tell club members about which members' accounts are not being billed for tennis instruction or fee based courts. Personal property is damaged and management berates the messengers. This is the same club where the Japanese community and organizations have been cautioned about the scandals and mistreatment of members, and are reluctant to come to this club or even the family store. What was once the place to be has become a place to avoid. more

Lots of kids running amuck, vandalism of personal property and vehicles and a deaf management team has caused a lot of loyal members to quit the club. Private deals between staff and a few members, relating to lessons, use of indoor courts (only 4), and allowing non member relatives to sneak on courts and actually get tennis lessons are covered up instead of resolved. Sad that such a facility has these internal problems. more

UPDATE: Linda was not happy about the review below & I was terminated because of it.\r \r Valerie Herrera is extremely unprofessional and it baffles me that she is the Director if Sales and Membership with no people skills. She is rude and very offensive. If she has a problem, you can trust that she will not handle your situation in a professional manner. Her exact words to me were that she was uncomfortable and walking on eggshells as if I had a sign on my back that said I would attack anyone who speaks to me. Not only was she rude to my 5 year old son, she made the announcement that there was a black boy in the ladies room who shouldn t be there, even though I was right there. She never said one word to me, she went to another black employee to see if they knew who I was, as if all black people know each other. She was nasty and rude just like most of the employees who work here. I will be filing a complaint against her. I can t believe she said she didn t want to say anything to me because she didn t want to offend me and she wasn t sure if I was a member or an employee and she didn t want to offend a member. I m sure she didn t want to offend a member who overpays for this club, but an employee, she has no problem. I m disgusted with how she handled herself, but as usual it will get overlooked and swept under the rug, which is so typical. A sincere apology would be nice, but I don t expect anything from such a rude insincere person. more

Have heard of the same thing others have from club members, with the indorr and outdoor courts problem. Understand certain player/s who practically live at the club are using various methods to get free indoors, and pro instruction. Members know and don't like it. Seems like it could be easy to fix to stop the drama. \r Have visited several times and like the club overall, but to play tennis there is a headache. more

Do not like!!!! Only good things they have are building...pool...they keep clean ...but if you have children better for you don't leave them there if you are not close to them...they can learn foul language there ...staff in the children's sports area are so disrespectful...so rude to you its beyond point...lazy, just staying at the front desk and when children get in the fight then they will just kick everybody out ...their job is to take care of this children and they do everything but not that ...SO AGAIN IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN PLEASE DON'T LEAVE THEM THERE UNLESS YOU ARE GONNA BE WITH THEM AT ALL THE TIME ...AND PLEASE DON'T COMPLAIN TO STAFF THERE FOR ANYTHING BECAUSE YOU WILL BE VERBALLY ATTACKED AND YOU WILL BE DISRESPECTED BECAUSE THEY DON'T CARE MUCH FOR THEIR MEMBERS!!! more

Westside is a very nice club. The food is good, and a lot to do. Big problem to get tennis courts during day and evening. The price for the club is very reasonable, but heard recently about some lady members who pay their teaching pro offsite and then get extra free benifits such as free courts and reserved outdoor courts. Have been told just look at who plays on the court by the front entrance everyday and you will know who is getting the freebies. \r If the above is corrected, would be even a better place to enjoy. more

Dolphin10 and the other nay sayer's obviously haven't been to this club in the last 6 months. After moving back to Houston I worked out at the local 24 Hour Fitness but wanted something more suited to my family as we looked to settle down at a larger facility. After looking at the Houstonian (way too expensive and the staff seemed completely disinterested in us), Houston Racket Club (not enough family stuff for us) and others we visited Westside Tennis Club around Christmas after a coworker suggested we check out their free Christmas Lights display. Although we were not members, the staff that night were super nice and helpful with us and we got pictures with Santa and the whole bit. We came back for a tour, and i was super impressed, their tennis facilities were great but I don't really plan too much anymore, but the gym was amazing and drew me in for sure. Check out the Jacobs Ladder device, it's awesome! My 2 young kids love the huge pool and from my experience most everything was the way it should be, clean, well kept locker rooms, bathroom facilities are clean, the staff is nice enough and the food upstairs is great for the price and convenience of being on site. If you're like us and looking for a top notch, affordable exercise and entertainment facility for your family, check out Westside Tennis Club, I think you'll be surprised and impressed just like we were. more

Have to agree with other reviewers - this is a tired old club that looks like it needs a big influx of cash. My kids did a summer camp there a couple of weeks ago. The facilities were a little disappointing. They also need some staff training. The people who signed us in were friendly enough, but the camp staff mostly came across as unfriendly and disinterested. Maybe if they had got off their backsides and greeted us instead of all sitting around chatting and ignoring us when we arrived it might have given a better impression. They all look like high school kids so maybe it is to be expected - they are probably paying then peanuts. The restrooms are the worst I've seen for a long time - in a disgusting state first thing in the morning. The area around the club is rough aswell - don't care what anyone says. Great pool area though, and my kids enjoyed the camp. All in all though, I guess the membership fees reflect all this, and it is good value for money. Just don't rock up expecting a slick and immaculate Houstonian kind of place - you will be sorely disappointed... \r Pros: Great pool, good indoor facilities, family atmosphere Cons: Needs upgrading, in a rough area more

I agree. This is a great family facility. \r \r Highlights:\r They always have a lot going on for both adults and kids. \r \r Very family-focused (not tennis family-focused though).\r \r The fitness area(s), yes more than one are awesome and very clean. Best of all, no waiting for machines! They also have tons of classes to suit every need. They have a former NFL player who works there too. He's a really nice guy and will work your butt off!\r \r The locker rooms are very clean and sanitary.\r \r The restaurant is well run and the food isn't too bad either. The specials are the way to go.\r \r Excellent kids area!\r \r Lot's of free things to do.\r \r Bad area of town but very safe inside property line.\r \r Very affordable.\r \r Downfalls:\r Not enough tennis courts. If you want a tennis court after work, forget about it. They stay booked, even on the weekends. They used to have more courts but made the bad decision to replace them with other amenities. Great for non-tennis players but not so much for the many tennis players throughout Houston.\r \r Worst aspect of club, no court reservations! I've never been a member of a club that doesn't take reservations. What a mess!\r \r Management doesn't seem to cater to tennis players like they used to. We are considering leaving the club because of this.\r \r Really rough neighborhood. Lot's of apartments with trashy, rough people walking around outside of gate. Some of them sneek in through the back at night to play soccer. Nobody seems to care but I get nervous with my kids hanging out. No trashy people at pool...ever. Most of the people are VP's and hold prominent positions. Just look at cars in parking lot.\r \r That's ashame they are going to get rid of center court. They need more pro tournaments. At least futures or satellite events. Really bad idea losing Masters and future ATP events.\r \r Not all staff is friendly, especially the chubby one and the tall blonde (maybe accountant) at the front desk. Big chip on their shoulders.\r \r No tennis ladders or challenge boards of any sort. No club directory either. If I want to play tennis with someone, who do I call and what is their number? Tennis Director does a good job though. \r Pros: Family-focused with tons of stuff going on Cons: No tennis court reservations more

1)Largest family Recreation pool in Houston with seperate Lap pool. Adult Only Pool/massive jacuzzi. \r 2)More tennis courts than anywhere in Town-always a court to play on-8 Indoor tennis courts. \r 3) Kid Zone FREE TO MEMBERS! Enclosed INDOOR Full-size basket ball and volleyball court-Golf cage-7 Batting cages including one softball-7 enclosed Trampolines-3 Wii games with 45"" screens-3 Dance machines-workout equipment-soda/energy drink bar-4 Ping Pong tables-ALL OF THIS IN ONE PLACE UNDER ONE ROOF-also miniature golf just outside.\r 4)Soccer field for League games. \r 5) Separate Workout areas with new equipment including massage therapist. NEW MEN'S AND WOMEN LOCKER ROOMS.\r 6) Palates room for 15. \r 7) BRAND NEW BOWLING ALLEY AND KIDS JAMBERIE\r 8) Adult only TV Lounge for Sports viewing including leather arm chairs, couches-10 screens next to Bar. \r 9) Restaurant for quality basic lunches and dinner. Nothing fancy, but good. \r 10) New staff-well mannered and helpful. \r 11) New Guard House for restricted entry and entire facility is full fenced and lighted with plenty of concrete parking. \r 12) Day Care Center \r 13) Always something going on sponsored by club such as Poker night-Bingo-All kinds of instruction-4th of July Fireworks/Halloween/Christmas- All Kinds of parties! Swimming-tennis-Soccer Tournaments\r We have been members for 6 months and there has been nothing but improvements every month. We live in the Lakeside/Memorial area and we LOVE this club. The idiot who wrote the comments 2 down from this one must have been a moron. Live in the area and this is not a ""rough area"". Between Briar Forest and Memorial Drive. Yes it;s not River oaks, but it is a nice area! Highly recommended even if you don't play tennis!! \r \r AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, IT IS VERY AFFORDABLE FOR A FAMILY TO JOIN! \r Sky P\r \r \r Pros: Best kept Secret in Town-Value-Plenty to Do-Friendly Members-Not just for Tennis. Cons: Loccker Rooms need to be bigger. more

We attended a birthday party at The Zone back in March and immediately joined the club. It was perfect for our family -- three kids, one in elementary, one in middle and one in college. You can always get on a tennis court. There are several different areas of workout machines -- almost all machines are new. There's a secluded room for yoga, an entire basketball arena where the Rockets used to train with an indoor track. The two new pools are really nice and open year round. The older third pool now has a huge hot tub. The Zone is fantastic for kids (and dad's that like to act like a kid). Our middle schooler loves to hang out there. My college student loves it when she's home from school. The restaurant facility is nice and the food is fine. We spent the day and evening of 4th of July at the Club and enjoyed a lot of activities and decent fireworks. There are frequent events of all kinds. There is a new security building at the gate that does check membership cards. The clientele is upscale and certainly not full of tatoos! For the price, it can't be beat. And none of us play tennis! Pros: Excellent value, extensive facilities, new fitness machines, great pools, outstanding kid zone, perfect for a family Cons: Huge idle stadium, showers, lack of first class restaurant (but its good enough for quick meals) more

Pathetically 20+ yrs past its prime. Unkept and understaffed facilities. Trash bins overflowing, etc. Very impoverished landscaping--looks more like a third world facility. In a rough part of town. Don't leave valuables in your car. Stafff that is there is quite indifferent. Locker rooms seem to be bacteriafests (damp, poorly ventilated, etc). Many ""ruffian"", borish members. Hang out at the pool to view the human tattoo catalog. In a rough part of town!!!! Cons: Just about everything. more

I had a look around, played some tennis, and ate in the restaurant. Clean facilities, high quality equipment, friendly and helpful staff. This looks like a place you'd want to spend some time. The food in the restaurant was fresh and tasty. The sign up rates right now are very reasonable (Sept 2007) (compared to the Houstonian and the like). Some fitness areas are adult only but there are also great places to entertain kids too all with fitness in mind. I'm signing up! I'm hoping the experience will be as good as it looks. Pros: price, staff, facilities, clean, quality, new equipment, not busy, kid free classes, upgrading pools Cons: none I saw more