I'll start by saying that I'm not a fan of Tennis or Squash so when the concept of Padel Tennis was suggested as a new 'fun' activity to try I wasn't entirely convinced. Given it's described as a combination of Tennis and Padel...but, we gave it a go and can now confirm, I'm a little obsessed.
It takes a bit of getting used to so don't be disheartened on the first attempt. There are skills to learn, the court is different from tennis, as are the rackets but once you get the hang of it, it's a really fun (and mildly competitive) way to spend an evening with friends.
There are lots of courts around Dubai that vary in both offering and price. Here is a round-up of some of the ones we have tried and tested...
Nice location, two courts to choose from, and lots of timings throughout the day to select. It is also next to the polo club so you can pop for a (well deserved) drink after your match.
1hr Dhs220 - Book through the PlayTomic app
This one is for the slightly more 'fancy' among us and an influencer favourite. Located in Al Quoz, Matcha has around 8 courts to choose from and is attached to NETTE, a laid-back dining concept that showcases a modern blend of French-Japanese cuisine.
1hr starting from Dhs400 - Book through the PlayTomic app
A good one for beginners as it is generally very quiet, with no one overlooking you and a nice view of the golf course.
1hr from Dhs 200 - Book your court here
This is one of the newer ones on the block, with lots of courts to choose from and well lit. It's a little out of the way to get to but one to add to the list to try.
1hr from Dhs100 - Book through the PlayTomic app
All of the above courts are outdoor - there are options for indoor ones in the UAE but we've played through the summer and find the outside much nicer.
Tip: An hour can go very quickly so we would recommend booking 1.5hrs to get the most out of your session.