Vacation and Play
Pickleball in Luxury
Sunday, January 31 - Saturday February 6, 2027
Naia Resort & Spa
Placencia Peninsula, Belize
Your Ultimate Winter Getaway
Your Ultimate Winter Getaway
Join Ahimsa Yoga Studio owner Kelly Merydith in Belize Sunday, January 31 to Saturday, February 6, 2027 for an unforgettable six-night retreat at the award-winning Naia Resort & Spa.
Kelly is the owner of Ahimsa Yoga Studio, but when she’s not running studios or leading retreats, you can often find her on the pickleball court. She has played at clubs throughout Chicago, including some of her favorites: SPF, ChiPickle, and outdoor courts at Grant Park. For this retreat, Kelly will be joined by Chicago-based pickleball pro, Emir Hamzic, for a week designed to help you play, improve, relax, and enjoy paradise.
This retreat is your invitation to reset, have fun, meet great people, and enjoy the perfect balance of active days and luxurious downtime. You’ll have time on the court, time by the sea, and time to simply breathe.
Your retreat includes:
Six nights at Naia Resort & Spa in Belize
Two open plays per day (3.5-4.0 and 4.0-4.5) organized by Kelly and Chicago-based pickleball pro, Emir Hamzic
Daily breakfast
Dinner included on 4 evenings, with 2 dinners on your own to explore and enjoy at your own pace
Occasional yoga, meditation, and recovery practices led by Kelly
Full access to Naia’s saltwater pool, fitness center, bicycles, kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkeling gear
Round-trip ground transfers from Belize International Airport (BZE)
Free time for rest, spa treatments, beach walks, excursions, or simply enjoying the Caribbean Sea
Whether you’re coming to improve your game, escape winter, connect with new friends, or treat yourself to something special, this retreat is designed to feel both energizing and deeply restorative.
FAQs
Pickleball players (and possibly partners) from anywhere in the US, most likely the Chicago area.
We will split players between 3.5-4.0 and 4.0-4.5 using DUPR.
Beginner players are welcome to come and play on the courts when they are not in use.
Who is coming on this retreat and what level of play will you offer?
What are the courts like?
We have access to two courts on the property and will offer 2 open plays per day - 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the evening, mixed in with some options for drilling.
Courts are first come first served at other time.
There is a pickleball facility next to the property called Inky’s with low court rental fees and some open plays. Players are welcome to go there to play, but it will cost a little extra.
What will the weather be like in Belize?
It is generally in the 80s during this time of year. It may rain occasionally. It may be windy.
What else is there to do on the retreat?
There’s plenty to do - free access to kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkeling gear. There is a beautiful gym on the property, resort bikes, a pool and an incredible spa.
There are plenty of excursions you can take - snorkeling, diving, cave tubing, mayan ruins, horseback riding, and more.
Accommodations
Studio Beach House
Thoughtfully designed with high vaulted ceilings, handcrafted hardwood finishes, and floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open onto your private veranda on the beach. Enjoy a king bed, deep soaking tub, outdoor garden shower, spa robes, air conditioning, WiFi, in-room fresh ground coffee.
Beach Front:
$3,370 per person (double occupancy)
$5,334 per person (single-occupancy)
Beach View:
$3,014 per person (double occupancy)
$4,620 per person (single-occupancy)
1 Bedroom Beach House
The spacious One-Bedroom Beach Houses showcase all of the upscale amenities featured in our studios, along with a tastefully furnished living room that is separate from the bedroom area and offers additional seating at a custom-built wet bar.
A separate bedroom featuring large windows welcomes ample natural light into your relaxing sleep space, while a large walk-in closet provides plentiful storage. The bedroom also has its own 40″ Smart TV, in addition to one found in the living room. A stunning and expansive bathroom with a luxurious standalone tub and makeup counter with double vanities is offered, along with a spacious outdoor garden shower.
A large veranda provides the perfect setting to take morning coffee and watch the sunrise, or relax with a glass of wine and listen to the sounds of the sea.
Beach View (no pool):
$3,370 per person (double occupancy)
$5,334 per person (single-occupancy)
Spa Villa
Your brand new home away from home will be a stunning, well appointed, shared space with all the luxury amenities expected at Naia, including a kitchen, a private plunge pool, and a screened outdoor dining area overlooking the lagoon. It will accommodate up to four guests with two bedrooms, each with two queen beds and a private bathroom.
Two Bedroom Spa-Villa with Pool
$2,834 per person, double occupancy (you will share a room with two queen beds with one other person and share the villa with another party)
$100 Referral Bonus!
Refer a friend and receive $100 off the total cost or your trip. The friend must submit your name on the registration page. There is no limit to the number of referrals you can have - so spread the word!
Extras
Whether you’re happiest on, or in, the water, hiking in the jungle, or just want to immerse yourself in Belize’s fascinating culture, the dedicated concierge team at Naia will be happy to make all the arrangements, from transportation, to guides, to food and drink.
Peruse all the options here and get ready for your adventure!
You’ll be able to book these options though us prior to your arrival.
What guests have said about our international retreats…
Ask a question!
Ask a question!
Your retreat leaders
Emir Hamzic (pickleball pro)
Emir Hamzic comes to the pickleball world from an extensive tennis background. Globally recognized in the racquet sports industry as a player and coach, Hamzic is a former college tennis standout at Brookdale Junior College, where he became an All-American, won a Division 3 JUCO national championship, and was named a NJCAA Division 3 Men’s Tennis Player of the Year. Hamzic is one of the very few players who have competed at the professional level on the ATP Futures Tour as a junior college player. Just like other tennis players transitioning into pickleball, whether it be Jack Sock, Sam Querry, or Genie Bouchard, Hamzic is now looking to do the same.
Hamzic’s enthusiasm and work ethic underpin his 10+ years of coaching experience, including top director roles, Division 1 college coaching, and working with Nick Bollitieri. Certified by the Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR) in August 2023, he is ready to go. Hamzic graduated from Kean University with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science in 2020.
A resident of Lincoln Park, Hamzić will appear on 16 stops on the APP and PPA tours in 2024. Hamzic turned pro in May 2023. His first tournament was APP Cincinnati. Since his pro debut, he finished 2023 playing 8 pro stops and a silver in the U.S Indoor championships in the Men’s pro doubles points draw. His 2023 results landed him a sponsorship with a Chicago-based paddle company, PROXR. He had his first main draw appearance playing at APP New Jersey. His highest win has been against a 5.8 DUPR. He has 5.0+ wins in singles and doubles.
Kelly Merydith (yoga teacher)
Kelly Merydith is the owner of Ahimsa Yoga Studio and has been leading transformational retreats around the world for over 12 years. This will be her fifth time returning to Belize - a destination she loves for its laid-back atmosphere, beautiful beaches, and incredible people.
In addition to owning Ahimsa, Kelly is an avid pickleball player and regularly plays at clubs throughout the Chicago area, including SPF, ChiPickle, and the outdoor courts at Grant Park. She loves the strategy, competition, and community that pickleball brings and is excited to share that passion with this retreat.
Kelly completed her 200-hour teacher training through YogaWorks in Santa Monica and her 300-hour certification at Moksha Yoga Center in Chicago. She uses yoga and meditation to improve her balance, strength, mobility, focus, and recovery - all of which complement pickleball both on and off the court. Throughout the retreat, she'll offer optional yoga and mobility sessions designed to help players move better, recover faster, and feel their best.
Kelly can't wait to combine her three favorite things - travel, pickleball, and building meaningful community - for an unforgettable week in Belize.
