We have a 1 and 3 yr old and are considering the Oakland Hills Tennis Club. We are looking for feedback, good or bad, before plunking down the money. How is the baby sitting service, the atmosphere, the fitness classes (kids gym, pilates, yoga...), does it get insanely busy during the summer, etc... There are a few prior posts, but they are several years old.. Thank you! dan

The rest of the year things are quite mellow around there. It is definitely family-friendly. The fitness facilities and classes are fine but nothing like what you would get at Club One. The trade-off is a a very safe, intimate environment with a family-run feeling. Tennis seems to be a program that they take seriously and where they have the most expertise. We don't have a tennis membership, but the program seems very active. The childcare is small but cozy, and very affordable. There is also a lounge area with a great view, where you can even sit and read the paper and reclaim your sanity for half an hour, or you can go take a steam and a shower, while your child plays happily in the daycare!

I don't think you will find a hardcore fitness fanatic culture there -- it's a very moderate, easy-going type of crowd. Despite a few minor quirks, we are enjoying it quite a bit and can't wait for summer to roll back around so we can hit the kiddie pool again. Montclair Mommy

The tennis aspects are good -- lots of friendly people, good pros, and pretty easy to get a court.

Now for the negative: the place is run by a family and customer service is not the first priority at all. Complaints generally fall on deaf ears. It is not a great place to join if you are an adult who wants to lap swim, especially in the summer. The locker rooms are very small and in the summer the family locker room is overly crowded and very hot. When something goes wrong -- like the pool heater breaking -- they are often quite slow to fix it. They run out of towels in the summer sometimes, and there is a sort of ''too bad'' attitude. Things are a bit disorganized at times and its hard to get accurate information. In general, the most frustrating aspect is the ''who cares'' attitude they exude if you have a problem, suggestion or complaint. The swim team takes up a lot of the pool every afternoon for 2 hours in the summer and it cuts into the area for others to swim. They close too early on Friday nights.

In general we've been happy with the place, but it isn't by any stretch a ''posh'' place or one where you will be catered to. If you want a friendly place to bring your kids swimming and you aren't a super athlete, it's just fine. Anonymous swimmer

I have reviewed the posts and have not seen anything recent about Oakland Hills Tennis Club (off Redwood). Care to provide me with any personal knowledge you have about the club? Is it a good value; how are the swim lessons; what's the diversity factor? Thanks in advance! Potential new member

I would say that it is a decent value, despite the fact that its one-time price recently doubled. Unfortunately, you do not get the one-time fee back like at other clubs. We chose this club over, say The Hills, because it had the full-service pool with snack bar (very key when you have kids), a full workout facility with babysitting (also key with kids), and a full- service tennis club for my husband. Besides the very expensive Claremont, I haven't seen that particular combination done elsewhere. It simply had all the things we were looking for. I believe the monthly fee is about the same as The Hills, but am not sure.

As for the swim lessons, I have not been able to take advantage of them the last 2 years. But I've heard great things from my friends who use them each year. Swim teacher/coach Ann Cavalli is supposed to be great with the kids.

The best way to decide is to visit OHTC and see if it feels right for you and your family. If you will use most or all of the services they provide, then it will probably be the right choice for you. We love it. Good luck, and hope to see you by the pool! nr

The pool is small and oddly shaped, and when the swim teams practice, half of it is blocked off, leaving very little space for others. And it gets very crowded during the weekends. Swim lessons are crowded too. My son did not like them.

Some members were allowed to regularly bring in guests and not pay the additional fee which, by the way, is $10.00 per person. So if you have an only child, or want your kids to bring friends, it will add up quickly. They also charge extra for the water aerobics class. Once I needed to ask for some umbrellas on the pool deck to be opened to provide shade and the employee grumbled a lot about having to do it. In another instance I was forced to show a separate ID from my husband when we walked in with our son as a family. The person behind the desk clearly recognized me, as we had been members for quite some time at that point.

On three separate occasions while working out in the fitness room, an employee began spraying an aerosol cleaner on the equipment and walls and the room filled with fumes. As I was doing cardio at the time, I really felt as if my health was being jeopardized. I had to complain to management several times before they retrained their staff on cleaning procedures. Most of the classes are taught on the most basic beginner level. Both the Pilates and Yoga are aimed at the unfit. My husband went to the back care class, and it started with overhead presses with free weights. One of the personal trainers does not utilize basic industry standards, such as spine alignment and joint stabilization during lifts. As a certified personal trainer and fitness author, I was appalled at both of these situations.

The good side to the club is that it has a nice kiddie pool, (which also gets crowded on weekends) and the club has great views. If you are into tennis, they have a lot of levels of play, from social to competitive.

But, be warned, it can get really windy and cold up there when the fog is coming in. former member

Their babysitting room is wonderful - very light and bright with an outside area that includes a play structure. The current babysitters have been there for quite awhile (turnover before was more frequent). The sitters are friendly and caring and the cost is only $2/hr. per child. Childcare is available every day of the week.

The club offers lots of activities for children: swim lessons, gymnastics, visits from Santa at Christmas etc. The holdiay parties for adults usually offer childcare as well. They also have massage therapists!

I think that for the price (compared to the Claremont and even The Hills) it can't be beat. Feel free to call me if you have any additional questions! Laurie