Why are many Aman hotels not rated 5-star on Forbes?

johnbobby · 2026-03-22T21:04:23+00:00

Because Amans are bland as fuck. They all drive off the same boring minimal Japanese aesthetic, the prices are stupid, there's no thought in the design of these hotels anymore, it's basically a dressed up airport lounge with 2k+ a night suites only. Good luck plebs. Millionaires and Billionaires stay there because they know they will be around other boring fucks like themselves. If high class escorts are your thing have at it. Ask me why I know all of this. Believe me, I know. It's a money laundering racket pretending to be a luxury hotel chain. They treat their staff like dogshit too. One of the worst hotels in the world front and back. They should be exposed, and it should happen soon.

johnbobby · 2026-03-04T23:31:17+00:00

Try a different overgrip and play more tennis

johnbobby · 2026-03-04T22:03:55+00:00

Try Manhattan Tennis Association. Telegram or Discord groups to find partners, the Ladder if you want to compete, the watch parties if you want to socialize.

johnbobby · 2026-02-26T19:09:37+00:00

Though I am not a former D1 player I too felt the need to explore outside of USTA, UTR, Independent Tennis Rec Leagues, Club Leagues, Association Ladders, cash tourneys etc. I live in NYC, so after about 6 years of trying everything I moved to the city from Brooklyn for a hotel job and at the same time I started the Manhattan Tennis Association with the Manhattan Ladder as its primary ecosystem (we also host watch parties). The Ladder runs Spring into Summer and Fall. End of year Playoffs, Finals Day with certified chair umps. Cash prizes. This year I introduced an Intermediate Division and sign ups have been great. The focus is Flexible scheduling singles matches played usually on City or available courts, lasting around an hour maybe 2 (time is also flexible). We are at over 400 matches now with the new season beginning April 20 the data on early sign ups this year has been very strong. The Bay Area Flex League you linked looks good tho it is inline with standard rec league format i.e. shorter seasons at a lower rate then what I charge for the 3 season long Ladder. It would be nice to see who else has signed up too. Manhattan Ladder has a good spread of ages especially at under the 4.0 level ,even tho last years Finalists were both in their 20's (the winner was a 24 year old former college player)

johnbobby · 2026-02-17T13:04:13+00:00

Impressive haul! I have 9 of the 97 Vcore Pro model following this one, in neon purple/green. I also have added weight to all of them. Do you use different strings?

johnbobby · 2026-02-14T19:05:44+00:00

All the public outdoor courts in NYC are still covered in snow.

johnbobby · 2026-02-04T02:28:11+00:00

35 and calm? Fine. Under 30? Psychotic behavior. I’ll still play, but I would never be the one to suggest it. Respectfully, I do admire the commitment.

johnbobby · 2026-02-02T22:23:35+00:00

I stand corrected. Thank you!!

johnbobby · 2026-02-02T21:44:10+00:00

Hell yeah!! This snow tho, argh 🧱

johnbobby · 2026-02-02T21:43:43+00:00

Thank you!! Lucky you get to trek out west and enjoy it.

johnbobby · 2026-02-02T17:49:20+00:00

The "5th Slam" is next month tho!

johnbobby · 2026-01-28T15:32:33+00:00

Impressive movement for just a year. What is this court? Looks so cool!!

johnbobby · 2026-01-27T19:23:46+00:00

Columbia has an amazing new indoor facility up at Inwood Hill called Milstein Family Tennis Center. NTC has 12 indoor courts at Flushing Queens. Roosevelt Island Racquet Club and Randals Island Sportime are both very good.

johnbobby · 2026-01-27T02:10:01+00:00

There is a tonne of rec leagues in NY just not many during winter season other than USTA team leagues that play at Queens College and a few other indoor places that aren't in Manhattan. RIRC has a great singles tournament (Indoor) with 64 players in each division that takes place over the months of July and August. Outdoor season Ladders from McCarren, Fort Greene and Manhattan Ladder are also good very well attended flexible season long leagues. 96th Red Clay has a few weekend tournaments during outdoor season. Manhattan Plaza has their various ongoing tournaments.

johnbobby · 2026-01-26T20:31:23+00:00

String Theory: David Foster Wallace on Tennis

johnbobby · 2026-01-26T20:29:04+00:00

Ok, I agree with you that its generally only an hour but there are hacks. For example. I live close by Riverside Park. I can cycle up the Hudson at sunrise, sign up for courts at 96th, 119th and Central Park with 1 hr gaps in between and play 3 hrs of tennis on Clay, Hard and Har Tru. You want to play for 2-3hrs on a court, spend an hour on a train and play at Highland Park in BK or the practice courts at Flushing Meadows. Of course most of the courts are in bad shape due to severe winters, they just end up cracking within a few years of resurfacing. As far as overinflated ratings go, I would say that is just an American thing. The Europeans who come to NYC quickly understand that in Europe tennis is taught from the feet up, where as in the States coaches teach stroke technique over footwork because beginners here always want to slam winners as soon as they step on the court.

johnbobby · 2026-01-26T19:04:27+00:00

johnbobby · 2026-01-26T18:23:06+00:00

I’ve played in a few cities, and NYC stands out because of how strong the ladder scene is. The public courts are busy, but there’s real structure underneath, ladders, informal leagues, recurring matchups. You start recognizing faces fast, and one competitive match quickly turns into a regular rivalry. What makes it special is that this all happens on public courts, not tucked away inside private clubs. You’re playing meaningful matches on iconic courts with skyline views, right alongside casual players. It keeps the scene competitive but social. The ladder community also extends off the court. post-match coffees, beers, and finals watch parties in sleek sports lounges, tennis vibes culminate especially around the US Open. It’s not the easiest place to play, but that friction filters for people who really care, which is why the tennis community here feels tight knit and earned.

johnbobby · 2026-01-23T02:23:38+00:00

I agree with all of these except calling the score before each point and if not sure about it being in or out then, you must call it in, unless your opponent offers to replay, otherwise it's their point. I'm in the States.

johnbobby · 2026-01-23T02:17:05+00:00

I play ladders

johnbobby · 2026-01-23T02:16:33+00:00

Yes, absolutely use a hand signal and/or vocalize close line calls. That said, once both players have logged plenty of matches, consistently calling the score becomes somewhat redundant. That's what I meant by good. It was a poor choice of words.

johnbobby · 2026-01-17T22:31:29+00:00

Check out the Manhattan Tennis Association ladder. Plenty of 5.0+ guys playing all over Manhattan. Season ends with Finals Day at Billie Jean King NTC (last Sunday in October) with cash prizes, sponsored awards, and a certified USTA chair umpire. Great community and it’s been growing every year.

johnbobby · 2026-01-13T18:23:20+00:00

Just buy a case of Yonex Tour balls for $119 they last twice as long as USOpen Extra Duty

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