First trip to Palma Sport & Tennis Club

Palma Sport & Tennis Club certainly started with a bang as they hosted the Legends Cup with the likes of Tim Henman, to mark the launch of the club in October 2015. This high profile event showcased the club and its facilities, which soon became the talk of the town. So I thought I had better go and see what all the fuss was about! 

The 10,000m2 venue is situated in Palma city centre in close proximity to the popular gastronomic district of Santa Catalina. As soon as you arrive, you are instantly transported from the surrounding built up residential area to a hidden paradise, with palm trees and beautiful flowers surrounding you as you walk up to the main reception area. 

You can’t help but notice the brand new 25m swimming pool with sun loungers and the main clay tennis court as you reach the very relaxed outdoor seating area for the club’s restaurant. A place where you will find people sitting with friends having lunch, others having a moment to themselves with a coffee in one hand and a book in the other. 

Upon entering the reception and restaurant, a very smart Scandinavian looking receptionist greeted me and within minutes I was having a tour of the club. Throughout the tour I noticed the modern contemporary décor with Swedish influence, from the lights to the tiles and even the staff’s crisp white uniforms; the attention to detail was sensational. The staff were friendly, attentive and spoke lots of languages, definitely required for the mix of nationalities I detected in the club (Spanish, Swedish, English and German). 

So let’s talk tennis; after all this is what the club is famous for. There are 5 impressive clay courts in pristine condition that can be booked by non-members for 30€ per hour, great for anyone wanting to indulge in a spot of tennis whilst on holiday on the island. Tennis lessons are 45€ per hour for one, or 65€ per hour for 2. The tennis again speak great languages and are used to teaching all levels of ability. 

For tennis fanatics who live on the island, to become a Tennis & Fitness Member with unlimited use of the tennis courts and full use of the facilities, this comes with a premium price tag (120€ per month excluding any tennis/gym classes and 195€ per month including gym classes), however having seen the facilities you will honestly think it is worth it. Also as a Tennis & Fitness Member, you can also bring non-members to play with you for just 5€ per person. 

Not into tennis? Fear not! The club has a fully equipped gym with the latest TechnoGym machines and free weights, completed with cardio and cycling rooms, an extensive timetable of classes (everything you could possible want, from Hot Yoga to TRX and Pilates), a swimming pool and an outstanding Spa. The two membership options are 95€ per month for basic gym, swimming pool and spa, but for 120€ (additional 25€) you can join in the classes. 

Having participated in a 7.30am Cross Training class, I was extremely impressed. There were just the two of us, which was great for us as it felt more like a one-to-one personal training session. The instructor put us through our paces, using in-door and outdoor functional cross training using kettle bells, medicine balls and free weights. After the morning session, I was relieved to find out the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and what better way to start the day than a bowl of Quark, banana and walnuts (5€).

There is a variety of healthy yet inspiring dishes to choose from on the menu. From avocado and tuna sandwiches (3.50€) to something a little more substantial like grilled fillet of beef with parsnip mash and steamed vegetables (22€). They even have an ‘After Training Menu’, egg white omelette (5€) anyone? Or perhaps a post workout super juice (5.80€). You can also eat at the restaurant without being a member, so I highly recommend getting down there just to kickback, relax and soak up the atmosphere. 

At lunchtime, I opted for the Menu Del Dia (17€). I was presented with fresh brown bread and homemade hummus before being delivered smoked sardines on cauliflower cream and seaweed as a starter, followed by cod with romesco and finally the quinoa with milk and strawberries for dessert.  All courses were enjoyable with lots of flavour yet healthy at the same time thanks to the creativity of the chefs. 

Being in such a healthy environment, I stuck to the sparkling mineral water at lunchtime but after a luxury spa afternoon I was tempted to a glass of red wine to unwind further into the evening (2.90€ for the house red). If you were to fancy something a little more exotic they serve an Aperol Spritz(6€), a Gin & Tonic (7€), or a bottle of Bollinger (62€)...

The spa boasts 3 different saunas; Finnish, Turkish and infrared, hot and cool water tubs. A real highlight for me was the ‘relaxing’ room, with hot stone and waterbeds and this is all included as part of all membership packages available. For those who fancy a little more pampering, there are 3 treatment rooms for massages, manicures and other specialized treatments. I indulged in a 60-minute classic Swedish massage, and I can’t recommend it highly enough for those who need to unwind and have total sense of relaxation. The therapist was extremely talented and the Kerstin Florian products left my skin feeling transformed. 

The changing rooms and shower facilities lived up to the rest of the club, brand new walk in showers with complimentary shampoo, conditioner, cotton wool, deodorant, moisturiser and even hair ties and hairspray. 

Good news for those who would like to try out the gym for a day either as a resident or a holiday-maker, you can purchase a Day Pass for 40€ giving you full access to the fantastic facilities at this new club, except paid spa treatments and tennis courts which have to be booked separately. 

Opening Times: 7am until 11pm, 365 days of the year.

Transport: The club has its own car park with 3 hours free parking, there is also on street parking in the surrounding residential areas. A short walk from el Paseo Marítimo, you can get off any buses the stop near the Hard Rock Café and it is a 3 minute walk from there.