For a tennis addicted single woman looking for a safe, intimate place to stay over the Christmas holiday I couldn't have dreamed for anything better. John and Rosa are the perfect hosts.
The staff are friendly and efficient and a wonderful doctor with a clinic a couple of blocks away lives onsite. There are free bikes available for touring around and every day a van load of guests is driven to and from four wonderful clay courts in a nearby town. The setup of the complex is secure and altogether El Palmar is simply flipping sweet!
After spending a week hitting with John and the young toros on the clay at El Palmar, my tennis game mentally and technically improved. More importantly, I had a good time.
My uncle Arturo, a novice, accompanied me and each morning Fergie would hit with Arturo, allowing me to focus on my 3.5/4.0 game. By the end of the week it was great to see my 75 year old uncle hit two handed backhands and enjoying tennis. John taught me the intricacies of doubles and in several games with 4.5 players I held my own. If you're looking for singles play, the young guns who show up on weekends have enough game to keep most club and college level players challenged.
John's place is a half block from the ocean and is tastefully designed and furnished. I borrowed his mountain bike and tooled around town, went snorkeling and sea kayaking up the coast which has some of the most spectacular seascapes in Mexico.
I had been to tennis camps elsewhere and prefered El Palmar's pace and pressureless approach. Getting to meet the locals and play with them made me forget that I was a tourist. If you're looking for a no pressure, quality tennis experience in a beautiful setting close to home, this is it.
~ Steve Ginsberg , ~ Arthur Bornstein
Thank you Fergie for showing me your high level of skill and quiet style of tennis instruction. Your knowledge, patience and support is to be commended. I appreciated your ability to take a skill apart so that others could understand it. The repetition to help skill learning was another bonus. So were the tips to use in training, play and tennis in general. You are a true professional and provide unlimited inspiration to the tennis game.
Muchas gracias!
~ Saundra
Locals are friendly, helpful and honest, so it's safe to walk the streets day or night. What a wonderful setting for tennis - I love playing on those red-clay courts! My wife was thrilled with the beautiful accommodation.