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Palmas del Mar Resort
Humacao, Puerto Rico
Tourism is picking up again following the opening of the
Four Points by Sheraton in March 2005 in what had been the Candelero Hotel.
Thoroughly refurbished, it picked up a casino and a minimal fitness center
to complement the 107 rooms and suites. Those rooms supplement an adjacent
complex of 125 well-appointed condominium units with kitchens, washer-dryers,
and in some cases oversize baths. All of that anchors 3½-mile beach,
two golf courses—one by Gary Player, the other a new Rees Jones championship
course—a marina, an equestrian center, some 17 restaurants, an array
of shops, and even a 17-acre preserve of tropical forest.
Tennis Features
Pro Shop: 787-852-6000
Palmas del Mar Country Club has the largest tennis complex
in all the the Caribbean. Its collection of 13 hard, 2 Omni (an artificial
grass), and 5 Har-Tru courts (one of the latter a stadium built into the
hillside and 7 with lights for night play) occupies a prominent place in
the resort, a five-minute walk from most of the condos. At the core of the
tennis facility is a full-service pro shop, moderate in size, whose windows
overlook an exhibition hard court. To one side is a patio shaded by an overarching
banyan tree and anchored by an outdoor bar called the Center Court Bar &
Grill, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The second floor of the
pro shop holds a small fitness center. It faces a small outdoor swimming
pool and is staffed by a full time personal/fitness trainer.
The courts themselves are laid out in banks of one or two,
all with courtside benches and water dispensers though not all offer shade.
Generous landscaping in form of trees, flowers, and lawns and the occasional
pond lend a tropical feel even as the pastel condominiums on the hillside
behind—a development called Monte Sol—suggest the Mediterranean.
Tennis Staff. The director of tennis is Corey Bowlin,
who has been at Palmas on and off over the past eight years. He worked for
Peter Burwash International for seven years before moving back to his home
town of Salem, Oregon, where he managed a tennis and swim club. Having returned
to Palmas, he plans to bring more activity and tournaments back to the tennis
club. He reports that there are plans to totally resurface the clay courts,
expand the fitness center, and enlarge and remodel the bar and grill.
Tennis Programs. Palmas offers 90-minute daily tennis
clinic, Friday night mixers, and exhibition matches by local Puerto Rican
players. There is also a year-round junior program for children ages 3-18,
which though designed for locals is open to the children of hotel guests.
Courts & Fees. Court fees: $24/hour days, $29/hour with
lights.
Four Points by Sheraton at Palmas del Mar
170 Candelero Dr.
Humacao, 00792 Puerto Rico
787-850-6000
Toll-free: 866-615-2323
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