A fully automated, 24-hour court offers players something that’s impossible to find elsewhere: privacy.
WORDS
Lee McLaughlan
PHOTOGRAPHY
Hannah Hutchins
On the fringes of Alicante, Spain lies a padel oasis.
The surroundings certainly don’t give it away – just the sign above a narrow warehouse. It sits next door to a weightlifting gym and opposite a car dealership. The glamour and mystique are not on the street but behind the nondescript white door.
This venue has a unique position in Alicante’s padel eco-system: after other padel clubs have locked their doors, the lights at Padeluxe stay on. On any given day, at two, three, four or even six in the morning, the laughter and celebration echoes across the single court as friends battle out points in the early hours.
For co-founder Alejandro Trincado, this is exactly the scene he imagined when he and his business partner Ruben Rodriguez first came up with the idea of a venue that would turn the traditional padel club model on its head.
“We didn’t want to build another four or five court club,” said Alejandro. “Instead, we thought why not one court in five different locations. Smaller venues are easier to find, cheaper to run and give us space to do something truly unique.”
Within six months, the pair had transformed their idea into reality. By summer 2023, Padeluxe was open. A new era in padel had begun with the first fully automated, 24-hour padel club in Spain.
Padeluxe thrives on its flexibility. Everything is automated, from the booking system to the showers and the lights. Players simply book online, pay, and receive a QR or numeric code to unlock the club.
“When you arrive, the court is in darkness. Then the lights switch on, and the magic starts,” Alejandro explains with a smile. “Other clubs are sleeping. We are alive.”
It’s a model that has led to some unforgettable nights. “We had 12 people play from midnight to eight in the morning,” he laughs. “Crazy, maybe, but that’s the beauty of it. We give people the freedom to play whenever they want.”
Alejandro, who has a full time job outside of padel, and Ruben, a padel coach and partner in a nearby padel venue, invested €100,000 to bring Padeluxe to life.
But their vision extends beyond just court time. The single court model enables them to also deliver an experience which multiple court venues can’t. It provides solitude, exclusivity and privacy.
It can be hired to combine padel with experiences from a birthday party to wine tastings, to jamón slicing demonstrations to even business meetings that finish with a match on court.
“In a big club, you’re just another booking,” Alejandro says. “Here, it’s private, it’s personal. You have the whole place to yourself. If you want a DJ, have a ping pong table, want us to organise catering, all of this is possible.”
That exclusivity has also enabled Padeluxe to attract some of the sport’s biggest names to sharpen their skills.
“I was here with Sanyo Gutiérrez, the former world number one. Paula Josémaría Martin, the current women’s number two, has trained here with her coach Claudio Gilardoni. We’ve also had Javi Leal, Javi Rico, Ignacio Piotto – the list goes on. This is a great place to come and train. Paula has messaged me when it’s impossible to train where she is. Privacy is one of the main factors.
“On one occasion, I was sitting here with a beer, essentially watching a Premier Padel match right in front of me. It was incredible.”
What makes Padeluxe such a success is the adoption of technology to ensure a seamless operation. Upon entering, you are greeted with a stunning vision of the outline of the court lit by neon purple strip lights.
The lights go on, and what is revealed is a spacious area in front of the court, replete with sofas, a TV, vending machines for drinks and snacks and one for padel accessories such as balls. Opposite, on shelving are rackets, which are free to use.
As Alejandro explains, the operation relies solely on trust, though security cameras quietly oversee the space.
“We totally trust our clients when they come to Padeluxe,” he says. “This is like our house and people respect it. If someone breaks that trust, they won’t come back.
“For us, Padeluxe is available to everyone. If you want to play at night, you must be a member. That way, we know who you are, we know you’re responsible. It keeps the experience safe and enjoyable.”
Alicante is one of Spain’s major padel hubs. Within a small radius of Padeluxe there are four more venues. Head into the city and along its Mediterranean coast and you find even more. There is no shortage of options, which therefore, might question the logic to open Padeluxe in the city.
“This is probably the worst place to put a club like ours,” Alejandro admits. “Competition is tough, and people don’t like to pay much. But if we can succeed here, we can succeed anywhere.”
The Padeluxe Experience is not going to break the bank either as 90 mins court time in the day is just €20 ($24), while to experience it at night is only €28 ($32).
Having proven the model works, rivals are popping up in other cities, as the concept is ripe for expansion. Madrid and Mexico are the next likely destinations for Padeluxe, with the long-term vision stretching far beyond.
Padeluxe is more than a court, it’s a rethink of what a club can be. By blending technology, accessibility and atmosphere, it has created something that appeals to everyone: professionals, businesses, partygoers, and everyday players who just want the freedom to play when it suits them.
“Ruben and I always said this isn’t just a club. It’s an experience,” reflected Alejandro. “When people come here, it’s like coming into our home. That’s what makes Padeluxe different.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lee McLaughlan
Lee has over three decades of sports journalism and PR experience, including a senior comms role with the British PGA. He is the founder of sports-based PR agency Sweetspot Communications and a freelance journalist.
