ZEL Mallorca: The Collaboration of Rafael Nadal and Meliá Hotels International

Rafael Nadal, a tennis player, and Meliá Hotels International have launched a new hotel brand called ZEL, and it has announced the inauguration of its first property, ZEL Mallorca. To honour the beginning of the partnership between Rafael Nadal and Meliá Hotels International, the hotel hosted a fiesta that was attended by several well-known figures. More than 300 guests were welcomed by Nadal and Gabriel Escarrer, Chairman and CEO of Meliá Hotels International, and they were treated to a fantastic Mediterranean evening that was influenced by the ZEL brand, character, lifestyle, and culture.

A Dreamy Evening in the Mediterranean
The splendour of Spain’s Balearic Islands serves as the backdrop for ZEL Mallorca, accentuating the hotel’s charm and Mediterranean spirit. The hotel is tucked away along a half-mile stretch of Palmanova Beach with white sand and crystal-clear waters.

With vibrant music provided by DJs Paco Colombás and Jordi Ruz, a magnificent coastal setting, and tastings of the hotel’s new culinary endeavours, which were created in collaboration with well-known Spanish company Beso Beach, the grand opening fiesta of the hotel embodied all the traditional Mediterranean characteristics. The hotel’s specialty eatery, Beso Beach Mallorca, offers visitors a taste of its ten years of experience in Mediterranean and Basque Country cuisine. The restaurant is designed like a beach club and offers a menu with specialties including Carabinero prawns, lobster tails, mussels, and more.

The Little-Known Fact
Fiesta visitors had the opportunity to observe and use the eagerly anticipated elements that set the ZEL hotel apart from other Meliá Hotel brands. The patio, an open-air living style, a connection to nature, and a range of places designed to enjoy the “fiesta and siesta” ideals that are important to the Mediterranean way of life are some of these aspects.

The hotel’s architecture promotes the enjoyment of open spaces and conceptualises the rooms with naturalistic hues, textures, and shapes. The architectural features provide visitors a sense of tranquilly, wellbeing, and relaxation.

The interiors of ZEL Mallorca exhibit a harmonious blending of influences, including nods to important aspects of Mediterranean culture from Italy and Greece, patterns and finishes with earthy and oceanic tones that foster an energising mood, and finishes with references to Mallorcan culture. Architects lvaro and Adriana Sans of ASAH studio produced the remodelling and interior design project.

The heart of ZEL Mallorca and the centre of the hotel’s energy is the patio, a crucial component of Mediterranean architecture. The patio serves as a lobby by connecting the various parts of the property and fostering a sense of freedom through outdoor living. When you enter ZEL, the first thing you’ll notice is that there isn’t a standard greeting area because the building was designed in the style of a Mediterranean home. Instead, the patio features a shop where customers may purchase unique goods from both domestic and foreign companies, a speciality café that serves Syra Coffee, and a Mediterranean lounge.

The ‘phygital’ idea, which mixes physical features with technological innovation to improve the pleasure and comfort of guests, is the inspiration behind the ZEL hotels. As a result, there won’t be a typical reception; instead, guests will encounter a digital kiosk on the patio where they may print their room cards by scanning the QR code they received when they registered online. If they haven’t previously, visitors can register with their phone when they arrive and sip a welcome beverage. Similar to this, visitors are reminded to check their spending, authenticate their expenses, and pay online when it’s time to check out. If they’d like, they can check out on the patio with a member of the hotel staff.

The long-awaited opening of Beso Beach, where visitors can sit at tables with their feet in the sand, took place against the most picturesque backdrop possible: the main pool close to the Mediterranean Sea. Angie L. Grijalbo and Rafa Viar, two architects and the company’s founders, created the Beso Beach.

Visitors had the opportunity to explore a number of the 165 rooms throughout the evening, 21 of which are suites or junior suites. Outstanding character and spectacular sea views are features of the guest accommodations.

Two Authentic Mallorcan Hosts
Nadal and Escarrer share many traits outside of their Mallorcan heritage. Both guys like the Mediterranean way of life’s simplicity as well as sailing, time at the beach, fine dining, and indulging in delicious foods. These similarities served as the impetus for them to work together and create the ZEL brand in an effort to share their enthusiasm and love of their culture with visitors all over the world. ZEL Mallorca is the first step in what Nadal and Escarrer hope will be a protracted success story for both players.

Nadal and Escarrer co-hosted a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony at the grand opening celebration when they both expressed their appreciation for the commitment and labour of their teams in realising their vision. Speaking directly to attendees, Escarrer urged them to embrace the ZEL spirit and revealed the company’s plans to debut a second ZEL property in Mexico in 2025.

“This hotel is an exceptional jewel born from the combination of our experience in hotel management and the inspiring leadership of a worldwide icon like Rafael Nadal, and the first example of the alliance of two groups of family origins and solid shared values,” said Escarrer. “For us, today marks the start of a new expansion and growth phase for the ZEL brand and I am glad to mark the celebration with the announcement of our first ZEL hotel in Mexico: ZEL Sayulita, which will open in 2025”.

“The opening of ZEL Mallorca is a dream come true for me,” said Nadal. After seeing the results, I am surer than ever before that ZEL will be a great entrepreneurial project and a fantastic ambassador of the Spanish and Mediterranean values and essence.”