The first hotel of the partnership between Rafael Nadal and Meliá Hotels International opened its doors on June 23rd, the night of San Juan. The combination of the “Zel experience” and the energy of the Beso Beach restaurant and beach club made for a magical night by the sea.
The ZEL Mallorca hotel celebrated its opening last night with a party attended by a host of famous faces and a dazzling energy to kick off this collaboration project between Rafael Nadal and Meliá Hotels International, that manages this property. The excited hosts personally welcomed more than three hundred guests and enjoyed a magical Mediterranean evening inspired by the values and attributes of the ZEL brand.
This is the first hotel of the ZEL brand to open its doors on the well-known Palmanova beach on the island of Mallorca. This cove, which is over 1000 metres’ long with white sand and crystalline waters, provided the best backdrop for the launch of this hotel concept, that takes the Mediterranean essence to the best city and resort destinations around the world.
A Night in Mediterranean Heaven
Since its conception, ZEL has aimed to take the spirit and essence of the Mediterranean way of life to the best destinations around the world, and the opening party included all the classic Mediterranean ingredients: a night by the sea, the breeze, and the drums playing background beats. DJ Paco Colombás and Jordi Ruz also livened up the party at times, while the guests sampled the gastronomic offering and cocktails of the famous Beso Beach that operates the main restaurant on the property. Rafael Nadal and Gabriel Escarrer took the time to personally welcome and chat to the party guests.
The Best Kept Secret
Guests could see and experience first-hand the much-anticipated features that make the ZEL hotel concept stand out from other brands, like the patio, the open-air living concept, its integration with its surroundings, and the contrasts of spaces created to embrace the ‘fiesta and siesta’ concepts that are characteristic of the Mediterranean lifestyle.
In this way, the hotel design celebrates this enjoyment of open spaces, conceptualising rooms with colours, textures, and shapes that allude to nature, generating a sensation of peace, wellbeing and relaxation for guests.
The interiors of ZEL Mallorca transmit the harmonious mix of influences, with references to other key features of the Mediterranean culture from Italy and Greece, as well as patterns and finishes with a Mallorcan essence and earthy and ocean tones that generate an atmosphere brimming with energy. The renovation and interior design project were created by ASAH studio run by architects Álvaro and Adriana Sans.
The patio, an essential element of Mediterranean architecture, is the heart of ZEL Mallorca, the epicentre and core of its energy. The patio functions as a lobby and interconnects its different areas, perfectly reflecting a passion for freedom and open-air living. Upon entering the patio, the first thing you will notice is the absence of a traditional ‘reception’, because ZEL is inspired by a ‘Mediterranean home’ and therefore the patio offers a concept store where you can buy exclusive products by national and international brands, a specialty café serving the brand Syra Coffee, and a Mediterranean lounge.
The ZEL hotels are inspired by the ‘phygital’ philosophy that combines physical elements with technological innovation that enhance the experience and comfort of guests. Therefore, instead of a traditional reception, guests will find a digital kiosk in the patio where they can get their room card by scanning the QR code with their phone, which they will have received when they registered online previously. If they have not already done this, they can register with their phone at that time while they enjoy a welcome drink. In the same way, when it is time to check out, guests receive a notification to check their expenses, validate them, and pay online or in the patio with a member of the hotel staff if they prefer.
The wonderful main pool next to the Mediterranean Sea offered the attendees the best possible backdrop for the long-awaited launch of Beso Beach with its magical formula of tables with feet in the sand, designed by founder Angie L. Grijalbo, together with Rafa Viar, the architects of the successful brand. Throughout the evening, guests could visit a selection of the 165 rooms (21 of which are Suites or Junior Suites) boasting privileged sea views with a very special character, which lucky hotel guests have already started enjoying.
Two Very Mallorcan Hosts
As they explained when they presented the alliance to launch the hotel brand, Rafael Nadal and Gabriel Escarrer, Chairman and CEO of Meliá, have a lot in common, and not just their Mallorcan roots; they both love to sail, eat on the beach in a chiringuito or beach club, and breathe in the Mediterranean ambiance and way of life. As they explained, ZEL has not been just another project to them, which is why they have both participated in a very direct way in the creation of the first hotel, which signifies a very important milestone for them.
After symbolically ‘cutting’ the ribbon, representing the start of what they hope will be a long success story, they expressed their gratitude for the dedication of their teams in bringing this project to life, achieved in barely four months since the alliance was signed, and invited the attendees to enjoy and experience the ZEL spirit, and become ‘ambassadors’ of this brand.Gabriel Escarrer comments that he “is proud to prove that a project with challenges and such high standards like the ZEL brand has been captured in a new gem of the Mediterranean hotel sector with ZEL Mallorca, which will undoubtedly be the best international showcase of the new brand and an emblematic hotel that we will feel very proud of.
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. 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”.
As Rafa Nadal also explained after cutting the ribbon that officially opened the hotel, “the opening of ZEL Mallorca is a dream come true for me. 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”.
About ZEL
ZEL is the new lifestyle brand created together with Rafa Nadal. A collection of hotels inspired by the welcoming homes, outdoor culture and spontaneous lifestyle of the Mediterranean. A new hotel concept with a refreshing aesthetic based on the spontaneity, energy and family values of the Mediterranean.ZEL presents an architecture based on open and dynamic spaces, with an organic and revitalizing aesthetic, inviting you to feel the warmth of a Mediterranean House. The Mediterranean patio is the centre of the experience, from sunset to sunrise, enjoy an exceptional and festive atmosphere without interruption.
About Meliá Hotels International
Founded in 1956 in Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International has a portfolio of more than 400 hotels (portfolio and pipeline), throughout more than 40 countries, and 10 brands: Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, The Meliá Collection, ME by Meliá, Paradisus by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ZEL, INNSiDE by Meliá, Falcon’s Resorts by Meliá, Sol by Meliá and Affiliated by Meliá. The Group is one of the leading companies in resort hotels worldwide, while also leveraging its experience to consolidate the growing segment of the leisure-inspired urban market. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led the Group to become the most sustainable hotel company worldwide, according to the last S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, and it is also a “Top Employer 2023” brand in Spain, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Italy and Germany. Meliá Hotels International is also included in the IBEX 35 Spanish stock market.
