Zel Mallorca, the product of a partnership between Rafael Nadal and Meliá Hotels International, has officially opened its doors. The first hotel of the Zel brand to open on Mallorca’s Palmanova beach, the new opening embodies Zel’s commitment to bringing the spirit of Mediterranean life to destinations across the world.

The 165-room hotel has been designed to celebrate open spaces, centring around a patio which functions as a lobby, connecting guests to different areas of the hotel. Inspired by a Mediterranean home, the lobby isn’t home to a traditional reception, but rather a concept store, café and lounge, with guests able to simply scan a QR code to access their room cards.

The hotel’s shared and private spaces – designed by ASAH Studio and architects Álvaro and Adriana Sans – use colours, textures and shapes which allude to nature, with earthy and ocean tones generating a relaxing and rejuvenating energy.

Zel Mallorca’s pool finds home by Beso Beach, a Basque-Mediterranean culinary venue which runs with a ‘feet in the sand’ philosophy. 

Gabriel Escarrer, Chairman and CEO of Meliá spoke at the hotel’s launch: “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. 

Rafael Nadal also added: “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.”