Meliá Hotels International and tennis player Rafa Nadal create a new brand of lifestyle hotels

The tennis player Rafael Nadal and Gabriel Escarrer, CEO of Meliá Hotels International, presented the ZEL hotel project today in Madrid. A new brand of vacation hotels and urban leisure that will begin to operate first in Spain, to later position itself in the main destinations in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and America.
 
The Joint Venture between these two global brands of Mallorcan origin aspires to consistent international growth, which capitalizes on its powerful Mediterranean character as its main hallmark. In addition, it will be joined by strategic partners that will accompany it in its international expansion in different fields such as gastronomy, decoration, well-being and technology.
 
For Gabriel Escarrer, "the result of adding the inspiring leadership of Rafa Nadal and the international experience of more than 65 years in the creation of luxury hotels and the hotel management of Meliá, materializes today in the design of a unique brand, which the traveler will fall in love and surprise the new generations. An innovative hotel brand, full of energy, with a new interpretation of well-being and a model of sustainability. We are happy to finally be able to collaborate, as partners in this project, with an icon on a personal and sporting level such as Rafa”.
 
For Rafael Nadal, “the launch of our hotel brand is a project that, as a Spaniard, a Mallorcan and as a traveler around the world, I have had in mind. Zel is synonymous with feeling good at all times, enjoying life and the way we live it throughout the Mediterranean. From the first moment I was attracted to this new concept that we have been developing together with Meliá. I am confident that Zel will be a story of success and growth and that it will be enjoyed by all who go to the hotels, which in the end is the reason for its creation.”
 
The expansion plan prepared foresees the signing of more than 20 hotels in 5 years, focusing on destinations with a clear focus on premium leisure tourism and the bleisure concept in the main regions in which the Meliá Hotels International company is present: in Europe , America, Middle East and Asia. In a first phase, the brand aims to grow in destinations on the Mediterranean coast and capitals such as Madrid, Paris and London, with the first ZEL hotel scheduled to open in Mallorca in 2023.
 
ZEL: the celebration of lifestyle Mediterranean
 
The project is based on the positioning of both brands as ambassadors of Mediterranean values ​​and lifestyle: the passion for living outdoors, good gastronomy, the focus on architecture and design to create spacious and bright spaces, where the connection with nature, the sky and the sea is prioritized. ZEL hotel guests will be able to take care of "body and soul" through well-being experiences that they can organize in their own way: group or individual activities for physical exercise and fitness.
 
ZEL offers an inspiring new home-away-from-home experience that evokes the way of life in a Mediterranean house, with a courtyard as the heart of the hotel and as a point of flow and connection. The patio, an element so present throughout the Mediterranean, will give way to other spaces such as terraces, rooftops or beach clubs that will be the protagonists of life in the open air, and where you can admire and enjoy views of great beauty. All this hand in hand with an organic atmosphere with a relaxed design, local gastronomy, natural well-being and unexpected and vibrant shared experiences. Zel customers will be able to access a digital community where they can share their experiences and continue their lifestyle once their stay is over.
 
As an outstanding attribute, the hotels will also promote social encounters and interactions and experiences, through a variety of "pop-up corners" dedicated to crafts, aesthetics, or tasting products from collaborating brands.