Tennis player Rafael Nadal and Gabriel Escarrer, CEO of Meliá Hotels International, have announced the launch of ZEL, a new brand of resort and urban leisure hotels that will first operate in Spain, and expand in key destinations throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas. The joint venture between Nadal and Meliá Hotels International, both from Mallorca, aims to create a hospitality experience focused on classic Mediterranean character throughout destinations worldwide.
According to Escarrer ZEL will be "an innovative, energetic hotel brand [that] will attract and surprise a new generation of travelers that are seeking new ways to focus on well-being and travel sustainably.”
“As a Spaniard, a Mallorcan and a global traveler, the launch of this hotel brand is a project that I have had in my mind for a long time,” added Nadal. “ZEL will be synonymous with feeling good and enjoying the Mediterranean lifestyle. I was really attracted to this new concept with Meliá from the start and I am confident that ZEL will be a huge success and will be enjoyed by every type of traveler.”
The growth plan includes over 20 ZEL hotels in five years, focusing on destinations that attract leisure travelers in key regions where Meliá Hotels International operates. The brand will open its first hotel in Mallorca in 2023, with plans to open in destinations on the Mediterranean coast and in major cities including Madrid, Paris and London.
The brand will embody the Mediterranean, focusing on the outdoors and cuisine, designed with spacious, bright spaces, offering a connection to nature, the sky and the sea. ZEL hotel guests will be able to rejuvenate their body and soul through curated well-being experiences, with both personal and group activities focused on physical exercise and fitness.
ZEL will offer an inspiring new home-away-from-home hotel experience, with a courtyard at the heart of each hotel, serving as a center for flow and connection. The courtyard, an architectural feature that is prominent throughout the Mediterranean, will lead to other public spaces including terraces, rooftops or beach clubs, offering guests panoramic views of stunning destinations. Guests of ZEL will also have access to a digital community where they can share their experiences and continue enjoying the Mediterranean lifestyle once their stay is over. One of the many highlights of the hotel experience will be rotating pop-ups, highlighting local crafters, artists, beauty products and culinary offerings.
All of these offerings combined with a vibrant atmosphere, a casual, yet upscale design, authentic cuisine, well-being programming, and unexpected experiences will create a new travel brand that will be cherished by all travelers.
For more information, visit www.melia.com.
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