Tennis player Rafa Nadal and Gabriel Escarrer, CEO of Meliá Hotels International, have presented in Madrid the hotel project Zel. A new brand of holiday and urban leisure hotels that will start operating first in Spain, to later position itself in the main destinations in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and America.

melia y rafa nadal

The Joint Venture between these two global brands of Mallorcan origin aspires to consistent international growth, which capitalises on its powerful Mediterranean character as its main hallmark, according to Meliá. In addition, it will be joined by strategic partners who will accompany it in its international expansion in different areas such as gastronomy, decoration, well-being and technology.

For Gabriel Escarrer, “the result of adding the inspirational 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 is materialised today in the design of a unique brand, which will captivate travellers and surprise new generations. An innovative hotel brand, full of energy, with a new interpretation of wellness and a model of sustainability. We are happy to finally be able to collaborate, as partners in this project, with a personal and sporting icon such as Rafa”.

In the words of Rafa Nadal, “the launch of our hotel brand is a project that, as a Spaniard, a Mallorcan and a world traveller, I have always had in mind. Zel is synonymous with feeling good at every moment, enjoying life and the way we live it around the Mediterranean. From the very 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 everyone who goes to the hotels, which in the end is the reason for its creation”.

20 hotels in 5 years

The expansion plan envisages the signing of more than 20 hotels in 5 years, focusing on destinations with a clear orientation towards premium leisure tourism and the bleisure concept in the main regions where Meliá Hotels International is present: in Europe, America, the Middle East and Asia.

In the first phase, the brand aims to grow in destinations on the Mediterranean coast and in capitals such as Madrid, Paris and London, with the first Zel hotel scheduled to open in Mallorca in 2023.