In line with that goal, serene nature-inspired decor abounds and a lengthy list of activities available to guests includes concerts, fitness programs, and island excursions curated by Nadal.
Álvaro and Adriana Sans of ASAH studio helmed the hotel’s renovation and interior design, filling the space with lots of wood, woven textiles, and colors naturally found near the water. “The sea is always present in all places, and it’s what guests seek in the Mediterranean,” Alvaro Sans told AD via email. Throughout the resort, many of the ceilings are clad in a sandy-hued burlap-like textile topped with thin wood beams, adding an extra dose of warmth.
At the heart of the hotel, an airy indoor-outdoor patio space greets guests in lieu of a traditional lobby. “The patio has been a staple of Mediterranean culture since the ancient Greeks, serving as a space for socializing,” says Sans. “As architects, we find it to be the most beautiful place. By enclosing the open space, the patio creates a stage that is controlled by the architecture, with olive trees and the sound of water that relaxes the senses, inviting the sensations of vacation.” The unique set-up was inspired by the welcoming, open-plan layout of Mediterranean homes. Rather than holding a reception area, the patio contains a concept store, a café serving up coffee from fair-trade Barcelona brand Syra Coffee, and space to lounge amidst a chic take on beachy decor (to check in, guests use a digital kiosk).
In addition to two swimming pools and an inviting stretch of sandy beach, the hotel has a spa equipped with two jacuzzis, a steam room, and a sauna. There are also well-appointed workout facilities with personal trainers available to guests. The beach-club-style restaurant on site, Beso Beach Mallorca, serves Mediterranean and Basque Country seafood dishes such as Carabinero prawns, lobster tails, and mussels.
“With our first ZEL hotel in Mallorca, and the concept that we have created for the brand, we are looking to offer those moments in life that I personally enjoy so much: sailing, particularly in the Mediterranean; eating on the beach, at a beach bar or in a beach club; and relaxing while spending time with friends and family, feeling at home,” tennis star Rafael Nadal said in a press release. “This is what’s most important to me, what I wanted to bring to guests with ZEL, and I believe we have achieved it.”
At a party commemorating the resort’s opening, Meliá Hotels International CEO Gabriel Escarrer announced ZEL’s next locale: ZEL Sayulita is set to open in Mexico in 2025. Nadal and Meliá plan to open a total of 20 ZEL hotels across the globe over the next five years.
