The ZEL Mallorca hotel hosted its inaugural event last night in a party full of familiar faces and the dazzling energy of the project, created by Rafael Nadal together with Meliá Hotels International, which operates the establishment. The excited hosts personally welcomed the more than three hundred guests and, like them, enjoyed a magical Mediterranean evening inspired by the values and attributes of the ZEL brand.
The first hotel of the ZEL brand has opened its doors on the well-known beach of the island of Mallorca: Palmanova.
A cove of more than a thousand meters with white sand and crystal clear waters offered the best setting for the premiere of a hotel concept created to transfer the Mediterranean essence to the best destinations in the world, both urban and holiday.
A night in Mediterranean “heaven
From its conception, ZEL had the purpose of bringing the spirit and essence of Mediterranean life to the best destinations in the world, and the opening event included all the ingredients of the purely Mediterranean: the night by the sea, the breeze, and drum music. At the same time, DJ Paco Colombás and Jordi Ruz entertained some moments of the party, while the guests tasted the gastronomic proposals and cocktails of the famous Beso Beach, which operates the main restaurant of the establishment, while Rafael Nadal and Gabriel Escarrer, received and talked personally with the guests at the party (PHOTOS of the event).
The best kept secret
Guests were able to see and experience first-hand the long-awaited attributes that differentiate the ZEL hotel concept from other brands, such as the patio, outdoor living, integration into the environment, or the contrasts of spaces created to embrace the concepts of “fiesta and siesta” characteristic of Mediterranean life and idiosyncrasies.
In this way, the hotel’s design reveals a taste for open spaces, conceptualizing rooms with colors, textures and shapes that refer to nature, generating a sense of peace, wellbeing and relaxation for guests.
The interiors of ZEL Mallorca feature a harmonious blend of influences, with nods and references to other key points of Mediterranean culture such as Italy and Greece, as well as prints and finishes of Mallorcan essence and tones of the earth and the sea, which generate an atmosphere brimming with energy. The renovation and interior design project was created by the ASAH studio of architects Álvaro and Adriana Sans.
The patio, an essential element of Mediterranean architecture, is configured as the heart of the ZEL Mallorca hotel, epicenter and engine of its energy; the patio functions as a lobby and interconnects its different areas, reflecting par excellence the passion for freedom and outdoor life. Thus, upon entering this patio, the first thing that strikes the eye is the absence of a classic “reception”, because ZEL is inspired by a “Mediterranean house” and thus, the patio will offer a concept store where you can purchase exclusive products from national and international brands, a specialty coffee shop of the firm Syra Coffee, and a Mediterranean lounge.
In addition, ZEL hotels are inspired by a “phygital” philosophy that combines physical elements with technological innovations that enhance the customer’s experience and comfort. Thus, instead of a traditional reception desk, guests will find a “digital kiosk” in the courtyard where they can obtain their room card by scanning the QR on their cell phone, which they will have obtained by registering online beforehand. If they had not done so before, they would be invited to register with their cell phone on the spot, while enjoying a drink of their choice. In the same way, at the moment of check out, the client receives a notification to check their consumption, validate it and pay it at the moment, through their cell phone, or in the patio with one of the hotel staff, if they prefer.
The wonderful main pool offered attendees, next to the Mediterranean Sea, the best possible setting for the long-awaited premiere of Beso Beach with its magical formula of “tables with feet in the sand” designed by founder Angie L. Grijalbo, along with Rafa Viar, the architects of the successful brand.
Throughout the evening, guests were able to visit a sample of the 165 rooms, (21 of which are Suites or Junior Suites) with privileged sea views and with a very special character, which the lucky guests of the hotel have already begun to enjoy.
Two “very Mallorcan” hosts
As they explained when presenting their alliance to launch this hotel brand, Rafael Nadal and Gabriel Escarrer, President and CEO of Meliá, have a lot in common, and not only their Mallorcan origin, as they both love sailing, eating on the beach, at a beach bar or Beach club, and breathing the Mediterranean atmosphere and lifestyle. As they explained, ZEL has not been just another project for them, and for this reason, both have participated in a very direct way in the creation of the first hotel, which is a very important milestone for them.
After symbolically “cutting” a ribbon representing the beginning of what they hope will be a great success story, they thanked the dedication of their teams in the materialization of this project, achieved in barely 4 months since the alliance was signed, and invited the attendees to enjoy and live the essence of ZEL, and to become “ambassadors” of this brand.
For Gabriel Escarrer, “it is a source of pride to see that a project with challenges and standards as high as the ZEL brand has taken shape in a new jewel of the Mediterranean hotel industry such as ZEL Mallorca, which will undoubtedly be the best international showcase for the new brand, and a hotel emblem of which we can be proud.
This hotel is an exceptional jewel, which arises from the combination of our experience in hotel management with the inspiring leadership of a world icon like Rafael Nadal, and is thus the first exponent of the alliance of two groups of family origin with solid shared values.
For us, today truly begins a new stage of expansion and growth for the ZEL brand, and I am pleased to celebrate with the announcement of our first ZEL hotel in Mexico: the ZEL Sayulita, which we will open in 2025.”
As Rafa Nadal also explained after cutting the ribbon to officially open the hotel, “The opening of ZEL Mallorca is a dream come true for me. After seeing the result, I am more confident than ever that ZEL will be a great business project, and a magnificent ambassador of Spanish and Mediterranean values and essence.”
About Meliá Hotels International
Founded in 1956 in Palma de Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International has more than 400 hotels open or in the process of opening, in more than 40 countries, and a portfolio of ten brands: Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ME by Meliá, The Meliá Collection, Paradisus by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ZEL, INNSiDE by Meliá, Falcon’s Resorts by Meliá, Sol by Meliá, and Affiliated by Meliá. The Company is one of the world’s leading hoteliers in the resort segment and its experience in this field has allowed it to consolidate its position in the growing market of leisure-inspired urban hotels. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led it to be recognized as the world’s most sustainable hotelier in 2022 according to S&P Global’s Corporate Sustainability Assessment, in addition to being a “Top Employer 2023” brand in Spain, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Italy and Germany. Meliá Hotels International is also part of the IBEX 35.
Source: Elpregonerord.com
