Rafael Nadal has teamed with Meliá Hotels International to launch Zel, a resort, and urban leisure hotel brand, Meliá said in a press release Friday.
The new brand will debut with a venue in Nadal’s native Mallorca in 2023, targeting 20 hotels worldwide in five years.
Meliá chairman Gabriel Escarrer explained that “zel” meant “sky” in the dialect of Catalan, spoken on the Balearic Islands. The chain will focus on “premium leisure destinations,” including Spain, France, Italy, Croatia, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
However, it will also expand to main tourist centres such as London, Paris, and Madrid, Escarrer added.
Zel will feature the Mediterranean lifestyle, presenting the local cuisine, crafts, and connection to nature. It will also offer diverse well-being experiences focused on fitness and physical exercise, according to the release.
“Zel will be synonymous with feeling good and enjoying the Mediterranean lifestyle. I was attracted to this new concept with Meliá from the beginning, and I am sure that ZEL will be a success and will be enjoyed by all travelers,” Nadal said.
Zel aims to showcase the Mediterranean culture with its “good life, parties and gastronomy,” Escarrer noted.
Rather than building brand new properties, Meliá intends to “radically” transform existing structures to accommodate Zel, Escarrer added.
Each Zel hotel will feature the typically Mediterranean courtyard leading to terraces, rooftops, or beach clubs with panoramic views. Furthermore, ZEL will establish a digital community to let guests remain in touch after their stay is over.
The new brand will also encourage interaction with the local culture via workshops by crafters, makers of beauty products, artists, culinary experts, and more.
Founded in 1956 by Spanish tycoon Gabrial Escarrer Julia, Meliá Hotels currently operates 374 venues across 40 countries worldwide. Its primary focus is on the leisure-inspired urban market. According to the release, the hotel group has ranked seventh in The Wall Street Journal’s study of the 100 most sustainably managed businesses worldwide.
The King of clay emphasised that his new business venture does not mean he will end his sporting career. Nadal also said he would try to postpone his retirement from tennis for as long as possible.
Media rumours about his future in tennis accelerated after the 22-time Grand Slam champion parted ways with his long-term coach Francis Roig on Friday. The duo has been working together since 2004 when Nadal was 18 years old. Nadal is yet to name a successor for Roig.
Nadal is one of many professional athletes entering the hospitality industry. In 2020, Lionel Messi launched the MiM Baqueira hotel in Spain, while Cristiano Ronaldo keeps expanding his hotel chain Pestana CR7.
In late November, Nadal played his last match for the year, defeating Casper Ruud at the ATP Finals in Turin. The Spaniard finished the year as the world’s number 2. The young father is set to start 2023 at the opening edition of the United Cup in Sydney. Subsequently, he will head to Melbourn to defend his title at the Australian Open.
