Zel, the hotel brand created by Meliá Hotels International and Rafael Nadal, has commenced the year with new expansion projects, as announced at Fitur by Meliá’s Chairman and CEO, Gabriel Escarrer. He disclosed the brand’s upcoming destinations, with the second Zel project set to open on the Costa Brava this summer, followed by new hotels in Madrid, Sayulita (Mexico), and Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) in 2025.
Zel launched its first hotel in Mallorca in 2023, establishing the unmistakable Mediterranean lifestyle as its hallmark. The success of this hotel has propelled the brand’s growth, and it is currently underway with preparations for its next opening: Zel Costa Brava. The hotel, owned by Azora and formerly the Pola Giverola Resort, is situated amidst 35 hectares of nature, excellently located between Cala Pola and Cala Giverola, just minutes away from Tossa de Mar—an emblematic town in the Costa Brava where visitors can connect with the essence of the Mare Nostrum.
Featuring 214 rooms, the hotel is undergoing refurbishment to align with the brand’s attributes and architecture, inspired by outdoor living. It will showcase dynamic outdoor spaces and biophilic design, expressing the concept of “al fresco”. Consistent with the brand’s characteristics, the entrance to the resort will transform into an energetic patio, serving as the heart of the hotel—a meeting place for guests. It will house a specialty coffee corner, a concept store with products from local and international brands, a modern supermarket, lounges with reading and relaxation areas, and self-check-in kiosks. The hotel will also focus on providing a distinctive gastronomic experience and will feature renovated leisure, sports, and wellness facilities.
Gabriel Escarrer emphasizes, “Our alliance with Rafael Nadal continues to progress and is embodied in this energetic hotel located in front of one of the most spectacular coastlines of the Mediterranean—Tossa de Mar. This, along with the values of this asset and our collaboration with Rafa and partners like Azora, fills us with pride, affirming our belief that Zel Costa Brava will become an essential hotel-destination for quality tourism in this area.”
Rafael Nadal expresses his happiness in announcing “A new Zel hotel in the Costa Brava, a Mediterranean area with many similarities to Mallorca, where the Zel concept originated. We are aware of the demands that this brand represents, and that is why we value moving forward with the expansion hand in hand with Meliá. Zel Costa Brava in a destination like Tossa de Mar offers everything the Zel customer expects in terms of nature and surroundings, authentic experiences and impeccable service”.
Concha Osácar, founding partner of Azora, describes the hotel “As a unique asset in the Mediterranean, difficult to replicate. When presented with Meliá’s value proposition for the Zel brand, partnering with Meliá and Rafael Nadal in the hotel’s repositioning was an obvious and winning decision for Azora. We believe that the collaboration has everything needed to make Zel Costa Brava a benchmark on the Costa Brava—an evolving tourist destination with numerous attractions.”
