2023-09-25 06:13:52
Rafael Nadal has not yet hung up his racket, but he is already starting to outline the contours of his future life off the court. And it is in the hotel industry that the tennis champion seems to have decided to place his marbles. To take his first steps in this world which was completely unknown to him, the athlete decided to surround himself with a hotel giant. With the Spanish group MeliaHe imagined Zel, « ciel » in Catalan, its own hotel chain « lifestyle », whose first establishment has just opened its doors in June 2023, in Majorca in the Balearic Islands. A no-brainer for the tennis player, Mallorcan by birth. A place of course “inspired by the Mediterranean lifestyle”, which Grazia had the opportunity to discover over the course of a weekend around itineraries designed by Rafael Nadal himself. Between relaxation, fiesta and sporting activities, story of a 48-hour stopover at Zel Mallorca.
Credit photo : Zel
1h35 is approximately the (relatively short) flight time which separates Paris from the island of Majorca. We quickly realized that it was also the time we needed to completely get away from it all and move from an urban landscape to that of a little piece of paradise bordered by the Mediterranean where the sun shines all day long. year (or almost). Then allow around twenty minutes by car from Palma airport to reach the charming seaside resort of Palmanova where the Zel Mallorca has taken up residence facing a white sand beach with the sea in the background. With barely a step in the hotel lobby, the tone is set as much by the decoration with chic and bohemian accents, made of large white sofas, organically shaped wooden furniture and beautiful ceramics, as by the sound of let’s dive into the swimming pool, or that of the wild tempos which resonate from the restaurant opening onto the lobby. The place is lively, festive, joyful… Elegant, relaxed and completely in tune with the times. The check-in stage confirms it to us, at Zel there is no traditional “reception”, guided by the members of staff who stand idly in the entrance, all more welcoming and warm than the others, we records directly on a tablet to obtain the famous pass which will take us to seventh heaven, or rather to our sea view suite located only one floor higher.
One of the 165 rooms (including 21 suites and junior suites) in the hotel spread over 4 floors. The decoration of the rooms is not frills. Simple, but effective if it were necessary to make a brief summary. In keeping with the common areas of the hotel, the style is relatively refined, combining brightness, natural materials and touches of color, with little nods that evoke escape and beautiful coastal residences. An armchair with red and white stripes contrasts with the ikat pattern of the white and azure cushions. Above the immaculate bed – of impeccable comfort – a wooden fan suspended from the ceiling lined with seagrass covering. In the bathroom, we particularly liked the zellige tiling as well as the terrazzo-style sink which does not fail to have its little effect.
Full moon evening at Beso Beach
By the time we unpack our bags, we are ready for dinner at the Beso Beach. The famous Spanish beach restaurant-club, already rich in several emblematic addresses in Ibiza or Formentera has set up in the heart of Zel to provide the catering part. We are lucky, the evening of our visit coincided with that of the Super Blue Moon. For the occasion, the restaurant had decided to organize a special evening even more festive than usual, with dance and acrobatics shows or even purification rituals with incense to honor the moon, the all against the backdrop of a captivating DJ set. Enough to entertain us at the same time as we feasted on the Spanish joys à la carte: between refined tapas to share, carafes of sangria and a lobster paella (simply exceptional) which gives rise to a real spectacle in itself at the time of service. THE « chocolate orgasm », for which we opted for dessert, bore its name very well. The perfect conclusion to this flawless feast. The next day, after a visit to the gargantuan breakfast buffet – which notably gave pride of place to local specialties such as the famous ensaimadaa sort of spiral-shaped sugar brioche -, head for the first activity recommended by Rafael Nadal accessible to all hotel guests.
Boat trip, spa and yoga bar
An excursion on the open sea aboard a boat or rather a typical wooden “ilaüt” of Majorcan construction dating from the 1900s. On the program? Sunbathe on the deck, take a dip in the crystal clear waters and have a frugal lunch with your feet in the water, literally. A break of absolute relaxation, which also allowed us to contemplate, from afar, the landscapes of Majorca, its stone fortresses and its windmills. In the afternoon, back at the hotel, we continued to have a good time at the spa, which offers, in addition to a sauna, a hammam and whirlpool baths, a host of treatments and massages for all desires. made by expert hands. Comfort before effort…
Indeed, for the last day, after waking up at dawn, our (very) low sporting level was put to the test. The hotel hosts, throughout the summer season, a pop-up Barré House, a highly rated Madrid gym. We first started with a pilates session provided by a super coach who looked like a fit girl as we only see on Instagram or YouTube, before continuing with a yoga barre class. A practice whose existence we were completely unaware of which consists of a sequence of movements inspired by classical dance, yoga and pilates, an ultra-dynamic version. All we can say is that it was very physical and our aching legs remembered it for the next four days. Fortunately, before boarding our return flight, we had time to stop by the hotel’s coffee shop, the Acid Coffee to have a pick-me-up (a matcha latte in this case). We were also able to relax our Sunday sports muscles in the swimming pool (note that the hotel has two pools) and take a “nap” on one of these comfortable “Balibed”. Last little stroll on the 1000m2 beach of white sand, which faces the hotel and it is already time to swap our flip-flops for our sneakers and head to the airport, feeling a little excited.
Credit photo : Zel Credit photo : Zel
More information about Zel Mallorca ici.
Rooms start at 265 euros.
Please note that the hotel closes its doors during the winter from November to reopen in the spring from May 2024.
1695624688
#spent #weekend #Rafael #Nadals #hotel #Majorca…And #relaxing #sporty #Grazia