Rafael Nadal is broadening his horizons beyond the tennis court by entering the hospitality industry. The Spanish tennis star is set to launch the first hotel under his new lifestyle brand Zel in July. The brand was founded in partnership with Meliá Hotels International and aims to promote the Mediterranean lifestyle that Nadal personally enjoys, complete with sailing, beachside dining, and spending time with friends and family.
Zel’s First Hotel in Mallorca
The first Zel hotel will open in Nadal’s hometown, Mallorca, on July 1, 2022. Positioned along a half-mile stretch of white sand and the Mediterranean Sea, Zel Mallorca will feature 165 guestrooms, including 21 suites, and will be ideally located for guests who wish to explore the city of Palma. The hotel will also host renowned Spanish culinary brands, such as Beso Beach and Syra Coffee. Over the next five years, Zel plans to launch 20 new hotels in locations where Meliá Hotels International is already established, across Europe, America, the Middle East, and Asia.
Rafael Nadal’s Other International Businesses
Rafael Nadal has been diversifying his investment portfolio with various business ventures while still actively playing tennis. He has partnered with Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias and Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo to invest in the restaurant chains TATEL and TOTÓ. The first TATEL restaurant opened in Madrid before expanding to other locations, including Ibiza, Miami, Beverly Hills, and Doha.
Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre
Nadal also owns the Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre, a state-of-the-art tennis academy based in Manacor, Mallorca. The center comprises a Nadal museum, a fitness area, a café, and 26 tennis courts designed for both adult and junior training. In recent years, the Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre has expanded its operations, opening branches in Al Zahra (Kuwait), Cancun (Mexico), and Chalkidiki (Greece).
