Why Zel Costa Brava is on our radar this summer

Twenty-two time Grand Slam champion Rafa Nadal doubled up with Meliá Hotels International to launch his Zel hotel brand in 2024. The collection includes two in his native Spain (Mallorca and Costa Brava, with Madrid also debuting in 2025); one in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and an upcoming opening in Mexico.

Each Zel location has been chosen for its proximity to unspoilt nature and glittering panoramas, whether that’s the palm-fringed Caribbean coastline or a serene sandy cove. The group takes inspiration from the basic tenet of the Mediterranean lifestyle: healthy living, regular exercise and strong social connections, for an overall sense of wellbeing.

As the season heats up, here is why Zel Costa Brava’s take on the Mediterranean good life gets our vote this summer.

Indoor-outdoor design

Zel hotels focus on the open-plan layout of Mediterranean living and draw influence from Rafa Nadal’s own home. An indoor-outdoor patio area is the focal point of each property, where guests sip on Café de Finca coffee between morning workouts, tennis games and watersports.

Soothing, natural tones and organic materials evoke the southern European landscape. At Zel Costa Brava, woven textiles, pale wood and sandy hues are offset by patterns and pops of rich colour to create a warm, zestful style. Rooms range from junior suites to three-bedroom duplexes, some with kitchenettes and all wrapped by views of the surrounding gardens, mountains and sea. The hotel is hidden on the hillside of Giverola cove, seamlessly blending with the beach.

Live life the Mediterranean way

The Mediterranean ‘siesta and fiesta’ lifestyle is the perfect balance of leisure, sport and socialising. A morning tennis lesson or a hike through the mountains may be followed by a languid lunch by lapping waves, while energetic evenings bring live music and sundowner drinks. Think HIIT classes, hillside yoga and a chilled cava sangria by the shore.

At Zel Costa Brava, a lively social calendar for all ages runs throughout the summer months, ranging from beach parties to cooking classes. For smaller guests, there is a kids club for children from five years old, as well a playground, mini golf and bike hire.

Community wellbeing

It is no secret that the Mediterranean way of living is linked to a long and healthy life. Zel Costa Brava’s packed programme of outdoor activities has been inspired by Nadal’s own active lifestyle. Explore scenic trails by bike or on foot, winding through lush forestry and craggy peaks, before returning to the hotel for a jiu-jitsu lesson. Guests can also try their hand at watersports including scuba diving, paddle-boarding and snorkelling on shimmering azure waters.

For something more restorative, there are yoga and Pilates classes overlooking the mountains. Drop by the spa for a signature massage before beelining for a balinese bed by the pool.

Community sits at the heart of Zel’s wellbeing offering, whether joining a game of volleyball, group running or a guided excursion.

Convivial catalan cuisine

The Mediterranean diet has long been lauded as the ‘gold standard’ of healthy eating, and few countries match Spain’s home-grown quality produce. At Zel Costa Brava, plates of paella and firewood-grilled octopus are served at beach club restaurant PARDA, or try “Cim i Tomba,” a fisherman’s stew that reflects the town’s maritime heritage.

It’s not just what you eat, but how you eat it. Conviviality is key: multi-generational dining and shared meals around a long table might last all afternoon. Warm and welcoming hospitality completes the offering, often with music and entertainment.

Shared values

Zel works with a number of brands that echo its commitment to an active, balanced lifestyle and eco-conscious design. Each hotel has an onsite concept store curated with likeminded labels to enhance your stay, such as shirts, shorts and swimwear by Swedish resort brand OAS and sportswear by Lululemon. Throughout the hotel you’ll find Haan toiletries, a Barcelona brand noted for its cruelty-free, plant-based products and brightly coloured packaging. Café de Finca, a coffee roaster from Barcelona, is Zel’s official coffee partner and reflective of the hotel group’s independent spirit.

From serene outdoor spaces to sport, wellness and togetherness, Zel encapsulates the active Mediterranean lifestyle at its best and most rewarding. When to book? Well, the ball’s in your court.