As someone who grew up going on yearly holidays to the countryside of Mallorca, I never really saw Palma as anything special. It was a stopover destination, a necessary conduit. As I got older, it became a place for hen parties and stag dos. But now it’s becoming something else entirely.
Much like the successful stylish rebrand of Ibiza, Mallorca is getting its own chic facelift. This is exemplified by Rafael Nadal’s opening the doors to his family home on the Playa de Palmanova.
Okay — that’s not strictly true. The two-time Wimbledon champion’s first hotel, Zel Mallorca, is entirely modeled on his own home. Nadal hails from Mallorca himself, so it makes sense that the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s pivot to hotelier would start here.
But there’s also a growing upscale side to Mallorca that makes it a perfect first destination for Nadal’s Mediterranean-based Zel lifestyle brand, in collaboration with hotel chain Meliá, which opened a second location in Costa Brava this month, and has outposts in Madrid and Punta Cana on the way.
Plus, its party scene is thriving. Also new to the island is Lío Mallorca, the raucous club and cabaret restaurant made famous in Ibiza, run by the founders of legendary superclub Pacha. Could Mallorca be becoming the new Ibiza? It’s starting to look like it.
Where?
Zel Hotel Mallorca is situated near the capital city of Palma, sitting directly on the Playa de Palmanova, a sandy beach on Mallorca's southern coast (there’s nothing quite like reading the words “0 km from Beach” on a hotel website, is there?).
A 2.5 hour flight from Stansted, Zel is 24-minute drive from Palma de Mallorca airport and a 20-minute drive from the city centre, making it easily navigable but also tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Palma's lively and historic core.
It’s also close to the party town of Magaluf, for if you choose to devolve your obligatory Balearic night out. And if elevation and escape is what you’re looking for, a 50-minute drive to the picturesque tumbling cityscape of Deià, where The Night Manager was filmed, is a very aesthetically pleasing secondment.
Style
On arrival at Zel, you’d be forgiven for not realising its interior prowess from the clean, white exterior that contains its 165 rooms and 21 suites. Within, it is homely and sunkissed, bathed in the light that emanates from its open plan reception-turned-shop-turned-restaurant-turned-beach club on the first floor. Nadal consulted on the design to make the hotel as close to his Mediterranean home as possible, which is noticeable in the details: a beer fridge in the lobby for open consumption, a record player in the room with Elvis and BB King vinyls, books left to be passed on to other guests.
Zel takes inspiration from the outdoor culture and spontaneous lifestyle of the Mediterranean, which can be felt when walking around the reception area. That familiar feeling of being watched by hotel staff — all with good intentions — isn’t present at Zel. This is a big sleepover in your famous friend’s house.
The interiors will make you desperate to visit Nadal’s actual house, too. The man has good taste. Everything is washed wood and striped linen, with free-standing bath tubs that overlook the teal sea. Rattan and wicker are used liberally, and everything feels as though it’d be just as fitting on a beach as it is in a bedroom.
Facilities
The hotel has two pools — one that overlooks the sea and beach club, to the rear of the hotel, and one hidden in its wellness area (aka spa). The wellness area offers a range of facials, massages and treatments, including a “No Filter” facial that aims to make you look as good as your very best Instagram post. As dubious as I was, I have to say they succeeded — I was glowing.
The open plan downstairs also offers a “concept store” of some of Zel’s stylish interiors and toiletries, as well as live music in its restaurant — which people actually dance to. It’s a hoot! And if you’re mad enough to work out on holiday, there’s a 24-hour gym, as well as a bike rental.
Extracurricular
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The hottest extracurricular in Mallorca landed in the form of luxury cabaret club and restaurant Lío last year. Recently reopened for its 2024 season, Lío is like nothing you’ve ever experienced — unless you’ve been to its sister venue in Ibiza, or the iconic Ibizan superclub (and owner of Lío) Pacha.
The £250 minimum spend restaurant-come-cabaret is quickly becoming a celebrity hotspot, with the likes of Anne Hathaway and Kylie Minogue having been spotted in its depths. And with menus curated by Michelin-starred Mallorcan chef Andrew Genestra, alongside Lio's head chef Felipe Moren, it is a genuinely delicious experience, before it becomes completely debauched. Expect writhing dancers, flowing fine wines and plenty of laughter.
Then, to purge yourself of your sins, you can make a far more wholesome day trip to Palma’s gothic roman cathedral, Santa Maria of Palma, more commonly referred to as “La Seu”. The plentiful stained glass is breathtaking, as is the ascent to its phenomenal terraces (215 steep, spiralling steps). Worth it for the view, though.
Food & Drink
The great thing about being in Mallorca is that it is socially acceptable to have ham for breakfast, because it’s acorn-fed Iberian ham. The king of hams. The best ham you may ever eat. You will find it on every one of Zel Hotel’s menus, whether it be the breakfast buffet (far superior to your average, I have to say), the Beso Beach Club’s lunch menu or the stunning dinner offering.
Other than the ham (which I really cannot recommend enough), other Basque-Mediterranean specialities include the expansive lobster paella, coca bread, Josper cooked squid with sobrasada and a big fat grilled seabass, Bilbanian-style (the traditional method of Southern Spain). There’s also wagyu carpaccio and bluefin tuna tartare on offer, which are must-haves.
Outside of Zel, De Tokio a Lima is a Palma restaurant worth visiting, with its leafy terrace setting and a bespoke cocktail menu. Have the gazpacho here, you’ll remember it forever.
Which room?
Guests can choose from garden view, street view and sea view rooms or suites (all suites have a sea view). The suites are palatial, with a private terrace, Bali bed and whirlpool bathtub.
That being said, with two pools and a beach mere footsteps away, a junior suite is also a strong choice, and the balcony allows for sunset gazing and towel drying. Plus, there’s a panoramic shower and freestanding bath, so you can pop an Elvis LP on the room’s record player and look at the sea while having a good soak.
Best for…
Partying it up in style. Zel is not a party hotel — it’s fun, sure, but restful, chic and well behaved in the evening times. However, with Palma becoming a fresh option for anyone in search of an Ibiza-like luxury break at a lower cost, this property gives you the opportunity to go out and have fun, then return to a serene Mediterranean home once you’re done. There is truly no better place to nurse a hangover.
Details
Rooms at ZEL start at £229 per night. melia.com
