This chic, beachfront hotel in Palma is the perfect fusion of luxury and liveliness.
Mallorca is one of those destinations which is popular year-round. Boasting around 300 days of sunshine per year, there is little wonder people choose to holiday here. Palma is the capital of the Balearic Islands and is known for its combination of city and seaside life. The city is vibrant and busy, with many different attractions and neighbourhoods.
Due to its popularity, accommodation options are endless, but there should be just one at the top of your list. Say hello to ZEL, the high-energy hotel oozing Mediterranean charm.
The lowdown
ZEL Mallorca is around 20 minutes outside the city centre by car, making it perfect for anyone flying into Palma de Mallorca Airport. The property backs onto Palmanova beach, which is famous for its beautiful turquoise water and stretches of sand.
The hotel is the brainchild of Rafael Nadal, in partnership with Meliá Hotels International. Having opened in June 2023 it is still a relative newcomer on the hotel scene, but has quickly established itself as a must-visit. ZEL Mallorca was the first outpost from the ZEL brand, which has since expanded to include Costa Brava and will soon welcome hotels in Madrid, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Expansion plans are rapid, so expect to see plenty more ZEL hotels popping up in luscious locations around the world.
Back to Mallorca though…
The rooms
ZEL has 165 rooms ranging from standard to suites. We were fortunate enough to be staying in the Junior Suite Mediterranean View.
Upon entering, the first thing you notice is the view. As the name suggests, the room looks out onto the Mediterranean Sea, meaning the holiday state-of-mind embraces you from morning until night. Shimmering blue waters and swaying palm trees can be seen from the freestanding bath, as you quite literally soak in the atmosphere.
The suite is kitted out with all the modern comforts, including a dreamy king size bed, flat screen television and spacious shower. It also contained a vinyl record player which was a playful nod to the past amongst the high-tech features. We equally loved the community bookshelf above our bed, housing books left behind by previous guests. This was a really thoughtful addition which we ended up adding to ourselves.
The hotel lives by a ‘siesta and fiesta’ ethos, meaning when you’re not asleep, it’s time to experience everything else on offer.
The features and amenities
The entire hotel is an aesthete’s dream. Within its confines, you can find everything from a coffee vendor to a concept store. Walking into the lobby, that holiday feeling instantly envelops you, with every last decor detail bringing that high spirited Med-energy.
Naturally, anyone holidaying in Mallorca is eager to maximise outdoor time, with ZEL’s two outdoor pools offering plenty of sun-soaking opportunities. The hotel is big on wellness, with an onsite spa, gym and fitness studio with a rotating program of classes including yoga and pilates.
The hotel isn’t adults-only but it definitely feels adults-focused in terms of its offerings. Of course we did see children around, but they were always well-behaved and not at all disruptive.
Beso Beach
Beso is ZEL’s onsite dining concept, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The vibes are always high here, with lunchtime service proving particularly fun (think plenty of dancing and sing-a-longs).
Mornings are a real treat, courtesy of the extensive buffet offering. Omelettes are made to order, while a mouthwatering selection of fresh fruits, pastries and hot options can all be self-served. Come nighttime, our dinner experience at Beso was certainly one for the books.
Upon arrival, our server appeared with a platter of still-warm sourdough bread, aioli and olives. After discussing our wine preferences, we were served a bottle of the Flaires Mortitix Rosé which is produced locally in Mallorca. This was a really beautiful wine with notes of white flowers, pink grapefruit and peach. It was fresh and fruity and paired perfectly with our seafood extravaganza.
In order to experience the menu’s highlights reel, we left all dish decisions in the hands of our lovely server, which proved to be a very wise move. Red tuna tartare was melt-in-your-mouth soft, with the creaminess of avocado and kimchi mayonnaise cutting right through. We also dined on delicious garlic red prawns and Beso’s special grilled mussels which were an absolute joy.
For the main course, Josper-grilled sea bass was prepared Bilbaina-style and expertly deboned at the table. The fish was flaky, juicy and pulled away at a knife’s touch — it was everything you could ever want from a big seafood dish. In fact, the portion size was so generous, we couldn’t actually finish.
If you have any room left for dessert, a serving of the molten chocolate cake (also known as the chocolat orgasm) is a decadent must-try.
The verdict
ZEL Mallorca really is a holidaymaker's haven. Each day can be entirely different by your own design, with equal opportunity to take things slow or dial up the energy.
Whether you plan to stay for a week or just a few days, ZEL’s unique charm and rejuvenating power will stay with you for a long time after you’ve left.
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