Rafael Nadal will open his first hotel in Argentina in Patagonia: Is one coming to Mendoza as well?

Rafael Nadal 's first hotel will open in Patagonia . The former tennis player has partnered with the renowned Spanish hotel chain Meliá to launch the Zel hotel brand, which will open in the city of El Calafate as a potential inaugural destination for his venture in Argentina.

It's worth noting that the collaboration between Nadal and Meliá Hotels International was formalized in late 2022 , uniting the Spaniard's sporting prestige with the brand's hotel expertise to offer a new luxury accommodation option. Since then, the Zel brand has begun to establish itself as a benchmark in the international hotel industry.

Regarding its arrival in Argentina, the choice of El Calafate is no coincidence . Known as the gateway to the majestic Los Glaciares National Park, home to the famous Perito Moreno Glacier, the city is a magnet for tourists from around the world, drawn by its stunning natural beauty and authentic Patagonian experience.

Rafael Nadal and the director of the Meliá company.

ABC

According to reports, the hotel's opening in El Calafate is scheduled for 2026, although no official date has been confirmed. Currently, the negotiation process is almost complete, with only a few details remaining to be finalized before the final signature. Meliá Hotels International explained that the company is in ongoing discussions and evaluating various expansion opportunities in Argentina for the Zel brand . The agreement and timeline for an opening in the Patagonian city have not yet been formalized.

Furthermore, according to a report by the economic media outlet iProfesional , an injection of more than $200 million is planned over the next five years to add seven accommodations in different parts of the country . The project in El Calafate could mark just the beginning of a series of developments planned by the hotel group in the Patagonian region.

Tennis star Rafa Nadal and Meliá choose Patagonia to launch their luxury hotels.

PAXnews

In this way, the group plans to expand its presence in the province of Tierra del Fuego , with the opening of the Gran Meliá Ushuaia also planned for 2027. This hotel, which is already under construction, promises to be a new luxury space at the end of the world, offering visitors a unique experience in one of the most remote and dazzling places on the planet.

Growth projections for international tourism in Argentina support the ambitions of Meliá and Nadal. According to Víctor Donmez, Managing Director of Meliá for Latin America, foreign tourists are expected to represent 70% of visitors to the chain's hotels in the country this year . With an anticipated average occupancy rate of 65%, it's clear that the focus is on attracting international travelers eager to explore Argentina's cultural and geographical richness.

Meliá's expansion into other Argentine locations, such as Iguazú, Mendoza , Salta, and Posadas , reinforces the chain's expansion strategy, which seeks to consolidate its position in the Latin American market. In Iguazú, Meliá already operates the Meliá Iguazú, which has become a luxury landmark for those visiting the impressive waterfalls.

Gabriel Escarrer and Rafael Nadal

The legendary Spanish tennis player began his entrepreneurial journey in the hotel industry with two properties in his native country: he opened the first in Mallorca , his hometown, and another in Tossa de Mar, Girona . Nadal has also begun work on expanding his hotel brand worldwide and has new openings planned:

• Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
• Madrid, Spain
• Sayulita, Mexico
• Vlore, Albania

In its presentation, Nadal's chain describes itself as "a collection of hotels inspired by the Mediterranean lifestyle, its spontaneity and warmth, and its unique way of living outdoors." As for Argentina, it will have a touch of the Mediterranean spirit in Patagonia.