Lifestyle hotel brand Zel, a joint venture between Meliá Hotels International and tennis ace Rafael Nadal, has signed a deal to open its first hotel in Mexico.

The new property, which represents a key milestone in the hotel chain’s growth strategy, will be operating under the name Zel Sayulita.

To be located on the beachfront, the newly built hotel is expected to open in 2025. It will feature 145 rooms, a central courtyard and restaurants.

Meliá Hotels International CEO Gabriel Escarrer said: “Zel's Mexican debut marks the beginning of an exciting global adventure that will take our Mediterranean essence to exclusive destinations around the world.”

Concurrently, Meliá Hotels International has also added a new ME by Meliá property to its portfolio in Sayulita.

The new ME Sayulita will be the luxury lifestyle brand’s third hotel in the country, following the ME Cabo and the ME Guadalajara.

Anticipated to open by the end of this year, the newly built ME Sayulita hotel will be situated on the beachfront, very close to Carricitos Beach.

It will have 125 rooms and villas, a swimming pool, a spa, three restaurants, a gym, as well as a rooftop bar with a swimming pool and a beach club.

With the new hotels, Meliá Hotels International is boosting its presence in the country where it already has seven hotels and plans to double its presence in the next two years.

The company currently has another six hotels, including the two in Sayulita, in the process of opening.