At ZEL Punta Cana, the crisp pop of a tennis ball hitting a racquet defines the vacation experience as much as the crashing waves at the nearby Bávaro Beach. Here, tennis isn’t a resort amenity, it’s a lifestyle, thanks to Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal’s golden touch. Backed by Nadal and developed in partnership with Meliá Hotels International, the new ZEL Punta Cana blends Mediterranean living with high-performance racquet culture in a stunning Caribbean setting.
At the reimagined 190-suite all-inclusive resort – formerly Garden Suites by Meliá before its 2025 transformation – you can spend your morning drilling cross-court forehands with a professional coach and your afternoon floating through a breezy hydrotherapy circuit.
A Mediterranean Home in the Caribbean
Immediately, the atmosphere at ZEL Punta Cana feels intentionally different from the traditional Caribbean mega-resort. A stylish communal space designed like a coastal living room replaces the typical hotel lobby or check-in desk. Here, guests check in on their own devices from a comfy and modern sectional sofa as the scent of gourmet espresso drifts from an on-site café, featuring Spanish coffee brand Café de Finca.
“The resort is designed to feel like you’re arriving at a Mediterranean home,” says Alejandra Vasquez, ZEL Punta Cana’s guest experience supervisor.
This means decor like Spanish textiles, earthy textures, natural fibres, clay pottery and soft neutral tones inspired by Spain’s coastline. Communal spaces and Crosley record players throughout reflect Nadal’s appreciation for connection and music. The suites continue a relaxed aesthetic. Many feature private terraces overlooking gardens or pools – some with direct swim-up access – along with linen textures, warm woods, rainfall showers, and open-concept living spaces.
Inside the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center
For the tennis-loving set, the resort’s biggest draw is the sprawling Rafa Nadal Tennis Center Punta Cana right across the road. Opened in December 2025, it’s one of only eight Rafa Nadal tennis facilities in the world. According to ZEL Punta Cana manager Miguel Diaz, many guests come specifically for the tennis programming, treating the actual resort as secondary – a (really nice) place to unwind and sleep after a day mastering their serve.
“Having the tennis centre right across the street adds incredible value for our guests,” says Diaz. “They used to have to travel to Spain for tennis lessons, but now they have that opportunity here with a shorter flight.”
Meliá Hotels International CEO Gabriel Escarrer Jaume (left) and tennis legend Rafael Nadal.
The only Rafa Nadal Tennis Center in the Caribbean, Punta Cana’s state-of-the-art facility features five tennis courts, four padel courts and six pickleball courts that can be enjoyed into the evening under stadium-style lighting. According to Diaz, Nadal “loves every racquet sport,” and it’s his first centre with pickleball courts. With its pristine hard-surface courts and video analysis technology, the centre is more of a high-performance sports club than a resort amenity.
While this may be daunting to the racquet sport newbie – the players on the courts were pretty good, I’ll admit – the centre caters to all skill levels and offers different packages through the resort. The common denominator is an exclusive training system based on the experience acquired by Nadal and his coaching staff over two decades on the professional tour.
The 4-Step Nadal Methodology
Clinics are organized by skill level and built around the Rafa Nadal Academy mentality. So, training sessions focus on far more than stroke mechanics, incorporating footwork, movement, tactical awareness, concentration and mental resilience. “It’s not just about technique – it’s a methodology,” says the centre’s head tennis coach, Alex Moyá Moreno. Nadal’s values and emotional discipline shape the centre’s philosophy, especially with its youngest players. As Moyá Moreno points out, Nadal has never smashed a racquet on court during his career.
“Many coaches focus on how you hit the ball; but for us, that’s the last thing,” says Moyá Moreno. “On the court, it’s about four steps. First, you have to play with your eyes, then your brain, then your legs, then your arms. It’s first about recognition of the ball and adjusting your body, then you decide what to do with the ball, then activate the legs, and the final thing is the execution.”
Our hour-long tennis lesson was fast-paced and informative. By the end, my shots felt noticeably sharper. If you’re serious about improving your tennis game – especially during the Canadian winter when outdoor courts are closed – it’s easy to see how even a few hours of daily training here could improve your skills quickly.
The tennis facility’s connection to Nadal himself includes a display of memorabilia from his storied career, like tournament-worn clothes and shoes and photos of the athlete holding trophies. The centre also features a small gym and a boutique full of gear and tennis apparel.
Athletic Recovery & Ibiza-Style Beach Clubs
The AUA Spa
Back at the resort, the AUA Spa offers a soothing change of pace after a day on the court. Treatment rooms are surrounded by tranquil reflective pools and accessed through wooden boardwalks. An hydrotherapy circuit sits under a thatched roof. Designed with athletic recovery in mind, the spa caters especially well to active travellers, with restorative treatments designed to soothe muscles.
While tennis may be the big draw, ZEL still delivers the must-haves of a luxury Punta Cana vacation. Peaceful, palm and cabana-lined pools wind through the lush property. The resort was near capacity during my late January stay, but they never felt crowded – refreshingly, the complete opposite.
While the garden-filled property isn’t on the beach, the resort’s stretch of white sand and piercing turquoise water sits a five-minute shuttle ride away. Beyond the scenery, the biggest draw is the Neguri beach club, exclusive to ZEL Punta Cana, which serves things like burgers, seafood and cocktails. With its neutral palette, artisanal woven lanterns, plush loungers, DJ sets and open-air shaded lounge vibe, it feels more like a chic beach club you’d find in Ibiza or Mykonos than a Caribbean all-inclusive.
With that said, this isn’t a party resort – and Neguri closes when the sun drops and staff pull up the beach loungers. It’s more of a wellness-focused escape that prioritizes Spanish-style slow living. Guests wake up early to take an aerial yoga class (a must-try, even just for the laughs), hit the gym or join a morning wellness session. If they’re not on the tennis courts, they’re probably practicing their swing at the nearby Cocotal Golf & Country Club, where guests receive 50 per cent off.
Post-Match Fuel: The Culinary Program
Photo courtesy of Meliá Hotels International.
The culinary program strikes a similar balance between indulgence and wellness. At Parda, the buffet, Mediterranean-inspired dishes sit alongside North American and Dominican staples, including a popular pizza station. Come lunch, Tacorini blends Greek and Mexican flavours, tempting guests into second servings of its addictive chicken burritos, fish tacos and feta-filled Greek salad – appreciated post-match fuel.
For dinner, guests can opt for sushi, teriyaki dishes, or teppanyaki at Nokyo, or premium cuts of meat or fresh seafood at the steakhouse, Volcán. For the tennis players, one package available features a high-protein, low-carb dietary plan that incorporates the resort’s restaurants.
Of course, you can always just lounge with a margarita poolside or enjoy another nightcap at Voltaje bar and nobody will judge you. You’re on vacation, after all.
For rates, reservations, and racquet program packages, visit melia.com
