Palace Merano, a trailblazer in medical wellness and home to the groundbreaking Revital® method, has named international soccer icon Zinédine Zidane as its official brand ambassador. The announcement comes on the heels of major recognition for the luxury retreat, including being named the only Italian spa to win Condé Nast Traveller’s 2025 Wellness Spa Award and The Luxury Spa Edit’s “Best Global Spa Hotel.”
A longtime devotee of Palace Merano, Zidane has been visiting the property for nearly three decades. “I come back at least twice a year with family or close friends. Every time I arrive, it feels like stepping into another world—my second home,” says Zidane. “It’s a place that recharges me completely. If I had to describe Palace Merano in three words, they’d be: team, wellness, and nature.”
Zidane’s official partnership with Palace Merano is the result of a collaboration years in the making. Dr. Massimiliano Mayrhofer, Scientific Director of the spa and head of its Revital® programs, and Alain Migliaccio, Zidane’s longtime friend and agent, initiated talks back in 2022. With the support of CEO Stefano Plotegher, the partnership has now been formalized to highlight and expand the spa’s innovative programs—including its acclaimed Medical Spa offerings and newly launched Sport Recovery Lab.
“It’s an honor to have Zidane as part of our family,” says Plotegher. “He embodies the values of discipline, excellence, and wellness. His long-standing trust in our method and his curiosity to try new therapies make him the ideal ambassador.”
During his stays, Zidane follows the Revital Detox® program, which includes medical consultations, naturopathic and dietary guidance, hydro-fango therapy, massages, and plenty of downtime to relax and explore Merano’s beautiful natural surroundings. He’s also among the first to try new treatments—recently testing the new Sport Recovery Lab, designed for athletic rehabilitation and peak performance recovery.
“Zidane has always offered valuable feedback, helping us refine and personalize our method over the years,” says Plotegher. “This partnership is simply the natural evolution of a relationship built on trust and shared values.”
About Palace Merano
Nestled in the heart of Merano and surrounded by alpine beauty, Palace Merano is Italy’s premier destination for medical wellness. Over two decades ago, it pioneered the Revital® Method—an integrative approach combining Western medical science, holistic therapies, and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Set within a historic five-star property with 99 elegantly appointed rooms and suites, the spa features over 6,000 m² dedicated to wellness, including a cutting-edge medical floor and an expansive spa. Highlights include hydro-fango therapy cabins, hydrojet treatments, a meditation lounge, saunas, hammam, Kneipp path, and both indoor and outdoor pools. A state-of-the-art fitness center offers Technogym equipment and expert-led wellness activities.
The fifth-floor medical department houses advanced diagnostics, colon hydrotherapy, acupuncture, ozone therapy, aesthetic medicine, and more—delivered by a multidisciplinary team of doctors, therapists, and wellness professionals. The newly opened Sport Recovery Lab supports active individuals and professional athletes alike with targeted rehabilitation programs.
Palace Merano’s culinary philosophy is another cornerstone of its wellness experience. Guests can choose from specialized menus like the Palace Detox® Diet, Biolight® Nutrition, and Sport® Nutrition—all based on fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients.
Awarded the “Master M.O.T.” distinction by Condé Nast Traveller in 2025 and named one of the “Top 20 Health Hotels” in the Alps by Bilanz magazine, Palace Merano continues to set the standard for holistic, personalized wellness in Europe and beyond.
