ME by Meliá is a collection of trend-setting hotels in cultural capitals around the world that each has a unique, bold personality and sense of style that embraces the local cultural scene. They are hubs of music, art, design, fashion, and gastronomy that promote community and creativity.
There are currently eight ME by Meliá hotels spread across Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, and Mexico, including ME Dubai, ME Milan Il Duca, ME London, ME Madrid, ME Ibiza, ME Barcelona, ME Sitges and ME Cabo, with four new openings in the pipeline.
Here we introduce two of the properties, ME Dubai and ME London, and take a sneak peek at what comes next for the growing collection.
ME by Meliá Marks Ten Years in London
ME London marked a milestone anniversary this year, celebrating ten years since they started welcoming guests. Located on the site of the former Gaiety Theatre, famous for the fashion icons and cultural influencers of their day, the Gaiety Girls, and next to the former headquarters of the BBC, where their first radio broadcast was made over a century ago, the ME London carries on the legacy of its predecessors as a progressive and bold destination in the cultural heart of London.
The hotel underwent a complete renovation and emerged as a hotel in 2013. The architectural masterpiece, designed by Fosters + Partners, features a collection of 157 rooms, 15 suites, and a spectacular two-story Penthouse - Suite ME that overlooks the city skyline and popular tourist sites from wrap-around windows inspired by vaulted Edwardian roofs. The modern suite was completely reimagined in 2019 by interior design leaders Rockett St George, known for its funky style. As well as a private terrace, the one-of-a-kind abode boasts direct access to the lively Radio Rooftop Bar, a stellar spot for panoramic views and quality drinks.
Other gastronomic offerings include Luciano by Gino D’Acampo, authentic Italian dishes served in a relaxed atmosphere, and STK Steakhouse, specializing in the finest USDA prime beef. Sleek and sophisticated meeting and event spaces are in abundance, with seven meeting rooms, including a large function space offering drive-through access from the on-site car park directly to the function room. The Marconi Lounge, named after the inventor of the radio, and other F&B outlets, as well as suites, can be booked for private events.
As the hotel enters its second decade, it’s positioned to continue its heritage as a hub for art, music, design, and fine cuisine.
The Zaha Hadid-Designed ME Dubai
With a breathtaking design by Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA), ME Dubai is the only hotel in the world to have both its interiors and exteriors designed by ZHA. Its futuristic architecture, characterized by curves, sharp angles, and bold materials, epitomizes Hadid’s unique design style.
The hotel boasts 74 rooms and 19 suites, including the Passion Suite, Personality Suite, the Vibe Room, and the ultra-luxurious ’ME Suite’. All rooms are split into two themes: Midnight and Desert. Midnight rooms reflect the dynamic night skies of the Dubai skyline, whilst the Desert theme pays homage to the serene environment and soft hues of the UAE landscape.
A haven for epicureans, ME Dubai sets the culinary benchmark with its unparalleled array of food and drink offerings. Bringing a touch of Mexican soul and warmth to Dubai, DESEO, a Latin affair, exudes a sophisticated yet social vibe and a tropical-urban look and feel. At Central Cosmo Tapas & Bar, tapas aficionados can savor mouth-watering plates complemented by an expertly selected wine list, bursting with Spanish flavor and hospitality in an open and vibrant restaurant.
Botanica, located in a secret walled garden, is the ideal antidote to bustling city life, with the resident concocting the perfect cocktail with herb botanicals handpicked from the wall. From MAINE Land and Brasserie, offering new-England style dining, to Pierre Marcolini (World’s Best Pastry Chef 2020), to ROKA, an award-winning Japanese restaurant serving contemporary Japanese robatayaki cuisine and sushi in striking surroundings, ME Dubai is leading the way with its culinary offering.
Equally as impressive is the hotel’s wellness offering. Guests can take advantage of ME Dubai’s state-of-the-art gym, spanning 7,000 square feet and home to the region’s best fitness equipment and facilities, including the Middle East’s first ultramodern Technogym Biocircuit. Those keen to work up a sweat can cool down with a refreshing dip in the hotel’s pool terrace. Wellness gurus can indulge at the hotel’s world-class spa, offering guests the ultimate refuge for relaxation and a variety of luxurious spa treatments for individuals or couples to unwind.
With properties located in cultural capitals around the world, ME by Meliá creates a unique link to the communities in which it operates. ME Dubai’s Culture Collective cultural program acts as a platform for contemporary Middle Eastern culture, connecting music, art, design, fashion, and gastronomy in curated events that bring the creative scene of the city into the hotel, tapping into the latest trends whilst shaping the local cultural landscape.
ME by Meliá’s New Openings
ME Malta will launch on the island’s eastern coast in St Julians in late 2023, presenting a new social and cultural epicenter for cosmopolitan travelers to discover the latest art, culture, music, and fashion in the vibrant city. Designed by world-famous architect Zaha Hadid, it will become a new and profound destination to elevate Malta’s urban landscape – and the second ME by Meliá hotel created solely by the late Dame Hadid, following ME Dubai. The hotel’s 140 rooms and suites, spa, and meeting spaces will boast bold yet elegant interiors, accompanied by innovative culinary offerings and ME by Meliá’s signature Radio Rooftop Bar where expert mixologists, professional DJs, and exciting events will attract local and international guests.
Another ME by Meliá hotel will launch as the brand’s first in the country, with ME Lisbon opening in 2024. Perched up near Parque Eduardo VII, the hotel arrives as the city’s first luxury lifestyle hotel joining the high-end hospitality scene and marking a further milestone for Meliá’s European expansion.
Further afield, ME Guadalajara will open in late 2023 as the second ME by Meliá hotel in Mexico as well as the brand’s first urban hotel in Mexico. The brand will bring its unique style, personality, and luxury lifestyle approach to one of the most cosmopolitan and cultural cities in the country. ME Guadalajara will comprise 152 rooms and suites, as well as a sky pool and signature rooftop area. In line with other global ME hotels, it will also offer a wide range of outstanding dining experiences.
The brand made its anticipated debut in the Asia Pacific region this year with the signing of ME Guangzhou in China. Set to open its doors in 2027, ME Guangzhou will undoubtedly become a benchmark hotel for modernity and avant-garde luxury in China.
These latest additions join the impressive existing portfolio located in global cultural epicenters.