No matter the season, London is always the best vacation spot. There is an endless number of exciting places and activities for the whole family, not to mention the amazing food that we can’t get enough of! When it comes to having an unforgettable London experience, ME by Melia London is a must-have experience.
Location is crucial when planning a trip, so finding the right accommodation is key. Having visited London on multiple occasions, I always stayed at the most inconvenient places. But at ME, I didn’t have to worry about an efficient means of transport because the location of the hotel was conveniently close to London’s main attractions. The hotel is located on Strand Street, with Soho, Leicester Square, and Covent Garden only minutes away. Soho is known for having internationally famed and up-and-coming restaurants. While around Leicester Square and Strand Street is some of the best entertainment—from theatres to cinemas. And only a few minutes’ walk away are renowned shopping destinations Selfridges and Oxford Street. The location of the hotel is perfect!
The ME’s interiors and overall vibe are edgy and out of the ordinary. Starting from the hotel’s extravagant lobby where the Marconi lounge resides is a beautiful area for guests to relax with refreshing drinks and afternoon tea as they enjoy the stunning art and chic ring-like interiors of the hotel. Along with the high ceiling, the interiors made for a charming backdrop of visual magnificence—I was mesmerized!
Judging by the extravagance of the lobby, I was excited to see my room. The room is very spacious and modern, with a beautiful balcony overlooking the Thames river. After settling in we decided to visit Radio Rooftop, which is located on the topmost 10th floor. Radio Rooftop is great for all occasions, breakfast gatherings, afternoon tea, or spending an evening with friends while enjoying and dancing to the music. The spectacular panoramic view of London and the beautiful weather was the ideal combination.
A restaurant I was excited to try was the famous STK. Known for being one of the best steakhouses around, I was ready for some hearty, good food. Located on the ground floor, the spacious restaurant is lined with booths and tables under dim lighting and subtly avant-garde decorations. One of the walls was decorated with the same large horns that were used in the latest blockbuster movie, Venom. The menu was diverse, and did not disappoint with its great selection of meats. I loved the quality and creativity of their food, and surprisingly, I found myself especially liking their dessert menu. The ambiance of STK was very much alive, with a DJ booth playing all the latest hits. A few steps away was Zela, a fusion of Mediterranean and traditional Japanese cuisines. I was amazed at the beautiful interior of greenery, which resembled a forest-like atmosphere. The picturesque location of this unique fusion restaurant is the work of famed soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo. There truly is a lot to see and experience around the ME!
ME by Melia London amazed me with their attention to detail and design in every aspect of the hotel, as well as their choices of restaurants that set the bar for other hotels in terms of food quality and a unique experience. Our stay was warm and comfortable, with a special homely touch that made us feel welcomed and attended to. At the start of everyday, we woke up every morning to a generous amount of sweets and inspirational messages written on our bathroom mirror to boost our mood. The perfect luxurious home away from home.
A version of this article was featured in Khaleejesque’s Tenth Anniversary, March 2019 issue.
Words: Noor Al-Sabah
Images: ME by Melia London
