ME By Melia London Now Taking Reservations for September

Where: 336-337 The Strand, London, United Kingdom

July 18, 2012 at 9:46 AM | by JasonD | Comments (5)

If there's one thing we know goes well with a new hotel opening, it's a hotel opening delay. So is the story for ME by Meli� London, which, like many new hotels in London, was planning to open in time to welcome the crowds set to descend on the city for the Olympics. Crowds that could afford the expected �400 ($626) nightly rates, that is.

Walking by the hotel several times a week, the projected mid-July opening seemed aggressive to us, judging from the ongoing construction. Latest news confirms that reservations are now accepted from September 1.

London will be only the fifth ME by Meli� hotel in the world, the others being in Spain (Barcelona, Madrid) and Mexico (Canc�n, Cabo). These "experience-based personality hotels in global capitals of culture & cool" belong to Spanish Meli� Hotels International group, so you'll hear Spanish first when you ring global reservations.

Once the hotel opens, there will be 144 rooms, including 30 with a balcony. The latter are located on floors 8 and 9, "The Level", which seems to take a slightly different approach than the usual concierge / executive floor with dedicated lounge. We're particularly intrigued by the "Aura Experience Manager" for personalized pre and post (we assume -stay) contact. In addition to a number of room categories there are 16 suites, including one duplex ME Suite.

Location-wise, you couldn't be more central at the corner of Strand and Aldwych. Rooms on higher floors will have views of the Thames or Covent Garden, and neighboring hotels include One Aldwych, the Waldorf Hilton, ~~Swissotel The Howard~~, and of course, Savoy.

Should summer ever arrive in the UK, we'd be mostly looking forward to trying out Radio rooftop (a nod to the former BBC headquarters next door). From what we can tell on the website, the rooftop - presumably with inside seating as well - is also the location for breakfast, and then goes straight on until 3am for drinks. The lobby bar will even be open for service 24 hours a day.

Despite a post-Olympics opening, rates are pretty steep: a weekend late September in an entry-level Deluxe room costs �360 ($563) a night, with a room on "The Level" close to an additional �200 ($313) more.

As always, we'll have more for you once we've seen ME by Meli� London with our own eyes.

[Photos: ME by Melia Hotels]

Comments (5)

Return to » ME By Melia London Now Taking Reservations for September

I was hoping they would be open this week!

I know! Yesterday was the first time I saw the ME sign up outside (what I presume to be) the front entrance , most of the scaffolding is gone as well now. Nearly $900 for a room on The Level though...

Dear Hotelchatter Team,

the Swissotel The Howard in London has closed its Doors in September 2011 forever.

The Building gets torn down to make place for the Arundel Great Court development, which will be a set of new commercial and residential buildings, including a new hotel.

It is not due to be completed until 2015

And another one opens. Thanks @maxleopold for the update. We've struck the hotel from the story and will update the hotel page.

Can't believe I missed that one! Thanks @maxleopold for keeping us on our toes

HotelChatter

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