ME London

The thought of a Spanish luxury chain moving into central London is the sort of thing that could ordinarily be counted on to attract a bit of criticism. But in point of fact, it’s hard to imagine a hotel that’s much more quintessentially English than ME London. It’s housed in a new building designed by Foster + Partners, and located at one end of the Strand’s central Aldwych Crescent, an iconic location if ever there was one. This new build is an addition, really, an outgrowth of a thoroughly renovated 1904 building which was the first home of the BBC, and the original headquarters of the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company — proof in itself that London’s never been shy about admitting the occasional overseas influence.

And it’s as big a deal as you’d expect from a new-build Norman Foster luxury hotel in the heart of London. Big, sweeping architectural statements are made, especially in the nine-story pyramid-shaped atrium, while private revelations abound — the top-floor terraces have unrivaled views, and the suite in the corner tower boasts a 360-degree exposure. The interiors are crisp and modern, the rooms and suites reinforcing contemporary London’s international character rather than playing up the Marconi House’s Georgian heritage, and the fixtures and finishes are state-of-the-art, from the integrated electronics to the massively decadent bathrooms.

That rooftop restaurant and bar is essential, of course, but ME London contributes a high-profile restaurant, STK London, to the city’s already enviable culinary landscape. London’s a tough town, but this is impressive stuff — proof that the Meliá group can comfortably play on one of the biggest stages in the hospitality world.