FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

ME London

Nov 18, 2013
2013 / December 2013

Arrival/Check-In: I arrived at the hotel after a not-too-long early-morning taxi ride from Paddington Station. The hotel is on the site of the Gaiety Theatre, where shows were at one time as famous as the Ziegfeld Follies in New York, and next to Marconi House, the former headquarters of the BBC and the site of the first BBC radio broadcast in 1922. This is where the hotel’s Radio Bar gets its name. The entrance is at the very point where the Strand meets the Aldwych. It is a pleasant surprise as you enter the somewhat austere building to find a Eurosleek edgy interior of black marble and gleaming stainless steel. The reception desk is one level up in what has to be one of the most interesting one-of-a-kind spaces anywhere. It is shaped like the inside of a hollow obelisk that soars nine stories to the top of the building, where a skylight gives you a view of blue sky or clouds. It’s this reception area that sets the tone of your stay, meaning you can expect the unexpected.

Guest Quarters: I was in room 510, an Aura Suite, which had a decent-sized sitting room and bedroom and a very generous bathroom, which could be accessed from the bedroom or through a separate door off the entrance hall, so the water closet could also act as a powder room if you have visitors. The living room had a large, wall-mounted flat-screen smart TV; a large sofa; and a good-sized easy chair as well as a desk chair and a desk/work station with desktop outlets. The bedroom included a king-sized bed, an easy chair and a wall-mounted smart TV.

The bathroom had a large shower with two showerheads, a separate vanity and double sinks, and a deep Jacuzzi bathtub. The toiletries were by Apivita, a Greek organic brand which was new to me.

The room came with an iPad for ordering services and such. I didn’t use it, but I can see its usefulness. My only issue was the über-high-tech lighting and mood lighting that seemed to have a mind of its own and — truth be told — I never quite mastered it. But that was such a minor annoyance compared to my overall satisfaction with my stay.

Services/Amenities: The hotel has several excellent venues for entertaining or just having a relaxing drink. The most spectacular of these, and one that draws people from the nearby theater district and London financial district, is the Radio Rooftop Bar with a wraparound terrace which affords fantastic views of London, from St. Paul’s to the far reaches of the West End.

Cucina Asellina is a hot new Italian restaurant with a separate outside entrance as well as one from the hotel. My London-based colleague and I had dinner there one night, so I can say in all honesty it is well worth a visit. For less formal dining, there is STK, a high-energy informal eatery inside the hotel where you can get a full meal or a hamburger and after 10 p.m. listen to the resident DJ. It was very busy during my stay, so it appears to be a hit with guests as well as Londoners. And when you want to meet a friend for a drink and a chat, there is always the ground-floor Marconi Lounge just off the entrance. This also was very busy with guests and locals.

The Experience: ME London is only a few blocks from The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square and St. Paul’s Cathedral, and not far from London’s financial district, so it is an ideal place to stay for business, culture and shopping. When I stayed, there was a high level of energy and buzz about the place which was generated by the restaurants and the rooftop bar, as well as by the very stylish interior and the attractive and outgoing staff who were always alert to guest requests. I will recommend ME London to my friends and look forward to staying there again.

GT CHECKLIST

  • Doorman/Valet
  • Less than 10 minutes for check-in
  • Separate tub and shower
  • Large vanity
  • High-quality towels
  • Powerful, unattached hair dryer
  • High-quality bed linens
  • Large, flat-screen television
  • Large desk with convenient outlets
  • Complimentary in-room WiFi
  • Complimentary bottled water
  • Stocked minibar
  • Ample lighting
  • In-room coffeemaker
  • Iron and ironing board
  • On-site restaurant and bar
  • 24-hour room service
  • State-of-the-art fitness center

ME London

336-337 The Strand
London
WC2R 1HA, United Kingdom
tel 44 207 395 3400
melia.com

Introducing

FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

#globility

Insta Feed
Daily
Jun 2, 2023

Diego Rivera’s America Presents the Most In-Depth Look at Artist’s Work in More than 20 Years

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, located in Bentonville, Arkansas, presents Diego Rivera’s America, the first major exhibition focused solely on the Mexican artist in more than 20 years, on view until July 31. Crystal Bridges is the second and final stop for the exhibition, the only remaining opportunity for visitors to experience Rivera's expansive vision of America.

What Business Travel Looks Like Now From Those Who Know It Best

Pack your bags, traveling for business is making a comeback — and the role of the corporate travel manager is more important than ever.

Daily
Jun 2, 2023

San Antonio, Texas, Preserves Architectural Beauty for Future Generations

In San Antonio, Texas, old buildings are seldom destroyed. When they fall into disrepair, they are instead repurposed and restored to maintain the city’s history and traditions for future generations to appreciate. Whether it’s a former brewery or bank transforming into a chic hotel or a candy factory evolving into stylish lofts, this Texas city embraces both history and sustainability.

Daily
Jun 2, 2023

Here’s How to Arrive in Style to the World’s Most Unforgettable Hotels

Make a grand entrance to these equally grand hotels: 

Treasure Every Moment in The Islands of Tahiti

Welcome to The Islands of Tahiti, where every moment is a treasure waiting to be discovered. From the moment you arrive, you will be greeted with warm hospitality, time-honored traditions and an awe-inspiring landscape that will take your breath away.

Sponsored
Jun 1, 2023

Protected: MORE TO TRAVEL

There’s more to travel than just getting there.

eFlyer Reviews
May 31, 2023

Homer and Janet by Homer Review

The Marais District, covering swaths of Paris’ 3rd and 4th arrondissments, has a distinctively gritty glamour that reveals it to be one of the city’s great incubators for new French food, fashion and lifestyle trends. It is here Moïse Sfez took on the challenge of creating street food establishments Homer in 2017 and Janet by Homer in 2022, doing it in such a way they both transcend the novelty of being regional American comfort food offered at stylized lunch counters matching up with New England lobster shacks and New York delis. Overwhelming local response and Sfez winning the 2018 Lobster Roll World’s Championship title in Portland, Maine, solidified him as a Paris restaurateur and one of France’s hottest culinary stars.

Portuguese Pleasures

Europe is more fun with a Portugal Stopover.

eFlyer News
May 31, 2023

Air New Zealand to Introduce Skynest Sleeping Pods on Ultra-Long-Haul Flights in 2024

Starting September 2024, Air New Zealand introduces its new Skynest full-length sleeping pods on its ultra-long-haul routes. The new feature will begin on routes between New York and Chicago.