Last Updated on September 24, 2023 by Eve Dawes
ME by Melia London Covent Garden, London, England
ME London hotel is known for it’s modern design, buzzy Radio Rooftop bar, luxury 5 star accommodations and situation in the heart of Covent Garden London. The slick ME London hotel is designed by Normal Foster has 157 rooms, a rooftop bar and state of the art gym that’s perfectly located right by Covent Garden on the Strand. So if you’re wanting to catch a West End show, they’re walking distance. I’d been to their Radio Rooftop bar the year before and loved the views and location so decided to stay there this year but is it worth the price tag? Here’s my honest review and ME by Melia hotel London. This is not a sponsored ME by Melia hotel review, we paid in full.
This post contains affiliate links which do not affect the price at all.
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How to get ME London by Melia
If you’re wondering how to get to ME hotel London it’s really central and easy to get to via tube, taxi, Uber or overground. Depending on where you’re coming from the closest stations are Temple, Charing Cross, Embankment, Covent Garden or Holborn.
Address: 336-337 The Strand, Covent Garden, London, WC2R 1HA, England.
Located: 13 km from London City Airport, 0.8 km from Trafalgar Square and 0.5 km from Covent Garden.
Arriving at ME London
If you’re looking for an older, more classic hotel this isn’t for you. You’d be better off at the The Savoy or Claridges. If you’re looking for a contemporary, sexy 5 star hotel in London with art work and a buzzing bar scene ME by Melia London hotel is perfect.
You enter on the ground floor through a lobby bar and whatever art exhibition is currently on. We went when Barbiecore by Emma Gibbons was on.
Check in
When you arrive at ME by Melia London you’ll take the elevator up to reception on the 1st floor. You can check in from 3PM and check-in time ends at 5:30am.
This is not your ordinary hotel foyer, nor would you expect it to be for a London 5 star hotel. The base of the chic, large marble atrium stretches all the way up to Radio rooftop bar and is full of art.
You’re greeted with bubbles and while we were there an art light installation. Check in was seamless and our room was ready on arrival. You immediately feel uber cool and away from the bustle of London.
Service
Some reviews mention condescending staff but we never experienced that. All of the staff from the front desk to Radio rooftop bar were lovely and went out of their way to help us without knowing I was reviewing the hotel.
We found the service to be warm, professional and efficient everywhere we went in the hotel. Even at Radio Rooftop bar they went out of their way to make cocktails that weren’t on the menu and accommodate us when we didn’t have a booking.
ME London is so much more than a hotel. It’s an architectural masterpiece bursting with art, music, design, and fine cuisine. Revisiting the history of this iconic building
Me London
ME London hotel rooms
The corridors are dark and it’s easy to miss the exit back to the elevators but the rooms themselves are bright and airy. We booked the City View room with a king bed but there’s also options for 1, 2 or 3 bedroom suites. If you’re looking for a larger, more luxurious room check out the:
- Ultimate ME+ suite duplex penthouse (1066 ft²).
- Beyond Me+ suite panoramic city view (958 ft²).
- Beyond ME+ suite terrace view over London (893 ft²).
- For families the 3 bedroom Beyond ME+ suite panoramic city view is perfect (807-1453ft²).
Prices range from around $492-6500 depending on the room type and when you go.
There were Wimbledon themed macaroons to greet us (since we went in July) and some complimentary waters.
Don’t expect the rooms to be massive. London hotel rooms are notoriously small unless you book a suite but these are a decent size by London standards.
The City View room (Superior ME) is 323 sq feet, sleek and modern. Because everything is so streamlined it can be easy to miss the sliding door closet in the entry hall or mini bar hiding in the walls.
For a party hotel that comes alive at night, much like the other ME by Melia hotels in Ibiza, Madrid and Miami it’s surprisingly quiet and dark at night. Thanks to the thick glass which blocks out most of the never ending London traffic. There’s also sliding privacy and black out screens on the windows so you don’t have to worry about anyone seeing in or being woken up with the early Summer morning light.
A lot of hotels are skipping evening turn down services so it was nice to still have this at ME London. The room had been tidied up again, mood lights switched on and heart shaped chocolates were placed on the pillows.
ME London review | Bathroom
All of the bathrooms are slightly different depending on the room type that you book. The sleek chrome, glass and dark marble all look modern but some come with Bali showers and others come with soaking tubs.
The bathroom water pressure is great and I always appreciate when the toilet is separate from the rest of the bathroom.
Bathroom amenities include:
- Hairdryer
- Shower cap
- Dental kit
- Razer
- Cotton pads
- Lip balm
- Daily moisture cream
- Body cream
- Hand wash
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Shower gel
Gym
I’m ashamed to admit I didn’t bring my gym gear as we tend to do so much walking around London and the days are full enough.
However, I kind of regretted it as the basement gym here is fabulous. With Peloton bikes, running machines, free weights, fixed path machines and steppers.
Dining options at ME London
STK restaurant, Luciano by Gino D’Acampo and Radio Rooftop bar are your 3 dining options. There’s the option to have Breakfast included or not when you book. If you chose not to during your booking you can just pay as you go for a continental, buffet or room service breakfast. We chose not to and just grabbed coffee and croissants at the coffee shop on the corner to save time.
Radio Rooftop Bar | ME London
Radio rooftop bar and the location are really what sold me on this hotel. I love hotels with rooftop bars for their views and this one doesn’t disappoint. In fact, it’s on pretty much every ‘Best Rooftop Bars in London’ list. The cocktails and food have always been excellent too and they often have a live DJ.
Just be sure to make a reservation in advance as it does get busy. Especially on a sunny Summer day, when we get them!
ME Hotel London facilities
- Radio rooftop bar
- Private car park
- Room service
- Air-conditioning
- Laundry
- 24-hour gym
- Access for people with reduced mobility
- Tourist information
- Heating
- Dry cleaning
- Valet parking
- 24-hour reception
- Wi-Fi
- Safe
- Security
- STK restaurant
Pros and Cons of ME by Melia London hotel
Pros
- Location, location, location! On the strand right by Covent Garden, The Thames and Somerset House.
- Modern, contemporary design.
- Tech savvy rooms with lights that you can adjust both the brightness and colors.
- Trendy Radio rooftop bar with spectacular views.
- State of the art gym.
- Luxe bathroom and amenities.
- Welcome sparkling wine.
- Free wifi.
- Excellent views of the London skyline from rooms on higher floors.
- Quiet even though it’s on a main road.
- Attached to STK steakhouse.
Cons
- Dark hallways can make it hard to find the exit.
- About a 5 minute walk to a lot of the tube stations.
- It tends to smell either very heavily scented or of sewers.
Conclusion | ME London Review
Would I stay again? Absolutely! I loved the whole vibe, decor and location. It’s expensive but you get what you pay for. Being members of Soho House, it also made it easy to pop into 180 House on the Strand for morning coffee too. As well as walk to The Savoy for afternoon tea.
ME London hotel
Summary
Sexy, modern hotel with quiet rooms, luxurious bathrooms, excellent service and a great location for exploring Covent Garden and London.
