ME London by Melia – Covent Garden

Hotel Description

Honestly, when I first walked into ME London, I wasn’t expecting much from another fancy hotel on the Strand – but this place actually caught me off guard. The lobby hits you with this dramatic dark elegance that’s sort of moody and sophisticated without being stuffy, you know? It’s tucked right between Covent Garden and the Thames, which means you’re literally a two-minute walk from all the street performers and market chaos, but also close enough to Somerset House that you can easily duck into their courtyard when you need a breather from the crowds.

What really makes this place work is how they’ve nailed that balance between being properly upscale (we’re talking 5-star everything) and actually feeling welcoming. The rooms have this sleek, almost minimalist thing going on with rich textures – think deep blues and blacks with these gorgeous marble bathrooms that honestly made me want to take longer showers than usual. I mean, when you’re paying London hotel prices, you might as well enjoy the rainfall shower head, right? The staff genuinely seems to know what they’re doing too, which isn’t always a given even at expensive places. Check-in was smooth, they sorted out restaurant recommendations that weren’t just tourist traps, and when I mentioned I was heading to a show in the West End, they had actual useful timing advice about getting there.

The location is really what seals the deal though – you’re right on the Strand so there’s definitely some traffic noise if you’re facing that direction, but it’s London, so you kind of expect that. What you might not realize is how easy it makes everything else. Covent Garden tube station is practically next door, you can walk to the National Gallery in about eight minutes, and there’s something satisfying about being able to grab coffee at Monmouth (the one on Monmouth Street, not the touristy Neal’s Yard spot) and be back at your hotel before your coffee gets cold. Plus, if you’re into the whole rooftop scene, their bar actually has decent views without the massive crowds you get at some of the more famous spots. The 8.4 rating makes sense – it’s not perfect, but it gets the important stuff right and doesn’t try too hard to be something it’s not. When you’re spending serious money to stay in central London, that kind of reliability is exactly what you want.

Rooms

• Always ME City View with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults
• Superior ME City View with 1 extra-large double bed and 2 single beds for 2 adults
• Beyond ME + Suite Panoramic City View with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults
• Superior ME River View Terrace with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults
• Superior ME City View Terrace with 1 extra-large double bed and 2 single beds for 2 adults
• Extra ME + Junior Suite with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Always ME with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults
• Beyond ME + Suite Terrace View Over London with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults
• Ultimate ME + Suite Duplex Penthouse with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults
• 2 Bedroom Superior ME City View with 2 extra-large double beds for 6 adults, 2 children
• 2 Bedroom Ultimate ME + Duplex Penthouse with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed for 5 adults
• 3 Bedroom Beyond ME + Suite Panoramic City View with 3 × 1 extra-large double bed for 8 adults
• 2 Bedroom Beyond ME Terrace View over London with 2 large double beds for 4 adults, 1 child

Facilities