ME Dubai set for 2018 opening
ME by Meliá has revealed that its debut property in the Middle East, ME Dubai, will launch at the end of 2018. Designed by the late Zaha Hadid, it marks the only hotel project wherein Hadid personally designed all interiors and exteriors.
Taking up residence in the 95m tall Opus building, ME Dubai will be situated in the heart of the Burj Khalifa Downtown district. Comprising 93 guestrooms and suites across 19 floors alongside 98 serviced apartments, the property will feature signature furniture in the lobby, a vertical café, and lounges and reception area either designed or with furnishings personally selected by Hadid.
Hadid’s design reinterprets the balance between solid and void, opaque and transparent, interior and exterior. The Opus spans 250,000 ft², and consists of two separate towers that connect in the form of a cube, albeit with a carved central void.
The lifestyle hotel will further offer 15 restaurants, including Roka, the contemporary Japanese robatayaki restaurant. Founded in London in 2004, Roka was created by Rainer Becker following the success of Zuma London. Interiors here showcase a collaboration between Rainer Becker and designer Noriyoshi Muramatsu of Tokyo’s Studio Glitt, whilst, located in the centre of the restaurant, the robata grill will act as the focal feature.
Gabriel Escarrer, Vice Chairman and CEO at Melia Hotels International, comments: “We are incredibly excited to Open ME Dubai, our first property in the Middle East. Dubai is a fascinating, exciting city, known for its progressive feats of design; all of which are characteristics that resonate with ME by Meliá hotels and the high standards we offer our guests. We’re confident that our unwavering commitment to exemplary service, coupled with Zada Hadid’s remarkable design and Roka’s sumptuous cuisine will make for an unparalleled experience for our guests in Dubai.”
A dedicated Aura Manager, whose job it is to know the city back-to-front and make the hotel’s service truly bespoke, will orchestrate each guest’s stay. ME Dubai’s facilities and Aura service will also be extended to the owners of the serviced apartments located on the upper floors, which include four penthouses with private roof terraces.
There are currently ME by Meliá hotels in Miami, Milan, London, Ibiza, Mallorca, Madrid and Cabo, with further openings set for Sitges in 2018 and Barcelona in 2019.
