The European Hospitality Awards, now in its fourth year, was held at IHG Park Lane, London on 1 November and received entries from the UK and world's top architects, designers and hospitality operators. The judges consisted of the most influential personalities and industry professionals including Michelin-starred chefs Heinz Beck and Clare Smyth.
Bagging multiple awards this year was the ME London by Meliá Hotels International, winning firstly "The New Build, Opening of the Year" which recognizes new build projects that show innovative structural and interior design. This was followed by the "Best Suite" award for Suite ME, a two-storey masterpiece with 360 degrees panoramic view of London from the suite’s glass cupola.
To cap off the illustrious evening, the hotel which opened on 3 January this year, was awarded "European Hospitality Awards Overall Winner", the best-of-the-best selection as the one outstanding hotel from amongst all winners.
Fabio Gallo, General Manager of ME London, said: "We were competing against some of the very best hotels in Europe and I am very proud ME London has won these awards. It is testament of the efforts by Meliá Hotels International to support this unique brand worldwide."
The ME London, from the shell of the building to the bathroom fittings had been designed by Foster + Partners, is an elegant fusion of interior and exterior design, the scheme completes the grand sweep of buildings that make up the Aldwych Crescent, repairing the urban grain and restoring a little lost glamour to the heart of the West End.
The design seamlessly integrates the construction of a new 157-bed hotel with the restoration of the adjacent 1904 Marconi House, whose interior has been entirely restructured to accommodate 87 apartments.
The new hotel building occupies a triangular site and is clad in Portland stone, corresponding in height and scale to its neighbour.
An elliptical tower on the corner of the hotel defines the end-point for the Aldwych Crescent and marks the main entrance at street level, which is sheltered beneath a wide glass fan. The corner tower is topped by a glass cupola – a contemporary reinterpretation of the Edwardian-style domed roof across the street – that houses the living space for the award-winning ME penthouse suite.
Arriving guests pass through the ground floor lounge, public restaurants and bar, and ascend to a dedicated hotel lobby and champagne bar on the first floor, housed within a nine-storey high pyramidal space, clad entirely in white marble.
The hotel rooms combine clean, minimal lines with a dramatic monochrome palette of luxurious materials. Suspended from the white leather walls of each room is a black lacquered cabinet, which incorporates a television and entertainment system, back-lit onyx shelves and the mini bar.
Full-height triangular bay windows project to reveal long views of the Strand.
On the tenth floor, the hotel’s rooftop terraces are an urban oasis – the Radio Rooftop Bar offers spectacular views of the river and Westminster skyline.
Further guest facilities are located directly beneath the central atrium at lower ground level and include versatile conference suites, a gym and a luxury 25-seat screening room, bringing the glamour of Theatreland into the heart of the hotel.
For more information, go to //www.melia.com/en/hotels/united-kingdom/london/me-london/
