After briefly launching just before the global lockdown, the hyper-cool Zaha Hadid-designed ME hotel will reopen this autumn. Sam Ballard reports
Designed by Zaha Hadid before she died in 2016, the ME Dubai is to open for a second time – post global lockdown – following a stalled opening on March 1.
The breath-taking hotel is the first and last that the late superstar architect designed both exterior and interiors for. It is now due to reopen its doors in September for international visitors.
Located in the Opus by Omniyat building, which spans 185,806 sqm in the Burj Khalifa district, the hotel has 74 rooms and 19 suites. The spectacular building itself consists of two towers that connect to form a cube – with a “carved” central void.
In a statement describing the space, Zaha Hadid Architects says: “During the day, the cube’s façade reflects the sky, the sun and the surrounding city; whilst at night, the void is illuminated by a dynamic light installation of individually controllable LEDs within each glass panel.”
Christos Passas, project director at Zaha Hadid Architects, says: “The precise orthogonal geometries of the Opus’ elemental glass cube contrast dramatically with the fluidity of the eight-storey void at its centre.”
Inside the hotel, the lobby, lounges, reception areas and bedrooms all feature bespoke furniture by Zaha Hadid Design.
There is also a 650 sqm gym fitted out with the “most technologically advanced fitness equipment on the market”, including Dubai’s first Technogym Biocircuit, which creates customised cardio and strength training programmes for individual users. 
The ME Dubai has three restaurants including Roka by Zuma, a Japanese robatayaki restaurant using using flame cooking techniques, complemented by 15 others in the building.
The hotel will follow the path of all Melia hotels in terms of its sustainability practices. All guests will be given a stainless steel water bottle to use during their stay, helping to keep the hotel plastic free.
The property will also be implementing wide-spread Covid-19-fighting measures including taking the temperature of all guests on arrival, disinfection mats, minibars only stocked on request, buffets with individually portioned cold food, and room service deliveries left outside guestrooms.
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