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Luxury lifestyle hotel brand, ME by Meliá, has announced its debut property in the Middle East with the launch of ME Dubai at the end of 2018. Designed by the late architect, Dame Zaha Hadid in partnership with luxury developer Omniyat, ME Dubai is set to become a legacy hotel. It is the only hotel project where she personally designed all of the interiors and exteriors, showcasing her vision of ‘interconnectedness’.
ME Dubai will take residence in the breath-taking, 95-metre high Opus building, which is the newest architectural icon in the Dubai skyline and situated in the heart of the upcoming Burj Khalifa district in Downtown Dubai.
ME Dubai will consist of 93 rooms and suites, across 19 floors, the ultra-luxurious ‘Suite ME’, as well as 98 serviced apartments. The property will feature dramatic, signature furniture in the lobby, vertical café, lounges and reception area, which were either designed or personally selected by Zada Hadid.
The lifestyle hotel will offer 15 restaurants, including ROKA, the contemporary Japanese robatayaki restaurant. Founded in London in 2004, ROKA was created by Rainer Becker following the huge success of Zuma London. Hamish Brown, Group Executive Chef for ROKA Restaurants internationally, since March 2013, has successfully spearheaded the team who have created some of ROKA London’s most iconic dishes, including the yellowtail sashimi with yuzu-truffle dressing and lamb cutlets with Korean spices. To complement the food from the robata, a selection of expertly prepared sushi and sashimi will be available, alongside dishes from the main kitchen.
The interior of ROKA Dubai showcases the collaboration between Rainer Becker and esteemed designer, Noriyoshi Muramatsu of Tokyo’s Studio Glitt. Located in the centre of the restaurant amongst diners, the robata grill is the focal feature of the ROKA experience and also brings with it the energy that ROKA is famous for.
With awe-inspiring originality, Hadid’s design reinvents the balance between solid and void, opaque and transparent, interior and exterior. The Opus spans 250,000 sq ft, comprising of two separate towers that connect in the form of a cube but with a ‘carved’ central void where the centre of the building provides unexpected and dramatic views of the exterior.
Gabriel Escarrer, Vice Chairman and CEO, at Meliá Hotels International, said: “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 are incredibly excited to open ME Dubai, our first property in the Middle East, in partnership with Omniyat to bring Zaha Hadid’s vision to life. 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.”
Mahdi Amjad, Chairman and CEO at Omniyat, said: “The architectural wonder of The Opus requires a hotel partner that can resonate with its design and lifestyle appeal. We’re very proud and happy that ME by Melia is that partner and look forward to the first ME hotel in the region opening in The Opus.”
ME by Meliá is for culture-seeking guests that are driven by new luxury experiences. The brand has been built on first-rate service, and ME Dubai is no exception. Each guest's stay is orchestrated by a dedicated Aura Manager, whose job it is to know the city back-to-front and use this knowledge to make the hotel's service truly bespoke. ME Dubai’s facilities and Aura service will also be extended to the owners of the exclusive serviced apartments located on the upper floors, including 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 in Sitges in 2018 and Barcelona in 2019.
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About ME by Meliá
ME by Meliá is a personality-led, lifestyle brand that seeks to fuse innovative style with local tastes in order to captivate clientele with a love for contemporary art and design, international cuisine and world music.
By capturing these elements in urban and resort destinations, the ME philosophy adds a more personal touch to the guest experience. Follow ME by Meliá on Instagram @me_by_melia and Facebook mebymelia. www.mebymelia.com.
About Meliá Hotels International
Founded in 1956 in Palma de Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International is one of the largest hotel companies worldwide, as well as the absolute leader within the Spanish market, with more than 370 hotels (current portfolio and pipeline) throughout more than 40 countries and four continents, operated under the brands: Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, Paradisus by Meliá, ME by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, INNSIDE by Meliá, Sol by Meliá and TRYP by Wyndham. The strategic focus on international growth has allowed Meliá Hotels International to be the first Spanish hotel company with presence in key markets such as China, the Arabian Gulf or the US, as well as maintaining its leadership in traditional markets such as Europe, Latin America or the Caribbean. Its high degree of globalisation, a diversified business model, the consistent growth plan supported by strategic alliances with major investors and its commitment to responsible tourism are the major strengths of Meliá Hotels International, being the Spanish Hotel leader in Corporate Reputation (Merco Ranking) and one of the most attractive to work worldwide. Meliá Hotels International is included in the IBEX 35 Spanish stock market index. Follow Meliá Hotels International on Twitter @MeliaHotelsInt and Facebook meliahotelsinternational. www.melia.com .
About Zuma
Zuma was co-founded by Rainer Becker and Arjun Waney in 2002. Zuma London, the first restaurant to open, remains the brand’s homestead. Zuma has successfully launched eleven locations across the world including Hong Kong (2007), Dubai (2008), Istanbul (2008), Miami (2010), Bangkok (2011), Datca Peninsula (2013), Abu Dhabi (2014), New York (2015), Rome (2016), and Las Vegas (2017). ZUMA’s characteristic culinary concept features a main kitchen, sushi counter, and robata grill offering modern, sophisticated Japanese cuisine. Zuma has garnered international acclaim from media including 'Restaurant of the Year' in the UK's Tatler Restaurant Awards. Conde Nast Traveler's Hot Tables Awards awarded Zuma Hong Kong 'Most Exciting New Restaurant,' and Time Out Istanbul awarded Zuma Istanbul 'Best New Restaurant 2009.' Zuma London, Dubai and Hong Kong have all made the Top 100 listing of The S. Pellegrino World's Best Restaurants, as voted for by an international panel of over 800 critics, chefs and restaurateurs. Chef Rainer Becker has also been recognized within the industry, with awards including Chef of the Year nods from both Harper's Bazaar and Moet. For more information, please visit ZUMA’s website http://www.zumarestaurant.com .
About ROKA London
Following the enormous success of Zuma London, Rainer Becker quickly recognized the huge popularity of robatayaki cuisine and opened ROKA Charlotte Street in 2004 working with Group Executive Chef, Hamish Brown to create an authentic but contemporary Japanese robatayaki menu. ROKA London quickly expanded and now has a portfolio of restaurants in the most sought after locations across London. The principal cuisine comes from the Robata grill. Located amid diners, the grill forms an integral design element of all the restaurants but more than being a stunning visual feature; the robata is truly the heart of ROKA.
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