It was once the Grand Hotel Reina Victoria, settled comfortably in the heart of Madrid, and now, it has been reborn as ME Madrid, a brand new hotel experience aiming to raise eyebrows and blur boundaries. The ME Madrid is the first ME hotel from the Spanish hotel chain, Sol Melia, and it has blazoned the trail for the brand’s ultracool and sexy appeal.
Sitting right on the Plaza Santa Ana, it is as central as you can get in Madrid, and has become a hot destination for trendy locals and Hollywood stars. Recent sightings have included hot stars Jessica Biel and Bradley Cooper.
The palatial old building was completed in 1919, and was once considered the hotel of choice for visiting matadors, now the only hint of its past fame is found in the large faux bull heads mounted on the walls of the ME’s Midnight Rose tapas restaurant.
The hotel’s former grandiose Spanish charm has been renovated and replaced with urban chic in trendy muted tones. The décor also adds a flair of humour, with quotes from David Bowie songs etched into bathroom mirrors.
ME’s 192 rooms are done in all white, with splashes of bright purple on the striplights along the bed’s headboard, in the mini-bar and in the contemporary furnishings. Bedding includes crisp white linen sheets and eiderdown duvets. The deep soaker tubs are deep brown marble, with bath products by Aveda.
All rooms also come with free use of an iPod, during your stay, preloaded with Me Madrid music, to provide your holiday with the perfect soundtrack.
Rates start at 175 Euro for a deluxe room overlooking the hotel patio, to 970 Euro for the Grand Suite, with a private terrace and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city from the sixth floor.
There is no hotel pool, gym or spa, but guests have access to all the facilities in the palace next door, Spa Metroplitan.
The crowning jewel at ME Madrid is the hot rooftop bar, Penthouse. It has become a popular hangout for Madrid’s beautiful people, and has been consistently voted one of the world’s best rooftop bars for its spectacular city views.
