A look inside ME Dubai: the first and last hotel designed by Zaha Hadid

Set to welcome guests from next week, ME Dubai by Melia is the only hotel where the British-Iraqi architect conceptualised both the exterior and interiors

ME Dubai by Melia in Business Bay was designed by the late British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid. Courtesy ME Dubai

The building itself, as well as the hotel's interiors were designed by Zaha Hadid. Courtesy ME Dubai

Curved details in the headboard above the king-sized beds in ME Dubai by Melia. Reem Mohammed / The National

ME Dubai by Melia hotel is located in The Opus building and has 74 rooms and 19 suites. Reem Mohammed / The National

A midnight-themed hotel room at ME Dubai by Melia hotel. Reem Mohammed / The National

A single master switch means the end to complicated hotel lighting. Reem Mohammed / The National

Curved soaking tubs and over-sized showerheads are found in the bathrooms. Reem Mohammed / The National

Desert themed rooms are inspired by the colours of Arabia. Reem Mohammed / The National

The maxi bar (rather than mini bar) in one of the rooms at ME Dubai. Reem Mohammed/The National

Colour therapy lights at the spa at ME Dubai by Melia. Reem Mohammed / The National

Level 4 of ME Dubai has Hadid-designed event spaces and furniture. Reem Mohammed / The National

Sleek gym equipment at ME Dubai by Melia hotel. Reem Mohammed / The National

ME Dubai by Melia hotel features Zaha Hadid's curves and forward-thinking design. Reem Mohammed/The National

These sofas in the lobby took three years to create. Reem Mohammed / The National

The curvaceous lobby. Reem Mohammed / The National

The interior is filled with curves typical of the late Zaha Hadid's work. Reem Mohammed / The National

Flowing curves and forward-thinking design in the boutique-sized ME Dubai by Melia. Reem Mohammed / The National

Vegan options are on the menu at Refuel and Relax at ME Dubai by Melia. Reem Mohammed / The National

A suite inside ME Dubai, where views stretch to the Dubai Canal and the Burj Khalifa. Reem Mohammed / The National

The Spanish tapas inspired restaurant Central at ME by Melia hotel. Reem Mohammed / The National

Central at ME by Melia hotel will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner but is not an all-day dining restaurant. In a move away from the majority of most hotels in Dubai, none of the hotel's restaurants will serve Friday brunch. Reem Mohammed / The National

The long-awaited Zaha Hadid-designed ME Dubai by Melia will open its doors on Sunday March 1, 2020.

Four years after it was originally set to open, the hotel in The Opus by Omniyat building in Downtown Dubai, will welcome guests in the next few days. As workers put the finishing touches to the hotel, The National took a behind the scenes tour of the only hotel in which the British-Iraqi architect conceptualised both the exterior and interiors.

Furniture by Zaha

The furniture throughout the lobby, lounges and suites was designed or personally selected by Hadid: and her forward-thinking, curvaceous aesthetic is obvious from the second you walk in.

With 74 rooms and 19 suites, the hotel offers a boutique feel in the heart of Downtown Dubai. Each room is designed in either a midnight blue or golden desert theme, and guests checking in can expect views over the Dubai Canal, up towards the towering Burj Khalifa or both.

Mini bars have been replaced with maxi bars, and complicated hotel lighting is a thing of the past at ME Dubai — lights are instead controlled by one main switch or via the hotel's in-house app. Bathrooms feature rounded sinks, oversized showerheads and curvaceous soaking tubs.

In the grand lobby, where the beautifully-curved couches took three years to make, the hotel will pay tribute to Zaha Hadid every Thursday via a montage of her work on a huge video projector screen.

Eating and drinking

Dining options include a 24-hour brasserie on the lobby level called Roka, from Zuma founder Rainer Becker, as well as a Spanish-tapas inspired restaurant called Central that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Eventually, the hotel will have 15 food and beverage outlets. It's also set to welcome a sprawling underground nightclub that will be split over two levels.

When it comes to down time, guests can take a dip in the white marble clad swimming pool, while fitness fans will love the huge gymnasium. In classic Hadid styling, even the machines are sleek, with wood finishing and hydro-powered functions. Nearby, the Refuel & Relax pool bar offers a wide choice of vegan options for pre- or post-workout meals.

The spa at ME Dubai is small but perfectly formed, with a wide range of therapies. The use of lots of natural light and curved wood contrasts against the building's metal and glass exterior. Colour therapy lights let staff or visitors set the mood, adjusting the ambiance to suit treatments being delivered.

Plastic is a no-go in the hotel, which has partnered with a local company in the UAE to install a drinking filtration system throughout the property. All rooms are stocked with filtered water in glass bottles and there are no plastic cups or straws in sight.

ME Dubai is the hotel brand's first property in the Middle East. It joins other hotels in destinations such as Ibiza, London, Cabo and Milan.

Rates start from Dh1,590 per night, www.melia.com