Since it opened, the ME Dubai by Meliá has attracted culture lovers from around the UAE.

A beacon of art and design experiences in Dubai, the hotel designed by the late Zaha Hadid and housed within the iconic Opus building, is a championed platform for expression.

From monthly rotating exhibitions and fashion week collaborations to an eclectic mix of restaurants and an ever-evolving creative calendar, the property is a haven for those who value creativity.

We sat down with the team behind the hotel to learn more about what’s coming next.

You’ve had quite a few art exhibitions at ME Dubai lately. Is that something you’re continuing to push? Can you share what’s coming next?

Absolutely. Art is part of our DNA as a brand. ME is the luxury lifestyle brand from Meliá, and culture, art, music, fashion, is central to our identity. Every month, as part of our Cultural Connection initiative, we bring a new artist into the hotel and showcase their work on our dedicated gallery floor, the third floor.

During the month, the artist becomes the “star” of the hotel, with workshops, talks, and a launch event. After that, the work gradually rotates across floors to give them longer exposure. Each artist gets about three months of visibility, and yes, my calendar is already booked until January next year.

You’ve also collaborated with Dubai Fashion Week recently. How did that come about?

Yes, fashion is just as important to us as visual art. For Dubai Fashion Week, we participated in both the September and February editions. In September, we hosted Palestinian designer Zeki Fawaz on our third floor with an immersive atelier-style installation. We transformed the lobby and created something truly special, fashion as art.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ME Dubai (@medubaihotel)

So you’d describe ME Dubai as an immersive cultural experience?

Exactly. Being a lifestyle hotel, we’ve always wanted to stand apart. Dubai has no shortage of luxury hotels, so the way to stand out is through experience and identity. That starts with our design.

Can you tell us a little about the building’s architecture?

The building was designed by the late Zaha Hadid. She envisioned it as a melting ice cube, hence the void in the middle, which allows natural light to pour in from all angles. In the morning, the mood of the lobby changes as the sun moves, it’s quite magical. At night, it transforms again, especially with our DJ booth right in the center of the lobby. It’s designed to feel like a discotheque at times.

Will the hotel continue to work with Dubai Fashion Week this September?

Most likely, yes. We see ourselves as a platform, so we always invite the fashion community to return. Last season we hosted Roberto Cavalli’s team, and this season we had Jama, the entire team stayed here. It’s a natural collaboration because many members of the Dubai Fashion Week team aren’t based in the UAE, so ME becomes a home base.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ME Dubai (@medubaihotel)

And beyond art and fashion, the F&B offering here is also quite rich. Could you walk us through that?

ME Dubai is very much a culinary destination as well. Within The Opus building, we have nine restaurants. Signature venues include ROKA, Sfumato and Revolver, our new Indian and Southeast Asian concept. We also have Maison Dali, a Michelin-starred restaurant offering Japanese ingredients crafted with French techniques, it’s a standout.

We also operate our own restaurant on the second floor, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And there’s something new on the horizon...