The Vibe: Zahidesque.

The Area: The area is called Business Bay, not particularly interesting – but hey you have come here for the architecture.

The DNA: ME Dubai, the lifestyle brand of Spanish Meliá Hotels, is the last work of legendary architect Zaha Hadid. It is part of The Opus, a landmark building comprising conjoined twin towers framing an intriguing void at the centre and every angle recalls Hadid’s mastery of curves. With just 93 rooms, this is considered a boutique hotel in Dubai and certainly one of its most unusual. Stepping into the lobby feels like walking onto a Star Trek space station. The atrium climbs four storeys framed by sweeping asymmetric white balconies, a blank canvas for psychedelic pattern projections, which form part of the daily light and sound show marking dusk. Instead of Starship Enterprise uniforms staff wear on-trend cropped-trouser suits and Adidas trainers.

Suite-Me-Up: Even the smallest rooms are extremely spacious and there is a large number of suites to choose from, up to the 2-bedroom Suite ME which has a corner location and fantastic view of the Burj Khalifa. All accommodations come with oak floors, layers of brushed metallics and bespoke Hadid-designed fittings. Tailormade rugs, cut to echo the whimsical lines of futuristic bedframes, are deep enough to wiggle toes in.

Seen: archdaily, dezeen, Top Hotel Design

Accolades: Condé Nast Traveler Hot List 2021

✅ free Wi-Fi • size matters: 93 rooms & suites (39-247m2) (420-2,660 sq ft) • hotel opened: 2020 • architecture: Zaha Hadid • interior design: Zaha Hadid, Hirsch Bedner Associates • bathroom amenities: Natura Bissé ✅ free on-site parking • pets allowed on request • 24-hour front desk • wheelchair accessible