A Soulful Stay: Meliá White House – Hotel Review

Searching for a unique staycation? Head to the dedicated jazz suite at Melia White House, says Martha Davies.

Hotel Review: Meliá White House, London

Of all the hotels in all the world – or all of London, at least – you’ll find jazz lovers at Melia White House. You’ll find them in the hotel’s Marylebone Suite, to be exact, as it’s been transformed into a jazz suite in collaboration with Camden’s legendary music venue, The Jazz Cafe.

Cross the threshold of the sprawling space and you’ll spot an array of treasures: a record player on the windowsill with a stack of records (hand-picked by The Jazz Cafe) waiting beside it, and a spread of cava, bourbon cocktails and charcuterie laid out on the dining table. All of this takes pride of place in the hotel’s largest suite, which is complete with an opulent lounge area, a magnificent freestanding bath and even a Peloton bike – plus a capacious, cloudlike bed, of course.

We began, naturally, with Amy Winehouse’s Frank, the gentle fizz of the needle against the vinyl providing a perfect soundtrack as we explored the room. With so much music and such an spectacular feast, any guest would be forgiven for never wanting to leave; we had everything we needed to enter a uniquely lavish form of hibernation. Sipping on our drinks as the record faded out, we agreed that the London skyline could darken and come to life again and we’d barely notice.

There is, however, so much to enjoy at Melia White House that hibernation – however tempting the prospect – wasn’t on the cards for us. The hotel is home to a 24-hour gym and two excellent dining spots, the Arado Restaurant and ’35 Bar & Lounge, both of which offer dishes drawing on classic Mediterranean flavours in homage to the Melia brand’s Spanish heritage. 

Melia White House’s Grade II listed building recently underwent a monumental £40 million refurbishment, and while every area is stylish and quietly luxurious, one feels particularly spectacular: The Level, an exclusive space to which guests staying in premium rooms, family rooms and suites are granted unlimited access. Arriving for dinner at the Level Lounge, we sampled free-flowing drinks and outstanding food (including an enormous selection of tapas). Returning for breakfast the next morning, meanwhile, we tucked into fresh fruit, pancakes and pastries, followed by plates of Spanish tortilla and smoked salmon.

It was clear that, if not in our palatial suite, we could also hibernate here, perhaps wandering out to explore Regent’s Park – or, indeed, to see a gig at The Jazz Cafe – before coming back to play another record, indulge in another cocktail and make the most of everything The Level has to offer. What could be better than that?

THE FINAL WORD

Oxford Street may be minutes away, but Melia White House is a real sanctuary in the city – especially with jazz records on hand. Music lovers, this one’s for you. 

BOOK IT

The Marylebone Suite at Melia White House starts from £750. melia.com