Alex Robertson checks into the ME Hotel, London.
Getting there: The ME hotel is slap bang in the centre of London. It's a hop across Waterloo Bridge from the Eurostar terminal, a skip from Trafalgar Square along the Strand, or a short jump from Covent Garden tube station where you alight from the Piccadilly Line from Heathrow.
Check in experience: The check-in desk is in a tall, slender room illuminated by a skylight way up in the gods. It's like a modern-day cathedral spire or some Gothic-revival sacrificial chamber. Projected cloud-like patterns scurry across and up the sloping walls and the lighting is nightclub low. It is so mesmerising you hardly notice handing over a passport and credit card. Having said all that, the staff are rather pleasant.
Room: The rooms are generous, especially for central London. Decor is mirror, opaque white glass, white walls and linen and a large black TV that takes up an entire wall. There are sliding doors hiding the wardrobe, mini bar and the angular window looking out on to the Strand and Somerset House. The bed is comfortable, if a little short.
What's in the neighbourhood: If you want theatre, there's half a dozen within spitting distance, and then a pleasant walk through Covent Garden (or a short cab ride) to St Martin's Lane, Shaftesbury Ave and Leicester Square for most of the others. The Royal Festival Hall and Southbank Centre are just the other side of Waterloo Bridge, an easy walk. If you want shopping, then Covent Garden is a few minutes away, but you can also get to Oxford St and the West End on a short bus ride. Transport links are plentiful with several tube stations within easy walking distance and hundreds of buses going to all destinations. There are a gazillion restaurants and watering holes all within staggering distance and the historic monuments ... should I go on?
