When I stepped into my suite at Meliá White House, my heart dropped — which is exactly the kind of reaction I want from a hotel room. My one-night stay at this London hotel coincided with dinner plans that I now desperately wanted to wriggle out of, leaving me free to paddle around in a terry robe, sipping espresso and pawing through the in-room glossy magazines as the rain tapped on the window. Side note, as it has become rare to find a hotel with openable windows, access to fresh air was an instant brownie point.
The Luxury London Hotel That Feels More Like a Private Members’ Club
Home for the night was, specifically, The Level at Meliá White House, an exclusive retreat at the rear of the main property near Regent’s Park. Designed in the shape of a star, the landmark is one of London’s finest examples of Art Deco architecture. Originally an apartment complex, the property briefly served as a members-only club before being developed into a hotel during the Swinging Sixties. Having miraculously survived the Blitz, much of the original features remain, while revamped communal areas are reminiscent of 1930s ocean liners — especially the passageway between the primary lobby and The Level’s dedicated reception area.
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Rooms and suites at The Level at Meliá White House
Rooms at The Level are stylish and roomy. Photo: Melia White House
My room, the one where I longed to hole up for a night of R&R, was a one-bedroom suite with thick curtains sectioning the bedroom, lounge, and bathing area. Besides the ultra-plush bed (I debated skipping breakfast for an extra hour on the snooze button), my suite came with a family-sized sofa draped with a fluffy blanket, perfect for movie night on the go. I particularly liked the contrast between the heavy wooden coffee table and the playful, contemporary artworks hanging over the bed, showing well-to-do ladies blowing bubblegum bubbles. A serial bather, I loved my late-night soak in the freestanding tub and appreciated finding a bath bomb among the usual amenities.
Rooms at The Level start around $600 per night. While sleek and deluxe, I experienced a coziness at The Level often amiss in modern luxury hotels: maybe it comes from the hotel’s initial purpose as an apartment block, coupled with the hotel chain’s Spanish origins. This feeling of laid-back exclusivity continues in the lounge.
Members only — The Lounge at The Level
The Lounge is private and is an iconic London setting. Photo: Hannah D. Cooper
The hotel’s distinct culinary experience kicks off in the early evening when tapas is served at The Level Lounge. Only guests staying at The Level have privileged access to this exclusive salon, furnished with velvet couches and banker’s lamps, which opens onto a private terrace overlooking the quiet street outside. After closing briefly to clear up the buffet breakfast (a solid selection of Spanish, Mediterranean, and British staples), the lounge is open all day with a selection of soft and alcoholic beverages, charcuterie, and confectionery for guests to help themselves. All items in The Lounge are part of The Level’s all-inclusive offering, a subtle nod to the building’s past as a members’ club.
Spending a few hours here, I was joined by families with young kids and business travelers, with the environment being hospitable to all purposes. Dogs are welcome, too.
Spanish-inspired afternoon tea and gourmet picnics
Even for a savory palette, the cakes served at afternoon tea were a delight. Photo: Hannah D. Cooper
The setting is so wholesome that it's almost im possible not to linger over a second pot of tea. Photo: Hannah D. Cooper
Knowing what I had in store that afternoon, I kept my eyes firmly in line with my stomach at breakfast, and grazed lightly during those hours at The Level Lounge while tinkering on my laptop and sheltering from the rain. That downpour was the reason my friend and I deviated from our original plan of swapping a gourmet picnic in Regent’s Park for afternoon tea at the Meliá White House’s signature restaurant.
Arado puts a spin on the traditional English ritual, serving the classic three-tiered assortment with a Spanish twist. Our server told us to disregard the conventional bottom-to-top etiquette and pick at each layer as we wished, a less formal strategy that felt reflective of the hotel’s Mediterranean roots. Finger sandwiches came stuffed with the likes of chorizo and Jamón Serrano with Piquillo peppers, alongside a wrap of grilled vegetables and hummus. I was a fan of the tea menu, which came in the form of loose leaf samples on the table — the point being that our noses could guide us. Mine took me straight to a blend of lemon, rosemary, and mint.
Having a more savory palate, I was pleasantly surprised by how easily I was able to polish off all five cakes. The rose-infused cheesecake and matcha battenburg were standouts, especially washed down with a glass of Champagne and a second pot of mint tea. The luxury picnic experience packs up the same menu into a hamper and adds a bottle of Spanish Cava to be popped and enjoyed over the road in what is, in my opinion, London’s prettiest park.
Central location near Regent’s Park and Soho
The hotel is adjacent to one of London’s most beautiful parks. Photo: Alexey Fedorenko /Shutterstock
Minutes from Regent’s Park (home of ZSL London Zoo), The Level at Meliá White House is ideal for a first-time visit to London or a flying visit. The property has a dedicated entrance on Longford Street, but guests may also use the main entrance on Osnaburgh Terrace. It’s walking distance from Marylebone High Street, where you’ll find boutiques, delis, and gastropubs aplenty. Daunt Books for Travellers, one of London’s prettiest bookstores, is here, while Angel in the Fields is a great shout for an afternoon pint. King’s Cross St. Pancras Station is also walkable, or a short cab ride for those with luggage. Camden, Soho, and Fitzrovia can all be reached on foot, each showing a different side to the capital. With four London Underground stations within a five-minute walk, it’s easy to get anywhere else further afield. 