After opening last year to much fanfare, Virgin Hotels New York is already celebrating its first anniversary in the heart of Manhattan.
Taking up the entire block in the bustling NoMad neighborhood, the ebullient luxury hotel location sits smack dab in the middle of Midtown, making it a prime draw for tourists visiting for business and pleasure alike. And indulging in both at once is certainly on brand for all things Virgin Group.
Led by Brooklyn-based design firm MARKZEFF and architecture group Stantec, the task was to create a contemporary space that melds the classic but playful Virgin aesthetic with New York’s famous dynamism. While maximizing views throughout accommodations and public spaces, subtle design elements reference nearby Madison Square Park, with some bolder design components reminiscent of the Virgin brand including a signature red staircase connecting the third and fourth floors as well as other red accents, like the guest room doors.
The hotel hosts 460 guest rooms (or “chambers,” in Virgin Hotels parlance), suites, and penthouses. Ranging from 277 to 770 square feet, all chambers and suites include floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the cityscape (and a few even offer views of the Empire State Building and Times Square).
The suites feature Virgin Hotels’ signature layout with two distinct spaces: the dressing room, which includes a full vanity desk with a mirror, a closet for two, and an extra-large shower with a bench; and the lounge, which features convenient amenities for both work and play, including the brand’s patented ergonomic lounge bed, a red SMEG mini-fridge, a smart TV, a yoga mat, and a cafe worktable. Guests will also find sensor-activated lighting that automatically illuminates when they walk by, as well as pet-friendly amenities.
The ultimate stay can be found in Sir Richard’s Flat, a 2,800-square foot suite spanning the hotel’s 35th and 36th floors. The duplex has two bedrooms, including a spacious master bedroom; a walk-in bathroom with luxe amenities like a rain-head shower and bench, a soaking tub, and a vanity; a kitchenette; 24-foot windows with panoramic views of the city; and a curated art collection within the suite.
The hotel’s art collection is also a nod to the fusion of the Virgin brand and New York with over 100 different pieces. From the lobby’s Where’s Richard? mural by Nigel Sussman, inviting guests to play a Virgin-themed version of Where’s Waldo, to the hotel’s massive 2D piece The Sweat of Disco by artist Joeggu Hossmann, celebrating the city’s history, icons, and party scene.
For all room categories, a guest stay is further enhanced through Virgin Hotels’ mobile app Lucy, which enables guests to control lighting and thermostats, request services, stream their own content or browse television programming, and order room services.
The entertainment spaces are anchored by Everdene, a 4,000-square foot indoor and outdoor dining space on the hotel’s third floor, offering nightly music and entertainment programming while serving seasonally driven dishes, shareable plates, and craft cocktails.
The Pool Club on the fourth floor combines indoor and outdoor space and is available exclusively to overnight guests, with a pool deck open when weather permits. And on the 38th floor with glass walls 30 feet high on three sides with spectacular views of Manhattan and a private outdoor observation deck, the Sky Lounge is an event space like few others.
There is also an intimate cocktail bar for private events on the 39th floor overlooking the lights of Broadway and the Empire State Building. Open for corporate and social events, weddings, galas, launch parties, fashion shows, private concerts, and other gatherings, the hotel has more than more than 19,000 square-feet of meeting space overall. Additional hotel amenities include a state-of-the-art gym, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a business center.
Virgin Hotels launched in 2010, starting in Chicago, as a luxury lifestyle hospitality brand that offers a lively but personalized hotel experience. And as part of Sir Richard Branson’s multinational conglomerate Virgin Group, each hotel intermixes a passion for food and beverage with music, design, and local culture. The portfolio currently includes eight hotels in the U.S. and U.K.: Chicago, Dallas, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Las Vegas, Edinburgh, and Glasgow.
Virgin Hotels plans to add locations in Miami and Denver in 2025, as well as the launch of Virgin Residences. In addition, Virgin Hotels continues to explore developments in Boston, Orlando, Los Angeles, Austin, Philadelphia, Seattle, and London.
Room rates at Virgin Hotels New York City’s start at $595 per night with additional special offers available online.
