Virgin Hotels New York City, which has opened its doors to guests beginning February 2023, last week organized its official opening celebration with a full day of festivities.
Sir Richard Branson, Founder of the Virgin Group, was on site to ring in this occasion as opening a hotel in New York City has been a longtime dream of his.
The day kicked off with Sir Richard Branson welcoming the big crowd on 30th Street to introduce Colton Ryan, the lead from the new Broadway hit musical New York, New York. Colton and crew took over the hotel’s front entrance (on the corner of Broadway) to perform the iconic song “New York, New York.”
The performance was followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony with Sir Richard Branson, Colton Ryan, Virgin Hotels’ CEO James Bermingham, General Manager Candice Cancino, hotel owners John Lam, Hung Luk, and other members of the Lam Group, complete with a confetti drop. Spectators helped Richard countdown from 10 to cut a Virgin Hotels-branded red ribbon with huge gold scissors and officially open the hotel.
Later in the evening, the party continued with an unforgettable grand opening event spanning multiple floors of the hotel. The night commenced with a Chinese Lion Dance in Everdene, the entertainment-anchored culinary space that occupies the hotel’s entire third floor, followed by a lively welcome from Sir Richard Branson and hotel owner John Lam of the Lam Group.
Guests including fashion designers LaQuan Smith, Carly Cushnie, Natalie De’Banco, DJ Shaun Ross, Actress Ana Villafañe, Bravo stars Dorinda Medley, Lindsay Hubbard, Carl Radke, Andrea Denver, Chris Leoni and more explored the hotel’s 3rd and 4th floors to find tarot card readers, live painters, stilt walkers, jugglers, and performers in larger-than-life sized martini glasses, a Tyra Banks’ Smize Cream ice cream cart, and signature drinks curated by Tequila Don Julio including a Spicy Blanco Margarita.
Party goers were then invited to the 38th-floor event space, where they continued to dance the night away against a backdrop featuring spectacular views of Manhattan from the Empire State Building to the Statue of Liberty.
Guests were treated to a surprise, exclusive preview performance from the newest Virgin Voyages show, followed by a series of epic DJ sets from the likes of DJ Lovie, DJ Stretch Armstrong, Natasha Diggs, Eli Escobar, and DJ Moma.
Located at 1227 Broadway, and taking up the entire block between 29th Street and 30th Street, the newest addition to the Virgin Hotels collection sits at the heart of the booming NoMad neighborhood and delivers a vibrant yet sophisticated hospitality experience in one of the world’s most exciting cities. This is the sixth Virgin Hotels in the United States and the seventh in the brand portfolio.
Accommodations
Virgin Hotels New York City features 460 Chambers, Suites, and Penthouses across 39 stories. Ranging from 277 to 770 square feet, all Chambers include floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the cityscape, including certain Chambers affording unparalleled views of the Empire State Building, the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Chambers features 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, allows guests to dress up or wind down with comfort. The Lounge features convenient amenities for both work and play, including the brand’s patented ergonomic lounge bed, a red SMEG® mini-fridge stocked with street-priced comforts, 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 for their beloved companions.
Travelers seeking the most luxurious overnight experience can book a stay in Sir Richard’s Flat, an impressive 2,800-square foot suite spanning the hotel’s 35th and 36th floors. The expansive duplex offers the pinnacle of urban living, featuring two bedrooms, including a spacious master bedroom; a striking 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. 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 at the touch of a finger.
Check room rates and book on Booking.com
Food & Beverage
The hotel offers multiple culinary destinations onsite on the third and fourth floors. Everdene is a sprawling 4,000-square-foot dining and drinking venue offering a spontaneous and playful scene with sweeping views of the city, and menus serving seasonally driven dishes, shareable plates, and specialty cocktails. An epicenter of cultural activity, Everdene occupies the entire third floor of the hotel. Everdene’s Bar provides guests with an elevated food menu and an inventive list of craft cocktails in a stylish setting, accented with Virgin’s quintessential rock-and-roll vibe. Featuring music and programming, daybeds and stadium-style seating for mingling, and several vantage points to take in city views, the indoor-outdoor space is an urban oasis where travelers and locals alike can come together and be a part of the inimitable energy of New York City. Whether attending an art show in the Lounge, drinking a coffee while working in the Library, or taking an outdoor yoga class in The Conservatory, there is truly something for everyone. The fourth floor is also home to the hotel’s signature, fine dining restaurant concept, encompassing immersive culinary experiences inspired by Italian and Latin cuisine, which will open in the coming months.
Amenities
The Pool Club on the fourth floor combines indoor and outdoor space and is available exclusively to overnight guests. The seasonal deck and indoor lounge invite guests to relax and splash. From taking a dip in the heated swimming pool to indulging in cocktails and shared dishes against the backdrop of the Empire State Building, The Pool Club is the perfect respite from city bustle. Additional hotel amenities include a state-of-the-art gym, complimentary Wi-Fi, a business center and much more.
In advance of their stay, guests can sign up for the brand-wide guest preferences and loyalty program, The Know, to unlock a personalized stay, member only rates, room upgrades, exclusive dining and event offers, and other hotel perks. The perks keep coming when The Know members sign up for Virgin Red, the rewards club from Virgin. For stays at Virgin Hotels New York City through April 30, 2023, The Know members will earn double points per stay. Points can be used to unlock rewards across the Virgin family or redeem for unique experiences from your favorite brands.
Events
The hotel boasts an array of enticing spaces with countless configuration options for social events, weddings and galas, meetings, launch parties, fashion shows, private concerts, and other gatherings. Set atop the 38th floor showcasing glass walls 30 feet high on three sides with spectacular views of Manhattan and a private outdoor observation deck, The Sky Lounge is one of New York City’s most coveted event spaces. There is also an intimate cocktail bar for private events located on the 39th floor overlooking the lights of Broadway and the Empire State Building. Additional spaces for meetings and events include two meeting rooms, pre-function and boardroom spaces, private dining room, and The Conservatory.
