Hotel review: Virgin Hotels New York City

A look inside Virgin Hotels New York City.

There are more great hotels in New York City than in entire countries, so can the famous Virgin brand make an impression in this hotly contested hotel scene?

Virgin Hotels NYC back story

The seventh in the Virgin Hotels portfolio (the first opened in Chicago in 2015), the New York outpost launched in early 2023.

Virgin Hotels NYC plays to the Richard Branson brand’s strengths; a vibrant colour aesthetic that adds an energetic ambiance to the rooms, bars, restaurants and lounges yet avoids becoming a caricature of an ageing billionaire’s struggle to remain relevant (and youthful) by just trying a little too hard to be edgy.

Virgin Hotels NYC plays to the Richard Branson brand’s strengths.

The signature experience for guests (and us) is falling asleep gazing at an illuminated Empire State Building, pinching yourself and then waking to the same daylight view and realising it was not a dream.

Virgin Hotels NYC is perfect for solo travellers, couples and the bleisure traveller (business and leisure – yes we hate the term too but it has become accepted terminology despite our resistance). In short, despite the very cluttered New York hotel scene, Virgin Hotels NYC is a welcome addition.

You’ll pinch yourself as you look out over the city.

First impressions

The striking Virgin logo towers over the entrance and being New York, you probably miss the slim silver 39-level tower which houses the 460 guest rooms and suites as the Uber or taxi deposits you at the curb on W30th St.

Spot the striking Virgin logo outside.

The lobby is compact and relatively low-key. Three standalone check-in desks in front of a large digital artwork greet guests at the entrance. A few lounges are available for those waiting for other guests but as there is no food and beverages available in the lobby, it is largely a pragmatic transient space, accentuated by a check-in agent who is a little disinterested.

A large digital artwork greets guests on arrival.

The real Virgin personality is found on level three at Everdene, the social centre of the hotel. Deep lush velvety red and blue sofas accompany a carefully curated colourful bar, restaurant and lounge; during the day it is a relaxed modern eatery and by night, a lively NY restaurant and bar.

The vibrant Everdene is on the third floor.

The room

Chambers if you please! Like all Virgin experiences, Virgin Hotels give the mundane a more distinguished and inviting tongue-in-cheek name – Upper Class for business class on Virgin Atlantic and Sailors for passengers on Virgin Voyages.

Soak up the city view from the Chamber King room.

Our Chamber King, on the 15th floor, makes the most of the modest space typical for Manhattan. The entrance leads to the bathroom facilities, storage, vanity and a snug makeup table with an illuminated mirror, referred to as the dressing room by the Virgin Hotel crew. The walk-in rainfall shower is spacious and great for a post-24-hour flight rejuvenating soak.

The dressing room is a delightful space.

But it’s the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Sleeping Lounge that create a great sense of space and make the most of the Manhattan vistas. Split from the dressing room by a sliding full-length mirror door for privacy, it features a signature red mini SMEG fridge and a nifty lounge with a table joined to the bed base that forms a 1.5 seater sofa for working on a laptop or a lazy read.

The minibar is complete with snacks and refreshments.

The king-size bed does dominate yet there is just enough room to move around the bed. And if you can secure the right room, you’ll have pinch-yourself views of the Empire State Building.

Take in incredible views of the city skyline from Richard’s Flat.

The facilities

Everedene serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, brunch and even a late-night sweet snack.

Hit up Everdene any time of the day.

The breakfast menu traverses the healthy to the hangover cure and in our case, the Chef’s FV Breakfast Sandwich of poached eggs on bacon with melted cheddar and tomato relish was just the treat. It set us back US$20 ($30).

Equally, the nightcap with Burnt Fig Panna Cotta for US$11 ($16.75) is a sweet send-off to remember.

If the sun is shining, head outside to Everdene’s terrace.

The in-room mini-bar proudly declares the prices are “street”, in other words, what you might pay at a corner store.

The spa was opening as we checked out and the rooftop pool was not on the agenda when the top temperature in January was 0°C… although we anticipate it being a splash of Virgin vivacious fun in summer.

While away the hours at Virgin Hotels NYC’s rooftop pool.

If your room doesn’t have the mesmerising views of the Empire State make a beeline for the 5th-floor gym and workout while gazing at NYC’s emblematic skyscraper.

Make a beeline for the gym on the 5th floor.

The location

For NYC snobs, midtown is something to be poopooed but Virgin Hotels’ location on the southern edge of midtown and the western edge of uber hot hotel hood NoMad (north of Madison Square) made famous by the launch of ACE hotel in 2009, is really where you want to be.

Admire the stunning NYC skyline from the terrace suite.

At the juncture of W30th and Broadway, Madison Square Gardens and Empire State are an easy stroll (and rooms on the eastern side of the hotel have magnificent views of the NYC icon).

See the majestic NYC sunset from Richard’s Flat.

More importantly, the Herald Square subway station with access to eight different subway lines makes getting to most reaches of NYC relatively easy.

Gaze at an illuminated Empire State Building from Virgin Hotels NYC.

Our rating

4 stars – this is a great base for a NY stay with the right amount of personality and energy for those who love the New York buzz but do enjoy some downtime.

Virgin Hotels NYC is a great base for a NY stay.

What we loved

The smart room (ahm sorry Chambers) design and everything Everdene.

What we’d change

A greater sense of arrival.

Details

Virgin Hotel NYC
1227 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
(212) 213 0090