Virgin Hotels NYC was recently named the #1 hotel in New York City by Travel + Leisure—but does it really live up to the hype? In this review, we share our honest experience staying at Virgin’s flagship Manhattan location: from room views and pool vibes to the restaurant scene and those signature Virgin extras that made our trip unforgettable.
As Virgin brand enthusiasts, we could not wait to visit Virgin Hotels NYC!
Virgin Hotels NYC recently snagged the title #1 Hotel in New York City from Travel + Leisure for 2024. Known for Virgin’s fresh approach to hospitality and innovation, we were eager to see if the hotel lived up to the Virgin brand name.
If you follow along with us, you know that New York City is one of our favorite places in the world. We visit the Empire State several times a year, so when something is new to the city (which is often), we want to try it out.
The Virgin Hotels NYC Experience
From the moment you visit their website, you know that the branding is sleek and saucy—just like Virgin!
We are going to tell you all about our Virgin Hotels NYC experience. Not only will you be totally prepared the next time you visit the Big Apple, but you’ll also be walking around the hotel as familiar as Sir Richard Branson himself.
Let’s explore what makes Virgin Hotels NYC the standout choice in the city that never sleeps.
Arrival and First Impressions
When we exited the cab and walked through the doors, we knew that Virgin Hotels NYC was offering a stay that was not just luxurious but uniquely memorable.
The staff immediately greeted us with a warm, enthusiastic “hello!” We arrived super early since we like to fly into the city early in the morning, so we could leave our luggage with the hotel until our room was ready.
We were able to access the third floor, which has a restaurant called Everdene, and the fourth floor, which has restrooms, so we could grab a coffee and get refreshed before hitting the streets to sightsee.
They can text you when your room is ready, so we loved that! We got our text around 1 pm, two hours earlier than check-in, letting us know we could head back anytime we were ready!
Room and Amenities
Listen to us when we say you must book the Sky Chamber King with the Empire view. This view alone is worth traveling to New York City for. When we walked into the room, we were immediately drawn to the breathtaking view of the city, specifically the Empire State Building.
The room itself is also pretty great; let’s not bypass that. Luxury meets innovation!
The room has a thoughtful layout, with a dedicated dressing area separated from the sleeping lounge by privacy sliding doors. This clever design made the space feel both spacious and intimate.
The room featured an incredibly comfortable signature king-sized lounge bed, promising a restful night’s sleep and the perfect space to lay back and take in the city.
The floor-to-ceiling windows offered sweeping views of the city, making it hard to resist spending the evening sipping champs and dining on pizza with the NYC lights!
If you are traveling for work or just want to stay connected, there are plenty of plug-in points for all our gadgets.
The walk-in shower was a fabulous experience! For some reason, the sit-down makeup vanity made us feel like we were getting ready to star in our own Broadway show! It was perfect!
We also appreciated the super stylish SMEG fridge, stocked with various drinks to enjoy throughout our stay.
Located on the upper floors of the hotel, our room truly offered an unforgettable experience. It was one that we will not forget.
Dining Experiences
We love food in New York City, specifically Little Italy Pizza! That said, we love dining options on the property when we stay somewhere.
Everdene is a rooftop oasis on the third floor along Broadway and 30th Street. This vibrant area offers three distinct spaces to explore. No matter what your vibe is, you will be accommodated!
Everdene entertained us day and night with its nosh, curated cocktails, and, of course, the amazing NYC views! The library and dining room provide a cozy spot for morning coffee or brunch, while the bar and terrace offer a lively atmosphere for drinks and socializing.
Don’t miss the Conservatory, an event space just outside the dining area, where you can take your coffee or cocktail and enjoy the fresh air. We highly recommend spending some time here to soak in the ambiance.
Happy hour is from 4 pm to 8 pm, Monday through Thursday. Be sure to enjoy the Nomad Duo, a featured food item, and an Aperol Spritz. Need we say more?!
Virgin Hotels NYC is a little over a mile from Restaurant Row, which has many dining options. We highly recommend this area while you are in the city!
Service and Hospitality
We loved using our phones to access the staff if we needed anything. This was very similar to our Virgin Voyages experience. Atmosphere services (we had to ask, and this is anything to make your room atmosphere better) like turn-down services, refreshing the room, or extra towels are just a text away.
You can also download the Lucy App. The app allows you to control your room temperature, request room service, and access other atmosphere services. It’s so easy and so innovative!
We found the Virgin Hotels NYC staff very friendly and eager to accommodate us and make our stay the best possible. From the front desk to the pool staff, everything was tip-top!
The Virgin Hotels NYC Rooftop Pool
We knew the pool would be amazing because we came across it while researching hotels with an outdoor pool.
The rooftop pool, internally known as The Pool Club, makes you feel very glamorous and stylish. It’s the ideal spot to relax in a chic, upscale setting.
Whether lounging by the pool during the day or enjoying the vibrant atmosphere at night, The Pool Club offers incredible food (starting at 11 am), drinks, and music. It is only open in season, so know that it closes in October and reopens in May.
The pool is located on the fourth floor, about 60 feet above Broadway, just a floor up from Everdene. You can either show up and see if a lounger is ready when you arrive or play it safe and make a pool reservation.
Location and Convenience
Virgin Hotels NYC is conveniently located 30-45 minutes from the local airports. LaGuardia is our top recommendation, thanks to the Laguardia Glow-Up.
The hotel is in the NoMad district of central Manhattan, within walking distance of one of the most famous New York landmarks: the Empire State Building.
Most rooms can get a great view of the Times Square lights just a few blocks away.
Know Before You Go
We love so many little things about the hotel that you may not know before you arrive. We want to pinpoint some things that make Virgin Hotels NYC even better!
- Your furry best friend is welcome! Yes! Virgin Hotels NYC is dog-friendly!
- The elevators are different than your traditional elevator. This will make you look and feel like a pro: when you push the buttons to call the elevator to your floor, you will find it a little unique. Instead of pressing the up or down buttons, you press the floor you want to do on the screen located outside of the elevators. It will then tell you what elevator is arriving so you can board your floor. It took us a few minutes to figure it out, but it’s very cool!
- If you visit during the warmer season, know that the pool fills up fast. Be sure you arrive early when they open at 8 am. They clear the pool at noon to refresh and clean. Then, at 12:30 pm, a new group of people enters, so if you are planning a pool day, know that you cannot hold your chair for the day.
- Many people ask about the noise or sound, especially in Manhattan. We didn’t hear one single sound from our room, except when we opened our window and wanted to hear the sounds of the city.
Overall Impression of Virgin Hotels NYC
Look, we didn’t think we would be disappointed. However, we also didn’t imagine being as impressed as we were with the new Virgin Hotel in New York City.
The hotel lived up to every bit of its award for the Top New York City Hotel by Travel and Leisure and then some.
Every aspect of our visit exceeded expectations. From the stylish, thoughtfully designed rooms to the vibrant Pool Club and the sophisticated Everdene, color us impressed.
The attention to detail, the exceptional service, and the incredible amenities made our stay truly unforgettable. It’s clear why Virgin Hotels NYC earned its top spot. This place is now firmly on our list of must-visit spots in NYC and will be a second home when we visit the Big Apple!
Additional Virgin Hotels + Virgin Brand Hospitality
You’ll be excited to know that other Virgin Hotels locations offer the same level of style and comfort worldwide.
In the United States, Virgin Hotels has locations in Chicago, New Orleans, Dallas, Las Vegas, and Nashville, in addition to the New York City property.
In the United Kingdom, there are locations in London, Edinburgh, and Glasgow.
If you want to increase your luxury factor and your budget, check out the Virgin Limited Edition properties. These are a collection of nine properties in North America, Europe, and Africa.
Each property has its unique flair, promising an unforgettable experience wherever you go.
Our adventure with Virgin doesn’t stop here. We’ve got some exciting content about our Virgin Voyages experiences on the high seas! You can compare how their cruises stack up to their hotel experiences!
FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions
Check-in time is 3 pm, and check-out time is at noon. The hotel will hold your luggage for you upon arrival if your room is not ready and if you want to roam around the city after you checkout. There is no fee to do so, but be sure to tip your bellhop.
Yes! We should have mentioned it but we did not partake. 🙂 We get plenty of exercise while walking around the city. The fitness room is on the fifth floor. It is open 24/7 to hotel guests.
Yes! You can order room service via the Lucy app or your TV screen. The menu has plenty of New American options, and they are reasonably priced.
