The recently opened Virgin Hotel New Orleans, located in the Warehouse District, is ready to be explored and enjoyed by visitors and locals alike. Just a two-block stroll away from Lafayette Square, and one block off of Poydras, this Virgin Hotel aims to offer the perfect launching point for travelers to explore the Big Easy, as well as a convenient meeting space for New Orleanians to brunch, lunch and mingle.
The hotel was built on a lot which previously was used for parking and now not only offers 238 guest chambers (plus some swanky penthouse suites), but also a coffee cafe, a cocktail lounge, a rooftop pool, plus an elegantly decorated restaurant, lounge and bar.
This hotel joins Virgin Hotel’s quickly expanding U.S. enterprise, including locations in Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas and Nashville. Sir Richard Branson, one of the most famous serial entrepreneurs of our time, is at the helm of the Virgin Group, and the Virgin Hotel brand joins his expansive profile of companies in various sectors from health and banking to music and travel, amongst others.
“Each of our hotels embrace the local flavor of the cities they are in, and Virgin Hotels New Orleans is certainly a fun one. The city’s welcoming spirit, exciting entertainment and incredible culinary scene are all things we are excited to bring to life through our hotel,” said Sir Richard Branson.
The chic and Instagrammable interior of the Virgin Hotel New Orleans attracts visitors of all ages, and the hotel is proud to have partnered with many local New Orleans based businesses to create the decor and artwork which makes the hotel look and feel authentically local.
Logan Killen Interiors, a New Orleans design firm, was responsible for creating welcoming, comfortable interiors complete with historical details, including New Orleans Art Deco touches throughout. Much of the artwork in the hotel was commissioned from local artists, including wall art in every chamber from New Orleans artist, Jen Talton, works from photographer Augusta Sagnelli and an abstract painting from Ansley Givhan. The result is a colorful yet comfy, residential yet chic and playful feel, which aligns with Virgin’s signature fun and smart design style.
Tech-savvy visitors will also love that this hotel features mobile app controls, using Virgin’s signature guest hospitality app, Lucy™. In the guest Chambers, the Lucy mobile app controls allows guests to adjust lighting, thermostats, TVs, as well as to order room service. Additionally, pet parents will be happy to know that pets stay for free at the Virgin Hotel New Orleans, regardless of size or breed.
Not only does the hotel welcome pets, they also offer dog beds, food and water bowls, plus a Virgin Hotels bandana so that your pet stays in style. All of this has earned Virgin Hotels quick recognition among those who enjoy traveling with their pets, including a spot on the 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Pet Friendly Hotels by USA Today.
“This beautiful hotel offers the distinctive ‘Virgin’ experience travelers know and love, from our inviting chambers to our dynamic food and beverage offerings,” said James Bermingham, Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Hotels. “But we also have a real made-in-New Orleans ethos at play here, from the art and design throughout the hotel to the personalized experience we provide our guests through The Know loyalty program and our LUCY mobile app.”
Guests staying at the Virgin New Orleans have no shortage of food and beverage options on offer. Start the day with a cup of pour coffee by La Colombe from the Funny Library Coffee Shop, on the hotel’s first level. The coffee shop offers an attractive communicable workspace with an assortment of games and funny books curated from local book shops.
Brunch, lunch or dinner can be enjoyed at the Commons Club, the social hotspot of the hotel, located on the ground floor. The Commons Club is designed to feel like a members-only social club but open to all (guests and non-guests alike). Commons Club includes three distinct areas, The Bar, The Kitchen, and The Shag Room, a lounge area perfect for small groups. Executive Chef Alex Harrell brings a fresh, modern approach to classic Southern cuisine with Mediterranean influences to the menu. For brunch, hearty dishes such as the Crispy Boudin, Gulf Shrimp and Bayou Cora Grits are well-balanced with lighter options such as Avocado Toast or Chicken “Virgin” Salad. At dinner, you’ll find Louisiana specials such as Local Gulf Fish and Gulf Shrimp Pappardelle on the menu. The Commons Club also hosts Saints watch parties, music performances, themed brunches and other fun events.
Chef Harrell is also responsible for the Pool Club, a tropical paradise in the city, and the Dreamboat, a cocktail lounge on the hotel’s 13th floor. Dreamboat’s cocktails are innovative, tasty and photogenic, as is the space in which they are served. The menu changes seasonally, so there’s plenty of good reasons to come back again and again. The Pool Club is shaping up to be a must-visit during the summer season, with an incredible view of the New Orleans skyline, comfy lounge chairs, resident DJs, and refreshing small bites and beverages. Non-hotel guests can also join in on the fun by purchasing a day pass, available for pool time between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily.
The sparkly new Virgin Hotel New Orleans offers leisure and entertainment options for everyone, whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or just a new brunch spot to visit with friends. The colorful, chic interior spaces and the panoramic city views from the 13th floor are the perfect backdrops for nights out in New Orleans you won’t soon forget.