The World’s first Virgin Hotel is open.

The new hotel brand will join a stellar portfolio of hospitality companies led by Virgin Group and its founder Sir Richard Branson, and offer the same excitement, heartfelt service and smart innovation that Virgin is known for.

“It’s been a long held dream to start beautiful, comfortable, fun hotels for guests and give them what they want and need while being gentle on their wallets,” said Richard Branson, Virgin Group Founder. “I’m tremendously proud of the brilliant Virgin Hotels team, and I look forward to hosting our fans and spending more time in Chicago.”

Since the brand’s inception, eliminating fees and surcharges have been top priority, along with creating an experience that allows guests to feel that Virgin Hotels is their place in the city. A champion of the customer, the hotel brand offers free Wi-Fi (at unlimited bandwidth) and has eliminated early check-in fees, late check-out fees, room service delivery charges, business center transactions, and other services that have caused frustration for travelers.

Virgin Hotels Chicago is located in the heart of Chicago’s Loop district in the historic Old Dearborn Bank Building at 203 N. Wabash Ave. The 26-story Art Deco building, a Chicago landmark, offers 250 guest rooms, including 40 one-bedroom suites and two Penthouse Suites.

The Virgin Hotel Chicago will offer the same excitement, heartfelt service and smart innovation that Virgin is known for. A few highlights of the hotel:

• The Design: The hotel was restored from a 1920’s bank and Chicago historical landmark. In fact, it took two years to restore the original fixtures which you can find throughout the hotel.
• The Technology: Not only does the hotel feature cutting edge technology, but their app “Lucy” is a game-changer for the hotel industry. She’s your concierge, room service, bell hop, thermostat and tv remote all-in-one.
• The Fees: There are no hidden fees or surcharges. In fact, even the mini bar is stocked with street prices. Say goodbye to $8 bottles of water. Virgin has them for $2.
• The Rooms: The hotel has 250 spacious rooms including 40 pet-friendly rooms, 40 suites and two penthouses. Each room has at least two main spaces with small touches that make traveling for business or leisure an easier experience.
• The Commons: A dynamic space where guests can dine, drink, work and mingle. The vibe is one of a private members club, except there are no added fees, and guests and locals alike are welcome.

The Commons Club menu, created by Chef Rick Gresh, features a variety of internationally influenced small plates, from Stuffed Potato Tots to a Cauliflower Caesar to Cider Mussels to a Lobster Flatbread. The dinner menus Large Plate options also embody unique and flavorful compositions, like the Fatty Noodles, a delectable combination of lobster, udon noodles, Sriracha, furi spice and rapini or the Eye of the Ribeye, Chef Gresh’s one-of-a-kind black truffle tattoo technique adorned on a Ribeye served with bone marrow mac n cheese. The Commons Club is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The hotel will have four additional dining options, including Miss Ricky’s, a 23-hour, All-American diner and a rooftop bar and lounge, all opening between February and April of this year. Seating from 12 to 108, Virgin Hotels Chicago has three modular spaces on the third floor to accompany any type of social event, dinner or meeting.

Virgin Hotels Chicago will feature a two-chamber room layout, with small touches that make traveling for business or leisure an easier experience. All guest rooms are divided into two spaces by sliding doors, complete with a peephole. The dressing room includes a full vanity, make-up desk and mirror, an extra-large shower with a bench, and his and hers closets designed by Poliform.

Slide open the privacy door and guests will enter the lounge with a red SMEG mini-fridge, LG Smart TV, custom designed table that swivels and a Poltrona Frau task chair. Tired of searching for an outlet, guests can look no further than their bedside to find ample outlets for their smartphone, computer or other electronic devices.

Virgin Hotels has also taken working from bed to another level. The brand’s patent pending, ergonomically designed bed is the ideal space for setting up shop while on a long business trip, or to pop open your computer and stream a movie. Plush bedding rounds out the experience creating ultimate comfort whether guests are working, recharging or playing.

Virgin Hotels has plans to open a second location in Nashville in the summer of 2016 and a third property in New York City in the fall of 2017. The team will announce two additional locations by the end of 2016, as well, with the brand hoping to have 20 locations by 2025.

For more info, please visit www.virginhotels.com.