I stayed at Virgin’s first hotel in England that feels more like New York with rooftop pool and retro bar

ONE of the coolest new hotels to open in the UK is Virgin London-Shoreditch. Here’s everything you need to know about staying there. Here is everything you need to know about staying at Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch Credit: Supplied by Virgin Hotels Virgin Hotel is in the heart of London’s trendy East End Credit: Supplied by Virgin Hotels Where is the Virgin Hotel? The first Virgin Hotel in London, it is a cool, 5-star boutique hotel in one of London’s trendiest areas. Only two years old after taking over the building from the Mondrian, the building is a stone’s throw from the fashionable Shoreditch High Street with enough hip bars, restaurants, pubs and shops to keep you fed, watered and entertained for months. Sign up for the Travel newsletter Thank you! What is it like? Inside are exposed brick walls, edgy dark lifts and a stunning rooftop restaurant. You’d be forgiven for thinking you’d fallen asleep and woken up in New York’s Tribeca neighbourhood. Read more on hotel reviews What are the rooms like? My room had huge windows and an enormous bed that had a chair back at the end, so you could chat face-to-face with your hotel buddy while relaxing. A trendy Smeg fridge, a huge shower that doubled up as a steam room and tastefully mismatched furniture, including an old-school Hollywood-style lightbulb mirror were also part of the chic room. We were staying as part of the ‘The Revival Room’ package, which caters for guests on a big night out, with a midday check-out and a complimentary revival kit featuring everything from hair eye to under eye patches and hydration sachets. The Revival Room’ package at Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch is £439. Most read in Best of British This includes £50pp dine & drink credit in Hidden Grooves, an in-room Revival Kit from SULT and REHAB, rooftop recovery breakfast and late check out (subject to availability). See virginhotels.com/london-shoreditch. There was an Smeg fridge serving as a mini bar in our room Credit: Supplied by Virgin Hotels Nods to the building’s industrial past remain Credit: Supplied by Virgin Hotels What is there to eat and drink? There are two options for eating out – the first was the 7th floor restaurant with views over the rooftop pool. We enjoyed a delicious selection of small dishes priced from £6 a dish, including croquettes, burrata, bao buns and tuna tartare. The second was the very cosy downstairs Hifi lounge Hidden Grooves, with 70s inspired mixes which our hotel package included a £50pp voucher for. We had some excellent modern takes on much-loved traditional cocktails, like a mezcal negroni and a margarita infused with pineapple and mango. Plus some small plates including popcorn chicken, Korean fried cauliflower and beef empanadas, from £11 a dish. What else is there? After a round in the hotel gym, we took an afternoon dip in the rooftop pool with views over London. There’s plenty to keep you occupied inside the hotel, but it’s a crime to visit Shoreditch and not explore at least some of the local area. The ever-reliable Brick Lane, Hoxton Square, Spitalfields Market and Columbia Road are all under a 15-minute walk away. Is is family friendly? Kids are welcome at Virgin Hotel, although with some restrictions. Children can visit the rooftop pool before 12pm, before it becomes adults only. Is there access for guests with disabilities? The Virgin Hotel is ADA accessible, offering fully equipped accessible rooms designed with everyone in mind. Make sure to specify ‘accessible room’ when booking.