Virgin Hotels Is Opening Its First London Hotel in This Iconic Neighborhood

As surprising as it may be, Virgin Hotels does not have a hotel in its birthplace, London. That will change on Aug. 1, when Sir Richard Branson’s luxury lifestyle hospitality brand opens Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch in the heart of the Shoreditch neighborhood, bringing the brand home to where it all started for the Virgin Group.

The 120-room hotel is a reflagging of the Mondrian Shoreditch London. and will transition into a Virgin Hotel gradually, according to a press statement. It will continue to be home to globally recognized chef Dani Garcia’s Spanish restaurant BiBo as well as a rooftop bar, pool, gym, treatment room, and a private members club, all managed by Ibiza’s Blue Marlin, which set up there at the end of 2023. Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch resident guests will have access to all amenities. 

“We’re all absolutely delighted that Virgin Hotels Collection will be opening a Virgin hotel in London,” Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, said in a press release provided to Travel + Leisure. “Since the inception of Virgin Hotels, we’ve had our sights set on London; a place that so many of our customers either call home, or name as one of their favorite destinations — and of course where Virgin’s story started.” 

London will be the eighth Virgin Hotels location and the 17th property for the wider Virgin Hotels Collection, which includes Virgin Hotels and Virgin Limited Edition luxury retreats.

This opening follows the launches of Virgin Hotels Edinburgh and Virgin Hotels New York in 2023, and a celebration of the 10th year of Virgin Hotels. The brand also recently announced a new property in Kenya.

“This year will mark 10 years of Virgin Hotels and what a way to start the early celebrations as we announce our newest hotel in one of the world’s most famous cities,” James Bermingham, CEO of Virgin Hotels Collection, said in a statement.

Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch bookings will be open in early July for reservations starting Aug. 1.