Virgin Hotels has opened its latest property in the city of New Orleans.
The hotel is located on Baronne Street in the city’s Warehouse District and features design by New Orleans firm Logan Killen Interiors. The design includes local art, historical detailing and Art Deco elements along with tropical architectural motifs.
The 238 rooms and suites which range from 27 sqm ‘Chambers’ to the 102 sqm ‘Richard’s Penthouse Flat’ which has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking downtown New Orleans.
The rooms (or ‘Chambers’) feature wall art by New Orleans artist Jen Talton and the brand’s signature layout of two separate spaces: The Dressing Room with a full vanity, makeup desk, and extra-large shower with a bench, Red Flower toiletries and a closet for two; and The Lounge which includes the brand’s ergonomically designed lounge bed with a bullion fringe trim, a red SMEG mini-fridge, an HD TV, a yoga mat, and a table in front of built-in window seating.
A pair of panelled doors have been used to divide the two spaces, paying homage to the French doors commonly seen in New Orleans design. Custom sensor lights have also been incorporated into the room to automatically turn on when guests move.
The rooms also have several outlets for electronic devices, and guests can control the lighting, heating, TV and order room services via the mobile app Lucy.
The brand’s flagship restaurant, bar and lounge Commons Club is located on the ground floor and has been designed to resemble a members-only social club. Executive Chef Alex Harrell’s menu offers contemporary Southern cuisine with Mediterranean influences, while a music and entertainment schedule will include local and national music acts and performances.
Harrell will also oversee rooftop restaurant The Pool Club and 13th floor cocktail lounge Dreamboat. Meanwhile, the hotel’s first floor houses the brand’s Funny Library Coffee Shop, which serves La Colombe coffee and features a communal workspace with games and books sourced from local shops.
The hotel also features a 24-hour fitness centre on the third floor, and 465 sqm of meetings and events space.
James Bermingham, CEO of Virgin Hotels, commented on the opening:
“We’re excited to officially open our doors in New Orleans. This beautiful, new hotel will offer the distinctive ‘Virgin’ experience travelers know and love, from our inviting Chambers to our dynamic food and beverage offerings.
“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. Virgin Hotels New Orleans will surely offer a window into a city waiting to be explored.”
Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, added:
“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. We look forward to becoming a gathering place for the entire community and a destination for both locals and visitors alike.”
The property was developed by Buccini/Pollini Group, which selected Mathes Brierre Architects, CallisonRTKL Architects, and Broadmoor Construction to complete the hotel.
The new opening joins the group’s existing hotels in Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas and Nashville. The group is also set to open further properties in New York, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Miami.
