There’s no denying Richard Branson’s genius when it comes to branding. And his focus on customer service has been demonstrated time and time again across various verticals. So far, his foray and continued expansion into the hotel sector has been catching the attention of experts and guests alike.
As has been the case with Virgin Cola and Virgin Airlines, Virgin Hotels has a palpable edge. It caters to those consumers looking for a uniquely hip experience on the very cusp of “no other brand would try this”. Take for example its quirky “Yes” button which enables a guest to receive service at a moment’s notice or the offering of drunk yoga classes. It makes sense that the initial locations were in cities where youth and entertainment are at center stage.
Overall, Virgin properties seek to mix a passion for food and beverage with music and culture. They take into account the local landscape and infuse vibrancy and inclusivity for both travelers and locals. So far, locations include San Francisco, Chicago, Nashville, Dallas, New Orleans, New York, Silicon Valley, Palm Springs, Las Vegas, and Edinburgh with the company exploring hotel and office conversions as well as ground-up development in cities such as Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, Austin, Seattle, and London.
Virgin Hotels Chicago was named the "#1 Hotel in United States" by Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards 2016 and "#1 Hotel in Chicago" by Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards in both 2016 and 2017.
