Sir Richard Branson’s burgeoning hotel empire is set to land in the UK for the first time, with the arrival of Virgin Hotels Edinburgh.
Virgin Hotels is a relatively new premise for the entrepreneur. Although 10 hotels are planned to open, currently only the hotel in Chicago is actively open to the public.
There is no word yet as to the design and style of the hotel – though, Virgin Hotel Chicago is all about fun. It has a functional feel, with a colourful palette which plays around with primary colours. The hotels schedule live gigs, alongside events tied into the local community, and have a friendly and personable service style with an anything goes approach. You can even take your dog.
Sir Richard Branson: “Scotland has always held a special place in my heart”
The Chicago Hotel assumed a historical building, and while respecting its grandness, modernised rooms to make them functional for the busy traveler who craves instant, accessible luxury.
India Buildings on Edinburgh’s Victoria Street is to be transformed into a 225-room luxury hotel, pegged to open in 2020.
Virgin Hotels chief executive Raul Leal explained: “The location is fabulous and we love the fact we had to work round the building… It has charming little spaces, especially the beverage areas. There will be plenty of surprises and delights – little coves and places for privacy, where people can have meetings or dine.
First of its kind in the UK
Sir Richard Branson added: ““Edinburgh is such an iconic city and we’re thrilled to be able to say it will be the home of the first Virgin Hotel in the UK and across Europe.
“My grandparents were from Edinburgh, so Scotland has always held a special place in my heart.”
Further Virgin Hotels are planned to open in Nashville, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Silicon Valley and Palm Springs, California and New York, Dallas, New Orleans.
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh is due to open in 2020
