Blog Post

World's First Virgin Hotel, world record in Chicago, Illinois

January 12, 2024

Chicago, Illinois, United States--The Virgin Hotels Chicago (formerly Old Dearborn Bank Building or 203 North Wabash Avenue) a historic building in the Loop community area of Chicago, Illinois, is the first of Richard Branson's Virgin Hotels brand boutique hotels geared toward the female business traveler; the 250-room hotel sets the world record for being the World's First Virgin Hotel, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

Photos: Facebook/Virgin Hotels Chicago

"The Virgin Hotels Chicago (formerly Old Dearborn Bank Building or 203 North Wabash Avenue) is a historic building in the Loop community area of Chicago, Illinois, that has been converted from use as an office building to use as a hotel run via a mobile app-based business model. The 250-room hotel is the first of Richard Branson's Virgin Hotels brand boutique hotels geared toward the female business traveler.

"The visitors use a mobile app, named Lucy, that the company describes as a "personal comfort assistant". According to Mary Forgione of The Los Angeles Times, the app can order more pillows, handle room service orders, and serve as a remote control for both the television and the hotel's music library. The website also suggests that the app can control room temperature, interface with the chat board, provide local knowledge, and coordinate your messages with hotel staff.

"When asked about the operation, Virgin's Richard Branson said "There won’t be hidden charges, and you won’t get charged $10 for a chocolate bar you know you can buy at a store for $2." Branson has stated that the brand is geared toward the female business traveler." (Wikipedia)

"For those who love the Windy City’s architecture and history (like me), the convenience of downtown travel, and nearly every amenity you’d need right from the comfort of your room, this first-of-its-kind, unique hotel in downtown Chicago, IL just might be the next overnight stay on your bucket list. Virgin Hotels Chicago is located at the corner of Wabash Avenue and Lake Street in downtown Chicago," the Only In Your State says.

"It's the world's first Virgin Hotel from billionaire owner Richard Branson, who owns the Virgin travel and lifestyle brands which operates luxury retreats, airlines, a casino, cruises, and space travel experiences.

"The hotel operates 250 rooms in the former Old Dearborn Bank Building which soars 26 stories into the Chicago skyline, outfitted with an Art Deco style and endless artistic details with 1920s flare."

"The hotel offers free Wi-Fi at unlimited bandwidth and lacks early check-in fees, late check-out fees, room service delivery charges, business center transactions, and other fees associated with many hotels," the ABC7 Chicago says.

"Virgin Hotels Chicago is located in the Loop in the historic Old Dearborn Bank Building at 203 N. Wabash Ave. The 26-story art deco building, a Chicago landmark, offers 250 guest rooms, including 40 one-bedroom suites and two penthouse suites. Several of the building's original features remain intact and are showcased throughout, like a 1920s oak cigar bar that serves as the hotel's front desk, brass elevator doors, and the original mail slot and chute serving all floors.

"At the heart of Virgin Hotels Chicago is The Commons Club, a space where guests can dine, drink, work and mingle, and attend nightly social hour. Virgin says the vibe is one of a private members club, without the fees, where guests and locals alike are welcome. The two-story space it occupies was the original bank floor with a coffered plaster ceiling."

"When it comes to unrivalled comfort, spectacular events and ‘to die for’ dishes, the skyline is the limit. Ease into your stay with a rooftop cocktail, work up a hunger in our expansive gym or head straight to your spacious chamber and enjoy room service from your unbelievably comfy bed. This is your stay, your way, the official website says.

"Built with comfort in mind, our easy-going chambers are more flexible than a traditional hotel room, with adjustable spaces for living, dressing and sleeping. Take a trip to the top of the pecking order with our spectacular suites. We’ve connected two chamber rooms to expand your personal playground to epic levels, with brilliant views, delightful extras and so much space you won’t know what to do with it all.

"Whether you’re here to work, play or a little of both, our signature chambers and suites have everything you need to do your thing. Think free super-fast Wi-Fi, SMEG fridges stocked at street prices, sit-down make-up vanities, mouth-watering room service and so much more. Perfectly constructed dishes, inspired cocktails and menus as diverse as Chicago itself. Whether you choose to dine underneath the stars or under your bed covers, on the patio or on the go, you’ll be spoilt for choice with our in-house restaurants and bars."

"It's been a long time in the making, but the world's first Virgin Hotel is now open in downtown Chicago. Sir Richard Branson and crew have spent the last two years making over the 26 story Old Dearborn Bank Building at 203 North Wabash, located just steps away from the Magnificent Mile," the Curbed Chicago says.

"The old Art Deco building still sports much of its original finishes, which the Virgin team stated early on that it would try to preserve. However the vintage bank building which previously housed numerous offices now features 250 guest rooms (or "chambers"), a rooftop bar and lounge and full-floor restaurant and lounge space called the Commons Club.

"Decked out Virgin's red and white colors, guest rooms come in seven different room sizes/layouts ranging from mini rooms to its two penthouse suites. And for those who are somewhat tech savvy, room service and virtually every device in the hotel's rooms can be controlled from the new Virgin Hotel app."

"The 26-story Virgin Hotels Chicago consists of 250 guests rooms, starting at $209 a night, including 40 single-room suites and two penthouse suites. Virgin Hotels CEO Raul Leal said he expected between 50 to 60 patrons the first night. Located at 203 N. Wabash Ave., the hotel occupies what was the Old Dearborn Bank Building," the Chicago Tribune says.

"The hotel's centerpiece is its second-floor Commons Club, open to guests and the public, marked by a contemporary-style bar, a full kitchen, a stylized library with curated books and local memorabilia and a lounge area.

"Virgin Group founder Richard Branson announced the creation of Virgin Hotels in late 2010, with the Miami-based company buying the Chicago building in 2011 for about $14 million. Refurbishing the historic art deco building took longer than expected as officials worked with the Commission on Chicago Landmarks."

""It's been a long held dream to start beautiful, comfortable, fun hotels for guests and give them what they want and need while being gentle on their wallets," said Richard Branson, Virgin Group Founder. "I'm tremendously proud of the brilliant Virgin Hotels team, and I look forward to hosting our fans and spending more time in Chicago," the official press release says.

"Since the brand's inception, eliminating fees and surcharges have been top priority, along with creating an experience that allows guests to feel that Virgin Hotels is their place in the city. A champion of the customer, the hotel brand offers free Wi-Fi (at unlimited bandwidth) and has eliminated early check-in fees, late check-out fees, room service delivery charges, business center transactions, and other services that have caused frustration for travelers.

"The Commons Club menu, created by Chef Rick Gresh, features a variety of internationally influenced small plates, from Stuffed Potato Tots to a Cauliflower Caesar to Cider Mussels to a Lobster Flatbread. The dinner menus Large Plate options also embody unique and flavorful compositions, like the Fatty Noodles, a delectable combination of lobster, udon noodles, Sriracha, furi spice and rapini or the Eye of the Ribeye, Chef Gresh's one-of-a-kind black truffle tattoo technique adorned on a Ribeye served with bone marrow mac n cheese. The Commons Club is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

""Chicago is an exhilarating and historic city, and a place we're happy to call home for the first-ever Virgin Hotel," said Raul Leal, CEO of Virgin Hotels. "It's an exciting time for our team as we get to unveil our new approach to room design, service, and entertainment within the hotel industry. We hope our fans recognize the subtle yet authentic Chicago touches throughout the hotel, and come to think of us as their place away from home whether they're traveling or a local."

"While amenities like free Wi-Fi, mini-bars stocked with street-level-priced goods, no fees for late or early check-out, and free room service are not necessarily new, it’s rare that a hotel offers them all under one roof. Enter the 250-room Virgin Hotels Chicago, billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson’s latest endeavor, now open in the city’s Old Dearborn Bank Building. The hotel itself doesn’t offer a ton in the way of innovation—but then there’s the rooms, which are arguably the most special and radical thing about the hotel," the Condé Nast Traveler says.

"Divided into two “chambers,” rooms feature a dressing area and lounge-y bedroom separated by a thick sliding door. The idea here is to create two distinct spaces: one in which to get dressed and primped, and one in which to sleep and play. But you won’t have to pay suite-level prices; chambers right now are starting at $195.

"Branson was deliberate in wanting to create something for the tech-savvy traveler. Take the hotel’s app, Lucy, which gives you control over a number of things from a mobile phone or tablet. Use it to adjust the thermostat, control the TV, order room service, live chat with other guests at the hotel, and communicate with hotel staff. Other features in the room include freed-up outlets right next to each side of the bed and a Bluetooth-enabled speaker tower for music and conference calls."