What To Expect When Staying at Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch [Review]

The author stayed as an invited guest of Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch. All opinions are the author’s own, and Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch had no input in any part of this review.

From flights to cruises, the Virgin brand offers bold design and playful luxury, and it recently introduced the ability to use Virgin Points at its 8 Virgin Hotels properties worldwide. As a huge fan of Virgin Atlantic, and having recently stepped onboard Virgin Voyages’ newest ship, I checked out a Virgin hotel to see just how well it fits in with the Virgin brand.

At the end of summer in August 2025, during a quick visit to London, I checked in for 2 nights at the Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch. Here’s what to expect from a stay.

Booking Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch

Thanks to a relatively new partnership with Virgin Red, you can book stays at all Virgin Hotels using points. To do so, you’ll need a Virgin Red account, which you can sign up for here. Nightly rates for a stay at the London-Shoreditch property start at 27,500 Virgin Points.

Virgin Red is a transfer partner of Bilt Rewards, Capital One Miles, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Wells Fargo Rewards. Virgin Points can also be transferred from those 4 programs, plus American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy, to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (and then onward to Virgin Red at a 1:1 ratio).

The hotel is also part of Preferred Hotels & Resorts and the I Prefer loyalty program, which partners with Capital One Miles and Citi ThankYou Rewards.

Cash prices vary depending on occupancy and the time of year. For example, for a midweek stay in May 2026 during shoulder season, nightly rates for an entry-level room start at $619.

Hot Tip:

When booking stays with cash, it’s always worth considering paying using a travel rewards credit card. If your travel frequently includes Virgin Atlantic flights, Virgin Voyages cruises, or stays at Virgin Hotels, then the Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard^® could be a great addition to your wallet.

A Great Location

Unless it’s your very first time in London, my advice would be to choose a hotel as far away from Leicester Square as possible to avoid the crowds and tourist trap restaurants.

Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch‘s location in the heart of Shoreditch is perfect for those wishing to explore a different side of the city.

The nearest Tube station, Old Street, is a 10-minute walk away. And Liverpool Street station, which has direct access to Heathrow Airport on the Elizabeth Line, is just a third of a mile away.

A Quintessentially Virgin Experience

I hoped that I’d get the same Virgin vibe from a hotel stay as I’ve enjoyed on Virgin Atlantic flights and during my exclusive first-look around Brilliant Lady — Virgin Voyages’ newest ship.

Aesthetically, you can’t mistake where you are. From the red carpet at reception to the bright red guest room doors, and even the umbrellas, this hotel could only belong to Virgin.

The velvet red chairs inside Hidden Grooves solidify the speakeasy as a part of the Virgin experience.

Bold, Quirky, and Thoughtfully Designed Rooms

My room, 401, was a Deluxe Chamber 1-bedroom suite — just a couple of categories down from Sir Richard’s Penthouse Flat.

I was taken aback by the size and high-spec finish, and an audible “wow” escaped me as I stepped into the room.

Complimentary amenities included a large bottle of water, 2 types of tea, and coffee pods.

The furnishings and decoration of the living space had such character and quirkiness that it felt more like a luxury Shoreditch apartment than a hotel room. I particularly liked the plant and soft lighting.

The same homey yet sophisticated vibe carried through into the bedroom, which also featured a rolltop tub.

The bed was probably my favorite part of the whole room. I was a little under the weather during my stay, so I appreciated the sumptuous mattress and ultra-soft sheets.

I’d never seen a bed design like this with raised, padded corners before, but I liked it.

USB-A and USB-C ports by the bed reflect the hotel’s recent renovation and transformation from the Mondrian.

Completing the bedroom was a large wardrobe housing more hotel room essentials: robes, slippers, an iron and an ironing board, lots of hangers, a safe, and, my favorite, a luggage stand.

A unique feature is the steam room built into the walk-in shower. I didn’t try it out, but I’m sure some guests would put it to good use.

The bathroom was beautifully appointed, just like the rest of the suite.

The amenities were by the luxury Scottish brand Arran. I love it when brands support local.

A Rare London Rooftop Pool

London rooftop pools are usually reserved for the city’s private members’ clubs. As one of the limited rooftop pools in the city, I wasn’t surprised to find it packed when I checked in on the scorching Bank Holiday Monday evening.

The comfy seating area closest to the pool is reserved for hotel guests, so I was able to grab a spot. For nonguests, seating is at the back of the terrace on a first-come, first-served basis.

I was given this playing card as a subtle signal to the waitstaff that I was a hotel guest.

The hotel’s main restaurant, 45th & 7th, is also on the rooftop, with a DJ station that nods to the fun, party vibe Virgin is known for.

In stark contrast, I enjoyed the morning serenity of 45th & 7th while eating breakfast.

My poached eggs and avocado were great. However, there are so many great places to eat breakfast and brunch in the area that you might branch out instead.

Elite Fitness Facilities

If Virgin had a star sign, it would be Libra. Balancing out the rooftop fun and speakeasy is the hotel’s state-of-the-art gym facilities.

I was impressed by how much high-quality equipment managed to fit into the relatively small space.

It’s rare to find dumbbells over 20 kilograms (44 pounds) in a hotel gym.

The hotel also has a spa, Wellness at 45 London, which I didn’t get a chance to check out.

Final Thoughts

I’m happy to report that the Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch was every bit as Virgin as I’d hoped. The rooftop pool, excellent gym facilities, and dreamy beds are standout features that make this hotel a stellar choice when considering where to stay in East London.

I’m already looking forward to my next Virgin Hotels stay, wherever that might be!