Our Review Of Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch: A Luxurious Stay With A Rooftop Pool

London was the place I called home for almost four years, but recently I made the daring decision to leave the Big Smoke and trot off down to the coast. As much as I adore being by the sea (I basically feel like I’m on my holidays 24/7), a part of me misses the hustle and bustle of the big city.

One of my favourite places to drink, dine and just mosey around is Shoreditch. It has so much vibrancy, with eclectic murals adorning many street corners, some of the coolest bars in the capital and Y2K fashion like you’ve never seen it before. So when I got a chance to stay at the Virgin Hotel in Shoreditch, I jumped at the opportunity.

Does it get much more chic than a rooftop pool in the middle of the city?

DesignMyNight Reviews Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch

Situated on the corner of Curtain Road, the industrial brickwork and large windows instantly captured my attention. This spot has often caught my eye before when it was the Mondrian Hotel before it rebranded as Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch, so I was extremely excited to step inside as a guest rather than poking my head through the door as nosey passerby.

As you step through the door, you are met with chic elegance. The lobby had dimmed mood lighting, perfect for a cosy evening, with comfortable leather seating and foliage dotted around to give that comforting, homely feel. Just as we were about to head upstairs to our room, a bright pink glow caught my attention. Next to the lifts is a small, mirrored room covered in glowing red flowers. It’s the perfect place to take some Insta snaps, that’s for sure.

When we opened the doors of our Grand Chamber Queen Terrace, I was instantly obsessed. One thing’s for sure, Richard Branson knows how to put together a hotel room. I fell into the luxurious queen-sized bed straight away, which could have sent me off to sleep there and then. There was a little dressing table with a groovy, orange painted, light-up mirror, perfect for the getting-ready girlies, as well as a Marshall speaker to get the tunes going.

The Grand Chamber Queen Terrace comes with a huge outdoor balcony and a mini living room.

Round the corner sat the cutest little sofa and side table, I could picture myself reading the morning newspaper there (lets be real though, it would definitely be a TikTok scroll). But my favourite part had to be the coffee station, with a bright red Smeg fridge sat underneath. Instantly added to my Pinterest board.

We were also lucky enough to have a room with a massive balcony, overlooking the city skyscrapers. It was a bit of an overcast day, but that didn’t stop us from sitting outside in our Virgin Hotel robes to take in the cityscape. We could hear the tunes from the Blue Marlin Ibiza restaurant upstairs, which also has a stunning rooftop pool. We, of course, had to head for a swim before dinner, which (despite the cooler breeze) was really refreshing.

I took a post-swim shower for a quick refresh before heading down for dinner. The shower also operates as a mini steam room, so I got the full spa treatment without needing to leave my hotel room.

The balcony spanned the entire length of the hotel room, making it the perfect place to relax in the sun.

We had a dinner reservation at the hotel’s newly opened listening bar, Hidden Grooves. Taking inspiration from Virgin Records and the golden age of vinyl, you instantly notice the vast array of records stacked across the walls of the bar. Featuring everything from The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd to Blondie’s Parallel lines, you could spend hours flicking through the library of records. The coolest part? There were listening stations dotted around the bar, where you could take your cocktail, pop on some headphones and listen to something from their vast collection.

We started off dinner with a cocktail, I opted for the Punk Punch (£15), a spicier take on the spicy margarita, topped with mango and a white chocolate garnish. This cocktail is an ode to The Sex Pistol’s album, God Save the Queen, symbolizing the rebellious nature of the cocktail. Being a spicy margarita enthusiast, it was perfect – dare I say one of the best I’ve had. My boyfriend went for The Decanter (£15), a tropical twist on a classic old fashioned. We were particularly intrigued by the croissant syrup, which added a delicious sweetness to the theatrical drink.

The cocktails at Hidden Grooves all take their inspiration from 70s records.

When small plates are on offer, then you’ve got to try at least four – right? The menu looked delicious and it took a while to choose, but we landed on the crispy squid (£14), beef sliders (£18), crumbed lamb chops (£26) and triple cooked chips (£8). The squid was so dreamy and had the perfect amount of crunch that went perfectly with the bitter lime mayo. I was also so impressed by the beef sliders, which were succulent and larger than expected – safe to say I didn’t go hungry that night.

Another cocktail was the best plan to wash down all the delicious food. I chose Medusa’s Kiss (£15), a basil gin, lemon and honey number topped with an aromatic bubble. I don’t often like bursting bubbles, but this was a tasty exception. Better yet, it was served in the most gorgeous jellyfish-shaped glass – another one added to the Pinterest board.

For dessert, I chose another cocktail (don’t judge) as I was too full for a sweet treat. I knew I’d made the right decision as soon as I tasted the Velvet Sound (£15), a nutty take on the beloved espresso martini. It was garnished with a mini record of The Faust Tapes made out of sugar paper, another nod to Virgin Record’s 70s collection.

The bar snacks menu at Hidden Grooves will be sure to fill you up.

We were well and truly defeated after dinner, so we decided to have a nightcap on the balcony and then headed to bed.

In the morning, we went upstairs to the Blue Marlin Ibiza restaurant, where breakfast is served to hotel guests. In the evening, this place is packed with party goers and hotel guests dressed to the nines, so it was lovely to see the peaceful contrast of the morning. The restaurant is stunning, with unmatched views of the capital.

For breakfast, we got two mini pastries, a pot of tea, a glass of fruit juice and a fry up each. It was exactly what was needed before travelling back down to the coast, and we both cleared our plates in minutes.

Overall: Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch

Richard Branson’s Shoreditch outpost is an absolute dream. They really do focus on every little detail, from the Marshall speaker on the bedside table to the steam room function on the shower, while creating a luxurious space that you won’t want to leave. Hidden Grooves is also an amazing nook perfect for music lovers and cocktail connoisseurs. I will be recommending this hotel to anyone wanting a boujee Shoreditch getaway.

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