So I’ll be honest – when Virgin Hotels first landed in Shoreditch, I was skeptical. Another flashy brand moving into East London’s grittiest creative quarter? But actually staying at their spot on Curtain Road completely changed my mind. The building itself is this gorgeous brick Victorian warehouse that they’ve transformed without losing any of its industrial soul, and you know what really got me? They managed to make it feel both edgy and luxurious without trying too hard.
The location is absolutely perfect if you want to dive into proper London nightlife – you’re literally a two-minute walk from some of the city’s best cocktail bars (Happiness Forgets is right around the corner, and if you know, you know). But here’s the thing most people don’t realize: despite being in the heart of party central, the rooms are surprisingly quiet. I mean, you’ll still hear the occasional reveler stumbling home at 3am, but the soundproofing is actually solid. The rooms themselves are… well, they’re Virgin, so expect that slightly cheeky design sense with modern touches that actually work. Really good rainfall showers, beds that don’t feel like hotel beds, and those little Virgin touches that make you smile rather than roll your eyes.
What really impressed me was how they’ve nailed the vibe without alienating people who aren’t twenty-something creatives. Yes, the lobby bar gets absolutely rammed on weekend evenings with the Shoreditch crowd, but during the day it’s this lovely, relaxed space where you can actually get work done. The staff genuinely seem to enjoy being there – not that forced hospitality smile you get at some five-star places. And practically speaking, you’re about a seven-minute walk to Old Street station, which puts you anywhere in central London in under twenty minutes. Parking’s a nightmare in this area (I mean, it’s Shoreditch), but honestly, you won’t need a car anyway. The whole point of staying here is being able to stumble to incredible restaurants like Dishoom or Lyle’s, hit up the vintage markets on weekends, or catch late-night shows at the Old Vic Tunnels when they’re running events. It’s one of those rare hotels where the location isn’t just convenient – it actually adds to the experience of staying there.