The First Virgin Hotel Opens in Chicago

By Ann Binlot Published July 11, 2015

After airplanes, mobile phones, and space shuttles, Richard Branson had outdone himself again. The first Virgin Hotel has opened. Situated downtown, just blocks from Millennium Park, the Virgin Hotel Chicago is housed in a 1920s bank that’s also a Chicago historical landmark. It took two years just to restore the original fixtures found in the structure.

The hotel has 250 spacious rooms including 40 pet-friendly rooms, 40 suites and two penthouses spanning 730 or more square-feet each. Mr. Branson even has a room called Richard’s Flat. .Just don’t call the place you sleep a room: “Calling them rooms is like calling the Space Shuttle an airplane,” reads the website. “Our groundbreaking Chamber design combines the hallway, closet, and bathroom into one luxurious Dressing Room area, while Privacy Doors close to create a personal Sleeping Lounge, ideal for working, recharging, and playing. Everything you would normally expect in a suite is here, plus a few surprises.”

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If you need anything, just call on Lucy, the app that will do everything from order room service to change the temperature of your room. If you want a bite or a drink, head to the Commons Club, which has the feel of a members-only club without the exclusivity.

You can even indulge in the minibar here. Forget $8 bottles of water or $5 candy bars. Everything you can purchase in your room is actually around the same price as it is at the local deli or Walgreen’s.

Best of all, you have your own chauffeur. Virgin has a Tesla Model S house car to bring you wherever you need to go. Just call the concierge or go on the Lucy app and you’ll be ready to hit the city in sustainable style.

For more information, visit virginhotels.com.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Ann Binlot is a New York-based freelance writer who contributes to publications like The Economist, Wallpaper*, Monocle…

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Another big factor is the length of the flight. The longer the journey, the more expensive the first-class ticket tends to be. A shorter domestic flight might cost somewhere in the range of $1,000 for a first-class seat, while international flights that can last 10 hours or more could easily push into the $8,000-$15,000 range for first class.
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Timing also plays a big role in the cost of your first-class ticket. The Luxury Travel Expert recommends booking your flight as early as possible to secure the best deals. So if you book months in advance, you’ll probably find better fares. However, airlines do occasionally offer last-minute discounts or promotions to fill seats, although this isn’t always the case. It’s always best to plan ahead, but keep an eye out for any deals, especially during off-peak travel seasons.
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Airline ticket prices also vary depending on the time of year. Traveling during peak times, like the holidays or summer vacation, will typically result in higher prices. Airlines usually raise prices to accommodate the increased demand during these periods.
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