Considering that a hotel is not the first thing you associate with Virgin Records or Richard Branson, our Wanderful Member brunch group didn’t know what to expect for our first visit there!
We soon found out how quirky and cool this newly opened Chicago hotel is!
We were able to talk to the general manager about the history of the hotel and some of it’s secrets, while we devoured our amazing food and cocktails. The menu in their second floor restaurant, which is open to the public technically, was amazing. It has a fun and truly unique cocktail menu, and an upside down tea hour in the afternoon, which we were told involves tea-infused alcohol.
Chicago was chosen by Branson as the destination for the very first pilot Virgin Hotel, which will eventually expand to other locations around the U.S. The building was apparently a bank prior to that, yet nothing felt stuffy or old. The decor was quirky and funky, exactly what a traveler would be looking for! The staff was extremely accommodating and inviting, and we all wanted to spend more time in their comfy lounge space outside the restaurant.
We quickly realized the rooftop lounge was a destination in itself and spent half our visit checking out the butterfly bar, moose wall, and the beautiful view.
Wanderful Chicago has some really wonderful ladies and I enjoyed the conversation that was spurred about blog writing, if people traveled early in life or later in life, living abroad versus traveling, and exploring our own city of Chicago. I can’t wait for our next event! If you would like to join us and become a pro member, you can register here: https://blog.sheswanderful.com/join