Is Virgin Hotels New York City worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes — Virgin Hotels New York City is a solid choice if you want a modern, centrally located NoMad hotel with rooftop pool and multiple dining/drink venues. It’s especially good for travelers who value skyline views, a full-service spa (Exhale) and 24/7 fitness access; be aware of the mandatory daily Destination Fee, pool age rules, and extra charges for parking and some pool reservations.
In this guide
Location & neighborhood
Virgin Hotels New York City sits at 1227 Broadway in NoMad, a short walk from the Empire State Building, Madison Square Park, Herald Square and Macy’s. The hotel’s 38-story tower places you within easy walking distance of Penn Station and multiple subway lines.
That central location makes the hotel convenient for sightseeing, shopping and theaters around Midtown. If you plan to use trains (Amtrak, LIRR, NJ Transit) or regional transit, Penn Station is within walking distance.
- Address: 1227 Broadway, New York, NY 10001
- Nearby: Empire State Building, Madison Square Park, Herald Square, Macy’s
- Transit: Penn Station and 33rd Street subway/PATH are within a short walk
| Walk time (approx.) | Nearby spot |
|---|---|
| Short walk | Empire State Building |
| Short walk | Macy’s / Herald Square |
| Short walk | Madison Square Park |
Rooms, views and layouts
Guest rooms are described as Chambers and suites across roughly 38 floors, with floor-to-ceiling windows and city views. Room types include Room, City View; Chamber King; Chamber 2 Double Beds; Sky Chamber City View; Sky Chamber King Empire View; Sky Grand Chamber Suite (several variants), and others.
If skyline views are a priority, consider Sky Chamber King Empire View or the Sky Grand Chamber Suite Empire Views for explicit Empire State Building sightlines; the property lists City View and Empire View room options.
- Room, City View (listed with 1 King Bed)
- Chamber King and Chamber 2 Double Beds (listed bed options)
- Sky Chamber City View and Sky Chamber King Empire View for higher-floor views
- Grand suites include Sky Grand Chamber Suite - City View and terrace options
| Type | Noted feature |
|---|---|
| Chamber King | 1 King Bed |
| Chamber 2 Double Beds | 1 King Bed or 2 Double Beds (property notes) |
| Sky Grand Chamber Suite - City View | 555 sq. ft., 1 King Bed |
Dining and bars — what’s on site
The hotel has multiple on-site venues: Everdene (New American indoor-outdoor rooftop restaurant), The Riff Raff Club (39th-floor cocktail lounge), El Cielo (Colombian fine dining), and The Pool Club on the rooftop pool deck. Everdene serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch according to posted hours.
Everdene runs daily happy hour and brunch slots; The Riff Raff Club offers Skyline Happy Hour midweek and accepts reservations for its alcove and private areas. The Pool Club operates alongside the seasonal rooftop pool and serves cocktails and bar snacks.
- Everdene: Breakfast 7am–11am; Lunch 12pm–3pm; Dinner 3pm–11pm; Bar 11am–12am; brunch Sat–Sun 12pm–3pm
- The Riff Raff Club: cocktail lounge with Skyline Happy Hour Tue–Fri; hours vary, usually evenings
- El Cielo: Colombian fine dining (dinner hours vary by reservation)
- Pool Club: Poolside bar open during pool season (Pool Club hours listed as 10am–8pm)
| Venue | Typical focus |
|---|---|
| Everdene | New American dining, rooftop terrace |
| The Riff Raff Club | Cocktails, skyline views |
| El Cielo | Colombian fine dining |
Pools, spa and fitness — key rules and features
Virgin Hotels New York City operates a seasonal fourth-floor rooftop pool deck with loungers, cabanas and Empire State Building views. Pool hours are typically 8:00am–8:00pm daily during the season; the Pool Club bar runs roughly 10:00am–8:00pm.
Pool access has age restrictions: loungers and cabanas are open to all ages from 8:00am–11:30am (first-come, first-served). From midday onward the Pool Club is restricted to guests 21 and over; after 12pm lounger/cabana reservations require a rental fee plus a food-and-beverage minimum.
- Rooftop pool deck: fourth floor, seasonal
- Pool hours: 8:00am–8:00pm (seasonal)
- Loungers/cabanas open to all ages 8:00am–11:30am; Pool Club 21+ after midday
- Reservations and paid rentals apply after 12pm; public reservations possible but hotel guests get priority
| Amenity | Notes |
|---|---|
| Exhale Spa | Coed hammam, dry sauna, Snow Room, Salt Room; treatment menu available |
| Fitness Center | 24/7 Technogym equipment; included in Destination Fee |
| Pool Club | Seasonal rooftop pool and bar; reservations and fees may apply |
Practical costs, policies and accessibility
A mandatory daily Destination Fee is charged with reservations; the hotel lists that fee as $35 plus tax and it covers free high-speed Wi‑Fi, 24/7 fitness access, bottled water on request, coffee/tea and access to on-property live music experiences. Breakfast and many dining items are not included in room rates.
Valet parking is available 24/7 at posted overnight rates; the hotel does not list self-parking or shuttle transfers. Guests must be 21+ to make a reservation and check in, and a photo ID and credit card are required at check-in. The hotel is smoke-free and provides a range of accessibility features in public areas and rooms.
- Destination Fee: mandatory ($35 + tax listed on hotel pages)
- Valet parking: available 24/7; overnight rates are published by the hotel
- Check-in: 3:00 PM; Check-out: 12:00 PM (flexible times can be requested)
- Minimum age to book/check in: 21 (one guest in room must be 21+)
| Policy | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Check-in/out | Check-in 3:00 PM; check-out 12:00 PM |
| Destination Fee | Mandatory daily fee covering Wi‑Fi, fitness access, etc. |
| Pets | Dogs allowed (up to two) for an additional fee; cats not permitted per listings |
Who it’s best for — and the main downsides
Best for travelers who want a modern Manhattan base with rooftop pool options, multiple in-house dining and drinking venues, a full-service spa, and easy walking access to midtown sights. Business groups and event planners will find multiple meeting and rooftop event spaces including The Loft and The Summit.
Main downsides to weigh: the mandatory Destination Fee and add-on parking/pool reservation fees can increase the total cost of stay; the Pool Club’s 21+ restriction after midday may be inconvenient for families who want afternoon pool access. Some guests also note that destination fees and extra charges can feel like surprise add-ons if you don’t check policies ahead of booking.
- Good if: you want rooftop views, a spa and 24/7 fitness in NoMad
- Not ideal if: you need full daytime pool access for kids past 11:30am, or want straightforward all-inclusive pricing
- Event planners: several rooftop and high-floor spaces (The Loft, Above Broadway, Great Room) make it workable for weddings and corporate events
| Traveler type | Why choose/discard |
|---|---|
| Couples | Rooftop bars and Sky Club views suit date nights |
| Families | Welcoming to children but plan morning pool visits due to age rules |
| Business groups | Multiple meeting/event spaces and central Midtown location |
