Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch

The story

Virgin Hotels launched this luxury lifestyle hotel in London's East End, and it has now been open for two years. Rooms are called chambers, with five-star suites above them. The lobby and guest rooms share a vibrant, stylish design that suits the neighbourhood, and the public spaces are compact but carefully laid out. The top floor is the draw. 45th & 7th, the rooftop restaurant, serves breakfast, an à la carte menu and desserts alongside a wine list. It sits next to a pool that stays heated even in summer and runs more like a dayclub than a place for laps. Below, Shoreditch's bars and restaurants start right at the door, which makes the hotel an easy base for an evening out in the area.