🇬🇧 London, United Kingdom
Virgin Hotels
📍 45 Curtain Rd, London EC2A 3PT, UK
Photo: official website
Your stay — Virgin Hotels
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for London.
The Property — Virgin Hotels
Virgin Hotels London sits in the former Arthur Sanderson & Sons wallpaper factory on Margaret Street, just north of Oxford Street. The lobby fizzes with a slightly retro, rock-and-roll energy: scarlet banquettes, stripy carpet and a front desk that doubles as a bar. Rooms are split into two zones — dressing and sleeping — with a clever ‘loo with a view’ layout that gives the bathroom its own window. It suits travellers who want Fitzrovia’s restaurant scene on their doorstep, prefer a lively social bar over a hushed lounge, and don’t mind paying a premium for the central postcode.
Chronicles of London
London began as the Roman settlement of Londinium in AD 47, a bridgehead on the Thames that grew into a trading hub. The medieval city was largely built from timber until the Great Fire of 1666 cleared the ground for Christopher Wren’s classical churches and St Paul’s Cathedral. The 19th century brought grand Victorian stations, terraced townhouses and the first underground railway; post-war redevelopment added concrete towers, the Gherkin and the Shard. Today London is a polyglot capital of finance, fashion and theatre, where Georgian squares sit next to glass-walled office blocks and the Tube rattles beneath centuries of history.
Best Time to Visit
Full London guide →Best months
Late May and early June offer long daylight, gardens in full bloom and temperatures around 20°C — before schools break for summer. September gives the same mild weather with thinner crowds.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak tourist season: schools off, events like Wimbledon and Notting Hill Carnival crowd the city. Hotel prices on this 3-star pitch can double; book four months ahead.
Budget shoulder season
March, April and November deliver lower rates and shorter queues at major museums. Expect crisp days and occasional drizzle, but the parks are either emerging from winter or still colourful.
Weather & packing
London weather is famously fickle: you can get four seasons in a single June day. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and a thin sweater even if the forecast says sun.
Live City Briefing — London
- A new Elizabeth line station at Bond Street (opened late 2022) now shaves 10 minutes off the journey from Heathrow into the West End — use it instead of the Heathrow Express.
- Oxford Street is mid-way through a pedestrianisation trial on Sundays during summer, with traffic restricted between Orchard Street and Portman Street, so allow for diverted buses.
- The National Gallery's bicentenary exhibition '200 Years of Looking' opens in May 2026 and will extend its Friday opening to 9pm through June, making it easier to visit after hotel check-in.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Virgin Hotels, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor (above the 5th floor) for a quieter stay. The hotel's lift serves all guest floors, so you can easily access any room without worrying about stairs. Given the hotel's location on Curtain Road, which can be a busy street, higher floors tend to be less noisy.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the main entrance (ground floor) as they may experience more foot traffic and street noise. Additionally, rooms near the lift might be noisier due to the constant movement.
Best views
Unfortunately, the hotel's address on Curtain Road in Shoreditch means that rooms may not have a spectacular view. However, if you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the city skyline or the vibrant street art in the area.
Quietest floors
5th floor and above
🔊 Noise notes
Curtain Road can be quite lively, especially at night. You may hear some noise from bars and restaurants in the area. Additionally, being in the heart of Shoreditch, you might experience some street noise and construction sounds.
Insider tips
Consider upgrading to the premium Wi-Fi tier (£10/day) if you need high-speed streaming or heavy work capabilities. If you're driving, be prepared for an overnight parking fee of around £30-35 at the NCP Devonshire Square car park, which is a 5-minute walk from the hotel.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Virgin Hotels
Free basic Wi-Fi (good for browsing/email); premium tier (£10/day) for high-speed streaming or heavy work; no login captcha, just room number and surname
Lift serves all guest floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital newspaper via PressReader on the hotel app; no physical papers delivered
Standard check-in from 15:00; early bag-drop permitted from 10:00; late check-out until 13:00 free (subject to availability), after 13:00 charged at 50% of one night's rate
Free for day visitors if dropping bags early; overnight storage not typically offered
Step-free access from Curtain Road through main entrance; wheelchair-accessible lift to all floors; one accessible room with roll-in shower; no structural barriers noted
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is NCP Devonshire Square (5 min walk) approx £30-35 overnight; no EV charging on site
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (included in room rate; optional gratuity/service charge may be added)
Deposit & card hold: Full first night prepaid at booking; £100 incidental hold on a credit/debit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Reality Church London (514 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Saint Leonard (544 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Wilson Street Chapel (603 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Shoreditch Tabernacle (691 m · ~9 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
One New Change — 2.0 km · ~25 min walk
Mark Street Gardens — 246 m · ~3 min walk
Dennis Severs' House — 465 m · ~6 min walk
The Courtyard — 674 m · ~8 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 119 m · ~1 min walk
Judd's Pharmacy — 897 m · ~11 min walk
Maya Food & Wine — 157 m · ~2 min walk
Shoreditch High Street — 548 m · ~7 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Use cash machines (ATMs) for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at airports and tourist spots as they give poor rates.
Contactless cards and mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are accepted almost everywhere, including taxis and street food stalls.
Not expected but appreciated: round up the taxi fare, leave 10–12.5% in restaurants if service not included, and £1–2 per bag for hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A flat white or filter coffee from a chain or independent café costs around £2.50–3.00.
A sandwich or salad from a supermarket meal deal (sandwich, drink, snack) costs about £3.50–4.00.
A main course at a pub or casual curry house is roughly £12–15.
Broadgate Market near Liverpool Street (weekdays) and Brick Lane for bagels and curries offer filling meals under £8.
Tesco Express, Sainsbury’s Local, and Co-op are the nearest budget supermarkets.
Affordable high-street chains like Primark, H&M, and Uniqlo at nearby Liverpool Street or Shoreditch High Street.
A day Travelcard (zones 1–2) costs £8.10; from Heathrow, take the Piccadilly Line (contactless works) for £5.60 vs the Heathrow Express at £25.
Use contactless to cap daily bus/tube fares at day pass rates; eat from street food markets around Old Spitalfields or Brick Lane at lunch; buy groceries at supermarkets for breakfast/snacks.
Good to know — London
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.74 · GBP
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in London, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Virgin Hotels
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 119 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Judd's Pharmacy — 897 m · ~11 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Central London attractions (Leicester Square, Charing Cross) → London Town Hotel (Covent Garden Station)
💡 Most convenient for hotel; Covent Garden Station is adjacent. Contactless payment auto-caps daily fares at £8.50. Download TfL Go app for real-time updates.
Airports/Central London → London Town Hotel (Covent Garden)
💡 Get Oyster card or contactless payment; cheapest local option. Piccadilly Line goes near Covent Garden. Avoid rush hours if possible.
Heathrow/Gatwick Airport → London Town Hotel (Covent Garden area)
💡 Use official taxi ranks at airports; Uber available but black cabs are iconic. Surge pricing during peak hours (7-9am, 5-7pm).
Heathrow/Gatwick Airport → London Town Hotel (via Paddington/Victoria Station)
💡 Fastest airport option; buy tickets in advance online for discounts. Connect via Circle/District lines to hotel area within 10 mins.
About London
Wikipedia ↗
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of 9.1 million people in 2024. Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Western Europe, with a population of 15.4 million. London stands on the River Thames in southeast England, at the head of a 50-mile...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Virgin Hotels?
Request a room on a higher floor (above the 5th floor) for a quieter stay. The hotel's lift serves all guest floors, so you can easily access any room without worrying about stairs. Given the hotel's location on Curtain Road, which can be a busy street, higher floors tend to be less noisy.
Which rooms should I avoid at Virgin Hotels?
Avoid rooms near the main entrance (ground floor) as they may experience more foot traffic and street noise. Additionally, rooms near the lift might be noisier due to the constant movement.
Is Virgin Hotels noisy?
Curtain Road can be quite lively, especially at night. You may hear some noise from bars and restaurants in the area. Additionally, being in the heart of Shoreditch, you might experience some street noise and construction sounds.
Which rooms have the best views at Virgin Hotels?
Unfortunately, the hotel's address on Curtain Road in Shoreditch means that rooms may not have a spectacular view. However, if you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the city skyline or the vibrant street art in the area.
What are insider tips for staying at Virgin Hotels?
Consider upgrading to the premium Wi-Fi tier (£10/day) if you need high-speed streaming or heavy work capabilities. If you're driving, be prepared for an overnight parking fee of around £30-35 at the NCP Devonshire Square car park, which is a 5-minute walk from the hotel.
What time is check-in at Virgin Hotels?
Check-in at Virgin Hotels is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Virgin Hotels have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (good for browsing/email); premium tier (£10/day) for high-speed streaming or heavy work; no login captcha, just room number and surname
Is there a city or tourist tax at Virgin Hotels?
None (included in room rate; optional gratuity/service charge may be added)
Where can I eat cheaply near Virgin Hotels?
A sandwich or salad from a supermarket meal deal (sandwich, drink, snack) costs about £3.50–4.00.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Virgin Hotels?
A day Travelcard (zones 1–2) costs £8.10; from Heathrow, take the Piccadilly Line (contactless works) for £5.60 vs the Heathrow Express at £25.
When is the best time to visit London?
Late May and early June offer long daylight, gardens in full bloom and temperatures around 20°C — before schools break for summer. September gives the same mild weather with thinner crowds.
Top Attractions in London
💡 Use the free 'Art Guided Tour' app (download before you visit) for 15-minute audio tours. The Sainsbury Wing entrance is less crowded than the main portico.
💡 Go early on weekday mornings (10am) to avoid crowds. The permanent collection is free; special exhibitions cost extra.
💡 Walk the full length from Marble Arch to Kensington Palace (about 2.5 km) for the best cross-section of the park. The Serpentine Lido is open for swimming in summer — arrive before 09:00 for a lane.
💡 Walk from Hyde Park Corner to Kensington Palace via the Serpentine Bridge. Free deckchairs are available near the Lido (first come, first served). Avoid the paid boating unless you really want to.
💡 Start at 2pm to catch the market in full swing (Borough Market closes at 5pm Mon–Sat). No entry fee for any part of the walk itself. Cross Tower Bridge for a free view of the Tower of London.
💡 The viewing level on the 10th floor (Blavatnik Building) has one of the best free panorama views of St Paul's and the City. Entry is free; book a timed slot online.