Hotel News
Exclusive details about new Virgin Dallas hotel include restaurant and coffee news
A new lifestyle hotel from Virgin Group coming to Dallas will bring us multiple dining options, including a signature restaurant, a whimsical coffee shop, and a pool bar.
Virgin Hotels Dallas is due to open in the Design District in 2019, the latest property from the lifestyle hotel brand founded by Sir Richard Branson. The property, which is already uber-hot and hasn't even opened yet, is being developed with Bill Hutchinson of Dunhill Partners and aims to deliver a one-of-a-kind hotel experience.
A spokesperson confirms that the hotel will offer at least three places to eat and drink:
- Commons Club, a contemporary, chic spot combining food, drink, and a social club experience, will be the hotel's headlining restaurant.
- Funny Library Coffee Shop, which combines coffee house and communal work space, will be a second option.
- The Pool Club, located on the hotel's rooftop terrace with a pool.
Commons Club will be situated at the main entrance of the hotel and is designed to feel like a "members only" experience, but one that's nonetheless open to all. Their goal is to evoke the feeling of a modern social club, but without the dues, for travelers and locals alike.
It'll have an open kitchen, a showpiece bar, and will boast two levels, with a ballroom and panoramic views of the Dallas skyline on the second floor.
Commons Club is Virgin Hotel's flagship restaurant that has always been a cosmopolitan concept, but it underwent a refresher in 2017. The San Francisco location opened in February 2019; its opulent atmosphere, inventive menu, and show-stopping cocktails are wowing the locals, and San Francisco is a tough crowd.
According to the Virgin Hotels spokesperson, the unique details of the Dallas location are not yet ready to be revealed, as each location is tailored to its host city.
Funny Library Coffee Shop will recreate a similar concept that debuted at the Virgin Hotels property in San Francisco in April. It opened to coincide with Virgin Hotels' partnership with Laughing Man, a coffee brand co-founded by famous movie star Hugh Jackman that specializes in Fair Trade coffee, with a portion of sales going to his Laughing Man Foundation, which supports coffee farming communities and executes education and housing programs.
Sir Richard Branson is a big proponent of social consciousness. Virgin Hotels is serving Laughing Man at all of their properties.
In addition to the coffee, Funny Library will offer whimsical books and games; one book title you can spot at the San Francisco location is the classic Someone Farted.
The hotel will feature 268 "chambers" — Virgin Hotel's name for rooms — including grand chamber suites and penthouse suites. All chambers consist of two rooms:
The first, called the Dressing Room, combines the hallway and a dressing area with a full vanity, make-up desk, well lit mirror, extra-large shower with a bench, and a closet for two.
The second, called the Lounge, features a patented bed that's designed to accommodate working, recharging, wellness, and playing.
Other features include a red SMEG mini-fridge stocked with street-priced comforts; a high-definition TV; yoga mat; swiveling table; and a Poltrona Frau task chair. All chambers feature lighting on sensors that automatically light up when you move.
An opening date for the hotel has not been announced, but a website has been created, so you can stalk, I mean, track its progress.