The Virgin brand made history this week with the opening of its first hotel, Virgin Hotels Chicago. The hotel features a two-chamber layout with guest rooms divided into two spaces — a dressing room and a lounge — separated by a sliding door. Featured amenities in the chamber include a full vanity, an extra large shower with a bench, his and hers closets, a mini fridge, an LG Smart TV, ample outlets near the bed for electronic devices, and Virgin Hotels’ patent-pending, ergonomically designed bed.

“It’s been a long held dream to start beautiful, comfortable, fun hotels for guests and give them what they want and need while being gentle on their wallets,” said Richard Branson, founder, Virgin Group. “I’m tremendously proud of the brilliant Virgin Hotels team, and I look forward to hosting our fans and spending more time in Chicago.”

Since the brand’s inception, eliminating fees and surcharges have been top priority, along with creating an experience that allows guests to feel that Virgin Hotels is their place in the city. The hotel brand offers free WiFi (at unlimited bandwidth) and has eliminated early check-in fees, late check-out fees, room service delivery charges, business center transactions and other services often cited as annoying by business travelers.

Virgin Hotels Chicago is located in the heart of Chicago’s Loop district in the historic Old Dearborn Bank Building at 203 N. Wabash Ave. The 26-story Art Deco building, a Chicago landmark, offers 250 guestrooms, including 40 one-bedroom suites and two penthouse suites.