Sir Richard Branson celebrates the opening of Virgin Hotels New Orleans

Photo By Linka Odom

New Orleanians came together to celebrate the city’s resilience and continued growth as an international destination with the opening of Virgin Hotels New Orleans, the most recent hotel from Sir Richard Branson’s expanding brand of lifestyle hotels. The 238-room hotel has plenty of places to gather within. It is also located near the Central Business District, which is brimming with new restaurants, shops and galleries.

Sir Richard arrived on property, baton in hand, accompanied by the Marching 100, St. Augustine High School’s internationally acclaimed band from nearby Lafayette Square.

Hotel owners Buccini/Pollin Group and Virgin Hotels New Orleans presented the school with a donation to help and support with damages to the building sustained from Hurricane Ida, while Virgin Hotels Chief Executive Officer James Bermingham and Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson addressed the students.

“We’re glad to be part of this community and embrace the incredible spirit of New Orleans,” said Sir Richard. “How wonderful it is to celebrate this beautiful new property and becoming part of the continued growth of one of the world’s most magical cities.”

After the marching parade arrived en masse at Virgin Hotels New Orleans, Sir Richard, James Bermingham and Dave Pollin of Buccini/Pollin Group presided over a ribbon-cutting ceremony that reflected Sir Richard’s dedication and commitment to the Big Easy. Students and attendees received a native magnolia tree to plant from Common Ground Relief, whose Plant a Million Trees campaign aims to help the city and Gulf Coast communities build healthy, robust coastal wetlands.

For more information, visit https://virginhotels.com/new-orleans.