Dear ladies and gentlemen of the toon,
Word has it that George Street’s most distinguished address is celebrating quite the milestone…
For two and a half centuries, our Georgian townhouse has stood gracefully at the heart of Edinburgh – a silent witness to the city’s golden age of celebration.
This festive season, we raise a glass to 250 years of stories, soirées and splendid stays with a most elegant offer:
A premium room and a bottle of champagne for £250
Step through our doors and into an era of candlelight and conversation, where heritage meets hospitality and every moment feels touched by history.
Here’s to the next chapter – and to making it quite incredible indeed.
1775
Accommodation for the curious
Step into a building long known for its elegance and grandeur. A place that has played host to the world-famous poet Robert Burns as well as the author, Sir Walter Scott. These literary giants took major inspiration from their time in Edinburgh – much of it spent within our walls.
One of the townhouses that make up the hotel was home to the Ferrier family, which is where Burns – a close family friend – and Scott were entertained. Mr James Ferrier was the Principal Clerk of Session, and father to Susan Ferrier – the Scottish author.
1782-1854
Susan Ferrier’s legacy
Miss Ferrier’s tales give fascinating accounts of Scottish life and Edinburgh society, and present refreshingly honest views on the consequences of poor education for women. After a successful writing career, she founded Oliphant, Anderson and Ferrier – a publishing house that produced hundreds of books.
We’re so proud of Miss Ferrier’s legacy and link to the hotel that we display a beguiling portrait of her – you’ll find it in The Library. We also paid the ultimate homage to her by dedicating a suite to the Ferrier family.
1840
Caledonian Insurance Company
Before the townhouses were developed into our hotel, they were used for commercial purposes. In 1840, the Caledonian Insurance Company enlisted architect David Bryce to design the impressive façade that welcomes you to our hotel today. What was once the banking hall is now used as our opulent King’s Hall.
1860-1905
A Grand Dame
The first hotel operated in a smaller section of buildings – numbers 18-21 in 1860 and by 1880 the establishment became known as The George Hotel. In 1905, Edinburgh was gaining a reputation as an important centre for retail, artwork and publishing. It was during this time that The George Hotel remodelled the first floor into a suite of public rooms, offering guests dining and leisure facilities.
1940-1974
Wartime
By 1940 the Caledonian Insurance business had moved out allowing The George Hotel to plan greater expansion and refurbishment, but as the Second World War worsened, the government had other ideas. The ground floor was requisitioned for the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute and was occupied throughout the war. At the original site of No. 19 George Street, millions of parcels were sorted and packaged to give home comforts to the serving officers abroad. It wasn’t until 1950 that the ground floor area was redesigned into the welcoming reception area the hotel provides today and in 1974 the whole site was granted A-List protection.