History & Awards

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 Wlater Scott. These literary giants took major inspiration from their time in Edinburgh — much of it spent within our walls. 

One of the townhomes 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.

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 facade that welcomes you to our hotel today. What was once the banking hall is now used as our opulent King's Hall.

By 1940 the Caledonian Insurance company 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 unitl 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.