When I arrived at The Great George Hotel, it was lashing with rain, and the wind was nippy. Once inside the sumptuous lobby of the hotel, though, the tempest outside melted away.
The Great George Hotel is more than a hotel. It’s a calm refuge with warm, Old World charm and luxurious modern amenities.
There are lots of hotel options in Charlottetown, but none come close to what The Great George offers.
At the front desk, I was informed that guests are invited to enjoy a glass of wine or beer on weeknights from 5-6 p.m. Now, that’s a good way to take the bluster out of the day.
I jumped in the elevator to my room on the second floor and dropped off my bags. Then, I nipped downstairs to join the other guests in the comfy lounge for wine and conversation. It was so pleasant to exchange our travel tales. One couple I spoke to were returning 10 years after their honeymoon here to celebrate their anniversary.
What to expect in your room at The Great George Hotel
My Classic room in the main building looked out at tree-lined Great George Street. I could also glimpse the magnificent façade of St. Dunstan’s Basilica. Heavy drapes and blinds made me feel like I was tucked into a cozy cocoon. In addition, two matching wing chairs offered a sweet place to curl up and relax with a book.
The spacious accommodation, in addition to a King bed, was outfitted with a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, a Keurig coffee maker, a mini-fridge, and an ensuite with a jetted bathtub.
The hotel comprises 20 buildings, all dating from around 1846. Most are on Great George Street or around the corner. Owner Kevin Murphy bought it and adjacent buildings with a partner in 1990. Bent on rehabbing the historic district, they did a mighty fine job from what I could see. The hotel’s colorful heritage homes lining the block were out of a storybook.
Today, Kevin and their wife, Kathy, helm the ship together. They also head the Murphy Hospitality Group with an ever-expanding portfolio of food and beverage operations, plus another boutique hotel. These folks know hospitality inside and out, and you could really feel it in the hotel, especially in the comfy lounge area.
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The 50+ guestrooms and suites include Deluxe rooms (a step above Classic, often with fireplace), and one-bedroom suites with a King or Queen bed, kitchen, and separate living room.
Romantic Hideaway suites feature a King bed, fireplace, and double Jacuzzi, with various architectural highlights, including a balcony, skylights, or Roman pillars. Multi-room suites range from two to four bedrooms and have kitchens with stove tops, ovens, microwaves, and fridges.
A slice of Canadian history at The Great George Hotel
Outside my door was a portrait of Sir Frederic Carter, listed as one of the Fathers of Confederation from Newfoundland. Looking down the hall, I noticed each room was dedicated to one of Canada’s historical founders. Newfoundland didn’t join Canada until 1949, so who was this fellow?
Google gave me the answer. Sir Carter was the premiere of Newfoundland in the late 1800s. He wanted to join the Confederation and participated in various conferences to discuss the creation of the Dominion of Canada. The idea appealed to him, but when he made his views known to the voters, his party lost to anti-Confederates.
I was tickled to find out that I stood in the same location, then known as the Pavilion Hotel, that hosted some of the delegates attending the 1864 Charlottetown Conference on Union. That conference ultimately gave birth to Canada in 1867, even though Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island declined to join.
What a history lesson!
Sun up, and the breakfast has arrived
Come morning, I was famished.
The breakfast was billed as continental, but it was much more than that. Laid out in the lounge were steamer containers with hot egg frittata and sliced ham. In the center of the room was a table groaning under the weight of pastries, overnight oats, fruit, yogurt, and cheese. There was also juice, coffee, tea, granola, cereal, and toast.
All rooms come with complimentary breakfast and parking.
There’s also a small fitness room with a treadmill, elliptical machine, stationary bike, and free weights.
Rates at The Great George Hotel
Classic rooms with a Queen or King or 2 double beds range from $239-$379. Deluxe rooms with a Queen or King bed range from $299-$449. Romantic Hideaway Suites with one King bed range from $359-$509. One-bedroom suites range from $329-$479. Multi-room suites, 2 to 4 bedrooms, range from $339-$520.
Check the latest rates online at Booking.com, Hotels.com, or Expedia.
Hotel feature by Toronto-based travel writer Maureen Littlejohn. Photos © Maureen Littlejohn. Tourism PEI arranged for her stay as she researched a larger piece. As always, her thoughts and opinions are her own.
