Edinburgh The George
Grand Georgian heritage hotel with a restrained contemporary interior. Cool-toned rooms referencing 19th-century Scottish landscape painting. Formal but warm — kilts at the front desk, a steakhouse that pulls non-guests off George Street, and a coffee shop that's genuinely popular with Edinburgh locals.
Book a suite to unlock Club InterContinental — you get breakfast served there (better than the buffet), afternoon treats, and evening drinks and canapés included
Why It Matters
One of Edinburgh's oldest continuously operating hotels, set inside a Grade II listed building. Le Petit Beefbar opened here in 2023 as the brand's first Scottish outpost — and the only Kobe-certified restaurant in Scotland. Named Best Hotel in Scotland 2022 and a multiple World Luxury Travel Award winner in 2024.
Five Georgian townhouses on one of Edinburgh's grandest streets, operating as a hotel in some form since 1775 and formally as The George Hotel since 1881. InterContinental took over and renovated, keeping the soaring ceilings and period proportions while pulling in a Scottish landscape colour palette — think highland greens, heather greys, and textured tweeds. Robert Burns was a regular here. So was Walter Scott. The literary pedigree is real, not marketing.
Where You'll Stay
7 room types available
Classic Room
The hotel's workhorse room. Colour palette drawn from 19th-century Scottish landscape paintings — highland greens, forest ferns, heather greys. Materially rich with tweed and natural textures. Bathrooms include a bath/shower combination. Some have two twin beds, useful for families.
1 Double Bed or 1 King Bed · 22 sqm
Cosy Room
The entry-level category. Small but full of character — located across both the Georgian townhouse buildings and the newer house addition. Good for short stays and solo trips. Don't expect space to spread out.
1 Double Bed · 19 sqm
Ferrier Suite
Named for the Ferrier family — the townhouse where Robert Burns was regularly entertained. That history is palpable. Spacious layout with city views, a separate dining table perfect for private meals, and a full suite of luxury amenities. One of the most storied rooms in any Edinburgh hotel.
1 King Bed · 62 sqmJunior Suite
Generous open-plan rooms with a living area. Situated inside the original Georgian townhouses — you notice the high ceilings and period proportions immediately. Walk-in shower and a roll-top bath in many configurations. Comes with Club InterContinental lounge access.
1 King Bed · 36 sqmOne Bedroom Suite
Separate living room, set inside the original 18th-century townhouses. High ceilings, period windows overlooking George Street, and a marble-and-ceramic bathroom with roll-top bath and rainfall shower. Stocked minibar, Nespresso, treats box, and GHD hair tools are standard. Club InterContinental lounge access included.
1 King Bed · 48 sqmPremium Room
More space, more options. Some configurations offer views toward the Firth of Forth. Stocked minibar and a sofa area step things up from Classic. Available in twin-bed configuration — one of the better family options in the building.
1 King Bed, 2 Double Beds, or 2 Twin Beds · 34 sqmSomerville Suite
The largest suite in the building. Two king beds make it suited to families or couples travelling with friends. Panoramic views over George Street and out toward the city. A separate living area, the full luxury amenity set, and Club InterContinental access. Named after Susan Ferrier, the Scottish author who lived in this very townhouse.
2 King Beds · 76 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
4 venues on property
Restaurant
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
A two-part experience: a five-course Champagne Afternoon Tea aboard Fingal (the floating hotel moored at Leith), followed by a private evening tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia with champagne and a keepsake. Advance booking required through the hotel reservations team.
A private audio walking tour through Edinburgh's hidden alleys and lesser-known streets, curated in partnership with historians from Edinburgh University. Covers seven historic locations, from Heritage Row to George Square. Available as a standalone hotel package including overnight stay and traditional Scottish breakfast.
An exclusive tour of one of Scotland's grandest private houses, a property with over 1,000 years of history. Includes a guided tour with a curator, optional dining experience, and is personally overseen by Maclean & Bruce. Suitable for groups of 2–16 guests, starting from £780.
Seasonal outdoor terrace on George Street in partnership with Moët & Chandon. Walk-ins only, open 12:30–10pm during summer months. Full à la carte menu served outside alongside a Moët & Chandon cocktail and snacks menu. Live music on Saturday evenings (6–9pm).
Curated private whisky tasting experiences arranged by the hotel concierge team. Edinburgh's Scotch Whisky Experience (a 5-star Visit Scotland accredited venue with a rooftop bar) is nearby and can be incorporated.
Every Sunday, Le Petit Beefbar hosts a Jazz Roast Lunch with live music from 12:30–5pm. Slow-roasted Black Angus beef, beef-dripping roast potatoes, free-range chicken. Open to hotel guests and the public. One of the more genuinely local things happening in the building.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Wheelchair accessible rooms, grab bars, tall toilets, handheld showers with hose, built-in transfer shower seats, and handrails in bathrooms. Verified by AccessAble, the UK's leading accessibility information provider.
Computer station and meeting facilities available around the clock.
High-speed WiFi available in all rooms and throughout the hotel at no charge.
Seven versatile event spaces including the magnificent Kings Hall, handling everything from intimate private dinners to conferences and weddings for up to 300 attendees. Used for Christmas dinners and dancing in season.
Exclusive lounge for suite guests. Includes fresh coffee and tea all day, fruit and snacks, afternoon treats, evening drinks and canapés, and a traditional Scottish breakfast option served within the lounge. Acts as a serene base in the city for those wanting to avoid the main breakfast room.
Award-winning concierge team. Head Concierge Scott Keenan won Best Concierge at the 2022 Prestige Hotel Awards. The team curates private Edinburgh itineraries and can arrange exclusive experiences including whisky tastings, private estate visits, and the hotel's own Hidden Stories audio walking tour.
Luxury Byredo toiletries provided in all rooms and suites as standard.
On-street parking on George Street is free between 6:30pm–8:30am Monday to Saturday, extended until 12:30pm on Sundays. Outside those hours: max 3 hours at £5.30/hr. Preferential rate available at St. James Quarter Car Park, less than 10 minutes' walk away.
A curated in-room sleep programme developed in partnership with a behavioural sleep expert. Includes calming yoga content, a luxurious turndown service, and the hotel's signature sleep scent.
A complimentary fitness centre with aerobic and resistance machines, conveniently located within the hotel. Small but functional — covers the basics well.
BUILD YOUR INTERCONTINENTAL EDINBURGH THE GEORGE PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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