Edinburgh, Scotland
Intercontinental Edinburgh The George
Historic Hideaway
What it is
Five circa 1775 Georgian townhouses combined into a show stopping 240-room hotel, with a bustling pub and champagne bar inspired by the printing press.
What it isn't
Poorly serviced. Concierges here are very in-the-know; staff of the hotel speak 10 languages, including Italian, French, and Greek.
What we think
Nobody goes to Scotland to avoid charm. The nation is chockablock with captivating characters, from the people to the centuries-old architecture. Which is why staying at this retreat—a hotel since 1881—is such a delight. Many of the starter rooms are tucked in Georgian-era buildings, yet stocked with all the modern accoutrements today’s globetrotters demand (including rainfall showerheads, plush robes and, often, Instagrammable courtyard or cobblestoned street views). Suites are equipped with fresh bouquets, evening turndown and handmade king mattresses so comfortable you’ll never want to get out of bed, but you should…you came all the way to Scotland, after all.
You're here because
InterContinental pulls out all the stops for business kingpins, including a 24-hour business center, copying services, scanning, and even courier service. Did we mention the private limousine you can book for an added fee?
The Moment
You didn’t expect a pool in this often drizzly climate, so you don’t miss it. Better than a swim? A pint in the bustling Printing Press bar after a stint at the gym.
Restaurants & Bars
The Printing Press Bar & Kitchen - Traditional regional fare with a modern update.
Burr & Co. - A cosy, yet lively, coffee shop with cocktails and light bites in the evening.
Location
Smack dab in the heart of downtown Edinburgh, just eight blocks downhill from Edinburgh Castle—originally constructed in the Iron Age and, historically, the “most besieged place” in all of Great Britain. Stop in at the circa 1511 Great Hall, where King James IV hosted dinners that put everything on Downton Abbey to shame.