The Great George: Charlottetown’s Marquis Address

Situated in Charlottetown’s National Historic District, The Great George is an upscale and elegant, award-winning and historic boutique hotel that seamlessly combines classic with contemporary, very much reflecting the charm and soul of PEI’s capital city.

Guests are greeted by a grand lobby with warm, inviting hues and rich leather furnishings, certainly a bold introduction to a luxurious stay. While it has all the boutique feels of a bespoke hotel, The Great George is actually more like a colourful and expansive compound, with 54 beautifully decorated suites among 17 meticulously restored heritage buildings.

While it was built in 1846, the property was a fashionable hotel even in the 1850s when it was called The Pavillion, hosting some of the delegates from the 1864 Charlottetown Conference, where PEI became the birthplace of Canada’s Confederation. Skip ahead to the 1990s, when current owner Kevin Murphy, and then business partner Mike Cassidy, purchased both the property and all adjacent buildings, embarking on a journey to restore the then known Regent Hotel into its former glory.  After a few years of painstaking restoration work, renovating while maintaining the historical integrity of the property, it remains the province’s largest private heritage development projects ever to be finished. In 2009, Kevin and Kathy Murphy, a provincial power couple and Order of Canada appointees took the helm, continuously evolving the pampered experience guests can expect to have, sprinkled with some island hospitality for good measure.

Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with a bigger family with bigger needs, The Great George can amply accommodate, with staff prioritizing the guest experience. Classic and Deluxe rooms are ideal for short stays, but for those who want stay longer and enjoy a more sensory experience, the much beloved Romantic Hideaway Suites are the answer. Located in the Carroll House and Witter Coombs House, these oases offer a serene retreat, where guests cozy up in front of their own fireplace and double Jacuzzi, and enjoy a late drink on their balcony with unobstructed views of St. Dunstan’s Basilica. One bedroom suites are located throughout the property, and include a kitchen and living room, while multi-bedroom suites offer more space for traveling families and small groups. No matter what room you choose, parking, breakfast, and even homemade cookies are complimentary. Additionally on weeknights, The Great George hosts casual reception socials from 5-6pm, offering guests the opportunity to meet, greet and share travel stories over complimentary beer or vino.

Centrally-located, The Great George makes for a perfect launching pad for exploring Charlottetown, truly one of Canada’s most underrated, and very walkable destinations. Immerse yourself in the historical fabric of Canada, and visit any number of National Historic Sites, including Confederation Centre of the Arts, stunning Government House, Charlottetown’s City Hall, and Great George Street, steps from the hotel. Make your way to water, and enjoy a drink with fresh rounds of farm-to-table delights, including PEI mussels, clams and oysters before heading to heading to Victoria Row, a quaint, pedestrian-only strip filled with shops, restaurants, and cafes.

Images Courtesy of The Great George.

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