The Great George: First-Class Hotel On Prince Edward Island, Canada

Review of The Great George | 58 Great George Street
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Kurt
Kurt 
Published
| 3 min read

The Great George in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (known as PEI) is not like any hotel ever! Here you will find a historic collection of former hotels and homes, taking up nearly a city block that has been turned into luxury lodging. Their 50 suites inside this spacious compound are made from 17 carefully restored buildings. Most of the buildings are from the mid-1850s with the oldest dated from 1811. Bought by Kevin Murphy and Mike Cassidy in 1990, they began extensive renovations and acquisitions building the lodging masterpiece you see today. 

 

 

So many room choices

It would be hard to find a better hotel for the luxury traveler in Charlottetown to start your vacation. Service is impeccable, and there is a perfect room waiting for you upon arrival. Choose your room from a stand-alone heritage home, condo, or suite in the main building. All rooms and suites are appointed with top notch linens, Aveda toiletries, robes, etc to make you feel well looked after. Some of the rooms have special features like: heated bathroom floors, fireplaces, spa tubs, or a balcony. With 50 unique rooms, you could stay in a different room every week of the year or more!

Excellent onsite facilities

courtyard

A fitness room is available, as is a meeting space with room for thirty to forty attendees. In warm weather enjoy reading a book in the well landscaped courtyard in a comfy chair while the breezes bring the trees to life above you. Hummingbirds and other avian characters flit in and around this floral haven as you enjoy PEI’s outdoor living. If your stay is for multiple days, consider staying in a Great George condo. Rock star Rod Stewart stayed in the top floor condo unit that is fit for a star, or just someone wanting a large luxurious space complete with wine fridge, fireplace, full kitchen, and deluxe spa tub. There is a three night minimum stay requirement for the condo units.

Although located in the middle of downtown, The Great George is very quiet at night insuring a good night’s rest for tired travelers. In the morning, wander into the main building’s lobby and lounge area for your free breakfast. Enjoy a mix of hot and cold items while you contemplate your touring plans for the day. The concierge is ready to help with any recommendations as they know their island well.

Where to eat

seafood chowder at Terre Rouge

All of this colorful historic downtown is at your doorstep. Dozens of shops, restaurants, cafes and historic sites await your exploration. In good weather, a walk along the waterfront is a good choice. For dinner it would be hard to beat Terre Rouge Craft Kitchen, just a five minute walk from your hotel, where the bounty of PEI is on their menu.

Try the famous PEI mussels, seafood chowder, or mushroom toast for a starter before moving on to an order of fish cakes or daily mac and cheese. If lunch at brew pubs are to your liking, the Gahan House is less than a five minute walk from The Great George. Be sure and try the blueberry ale with halibut tacos, or the famous PEI mussels served in one of seven seasoned broths with a Harvest Gold Pale Ale to chase it down.

Things to do

When your day of exploring is done, return to The Great George at 4 p.m. for a complementary historic walking tour of the hotel and adjoining properties. Each building has a story to tell and guest services manager, Ian Cheverie, enthusiastically tells these stories. The tour blends island history and the story of how Kevin Murphy helped turn around this part of downtown into the well restored historic neighborhood seen now. After the tour, have a free glass of wine or craft beer from The Gahan House Pub and Brewery, also owned by Kevin Murphy. With glass in hand, sit in one of the Victorian high-back chairs, sipping your beverage and enjoy the elegant lounge before freshening up for a night on the town.

Once again, the concierge or front desk stands ready to help with any tips on where to eat and how to get there. PEI has one of the best music cultures in Canada, and with the help of the knowledgeable staff you can find a performance to fit your interest. The Anne and Gilbert show runs through September 2016, and is just a few blocks away in The Guild theater. Since many a visitor comes to PEI to see where the popular Anne Of Green Gables book was conceived, this, or one of many other Anne inspired shows is a fun choice for entertainment in Charlottetown.

One more night

After a show or dinner, amble back to The Great George to your serene haven and drift off in dreams of red-headed girls and green landscapes. The hardest part of staying at The Great George is pulling yourself away from this oasis of luxury to explore the rest of PEI; an island known for friendly folks and gorgeous scenery. With a little luck and planning, you might get one more night at The Great George before heading home. That would be a great way to end a perfect trip.

Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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