The George Hotel in Edinburgh’s New Town has reopened as The Principal Edinburgh after a multi-million pound refit.
The 240-room hotel officially opened to the public on 1 November as part of the launch of new high-end urban lifestyle hotel group, Principal.
It is housed in five listed former private residences built in 1775 on George Street, which later combined with the Caledonian Insurance Company’s offices and eventually formed the historic hotel in 1881.
Andreas Maszczyk, General Manager of The Principal Edinburgh, said, “This will be another chapter for a remarkable building in a city steeped in history.
“We hope that the hotel and its services will become a lively meeting point in one of the world’s most handsome neighbourhoods.”
The extensive renovation by Goddard Littlefair interior architects also includes eight meeting and event spaces, a coffee shop and the hotel’s bar and restaurant, The Printing Press Bar & Kitchen.
The Printing Press Bar & Kitchen serves seasonal Scottish fare created by head chef Colin Fleming including house-cured salmon and Tweed Valley beef. Its late-night cocktail bar offers a collection of local spirits, from single malts to Edinburgh gin and Scottish vodka.
Design details in the bar like vintage typewriters and classic Scottish novels have been chosen to reflect the city’s literary heritage. A nod to the hotel’s Scottish heritage will also be present throughout, including the concierge team who will be dressed in kilts.
British contemporary artist Charlie Anderson has also been commissioned to create a one-off piece exclusively for The Principal Edinburgh, which will be unveiled on 10 November.
Burr & Co, the hotel’s coffee shop and delicatessen with its own George Street entrance, will serve a selection of fresh pastries and hot drinks.
The Principal Edinburgh also offers nine meeting and event spaces, including the iconic Kings Hall, which can hold up to 400 guests. The hotel is dog-friendly and will offer dog beds and treats in the rooms.
The launch follows a major investment of over £200 million from Starwood Capital in Principal’s UK portfolio. The company plans to follow The Principal Edinburgh with the launch of another luxury hotel in Glasgow in 2017.