The George Hotel lures visitors to its waterfront location on the Sampit River in Georgetown, South Carolina
Like the sirens of Greek mythology, whose songs rendered sailors oblivious to anything else, The George Hotel also bewitches its guests. But contrary to the sirens who lured unsuspecting sailors into dangerous shoals, the hotel’s allure is pure pleasure.
To step inside the lobby is to exhale any worries from the day. With its lime-washed pecky cypress walls, Lowcountry accents, and wallpaper and fabrics inspired by the early American style, the hotel’s decor echoes Georgetown’s long history as a colonial seaport while giving off coastal vibes.
Accordingly, blue is central to the color scheme of The George, which anchors Front Street and overlooks the Sampit River and Winyah Bay beyond. After checking in, guests access the elevators through an arched hallway covered in “Bird Tapestry,” a Schumacher wallpaper that calls to mind the hotel’s natural surroundings. Woven sweetgrass accents and whimsical paintings by local artists are showcased throughout the hotel, all hand-selected by designer Jennie Keenan.
The boutique property, which opened a year ago, houses 56 individually decorated rooms, 42 of them with water views. And that’s where they reel you in. My husband and I had a lovely room with a balcony facing the harbor, perfectly positioned for watching the sunset on a rare warm day in February. Expansive views of the water, tidal marshes, and sailboats dotting the harbor definitely soothe the soul.
The Hues of The George Hotel
Out back, facing the river, white rocking chairs await on the patio, and a fire pit beckons on chilly evenings. Next to the lawn, which also hosts weddings, Eliza’s Bar is the place to sit and watch the sun slip below the horizon while you sip on boat drinks.
You can work up an appetite exploring the museums and shops of Georgetown, best introduced with a stroll on the Harborwalk, which runs along the river for four scenic blocks.
When dinnertime rolls around, you need only walk through the hotel’s lobby to your table at upscale tavern The Independent, named in honor of Independent Seafood, a family-owned market that operated on Front Street for some 80 years. Both The Independent and The George are run by Indigo Road Hospitality Group, which also operate Indaco and O-Ku restaurants in Greenville.
The “pier-to-plate” menu, as it’s billed, features local seafood with a Southern twist. Grilled local oysters, cornmeal-fried blue crab fingers, and cornbread that gets its umami spark from miso honey butter start off a meal here in Southern style. For entrées, you can choose among Georgetown crab cakes, blackened red drum, and shrimp and grits, or go the steakhouse route with a C.A.B. Prime ribeye and a side of Anson Mills cheddar grits or grilled heirloom carrots with smoked buttermilk vinaigrette. Treat your sweet tooth to a classic Southern Hummingbird Cake or stay true to the beach theme with Mile-High Key Lime Pie.
Between the tranquil ambience and the waterside location, it’s easy to sing the praises of Front Street’s first new hotel in 50 years, as The George continues to make waves on South Carolina’s Hammock Coast.
Dive into Georgetown’s Past
History weaves its way through South Carolina’s third-oldest city, where you’ll find echoes of the past in a handful of museums in Georgetown’s walkable center. Here’s a sampling:
Rice Museum – Housed in the mid-nineteenth-century Old Market and Town Clock buildings, this museum tells the story of the rice culture that was once key to the area’s economy. 633 Front St., ricemuseum.org
South Carolina Maritime Museum – An impressive collection of model ships and maritime artifacts—including the Fresnel lens from the old North Island Lighthouse—chronicle the heyday of South Carolina’s second-largest seaport. 729 Front St., scmaritimemuseum.org
Kaminski House Museum – Tours of this antique-filled antebellum mansion, built in 1769, provide an immersive experience of early life in Georgetown. 1003 Front St., kaminskihouse.org
615 Front St., Georgetown, thegeorgehotelsc.com
