SC’s new waterfront hotel. Look inside The George which emphasizes Southern charm.

When you arrive at The George Hotel, you’ll notice a few things once you walk into the lobby.

You will see the eclectic interior design: a dark blue ceiling matched with light wood-colored walls. An abstract painting of an egret hanging on the wall might catch your eye, or an arched hallway leading to your room covered with scenes of wild animals gallivanting in the marsh-like habitats of the Low Country.

The aesthetic is curated by the Charleston-based interior design firm Jenny Keenan Design.

Walking to the elevators, you might glance at the framed photo of the Rolling Stones band sitting in a grassy field in front of a castle. Once you get to your room, there’s a bathrobe with the hotel’s monogram logo waiting for you. You can look out at Georgetown’s Front Street or a view of the Sampit River. If you’re hungry or craving a drink, you might go back downstairs and sit at The Independent seafood restaurant, which sits comfortably next to the lobby.

It’s all within the confines of The George, which opened March 1, 2024, as Georgetown’s new waterfront hotel. Located at 615 Front Street, the three-floor, 56-room establishment tries to evoke a coastal feel, Hotel General Manager Chris Styles said.

Styles said typical rooms are about 300 square feet, with two suites having a living room, bedroom, and balcony overlooking the Sampit River. There are also two junior suites, and although a little smaller, have an open floor plan. Styles said that The George hopes to capture the driving market—specifically, people driving to and from Charleston, S.C.

“We (also) expect a lot of couples, some families and a lot of corporate and group business,” Styles added.

Several wedding receptions and parties have already booked The George, Styles said.

He added that the hotel is working on creating golf packaging services for patrons, creating opportunities to play local courses such as Wedgefield Country Club in Georgetown. Styles added the hotel is reaching out to other courses in the area, too.

In July 2023, Wedgefield was named one of Sun News readers’ top five favorite golf courses.

“Fall really is peak golf time, so we’re going to really focus our efforts on those,” Styles added.

Many golfers and other visitors will eat at The Independent seafood restaurant. Named after a former seafood market in Georgetown, The Independent specializes in seafood, but it also serves steaks such as Filet Mignon and Ribeye.

Customers have a mostly unobstructed view of their food being made, and the eatery’s bar faces towards Front Street, with beer sourced from South Carolina makers. Executive Chef Thomas Vance recommended customers try the signature Blackened Flounder or Scallops.

When taking your first bite of Flounder, Vance said tasters can expect spice from the blackened seasoning and creaminess from the lemon butter, all brought together by the Andouille Sausage Pileau.

Vance’s culinary creations take a simplistic approach. The restaurant’s dishes focus on two or three ingredients; Vance added he wants tasters to enjoy a few complementary flavors rather than bombard them with an assortment of divergent ones.

“I try to keep it simple but also elevated,” he added.

Vance began working in restaurants at 17 and attended the Arts Institute of Charleston. An executive chef since he was 28, Vance also recommended patrons try the fried chicken livers appetizer.

‘We’ve made a few believers in chicken livers,” Vance said.

The George is part of The Indigo Road Hospitality, a group that operates restaurants and hotels throughout the Carolinas and Georgia. The group focuses on boutique locations in smaller cities such as Robbinsville and Asheville, NC. Some of Indigo Road Hospitality’s notable restaurants include Daniel Island Market Eatery (DIME) and Oak Steakhouse in Charleston, S.C.

Styles added The George is Indigo Road’s fifth hotel.

Not everything at The George is done, though. The outdoor bar, which includes a fire pit and white chairs, is not finished yet, nor is the conference room. Styles added the hotel is contemplating adding room service as an amenity, but that is not finalized.

Some rooms facing the water also offer a glimpse of the nearby International Paper mill and Georgetown’s Liberty Steel complex. Styles said that the view of heavy industry does not deter guests from booking the hotel.