The George Hotel

The George Hotel, also recorded as the George Public House, is a historic inn and public house on Queen Street in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. It presents itself as a Grade I listed traditional inn that has been restored while retaining its original character, and it operates today as a combined hotel, restaurant and bar. Its own history page claims it as the last surviving eighteenth-century public house in Portsmouth, noting that it appears in the Portsmouth directory of 1784 as a tavern. At one time it served as a stopping place for coaches leaving the inns of Portsmouth (now Old Portsmouth) to collect passengers in the newer residential area of Portsea before travelling on to London. In 1905 the name was changed to the King George, and during a later restoration the decision was taken to return the premises to its original name. The property is closely tied to Portsmouth's maritime life, standing near the main dockyard gates. Its history page distinguishes it from the inn called "The George" in Old Portsmouth, where Nelson is said to have breakfasted before leaving for Trafalgar, which was bombed during the Second World War. The Queen Street George, by contrast, is described as having witnessed the everyday comings and goings of maritime life, and pictures in the bar evoke the period after Trafalgar. A well discovered between the two original buildings during restoration — 40 feet deep with water standing some 12 feet below ground — has been preserved as an interior feature. As a modern hospitality business, The George Hotel offers single, double and twin rooms with tea and coffee making facilities, LCD televisions, PC interfaces and free high-speed Wi-Fi. It has received Booking.com guest recognition, including a score of 8.8 described as "Fabulous" and an "Excellent" rating from 125 travellers, as well as TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence for 2015, 2016 and 2017. Its restaurant and bar serve breakfast for residents and table-service meals, with published opening hours covering weekday evenings and weekend lunch and dinner services. The business communicates directly with guests by telephone for bookings and for updates to its opening times.

The George Hotel on Queen Street, Portsmouth, traces its documented history to the eighteenth century. Its own history page states that it has a claim to be the last surviving eighteenth-century public house in Portsmouth, and that it appears in the Portsmouth directory of 1784 as a tavern. The only other entry from that directory still surviving is the Dolphin Hotel, which appeared as an inn. At one time the George was a stopping place for coaches leaving the inns of Portsmouth — now Old Portsmouth — to pick up passengers in the new residential area of Portsea before continuing to London, placing it on an early travel and transport route. The pub's identity is bound up with Portsmouth's maritime world. It stands close to the main dockyard gates and, according to its history page, has seen the comings and goings of maritime everyday life. The pictures in the bar attempt to capture the atmosphere of the period after Trafalgar, described as a time of both jubilation and sadness — a battle won and a hero lost. The history page is careful to distinguish this George from the inn called "The George" in Old Portsmouth, where Nelson breakfasted before leaving for Trafalgar; that building was bombed during the Second World War. The Queen Street George is presented as perhaps the place where the feeling of the eighteenth century can best be captured and enjoyed in Portsmouth. In 1905 the name was changed to the King George. During a later restoration, it was decided to return the premises to the original name. That restoration also reshaped the physical fabric of the building. Between the two original buildings there had been a courtyard, a common location for a well shared by two properties. When the yard was enclosed around the end of the last century, the well was covered over but fortunately not filled, and the floor was boarded. When the cellar was extended during the restoration, the well was rediscovered and made into a feature. The bottom of the well is 40 feet below ground level, with the surface level of the water at 12 feet; the water level rarely changes and the water remains fresh. In its present form the business operates as a hotel, restaurant and bar. Its website describes it as a Grade I listed traditional inn that has been beautifully restored without losing its unique character, offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Rooms include single, double and twin categories, all with coffee and tea making facilities, LCD televisions, PC interfaces and free high-speed Wi-Fi broadband. The restaurant serves breakfast, included in room rates, and table-service meals; published opening hours cover Monday to Friday evenings, and Saturday and Sunday lunch and dinner periods. The venue has received Booking.com guest recognition — a score of 8.8 described as "Fabulous" and an "Excellent" rating from 125 travellers — as well as TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence for 2015, 2016 and 2017. During the COVID-19 period the business stated it remained open, adhering to government guidelines with reduced hours and table service only, and directed guests to telephone for the latest opening information.

• 2015

  Receives a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence.

• 1905

  The name is changed to the King George.

• 1784

  Appears in the Portsmouth directory as a tavern, described as the last surviving eighteenth-century public house in Portsmouth.

A historic, heritage-led hospitality venue combining a Grade I listed eighteenth-century inn with modern hotel rooms, dining and bar service in Portsmouth.

• Single Rooms

  Hotel rooms with coffee and tea making facilities, LCD TV, PC interface and free high-speed Wi-Fi.

• Double Rooms

  Hotel rooms with coffee and tea making facilities, LCD TV, PC interface and free high-speed Wi-Fi.

• Twin Rooms

  Hotel rooms with coffee and tea making facilities, LCD TV, PC interface and free high-speed Wi-Fi.

• Breakfast service

  Breakfast is available and included in room rates.

• Restaurant and bar

  Table-service dining and drinks, with a preserved historic well as an interior feature.

1. 1Book your stay at The George Hotel in Portsmouth and enjoy excellent hotel facilities with room servicethegeorgehotel.org.uk
2. 2The amazing history of The George Hotel through the centuries.thegeorgehotel.org.uk
3. 3George Public Housewikidata.org