George Hotel, Huntingdon

Official site of George Hotel - www.greeneking.co.uk

Official site of George Hotel - www.greeneking.co.uk

A grand 19th century building with probably older parts. The public bar is on the corner of George St and High St adjacent to the hotel reception. A small hotel bar of two parts, an open area with the counter and a dining/sitting part to one side. Other public rooms and a yard are nearby. There are three pulls on the end of the rounded counter, only Greene King’s football themed 4-4-Brew on which tasted like it had been on since the World Cup finished in mid July. Mostly latin lager on the low six way T-bar, Peroni and Neck Oil on solos. Its got a machine and low level piped music, mixed but tasteful furniture in wood. Yes a hotel bar and not one of the better ones.

The George Hotel is a Greene King pub and hotel, with the emphasis being on hotel. During my recent visit to Huntingdon I stayed in one of the rooms off the courtyard at the rear, it was very good for the price. The hotel reception is to the left of the front entrance and beyond is a corridor that leads to the restaurant in the left-hand side of the building. There’s a large staircase that leads up to some bedrooms and under these stairs is access to a seating area where a knitting club had gathered, well at least three of the large group were knitting. A green painted wooden topped serving counter is on the rear wall to the right, premium keg and Neck Oil were available, but only one of the three hand pumps was in use with GK IPA being the option. There are two or three tables in the bar area and in the front right corner is a dining area with set tables. The service was polite, but I was the only customer having a beer and the nondescript dance music in the background did little to entertain. Would I come here again? To stay in the hotel yes, but to have another beer no. Rating only reflects the pub.

This former coaching inn is well described by others, below. It is still owned by Greene King and remains a pleasant, lively local. It’s a pity that the beer selection is less ambitious than it could be – only Abbott and GK IPA on draft, and no real cider. It was a peaceful place, though, and certainly a nice change from the rowdier pubs in the town. I’d be happy to pop in again when passing.

A very fine coaching inn exterior,through the courtyard is a fine view of timber framed buildings .Sadly Greene King own the place and their dead hand has infected the interior.The hotel bar occupies a lot of the ground floor,with a raised section beyond the bar acting as a dining room.However furniture is sparse and it looks tacky.The high tables,fruit machines ,flatscreen , anonynmous muzak and a pub grub menu all lower the tone and with three handpumps only offering GK Abbott and IPA,it was a swift half and then off.Nothing to see here.