Looking for the perfect relaxing staycation or a place to host some special guests? The George Inn, the first hotel in years to open in Montclair, is unlike any other.
That’s in large part to makeup legend and now lifestyle guru Bobbi Brown, who with her husband Steven Plofker, have created The George. The couple hosted a preview tour Wednesday, sharing the stunning renovations to the nearly completed boutique hotel, slated to open officially in March, according to Brown, who adds that friends and family will give the hotel a test run in February.
The historic property on North Mountain Avenue, landmarked in 2008, was built in 1902 as a private home for Charles Van Vleck, later became the Georgian Inn, a residential hotel for short-term stays in 1940s. Purchased in 2012 by Brown and Plofker, the couple teamed up in a labor of love as well as a family affair (there are rooms named after the couple’s three sons; the hotel’s website was created by the eldest, Dylan) to completely restore the once-forgotten inn into a sophisticated and worldly 32-room boutique hotel.
While Plofker, a seasoned developer, was intimately involved in all aspects of construction and restoration, Brown, as creative director of The George, infused the grand space with some of her favorite creature comforts and an Anglophile aesthetic that’s evident in the sitting room with its impressive library and fireplace (Brown said in addition to breakfast, afternoon tea will be served in the cellar dining room). Nespresso coffee machines are in guest rooms along with SMEG mini-fridges, Dyson hair dryers and local touches, such as Hello! toothpaste. And of course, it will be pet friendly.
Nothing is cookie cutter about The George Inn, with each room as unique as the name beside its door. Stay in the Nancy, and you’ll see pictures of famous Nancys, even a copy of a Nancy Drew book. Or you could go to bed with Duke — surrounded by photos of John Wayne, Duke University, Patty Duke, Doris Duke, and even The Dukes Of Hazzard. In the “Y” room, you’ll find an eclectic photo gallery of Yogi Berra, Yoko Ono, Yves Saint Laurent and Malala Yousafzai.
A palette of grays, red, white and black complements the building’s historic details, exposed brick, tailored but comfortably luxe furnishings and some industrial accents and finishes. Rooms range from standard, to studios and suites, some with fireplaces.
The George Inn, 37 North Mountain Ave, Montclair, NJ, thegeorgemontclair.com
Absolutely horrible website. Beautiful photography, but very not very functional. No apparent rates or method for making a reservation. No email address or telephone. Very basic user experience failures. Use a pro to improve.
Nice vanity project, but tough location and what about the rates? Five years and someone will knock it down and put up single family homes too close to each other amid much fanfare and public comment.
I know this is an anonymous comments section, and expectations for discourse are pretty low, but wow, you guys have outdone yourselves.
That’s a lot of negativity and sourness for a beautiful adaptive use of what had been a tumble down old building. The website looks clean and modern, the design of the hotel looks very high end and the two community members who invested their time and money into creating the space have provided us with a wonderful addition to Montclair.
It looks absolutely beautiful. Very tasteful and elegant.
“Five years and someone will knock it down and put up single family homes too close to each other amid much fanfare and public comment.”
That ship has sailed. Not likely, since one of the founders of this establishment is quite famous (or infamous) for said act. If that was the fate of the property, that’s what we’d be reading about now.
I TOTALLY love it! The house was designed by local architect Charles Van Vleck for himself. He designed Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue & B. Altmans in NYC. Its so perfect for Montclair and re purposes fabulous old house. Bravissimi!