Hotel Snapshot
Twelve miles from Manhattan on a leafy residential stretch of North Mountain Avenue, The George makes a persuasive case that escaping New York doesn't require a flight, or even a full tank of gas (or charge, if EVs are your thing). This 31-room boutique trades the anonymity of a city hotel for something closer to a private home: English bones, a serious art collection, and a glass of wine waiting by the fire. You don't check in so much as get taken in.
Design & Character
The George bills itself as a place of "modern style and historic bones," and for once the marketing undersells it. The art is the first thing you notice. It’s eclectic, wide-ranging, and somehow fully cohesive, the kind of collection that looks accumulated over years rather than ordered by the yard. The palette does the rest of the work: crisp black and white, interrupted by confident pops of red, so the whole place feels like living in color instead of staring at a mood board. The English heritage threads through in the small touches, like the Union Jack pillowcases, while upscale nostalgia makes itself known through whiskey decanters and well-wrought fire pokers, the sort of details that suggest a country house more than a hotel lobby.
The Rooms
All 31 rooms are individually designed, which means no two guests are comparing the same four walls. We love the Junior Suites for their spacious and modern aesthetic that still maintains a sense of warmth. The black-white-and-red language carries into the rooms, so even the bones of the building feel considered rather than merely renovated. It reads as bespoke, not boutique-by-numbers.
Food & Drink
There's no restaurant on site, and after one breakfast you stop caring. The complimentary European continental spread is excellent in a way continental breakfasts usually aren't: fresh bagels, croissants, and baguette; hard-boiled eggs; good cold cuts and cheeses; fruit. For dinner, reception hands over a curated list of neighborhood spots — and Montclair delivers. The real evening ritual, though, is the Library, where (many) complimentary glasses of wine come with a historic fireplace, board games, and a stack of coffee-table books. Depending on the night, it's either hushed and yours alone or pleasantly full of other guests.
Amenities
Dog owners, take note: The George doesn't merely tolerate your dog, it rolls out the VIP treatment — bed, bowls, and treats, for $75 a stay. The gym punches above the property's size with a Peloton, a Precor treadmill, free weights, and yoga mats. Parking and WiFi are both complimentary, which in this particular zip code counts as a small act of generosity.
Location & Neighborhood Recs
Here's the thing about The George: it feels less like a hotel and more like you've escaped the city for your wealthiest friend's New Jersey estate. Walk a few blocks in any direction and you'll understand why the monied settle in Montclair — and how they live. The downtown is walkable and frankly adorable, with strong restaurants within strolling distance. The Montclair Art Museum is worth an afternoon, and this is Montclair Film country, so an indie-cinema night is an easy call. Manhattan is a quick train ride away on NJ Transit if you want it, but the appeal of The George is having the option and choosing not to take it.
Fast Facts
Location: 37 North Mountain Ave, Montclair, NJ
Vibe: Design-forward English country house, 12 miles from Manhattan
Rating: 5/5
Room Count: 31, each individually designed
Pricing: $350 per night
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: The art — eclectic, cohesive, and thoroughly unique
Dining: Complimentary European continental breakfast; nightly wine in the Library; no on-site restaurant (curated neighborhood recs at reception)
Amenities: Free parking + WiFi, gym (Peloton, Precor treadmill, free weights, yoga mats), dog-friendly ($75/stay), Library with board games and fireplace
Nearby Attractions: Montclair Art Museum, downtown Montclair dining and shopping, Montclair Film / indie cinema
Airport: Newark Liberty International (EWR), ~20–30 minutes
Montclair, New Jersey, United States
