The George at Columbia opens as Hilton's first Harlem hotel
Bringing Hilton's Tapestry Collection to Harlem, The George at Columbia has opened on Morningside Avenue near West 126th Street with 139 rooms, a terrace lounge, lobby bar, fitness center, and 2,000 square feet of meeting space. The boutique property sits steps from Columbia University, the Apollo Theater, the Studio Museum, and Morningside Park, blending art-deco cues with warm earth tones and brass accents. Two full-service restaurants are planned for spring 2026, with a heated outdoor pool slated for summer 2026. Travelers can access Harlem by LaGuardia Airport (LGA), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), or Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
Key points
- Why it matters: Hilton plants a flag in Harlem with a locally rooted, design-led hotel.
- Travel impact: Convenient for Columbia visits, Apollo shows, Uptown dining, and quick Midtown transit.
- What's next: Two restaurants arrive in spring 2026, pool targeted for summer 2026.
- 139 rooms, terrace lounge, lobby bar, gym, and flexible meetings space.
- Part of Hilton Honors with Digital Key and direct-booking perks.
Snapshot
The George at Columbia brings a boutique, neighborhood-first lens to Hilton's Tapestry Collection. Public spaces layer matte blacks, deep greens, and brass under soft lighting, while guest rooms lean toward natural textures and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking city streets or the internal pool deck and courtyard. The location places travelers within a short walk of Columbia's campus life and Harlem's cultural venues, with quick subway links to Midtown. Opening amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi, a fitness center, meeting space, and a lobby bar and terrace lounge, with culinary programming to follow. The hotel participates in Hilton Honors, so members can earn and redeem points and use tools like Digital Key for a streamlined stay.
Background
Hilton's Tapestry Collection groups independent-minded properties that reflect local culture while operating on Hilton's reservations and loyalty backbone. The George's name nods to two historical anchors, George "Shorty George" Snowden, a Harlem dance legend associated with the Lindy Hop's early evolution, and King George II, who chartered Columbia University in 1754. The brand has grown past 170 hotels worldwide, expanding in urban districts where neighborhood stories drive the guest experience. Harlem's renaissance in arts, dining, and academics creates a natural fit for a soft-branded, design-forward hotel that engages local partners and audiences. With restaurants and a heated outdoor pool on the way, the opening positions the property for both campus travel and weekend culture seekers.
Latest developments
Hilton debuts a design-forward, neighborhood hub in Harlem
The George opens with 139 keys, a terrace lounge and lobby bar, a fitness center, and 2,000 square feet of flexible meeting space that can serve university functions, small conferences, and social events. According to Hilton, two full-service restaurant concepts are slated for spring 2026, and a heated outdoor pool is planned for summer 2026, expanding the courtyard's role as an urban retreat. Rooms emphasize calm palettes and views over city streets or the forthcoming pool deck. As part of Hilton Honors, guests can leverage Digital Key and direct-booking benefits. The hotel's address is listed by Hilton at 412 West 126th Street in Harlem, situating it within a few blocks of the Apollo and the Studio Museum, and providing an Uptown base with easy access to the A, B, C, D, and 1 subway lines for crosstown and downtown connections.
Analysis
For travelers, the value proposition is location, loyalty, and local character. Harlem has limited global-brand options relative to Midtown and Downtown, so a Tapestry Collection entrant fills a gap for visitors who prefer a neighborhood stay but still want the reliability of Hilton's ecosystem and Hilton Honors access. Proximity to Columbia University should generate steady demand across campus visits, reunions, academic conferences, and medical-center travel. Leisure demand aligns with Apollo programming, new restaurant openings across Frederick Douglass Boulevard, and easy subway links to museums and theaters farther south.
Design cues and the storytelling around Harlem's dance legacy help distinguish The George in a crowded New York market where soft brands win on personality. The delayed components, two restaurants and a summer-season pool, are noteworthy. If delivered as planned in 2026, the courtyard pool becomes a rare amenity in Manhattan, strengthening weekend and summer appeal. Until then, positioning should emphasize the lounge and lobby bar, meeting flexibility, and campus adjacency. For rate shoppers, consider comparing Uptown inventory against select Midtown Tapestry or Curio options, balancing price with the convenience of staying close to Harlem venues.
Final thoughts
The George at Columbia gives Harlem a branded, design-driven stay that keeps visitors close to Columbia and the Apollo, while tying into the Hilton Honors universe. The opening-day amenity mix suits academic, arts, and leisure travel, with 2026 restaurant and pool debuts poised to elevate the experience. For travelers who want Uptown character without sacrificing loyalty benefits, this boutique arrival is a timely new option. Expect demand from campus calendars and weekend shows, and watch for the food and pool additions to sharpen the property's identity. Harlem, and New York at large, just gained a distinctive Tapestry address in The George at Columbia.