Brief Savannah Trip--Brief Savannah Trip Report
Jun 21st, 2017, 05:56 AM
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Brief Savannah Trip--Brief Savannah Trip Report
Last weekend, my spouse and I spent a long weekend in Savannah for the first time in about 20 years. Because of some of the comments I'd seen on this forum, didn't know quite what to expect. So,
--Aside from a number of partying college students on River and Bay Streets on Saturday nite, Savannah was just as charming as we had remembered it and not very crowded. The people we met were uniformly very friendly, upbeat and helpful.
--It is now much easier to visit because of the free "DOT" express bus that loops through the historic district. How nice not to have to take a car or a cab everywhere, or to pay a lot for a "Hop-On Hop Off bus"
--We had booked three nites at the Andaz based on recommendations on this forum. We only stayed one nite due to the noise of police and ambulance sirens in the streets and the need to use valet parking, which is anathema to my spouse. We were ready to go back to Atlanta Sunday A.M., when my spouse suggested we check out the Westin on Hutchinson Island, as we had seen it from River Street on Saturday nite. They had a room for us and we could self park without charge. So we stayed two nites and loved it. Very quiet, very nice room, better breakfast than the Andaz, although just as expensive, and very friendly people--like the Andaz-- as all the staff there were very friendly and helpful.
---When we got our room, we discovered there is a free ferry that goes back and forth from the Westin to downtown Savannah every half hour. So that was a wonderful lagniappe--rather than have to drive every day, we left the car at the hotel and took the ferry.
--Had planned to eat at The Grey, and we had a reservation for Sunday nite around 9:00. However, it was Father's Day and they called to let us know they had a set menu. As it sounded too heavy for us, we cancelled and ate instead at a Greek Restaurant called "Olympia" on River Street. Very good and very authentic--house salad with the best marinated octopus and a very light and delicious moussaka. Monday we ate at Bella Napoli on E. State--and again, very authentic and very good Bolognese and veal, followed by two giant slices of tiramisu. This tiny restaurant was "straight outa Napoli", down to the slightly decaying building and staff in heated discussion. Loved it!
--The only downside in Savannah was the heat and humidity. We knew it would be hot and humid, but it is one thing to "know" and another to experience.
Because of the heat, we didn't do much--visited the new Prohibition Museum in the City Market, which is worth a visit one day, and the History Museum the next. Then just sat in the squares watching the beautiful trees and the people walking by.
--We had thought we would not return to Savannah, but now are thinking of visiting again, perhaps in the winter. We have certainly found the place to stay and two places to eat--and may try The Grey next time. Savannah is much closer for us than Amelia Island, Mobile or NOLA, where we have tended to spend our short vacations, and last time we were in NOLA we were disappointed.
All in all, nice short relaxing trip,.
--Aside from a number of partying college students on River and Bay Streets on Saturday nite, Savannah was just as charming as we had remembered it and not very crowded. The people we met were uniformly very friendly, upbeat and helpful.
--It is now much easier to visit because of the free "DOT" express bus that loops through the historic district. How nice not to have to take a car or a cab everywhere, or to pay a lot for a "Hop-On Hop Off bus"
--We had booked three nites at the Andaz based on recommendations on this forum. We only stayed one nite due to the noise of police and ambulance sirens in the streets and the need to use valet parking, which is anathema to my spouse. We were ready to go back to Atlanta Sunday A.M., when my spouse suggested we check out the Westin on Hutchinson Island, as we had seen it from River Street on Saturday nite. They had a room for us and we could self park without charge. So we stayed two nites and loved it. Very quiet, very nice room, better breakfast than the Andaz, although just as expensive, and very friendly people--like the Andaz-- as all the staff there were very friendly and helpful.
---When we got our room, we discovered there is a free ferry that goes back and forth from the Westin to downtown Savannah every half hour. So that was a wonderful lagniappe--rather than have to drive every day, we left the car at the hotel and took the ferry.
--Had planned to eat at The Grey, and we had a reservation for Sunday nite around 9:00. However, it was Father's Day and they called to let us know they had a set menu. As it sounded too heavy for us, we cancelled and ate instead at a Greek Restaurant called "Olympia" on River Street. Very good and very authentic--house salad with the best marinated octopus and a very light and delicious moussaka. Monday we ate at Bella Napoli on E. State--and again, very authentic and very good Bolognese and veal, followed by two giant slices of tiramisu. This tiny restaurant was "straight outa Napoli", down to the slightly decaying building and staff in heated discussion. Loved it!
--The only downside in Savannah was the heat and humidity. We knew it would be hot and humid, but it is one thing to "know" and another to experience.
Because of the heat, we didn't do much--visited the new Prohibition Museum in the City Market, which is worth a visit one day, and the History Museum the next. Then just sat in the squares watching the beautiful trees and the people walking by.
--We had thought we would not return to Savannah, but now are thinking of visiting again, perhaps in the winter. We have certainly found the place to stay and two places to eat--and may try The Grey next time. Savannah is much closer for us than Amelia Island, Mobile or NOLA, where we have tended to spend our short vacations, and last time we were in NOLA we were disappointed.
All in all, nice short relaxing trip,.
Jun 21st, 2017, 09:19 AM
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Great info--love the ferry idea and not having to take the car. I always enjoy walking around instead of driving, anyway. I think you see and absorb a place much more and much better. Thanks for posting.
Jun 21st, 2017, 04:31 PM
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Savannah does seem to charge a lot for parking. We used the city garage once during St Patrick's day since our group had two cars. Much more reasonable. I need a Tybee visit. Glad you found a place to stay more to your liking. I had to look up lagniappe.
Jun 22nd, 2017, 07:48 AM
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One other feature of Savannah that I should have mentioned: the elevator that takes you from River Street to Bay Street. Rather than having to walk up and down cobblestones (ouch!) between the two, there is an elevator next to the Hyatt Downtown/City Hall that goes up and down between the two. It lets you off on River Street right at the tourist information center (with nice restrooms) and just steps from where the free ferry boards.
All in all, Savannah has become a very tourist-friendly city! Atlanta could use some of that, as I've always thought of Atlanta as a great place to live but a not-so-great place to visit. BTW-read in today's Atlanta newspaper that the new Atlanta streetcar may give up on charging for rides. That would be a step in the right direction for the ATL.
All in all, Savannah has become a very tourist-friendly city! Atlanta could use some of that, as I've always thought of Atlanta as a great place to live but a not-so-great place to visit. BTW-read in today's Atlanta newspaper that the new Atlanta streetcar may give up on charging for rides. That would be a step in the right direction for the ATL.
