Myer

Planning a trip to Charleston & Savannah for mid-April.

I'm trying to get my head around what is considered the Historic District and boundaries for hotels within a relatively short walk of the HD sights.

I'm also looking for moderate hotel recommendations. Is moderate in the 150 - 200. range? Or is that dreaming?

Here might be an odd question. In which order should I see the two cities?

Thanks.

starrs

Here's a map -
http://mappery.com/map-of/Savannah-H...c-District-map

Basically, from the river to Forsyth Park and the areas around the squares.

That price range is very doable. My favorite for years was the Hampton Inn at Bay and Abercorn but my new favorite is the Staybridge Suites. Both are built in new buildings designed to look old and offer free breakfasts and convenient parking.

If you are interested in a B&B or inn, I like the Eliza Thompson House.
http://www.elizathompsonhouse.com/index.shtml

Littleman

The Airport at Savannah is not as busy as the AP at Charleston. I think you have to connect in Atlanta if you fly to Savannah or Charleston. I would start out in Savannah. The Planters Inn is a great hotel in the HD around $150/night or less. Local 11 Ten and Noble Fare are both great fine dining restaurants. Crystal Beer Parlor is a fun casual place for lunch or dinner. After 2/3 nights I would take the Highway 17/170 route to Beaufort, SC an hour away for lunch at Saltus River Grill. Spend a few hours browsing the shops and stores in Beaufort then head to Charleston. The Mills House is a good reasonable hotel in Charleston. High Cotton, McCrady's and Peninsula Grill are great choices for dining in Charleston. Amen St. and Pearlz have great seafood. Jestine's is outstanding country food.

On your way back I believe I would return through Beaufort again. It's a great town to visit. Good luck.

Planter's Inn @ 29 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 912 - 232 - 5678.
http://www.plantersinnsavannah.com/
Crystal Beer Parlor @ 301 West Jones St., Savannah, GA. 912 - 231 - 0999. *
http://www.crystalbeerparlor.com/
Saltus River Grill @ 802 Bay St., Beaufort, SC 843 - 379 - 3474.
http://www.saltusrivergrill.org/
Mills House Hotel @ 115 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 843 - 577 - 2400.
http://www.millshouse.com/

Myer

Does that mean anything inside the boundaries of East and West Broad streets and between the river and State St would be prime hotel locations for HD?

Myer

I've checked the web sites, prices and mapped the above and I'd choose from:

Hampton Inn
Planters Inn
Holiday Inn express
Staybridge

All in the Savannah Historic District and close to each other.

Any preferences?

starrs

There are 2 Hamptons. I prefer the one on Bay over the one on MLK based on location. I really like the hotel a lot. I've recommended for years.

But recently I stayed at the new Staybridge Suites and I love it. Both the HI and SS have nice lobbys with fireplaces. Both offer breakfasts. I think the SS has more cooked items. They also have a happy hour with munchies a couple of times a week. The rooms include kitchenettes which I like for storing and zapping leftovers. It's a brand new property.

The HIX is new too and I like them in other locations. Those three hotels are pretty much a toss-up = nice, relatively new, free breakfasts, GREAT locations.

Prior to the Hampton Inn being built the Planter's Inn was my favorite place in Savannah. It's an older inn but very nicely kept up. The rooms are beautiful. The best part of the Planters is that they used to use (and maybe still do) the room service option of the Pink House. I travel there a lot for business and loved checking in at night, order a great meal from my favorite restaurant, have it delievered to the room and climb up on the 4poster bed (using a towel as a picnic cloth) and enjoy my favorite meal in Savannah in a beautiful room.

You've made 4 good choices. You'd be happy with any of them.

suewoo

starrs, that sounds like heaven. i love the Pink House.

Myer, I don't think the order matters at all. Do stop by the Old Sheldon Church ruins on your way from one to the other. If it's warm go out to Hunting island.

bachslunch

I've stayed at the Planter's Inn in Savannah before and liked it very much. Good location as well. The best food experience I had in this city was at Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room -- terrifically good Southern food classics served family style at communal tables. They're only open M-F from 11 am to 2 pm, and getting there at about 10:30 am so you're near the head of the line that will inevitably form is wise.

Best food I had in Charleston was at SNOB. Bessinger's dishes out okay mustard sauce style BBQ. Not a big fan of Jestine's, sorry to report.

Savannahoaks

Glad to see the recommendation of Old Sheldon Church. It is about 2 miles off the route to Charleston from Savannah, about halfway between the cities, and just before Garden's Corner. Built by William Bull, it was sacked by the British in 1779. It was rebuilt in 1825 and burned by Sherman's troops in 1865. After that, the congregation wised up. Its ruins, columns and walls rising into the sky, remind me of ancient Greek or Roman ruins. Buried on the grounds are the remains of William Bull who owned the adjacent plantation. Bull accompanied Ogelthorpe in 1773 when Savannah was founded. Bull was the surveyor who laid out the streets and squares of Savannah.

Savannahoaks

1733, not 1773. Misquoted myself.

starrs

A very interesting tour is of the First African Baptist Church. It was a stop on the Underground Railroad. I tried to find a link for information.

Here's a link to a review -
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...h_Georgia.html

And here's a link to the church, the oldest black church in America -
http://theoldestblackchurch.org/

I called the church to find out the times of the tour. It's not a big tour stop but a very fascinating one and it is next to City Market.

Myer

Ok.

I'm down to Hampton Inn on E Bay and Planters Inn on Reynolds Sq.

Hampton Inn is probably in the middle of it all but noisier. Planters Inn is probably quieter but might be several blocks from the action.

Is this correct or am I off on this?

Any reason to choose one over the other?

starrs

They are a block from one another. I don't get how the Planters Inn is "several blocks from the action". You'd be hard pressed to find two hotels closer to one another. The only thing of significance between them is...well, the Pink House. That's a plus for both.

The Hampton offers a free breakfast and is newer.

bachslunch

Can't advise re the Hampton Inn, but the Planter's Inn was indeed quiet, something I like in a place to stay. I did not find this place any noticeable distance from "the action," but then again I'm not a partier. For me "the action" is sightseeing attractions and restaurants, and the Planter's Inn seemed conveniently located from that standpoint.

Will also second starrs's suggestion of the First African Baptist Church as well worth the visit if the subject is of interest.