jwj

Going to visit granddaughter at SCAD. Never been to Savannah. We're 65-70ish. Want to be near her, good restaurants and historic area. Prefer upscale, not too big, not B&B. Appreciate all help with hotel and restaurants.

palmettoprincess

Are you going for a specific event or just to visit? The historic district has great bargains midweek if you are flexible. SCAD doesn't have class on Fridays so you may want to arrive on Thursday (or before) to take advantage of the cheap rates and your granddaughter.

jwj

We are going just for a visit. Already have airline tickets and arrive on Thursday, May 7 at 11:00 a.m. so will have lots of visiting time with granddaughter. Leave on Sunday morning. But want to stay somewhere very nice, not a chain or at least, not too big of one. Have noticed that several hotels are connected to Marriott or other chain even though they aren't huge.

gail

It has been about 3 years since I visited Savannah and son at SCAD and there have been a few newer hotels built - can't comment on those. Our favorite was always Hampton Inn on Bay St (not the newer one on MLK). It is far better than most Hampton Inns I have stayed in and does not feel like a generic chain - nice woodwork, interior design. It is one block from River Street, a decent breakfast included - and we always found service to be great. There is also a Hyatt down the street that has one entrance on Bay Street and another on River Street - it is a hill and that makes them at least a story apart. Nicer views of the River from some of the rooms - although we never stayed there.

One suggestion for touring Savannah - were seriously good flat shoes - like sneakers. Along River Street and in parts of the Historic District there are terrible-for-walking cobblestones on sidewalks and streets. Really tough on feet and knees, regardless of age. May is beautiful in Savannah.

jwj

Thanks, palmettoprincess and gail. Getting shoes ready for walking but wish I hadn't posted about grandparents. Makes us sound old. Haven't booked anywhere yet, but will soon.

starrs

Hotels I like, pretty much in order and grouped by location in the historic district -

Staybridge Suites - my new favorite
Hampton Inn - my previous favorite, still like it
Planter's Inn - my previous, previous favorite
All within a 1/2 block of the Pink House and a great location in Savannah

Newer hotels that are nice -
Bohemian - overlooking the river
Avia
Hilton Garden Inn
Holiday Inn Express
Inn at Ellis Square
Doubletree

Eat at the Pink House
Try afternoon tea or lunch at the Gryphon Tea Room - run by SCAD and across the street from the SCAD store
Eat lunch at Mrs. Wilkes boarding house

suewoo

I'll do a +1 on all starrs's recommendations.

Do not feel old. My niece is graduating from SCAD in June and I have no idea how SHE got that old!

Where is your granddaughter living? Get an address and we can help you find a place near her.

And trust me, every woman is happy to see her grandparents!

gail

Sorry to offend about the grandparent thing - I needed good flat shoes in Savannah and I was only a parent, not grandparent.

For seafood we like Uncle Bubbas - on way to Tybee Island. It tends to be crowded and sometimes onlyplace to wait is outside - and at that time of year there are these nasty biting bugs - nice setting except for that a bit of insect repellant takes care of it. I also had fun at The Crab Shack (also on way to Tybee) - others have had mixed reviews. It really is a collection of old or made-to-look-old buildings with a somewhat hokey alligator pond in front. Food is basically boiled seafood, served on huge platters put on old wood tables with a hole in the middle for pushing shells. Plenty of great reviews here for the usual Savannah-central restaurants, but these are not usually mentioned but require a car to get there.

jwj

gail - you didn't offend me at all. I have back issues and was glad you reminded me about shoes, of which I have many but wear only a few. Will take only good walking ones to Savannah. We live in south Louisiana and your restaurant suggestions sound like our kind of food. I'm sure granddaughter will have a few favorites also. Any ideas for a very special night out?
starrs - will look into all of your recs later today and will definitely go to the Pink House, regardless of where we stay. We planned to splurge but so far haven't found something.
I realize that I posted earlier we were going May 7 - actually it's April 7. Husband and I as well as my sister and her husband are all going for the visit and are looking forward to it as none of us have ever been.
Thanks to all!

gmoney

I can highly recommend the Avia hotel. Great location and very nice rooms. The service was some of the best I have experienced.

stonemama

gmoney, I'm glad to hear someone mention the Avia. I've looked at their website, and read some reviews, but no one mentions it in the posts very often. I have a room reserved there, as well as at the Planters Inn for an upcoming stay, and need to make a choice. Avia is slightly less than PI. I know they are probably very different in terms of ambiance, so would love to hear some more about it from you, or anyone else who has stayed there. Would especially love to hear from someone who has stayed at both places. Avia overlooks the newly redone Ellis Square, doesn't it? Do you think that's a better location than Planters Inn? I know that Avia is pretty new. I wonder how updated PI is? I do like the thought though, of experiencing the history of Savannah, which would seem to be better at PI. Decisions, decisions.....

gmoney

stonemama, Here is a more detailed report that I did on the AVIA:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...tel-report.cfm

We loved this hotle and would definitely stay here again. The location of this hotel cannot be beat. Cannot offer a comparison to PI as I have not stayed there.

stonemama

Wow, thanks gmoney. Now that's what I call a hotel report! I love all the details you gave.
For now, I'm still holding on to both sets of reservations, but need to make a decision soon. If I was traveling with my husband, I think Avia sounds perfect, but since I'm traveling with my mom, that makes things a little different. I'm wondering if the location of Avia might be a little too loud for her.

jwj- looks like you are down to a few days before trip time. What hotel did you decide on? I'll look forward to a trip report when you return! Have fun!

gmoney

Stonemama, for what its worth, we had a room overlooking the parking lot right next to Ellis square and it was very quiet, but we were there in February when the city was not that busy. Look forward to your trip report as well, hope you enjoy your trip.

jwj

stonemama - I am the world's worst at deciding so we let granddaughter do that for us. I mentioned Planters Inn, AVIA and Bohemian to her. She lit up at Bohemian, said it has a great rooftop bar and view of the river, is near her and that they walk there often. So, we're at Bohemian.

suewoo - I forgot to ask her address but I thank you for the tip. I guess Bohemian is very close. We aren't exactly "Bohemians" but it'll be different and fun, I hope.

Also, any ideas for eating? I know Pink House and something called Alligator Cafe. Again, we'll let her help us. What would yall suggest for a really "nice" supper one night?

As far as shopping I know she will direct us as to her favorites. Anything special for 65 and 70 year olds who like to shop but aren't obsessed?

Also, we hadn't planned on renting a car as we think we can walk most places. We'll use hers if we want to get out. Any ideas that aren't very far? We don't want to spend all of our time on the road - mainly want to experience Savannah.

Thanks for all the help.

Myer

starrs,

Not quite your current favorite but we'll be in Savannah the very end of April and we're staying at the Planter's Inn and so far have reservations at The Olde Pink House.

Michael

Along River Street and in parts of the Historic District there are terrible-for-walking cobblestones on sidewalks and streets.

We just came back from Charleston and Savannah. I do not recall any cobblestone in Savannah but lots of uneven brick sidewalks--we did not walk along River Street.

We stayed at the non-historical part of the Inn at Ellis Square. It was perfectly acceptable for the price. However, we were fortunate not to need AC, because the unit was right in the room and very noisy--we had the same unit in Charleston where we used it just to cool down the room and then turned it off.

starrs

" I do not recall any cobblestone in Savannah but lots of uneven brick sidewalks--we did not walk along River Street."

That's because you didn't walk along River Street

The cobblestones are along River Street, because the cobblestones came over on ships as ballast. Empty ships coming over to load up with cotton needed something for ballast. Cobblestones were used. The cobblestones were unloaded and piled up. Something needed to be done with the cobblestones. They used them to "pave" the muddy streets.

I'm always expecting to turn an ankle walking on those darn things. Brick sidewalks become uneven as tree roots underneath disturb sidewalk's surface. Cobblestone streets are uneven - and have been since the day they were laid.

suewoo

True dat, starrs. Flat shoes are a must.

The Bohemian is excellent! You'll love it. I'm staying there for SCAD grad in June.

I know you'll enjoy your trip.