Hello all: Thinking of 5 days/6 nights from NJ to Charleston for 3 days and Savannah for 2 days. Is this enough time to see each city leisurely? Thinking of flying into Charleston, renting a car for a couple of days to drive to Savannah--how long is the drive?. Is Atlanta airport closer than driving back to Charleston to fly home?
Also, the usual hotel questions. 2 baby boomers, prefer small, boutique hotel with pool, no kids! Close to restaurants, etc.

It's about a five hour drive from either Charleston or Savannah to Atlanta. It's only a couple of hours from Charleston to Savannah. I would fly in/out of CHS rather than endure the extremely boring drive from Atlanta (and I've done it to/from both cities).

Fly into Charleston and spend a night at Woodlands Resort in Summerville just outside Charleston.

http://www.woodlandsinn.com/

Drive down to Savannah the next day after a fine breakfast at Woodlands where the dining is fantastic. Stop for lunch in Beaufort, SC and walk around the old town area down near the water. It's 100 miles from Charleston to Savannah. Spend a night/two at Palmetto Bluff Resort just north of Savannah. It's a very fine resort.

http://www.palmettobluffresort.com/

In Savannah you might like The Gastonian which is a member of Relais and Chateaux, just like Woodlands is too.

http://www.gastonian.com/

Don't pay any attention to Trip Advisor reviews. The Gastonian is a great place to stay. Have dinner at Elizabeth on 37th. Others are Bistro Savannah, Gottlieb's, George's of Tybee, Crystal Beer Parlor and Williams Seafood Restaurant.

Drive back to Charleston and stay at Charleston Place and have dinner at Charleston Grill.

http://www.charlestonplace.com/web/o...a1a_splash.jsp

You might like a smaller hotel. Try Planters Inn and dine at Peninsula Grill. PI is a member of R&C also but I prefer Charleston Place. Drive back to the airport and check your car in. Have a nice trip.

http://www.plantersinn.com/

I am sorry but Ike's info is a little out of date. Williams Seafood burned to the ground several years ago and Gottliebs closed it's doors about a year ago. I don't know how up to date the rest of his info is.

Spilting the trip into 3days and 2days will give you a chance to get a feel for both Savannah and Charleston. You won't be able to see all the goodies, but you will certainly get enough of an idea so that you can plan your next trip.

If you want to stay in Charleston, don't stay at The Woodlands Resort. It is a long way from Charleston for just a short visit.

Just as nice are The Wentworth Mansion (their restaurant is rated tops in Charleston and that is nothing to sneeze at), The Market Pavillion, The Planters Inn (my favorite restaurant The Pennisula Grille is housed here), and Charleston Place to start with.

Thanks Aileen for the info on Williams/Gottlieb. It's been two years since I was in C/S but I have been to both cities several times.

Go Travel I suggested Woodlands because I flew into Charleston, rented a car at the a/p then went to Woodlands for one night. It's probably less than 30 minutes from the a/p. I suggested this route because I have done it several times. After arriving at Charleston a/p late in the afternoon I thought Woodlands would be a nice quiet place for one night before driving to Savannah the next day. If you notice I suggested that they return to Charleston on their way back to the Charleston a/p for the flight home. I suggested they stay at Charleston Place or Planters Inn, both places that you suggested also. I thought one night at Woodlands, a few 2/3 nights in Savannah and then back to Charleston for 2/3 nights was a good plan. They could probably check in their rental car in town the day before their flight back to NJ and take a cab to the a/p eliminating the rental car check in time. What do you think.

They want to see Charleston. There is nothing to do at Woodlands Resort but Woodlands Resort; it is more of a destination in itself.

Also, staying outside Charleston doesn't give you a feel like staying in town.

You will not need a rental car while you are in Charleston.

Just back from 3 nights in Charleston. Perfect amount of time. Stayed at French Quarter Inn which is outstanding and on a smaller scale than Charleston Place. Looks out over the market place so a great location. Take walking tours, consider a cooking class, buggy ride, and eat/shop. Have also done the plantations on another trip. All depends on the weather. Things are just starting to bloom. Savannah needs less time - not as developed/preserved but has a fun, funky atmosphere. Very different so I would suggest you do both if you have the time.

Charleston is worth more time than Savannah. Either city stay in the heart of the old city, so you can walk to everything and not waste time driving around or looking for parking. Your 5 days is a little tight. Both places have home and garden tours which are very interesting for stretches of March and April.

Go Travel read a little closer. I don't know about you but I flew to Charleston several times, rented a car and drove to Savannah for a few days. You have to come back to Charleston to turn the car in. That's when I suggested they stay at Planters Inn or Charleston Place, on their return. I suggested Woodlands because I figure they will arrive at Charleston a/p mid afternoon and a night at Woodlands would enable them to get a massage, get some exercise, have a nice dinner and get up early the next day for the drive to Savannah. Why would you fly to Charleston, spend a few nights there then drive to Savannah and have to drive back to Charleston to catch your plane home. It would be much simpler to spend the first night close to a/p, get rested up, head to Savannah then back to Charleston for several days downtown before leaving for home. If they follow this plan they could probably return the rental car downtown and not have to go through the trouble to turn it in a the a/p. It's much easier to get rid of a rental car the day before you return home and not have to fool with it the day you are leaving. Of course they could fly to Charleston, spend several nights there, then several in Savannah and drive from Savannah back to Charleston early in the morning to catch their flight home. Which one makes the most sense.

Why can`t you fly into Charleston and fly out of Savannah? Or the reverse? That`s what we did. You do need tickets for those garden tours.

Ike, I am with GoTravel.They want to see and feel Charleston, not get a massage and rest up from an hour and a half flight from NJ.
Our children celebrated an anniversary dinner at the Wentworth's restaurant and LOVED it.

Hi Grahams:

I am off with BF on Sunday for 3 nights in Charleston and two in Savannah... got a lot of great information from the trip reports on this board. Am flying into Charleston, renting a car, staying 3 nights at BW King Charles Inn, we will drive a couple hours down to Savannah, stay at the Holiday Inn Mulberry Inn for two nights. We'll drive back up to Charleston to Fly out. We definitely took the advice of posters here to stay within the heart of each city and I am so looking forward to checking each one out!

This also gives me the opportunity to say thank you to GoTravel for her trip report (what a fantastic compilation of hotel options for all budgets) and to the woman from New York who posted a great trip report as well!

p.s. will be carrying the recommended reading on plane (would not travel to Savannah w/out having read THE book)!

Grahams: Check out those trip reports for some really helpful info.

Glad I could help Zoom!

Make sure you check out some of the hotels yourself, ahem, the rooftop bars at The Vendue Inn and Market Pavillion.

Weather should be warm, 70s I think.

Hi guys...thanks for all your advice. Another question: Is 5 days too much to spend in Charleston and the close surrounding areas? (thinking of skipping savannah and doing it another time because of our time restraints).Anything on the islands that are outside of Charleston? Now want to go last week of April. You are all very helpful!

grahams, did you by chance read my extensive trip report?

No, five days isn't too long in Charleston and will give you time to explore some of the outlying plantations in particular Middleton Place.

April is an absolutely gorgeous time to be there especially if the azaleas are in full bloom. Everything will be pink, white, and purple depending on the bush.

that's a good idea. In that way, you will be able to see what both cities have without being pushed. Two days in Savannah is really not enough. Oh, I know, people do it all the time, but they really don't know all the things that they missed. They have just gotten an oversight.

I'll cast a vote for Middleton Place too.

check it out: http://www.middletonplace.org/

Also Magnolia Plantation
http://www.magnoliaplantation.com/

They are both close to each other. You could spend one day just checking them out.

GoTravel, I just read your trip report, and am busy checking out the hotel links! Some of them are booked already....is this a busy week there? We have made the decision to go 4/23-4/28 and spend a relaxing week in Charleston. You have some great information.
Aileen, thanks, we will not miss Middleton and Magnolia.
Everyone else, please keep the tips coming, I am getting ready to plan an itinirary (my husband should be thrilled!).
Also, I cannot find airfare for less than $337 non-stop from Newark. Is that an average fare, or should I wait for a bargain?

If you are in to naturey things the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler forest is worth a trip. Don't expect luxury. It is the largest virgin cypress tupelo swamp in the world! There is a 1 3/4 mile boardwalk that takes you through the swamp. Canoe trips are offered on friday, saturday, and sunday. It is about an hour from Charleston (at most), but if you decide to spend the whole 5 days around Charleston, it is worth the drive if you like that sort of thing. Spring is beautiful there!
Enjoy Charleston!

Avoid the Gastonian Inn. Within an hour of check-in, my allegies were awful. When we finally thought to look under the bed next morning it was DISGUSTING. Dust had been there for MONTHS. The bathroom similarly filthy. Every other unoccupied room I looked into was the same. Nothing moved and dusted.

I began to wonder if they ever washed the bedcovers or matteress protectors or dressing gowns. UGGGHHHH.

Our blinds didn't work and one was missing. Other rooms had the same problem. Our fan and overhead were also broken. (when had the fan been dusted?) Everything looked tired, cheap, and when you looked closer, really unclean and uncared for. Who needs to pay the big bucks they are asking for a room?

The Gastonian is no longer Relais material (although they let you believe it is without actualy saying they're not)-- new owners look like they "frankly, my dear, don't give a darn".