poss

I understand that Savannah is an actual city, not a small, sleepy town. But I'm wondering if one can find quiet accommodations there anyway. I imagine the Westin might be quiet, but I'd rather be within easy strolling distance of squares, etc. This would be for one night, Oct 28 or 29. Is there anything special going on in town those nights? (I'm hoping not.) We'll have a packed car also, so I'm looking to find somewhere with secure parking. The reports of Savannah as a somewhat "dangerous" place give me pause, but we'd like to give it a try.
Thank you for input.

irishswampyankee

Hampton Inn Historic District

gail

Staying with a packed car overnight is always a concern. Hampton Inn has its own underground parking garage, so I think that is about as secure as you can get - but it is very small and we have found it sometimes full - then you get sent to public garage across the street. I have parked at both with a full car with no problems - but it only takes once...

Savannah is rated as the #1 or #2 most haunted city in America by various nonsense polls - but since Halloween is on a Friday and you are going a few days before, I do not think you would find it over-crowded on those days.

Here is my take on Savannah as dangerous. Statistically, Savannah has more violent crime and murders than other cities its size. However, these are not generally random tourist attacks. Just a few blocks outside the Historic District are some really sketchy areas with gang and drug activity. TYou would have no reason to go there unless you were really lost or a poor college student/artist like my son (he finally moved to a less dangerous area). So by taking reasonable precautions and perhaps treating Savannah as if it were a larger city, safety should not be an issue.

I also like Hampton Inn Bay St (not the one on MLK Blvd). There is also a Holiday Inn Express - brand new - right across the street, but I have not stayed there. Ask for a non-street facing room if quiet is more important than view. You can easily walk to River Street and many of the squares from there.

Laurie

Hi Gail,
We are 2 women friends in our early 50s and we are planning to stay at an apartment located at the corner of West Liberty Street and Barnard Street in Savannah.

Is this location okay? Is it safe?

I have already booked with a deposit for our stay in June, but I can cancel if the location is dicey.

Thank you for your help! Laurie

gail

I had to look this intersection up on mapquest - and while I am not completely familiar with that area, I would call it fair.

You are not really in the Historic District - perhaps 1/3 - 1/2 mile, and I can't really tell you if it is walkable. Liberty is a rather wide tree-lined residential street.

Location is about halfway between Forsyth Park and Savannah River. It is not near the creepy place our son lived for 2 years, but as I said, I am not completely familiar with that intersection. Residential areas of Savannah are weird - a difference of 4 or 5 blocks can make all the difference in the world as far as safety is concerned.

If you are really concerned, I might call the Savannah/Chatham County police dept - they are really invested in making the city safe for tourists and they could give you a good answer.

Wherever you stay, have a nice trip. If you are at all interested in art, try to catch some of the SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) galleries (scad.edu) - there is some interesting, if sometimes a little funky, art there.

poss

Thanks much for the replies.
I will check about the Hampton Inn, though I have a half-memory that it's in a kind of busy area, fair amount of traffic, no? A number of years ago, we stayed at the Presidents' Quarters Inn, and we liked it. I remember that there was even parking there (though not covered). But then we stayed there again about 8 years ago and it was fairly awful. Haven't been back to Savannah in all that time, so hoping to find a pleasant place for now and future visits.
Thanks again.

Laurie

Thank you, Gail for the information. I think I will call the Savannah Police Station for advice. That is a good idea!

Also, thank you for the tip about SCAD. That might be a fun thing for us to do.

Laurie

elsiemoo

A friend always stays at the Mulberry Inn (a Holiday Inn property) at 601 E. Bay St., when they go through Savannah with a loaded car. They feel their car is safer there in their secure parking than at any other hotel in Savannah.

http://www.savannahhotel.com/index.php

amandaamanda

Mulberry Inn (a Holiday Inn property) is a nice property. It is a clean, centrally located hotel, but they try to give it a bed and breakfast feel with tea in the afternoon.

The President's Quarters is nice - ask to stay in the main property (as opposed to the Annex across the street) -

The thing about Savannah is just that their are some homeless guys there that feel weird... If someone talks to you and you don't want to talk to them say, I'm local boy and don't have time for this and keep walking- assertive comment. Don't engage with them beyond this and blow them off.

This only happened to me and my friend who was there 2xs, but we felt a little creeped out. Nothing happened except we felt creeped out.

What is odd is I lived in NYC and Atlanta and the homeless people just were not so weird feeling as they are in Savannah. ha ha.

Savannah is great, charming, during the day you should be good walking around. You will have fun!

gail

While amanda may be correct about homeless people, there is also actual real crime in Savannah - gangs, guns, vendettas - that sort of thing. Not in Historic District, and so not of real concern to regular tourists - but enough to deter random wanderings into far flung areas.

poss

Have booked Presidents' Quarters-- going to give it another try. I've heard that there are new owners, major refurbishment. Would rather stay in that area rather than down by the river and busy street. Thanks once more for responses.

tovarich

Quality inn heart of savannah.Breakfast included,car in front of your room,close tot the squares and River street for the restaurants.Paul