We're heading up to Savannah in February to tour the campus of SCAD and plan on staying close to the college but hopefully also close to the historic district (is this possible). I've read many positive reports about the Hampton Inn but am not sure if everyone is talking about the same place. I see there are two locations - one on East Bay street and one on MLK. Does anyone have an opinion or preference of one or the other? Which is the best location or the best one of the two in terms of service, comfort, cleanliness, etc.?

We stayed at the Hampton Inn on East Bay Street (historic district) and found it to be a great location. I am not sure where it is in comparison with SCAD though. The hotel and its staff were great; we'd highly recommend it!

My son is finishing his senior year at SCAD. I hope you realize that SCAD is a scattered campus - dorms are clustered but most academic and administration buildings are scattered thru Historic District. Excellent shuttle bus service connects all buildings - ev en my son living off campus uses it on occasion.

Now, to your question. Stay at the one on Bay St. Although I have never stayed at the MLK one, and it is somewhat closer to dorms, it is really on very outskirts of Historic District. I love the Bay St one, having stayed there almost a dozen times. Breakfast is decent, staff great, and rooms have always been clean and in good repair. Parking is either in their underground garage (sort of an adventure if you have a large car - parking is in rather tight spaces) or across the street in city garage.

Any other questions about SCAD or Savannah?

We stayed in another hotel but on Bay and loved the location.
I think you should go for the one on E Bay. Then go buy pralines at the shop on River Street and send them to me

Thanks for your help. ATPittsley, this is only my second time in Savannah but the first trip for the "boys" in the family so I'm happy to hear we'll be pleasantly located - want to make sure the whole family enjoys the experience. Scarlett, I appreciate the input and am sorry I can't repay you with a shipment of pralines - will think of you as we sample the goodies! Gail, thanks for your additional info. about SCAD. We've heard the campus is somewhat scattered but aren't sure exactly how far apart everything is. So it's too far to walk around the campus? We were hoping to tour the campus by foot but I'm guessing that if they're hosting an "open house" that maybe the shuttle will be available to us also. Is driving around a better idea? I'm not sure what part of the campus we'll be visiting but would like to get a look at the layout. How has your son liked SCAD? What is his major? Our daughter is only a junior in high school but the college search is slowly beginning. Living in west-central Florida (Clearwater) we will be taking a serious look at Ringling in Sarasota. But, yikes, private college tuition is way up there compared to our in-state institutions. But back to Savannah . . . thanks to all the posts about this lovely place I think I've gathered a good deal of info to make this trip a hit with the hubby, the prospective art major, and the active 13 year old son! This mom is looking forward to fun weekend of southern charm.

You can walk around the main buildings - and when you take a tour they put you on one of their shuttle buses.

Part of the reason it is so scattered is that there is a huge historic preservation presence at SCAD - both as an academic major and an economic advantage for the college. They have bought and rehabbed quite a few rotting old buildings in Historic Distric. As a relatively young college there was some friction between City and College originally, but now both have benefitted from the relationship.

Be sure to take a look at Lucas Theatre if it is open - the resoration is incredible. It is just in back of SCAD.

Our son also looked at Ringling. He tells us that SCAD is giving away large scholarships of late, especially for artistic students with some academic qualifications as well - they want more than "stupid artists" as he so elegantly puts it.

Enjoy Savannah and tolerate the college search - have just finished that with senior in HS dtr and now are just in the waiting pattern.