Hi, We are going to be in Savannah for 2 nights (Jan 15-17) on our way to FL. I'm looking at hotels and am wondering if fodorites have a location recommendation. We will be doing typical tourist things and would like to be close to the main ones.

Right now, I am thinking of the Hyatt Regency on Bay Street. Any comments on this or recommendations for other hotels? I've noticed a number of boutique-type hotels, which are okay, but I'm not particularly interested in them. But, I'm open to anything. TIA

The Hyatt is a great choice. It's dead center in the historic district, between River Street (the lower/river level) and Bay street (at the level of the rest of the HD). It's been recently renovated and the public spaces are beautiful. The rooms face the river with THICK windows - so thick there's a light that lights up to let you know a ship is going by. It's fascinating to watch the boat/ship traffic on the river. Their outdoor bar on the side of the hotel overlooks both River Street's shops and the river. It's an excellent choice. Our OO lived there for years when her husband managed the hotel.

The good news is, there are excellent choices for hotels in the HD and very few I would not recommend. If you are interested in the Hyatt, you really can't do better for location, modern, amenities, etc. If you list some of the other hotels you are interested in, I'd be happy to give feedback. I've stayed at most of them through the years.

If you're considering the Cotton Sail hotel, here's my TA 2015 review of it:

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowUserR...ECK_RATES_CONT

Lol, goddess, we chose not to stay at Cotton Sail for a Savannah meeting in October 2015 because of your recommendation! We stayed instead at River Street Inn and I’d forgotten how loud that one is at night, and how late the loud goes on. DH’s meeting was at the Hyatt but I wanted to stay elsewhere to have some time to ourselves.

That's really funny, kswl!

It's too bad about the Cotton Sail. It has so much going for it and the fixes would be so easy. That review was a few years ago so maybe they've fixed the problems by now.

Hotels built to look old but with modern sound-proofing include the Hampton Inn (I recommend the one at Bay and Abercorn), the Holiday Inn Express and the Staybridge Suites. They are all good choices within steps of each other on Bay Street. The River Street Inn and the East Bay Inn don't have modern sound-proofing. The Kimpton hotel, the Muse is a very good renovation of the former Mulberry. The brand new Homewood Suites between Bay and River streets is fabulous with a wonderful rooftop (with small bar, gorgeous pool and firepit) is open only to guests. It's my new favorite with access to Bay Street and River street just out the door. The Hyatt is very centrally located though.

Thank you to all and especially starrs for all the details! These were very helpful. My DH was focusing on Homewood Suites, although I somehow favor the Hyatt. If one location is better than the other (I'm clueless on this), I think I'll choose based on that, even though the "brand new" designation always gets me.

Savannah's historic district is a small rectangle with the river on one end and Forsyth Park on the other end. The "short" size of the rectangle runs along the river and it's 8/10 of a mile from side to side. The Hyatt is dead center on Bull Street. The Homewood Suites is 4/10 of a mile away. You can exit the Homewood and walk along River Street and take the public elevator on the side of the Hyatt up to Bay Street. You could exit the Bay street exit of the Homewood and walk along Bay Street from there. So the difference in location is 4 blocks. Both buildings are built between Bay and River Streets. The Hyatt is one of the big conference style hotels (and was THE conference location in Savannah for years). It has a big central atrium with conference rooms overlooking the atrium on the second floor and then hotel rooms on the levels above that. It's always been modern and was the luxury hotel in Savannah for decades. It's been renovated and is still a good option. Rooms have windows overlooking the river. The Homewood is brand new (about a year old) and has river view rooms and rooms with terraces. It has more of a "new" urban chic feel but the rooms are great. I love the fireplaces in nooks downstairs but I LOVE the rooftop deck with small bar, gorgeous pool, firepit and a variety of seating (chair and chaise) and a great place to buy a drink, hang out and watch the river traffic (if any) at night. My vote would be for the Homewood but it would add 4 blocks of walking compared to a start from the Hyatt. But Savannah is SO small, to me that's inconsequential. There are lots of good restaurant options in the city and many between the two. My favorite (by far) in the Olde Pink House and it's closer to the Homewood than the Hyatt, but not enough to matter. It's an easy walk anywhere. I don't take the steps from Bay street level to River Street anymore. They are old metal steps and steep. No matter where I stay as far as hotels go, I take the public elevator on the side of the Hyatt. If you are staying in the Hyatt, you can use their interior elevator. Both are fine.

starrs, Thank you! What a great description. I think I am 'getting it.' I really like the look of the Starwood (and I love new), but I think, in this case, we're going to go with the Hyatt for the dead-center location. Now, if I were going to be there in the summer when I could enjoy that rooftop area, I would definitely go with the Starwood. From what I'm seeing in the weather forecast, I don't think it is going to be rooftop weather when we're there a week tomorrow.

Thanks again for all your info. I truly appreciate it.

Temps should go back up into the 60s, but you are right about night temps being low. If you want to go up to a rooftop deck, go the Rocks on the Roof on the Bohemian hotel for drinks and sunset - if it's warm enough. They will have heaters going and it's close to the Hyatt.

(But the Homewood is a Hilton, not a Starwood property)

You are welcome! I love Savannah!

Sorry. I meant Homewood.

I'll keep the Olde Pink House and Rocks on the Roof in my folder. Thanks!

Hi, Just a quick update. We are staying at the Hyatt. It is great -- very close to everything. We went to the Olde Pink House yesterday for a drink and thought we'd made a reservation for tonight, but it closed TODAY for renovations. Can't believe we missed it by one day. (We were already meeting friends last night, so that wasn't an option.)

Thanks again!

Glad you are enjoying it! Is the Planters Tavern downstairs closed (for drinks) too?
Garibaldi's is their sister restaurant near City Market.
The side bar of the Hyatt overlooks the Greek restaurant on River Street and it's my favorite restaurant on River Street.
But lots of other good choices in the city too!
Enjoy Savannah!

Celiaanne...I’m just seeing this. So glad you are enjoying your stay! We spent 4 very happy years there before the next transfer. Enjoy Savannah. We had considered retiring there we had loved it so much! I’m sorry you missed Olde Pink House—great food and great atmosphere. I can’t make dining recommendations with confidence after being gone so long, but is Elizabeth’s on 37th still operating? When we lived there it was considered to be the best restaurant in the city by residents and visitors alike—not inexpensive, but it’s where we headed for special occasions. Caveat...we were transferred from there to Tampa 22 (!) years ago, which is probably close to a century in restaurant years! LOL

It's still there and still good!

Thanks for the info here. We are spending a long weekend in Savannah in late March and I'm just beginning to look for a hotel.

Starr's - I am loving this thread - just starting to plan a girls trip for 6 in mid May to Savannah and Charlston - we wanted to stay in one of the historic inns but most do not have 2 beds in a room and we need 3 rooms with 2 beds each. So now I am looking at bigger hotels so I am going to explore the Hyatt and Homewood recommendations.