Savannah Hotels
 

My boyfriend and I are planning on spending a few days up in Savannah along the river. We have never been before and now we are going through the agonizing stages of picking a hotel. We have made tentative reservations at The Marshall House, but after reading several messages I'm not sure that is such a good place to stay. We've also just recently discovered that most of the older hotels (i.e. B&B's) are haunted. This is something that we are NOT looking forward to,(he's scared). However we are in the market for a "romantic" hotel with class and a not so rustic flare. We are also looking for a "safe" place to stay along the river...and close to the sights. PLEASE HELP!!!

Maggie, The B&Bs aren't really haunted, but it's a fun little tale and does garner them some guests. <BR><BR>Marshall House is not on the river, but on Broughton St. Not a very good location, IMHO--it's the only purely commercial street in the historic district and a mixed bag.<BR><BR>Not sure of your budget but the best of the best on the river is the Westin. It's only draw back is that it actually sits by itself across the river from the historic district. They have water taxis that shuttle guests back and forth to the historic district (a trip that takes about 5+ minutes via water but longer if you drive, as the bridge dumps you out south of the historic district). The hotel is new and beautiful...but, as I said, it is across the river.<BR><BR>For hotels directly on the river and within the historic district, the Hyatt is probably the best. My disclaimer--my husband ran that hotel and is a Hyatt GM. We've since been transferred though, and I have no stake in their occupancy rates! :&gt; There is also a Marriott anchoring the other end of the historic district. Days Inn and the like are not on the river, if that's important to you. River traffic is great fun to watch--huge ships come into port just up river from the historic district, and though you may have a room on the top floor of the hotels, the bridges of the ships pass you at eye level!

Thank you for your help. We've been looking into staying at the hotels but are more or less leaning toward a B&B-any suggestions? We've kind of narrowed it down to The Foley House Inn and The Gastonian-what are your thoughts?

We stay in lots of B&B's and were at the Foley house last April...we loved it! It's really beautifully furnished without being stuffy and the rooms are very comfortable. Staff is helpful and friendly...I would definitely stay there again...

Maggie, I would deffinately stay at he Foley house or another B&B. The Planters Inn is also nice. I personally find the Hyatt and the Mariott boring and lacking any unique charm that Savannah is noted for. Everything in Savannah is in walking distance. You really should take advantage of the quaintness by staying off of River Street. River street is fun for a quick stroll but becomes like any other mass marketing street commonly found across many urban areas. Do take a walking tour of the city and I really think you would enjoy a ghost tour at night. If you want a recommendation for a couple of good resturants, email me. Savannah is one of my favorite cities and to really appreciate it's charm, you need to get out and walk in the historic district. Bob

I too am going to Savannah soon and was wondering where I should stay. I am intrigued by the B&B's as I have never stayed in one, but am also attracted to the modern conveniences of the hotels found on the river. Does anyone have any suggestions?<BR>I have heard The Ballastone is nice, but The Marriot doesn't seem too shabby. Please help. I'll be in town for one week and need a comfy place to stay.

Quikie,<BR><BR>It's no contest between the Marriott and the Ballastone. Do the Ballastone, or Foley House and don't look back!<BR><BR>Although River St leaves lots to be desired as far as shopping, it's an important section of the historic district, and should be seen. The city began here and spread south. These are all historic building: old cotton warehouses, now converted into retail shops, albeit sort of tacky retail. The cobblestones lining the ramps down from Bay to River St. originally were ballast in ships coming over. This is all authentic and should not be missed, but the real beauty of the city lies in the squares from Bay St south to Forsyth Park.<BR><BR>Staying on the River is another matter...it *is* an enjoyable experience, but I would insist on a riverfront room, not city view. The hotels back up to the river but front on Bay Street in the case of the Hyatt, or Gen MacWhozeemagitcitz (MacIntosh perhaps) in the case of the Marriott.<BR><BR>If you enjoy the B&B experience, I'd definitely go that route, but not everyone does. If you prefer higher end full service hotels, Westin, Hyatt, Marriott, or Hilton (not on the river), in that order, will fill the bill.

We recently purchased a weekend at the River Street Inn for our daughter for Christmas, and I can only hope the Inn is as pleasant at the Operating Manager we dealt with to make the arrangements. Other members of our family has stayed there and gave us the push in that direction, and I was so very impressed with the responses and help I received from her.

I've stayed at the Planters Inn on several occasions and also the Holiday Inn. Both are very nice (the Holiday Inn will not appear to be a "boring" chain -- it is much more quaint). Either are well-located and charming.