The Thunderbird Inn - Savannah's Hippest Hotel
 

Folks have asked about this hotel before so I thought I'd scout it out.

I loved it!

http://thethunderbirdinn.com/

The Thunderbird is an old fashioned motor lodge. It was built around the time of the original Holiday Inns (with lamplighter signs out front) and it looks like that era hotel room inside. The Thunderbird is billed as "The Hippest Hotel in Savannah" and they've jazzed up the roos to match that claim. Upholstered headboards, white comforters, white leather chairs, private label toiletries, etc. The rooms have refrigerators and coffee pots. The shower bar is the new curved style. The towels aren't the most luxurious around. Nice TV. Free local calls. Coffee, juice and donuts served in the lobby breakfast room each morning. Friendly, helpful staff.

The best part? The rate - mine was $74 weekday and $94 weekend.
Another big plus? Free parking - which is a real plus in Savannah
Another big plus for some of us - pet friendly. $50/per stay charge - and they have designated pet rooms so those of you who don't like pets don't have to stay in rooms frequented by pets :-)

Here are some pictures -
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...20339709&saved

I loved the vibe. It felt like stepping out of a time machine and landing in a Route 66 hotel from a few decades ago. 60s music was piped in the parking lot. Bright red tables in the lobby. Moon pies on the pillows. Everything was bright and shiny and clean.

Location - 5 to 10 years ago, I wouldn't have stayed in that area but that side of the historic district has experienced a big turnaround . The new(er), second Hampton Inn is on the corner. A new Country Inn and Suites and a new Springhill Suites are on that side of town too. The Thunderbird is surrounded by SCAD housing and instead of that area feeling dark and "dead" at night, there's a lot of foot traffic. The Greyhound station IS across the street, but I felt safe walking the pups at all hours of the night (elderly pup). The end of Oglethorpe Ave is the connector on to the Talmadge Bridge heading to SC so there is more traffic noise than usual in Savannah. I noticed it at first, and then not again. I slept fine each night. Another Fodorite was commenting on his traffic noise on a quieter street - the clip clop of the carriage horses so different neighborhoods come with different noises :-)

I highly recommend this motel if you are looking for value lodging, IN the historic district, with free parking and free wifi all at a moderate price. I enjoyed my stay there and look forward to returning soon.

Interesting post and information. When son was at SCAD starting 7 years ago this was definitely not a place one would want to stay - neither the motel nor the area, even though SCAD has a huge dorm complex several blocks away.

Have not been to Savannah in several years, and if area really has improved it confirms my comment to Savannah-bound visitors that a block or 2 can make a huge difference in terms of safety.

"...confirms my comment to Savannah-bound visitors that a block or 2 can make a huge difference in terms of safety."

I completely agree gail.
Sometimes your previous posts have caused concern for me because so much HAS changed in the last 5-10 years. I think you will be very surprised at how much the west side of Bull has changed. I think you'd be amazed at the "name" shopping on Broughton. Ellis Square is now a square again with fountains, a statue of Johnny Mercer and so much pedestrian traffic. The blocks surrounding City Market have many, high end new hotels. It's a great thing.

Example - Marc by Marc Jacobs @ 322 W Broughton

http://www2.wsav.com/news/2010/mar/0...are-ar-125413/

The Doubletree may have been there the last time you were here, but now joining it are -

A brand new Hilton Garden Inn, the Inn at Ellis Square, the Avia and the Bohemian
http://www.aviahotels.com/hotels/savannah/

- http://www.bohemianhotelsavannah.com/

Matching the other Kessler hotel at Forsyth Park -
http://www.mansiononforsythpark.com/

Joining the Thunderbird on the "other side" of Broad are a brand new Four Points by Sheraton and the "new" Hampton Inn (that I've posted saying I wasn't crazy about the location when it was built). At the corner at Liberty is the Marriott Courtyard that may have been there when you were here but joining it are the new Country Inn and suites and the Springhill Suites.

There are so many options that just weren't on the west side a few years ago. Combine that with many more building renovated for SCAD use and you have LOTS of locals and tourists out and about and walking around that side of Savannah that rarely saw foot traffic 10 years ago.

Times they are a-changing :-)

I have followed some of this but not seen it. At first SCAD had a rather difficult relationship with the city of Savannah - especially as it began to "take over" buildings as it expanded. This has largely changed, since as part of the Historic Preservation dept many of these buildings have become active parts of the curriculum and some have been beautifully preserved or restored. Some of the SCAD students are a little unusual om appearance, but in an artsy way.

Since Savannah is a relatively small city and the tourist area is an even smaller part of the city, the influence of SCAD is greater than that of one college on many larger cities. Not sure how this effects tax base of city - this may also be a concern - but a number of the buildings they have bought were vacant or minimally used. And as a scatter-site city campus, it adds a unique wrinkle to the city.

Just wanted to add this info since we are getting into time of year when people start to post questions about Savannah. (But I still think one should avoid the city the weekends around St. Patrick's Day at all costs)

gail, some friends and I are thinking about heading down there March 10-13... since that's the weekend before St Patrick's Day, would we have issues? We're not into huge rowdy crowds and green beer. :) I had asked the same question last year (we ended up going somewhere else) and I think you had said the parade was always on the 17th, so I thought we'd be fine.

Starrs, thanks for that link - the Moon Pies have me intrigued! :)

I would not be worried about St. Patrick's Day festivities or crowds March 10-13.

I think you will be fine as well -

I think you will be fine as well -

Thanks, y'all! Just wanted to check. Our dates are restricted due to grad school spring break for one of us. It's been the coldest winter in years here in Nashville, so we are excited about going somewhere where temps are over 40. :)

Just got back from our weekend in Savannah, and funny you should mention it but we took the wrong exit off I-16 downtown and ended up on the west side. We drove right past the Thunderbird and my wife commented on it. While it does not suit us, I could see where it could be OK for a visit on a budget. We had a fantastic time at the Avia, highly recommended.

I have to say that Savannah has greatly improved from our last visit 6-7 years ago and was told that SCAD has a lot to do with that. We absolutely loved it. It's true that Ellis square has been transformed from an ugly eyesore of a parking garage to one of the coolest places in the city. If you asked me before this visit to recommend Savannah or Charleston I would have said hands down Charleston but not any more. I would have to call it a tie now!

Heard a story that Paula Deen and her boys are trying to buy the entire city block building that houses her restaurant and they have bought out everyone except the Saphire grill who absolutely refuses to sell to them. Be interesting to hear how that plays out.

Thank you for the conversation on the Tbird! Anytime someone is looking for a room, we would love to show off the inn. While we strive to be a great value we are more than budget. Did you realize that we have great beds, some say the best beds they ever slept in (you be the judge). We also feature quirky toiletries, great big fluffy towels, great linens and evening turn-down service complete with a MoonPie on your pillow (Thurs, fri, Sat).

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions at [email protected].