Our go-to guide to hotels in Savannah

Although I live in the south and visit Savannah often, no matter how many times I’ve wandered the city’s 22 squares, stumbling onto one is akin to finding a secret garden hideaway. And between these 19th century squares, Savannah is filled with equally wonderful lodging discoveries, each with their own personality.

From centuries old historic inns to sleek boutique hotels to sprawling, amenity-filled properties The Hostess City really knows how to turn up the hospitality. Here are some of my favorite places to stay to get a true taste of Savannah.

It’s hard to pull off old-school grandeur without looking a little dated, but Perry Lane Hotel has managed to do it, and with style. There’s lots of marble and carved wood here, but it’s given a modern glow with an art collection of dozens of contemporary works from the talented students at nearby Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD).

Room scene: Perry Lane’s 167 rooms and suites are airy and inviting with big windows and pale curtains. They’re filled with interesting details, too, like leather benches, sculptural light fixtures, and richly-colored accent walls.

Restaurant report: Stop by the hotel’s funky Wayward bar for happy hour where each evening bartenders whip up a creative cocktail that’s free to hotel guests. French-accented Emporium Kitchen & Wine Market bustles with energy. I found that the bar, which is set a bit apart from the restaurant, is a serene spot for a glass of wine—the list is filled with interesting by-the-glass choices—or a plate of Sapelo Island clams.

Cool extra: Head to the rooftop where there’s a lively bar, an outdoor pool, and views all around Savannah.

What’s nearby: Shaded by live oaks, W. Liberty Street is lined with local shops; pop into Satchel for custom leather goods made on site.

Talk about unexpected: though the exterior of this expansive luxury hotel is all old brick and smokestacks, the lobby is a Wonka-esque wonderland that includes a life-size chrome dinosaur. A former electric plant, the JW Marriott Plant Riverside District is the centerpiece of a mixed-use development encompassing shops, restaurants, an amphitheater, and art exhibits.

Room scene: Each of the hotel’s three buildings—which house a total of 419 rooms—has a different name and style. Power Plant rooms are located in the original building and have details like exposed brick walls. The Three Muses rooms have a pastel palette and elegant details like marble and velvet. Decorated in shades of blue, the Atlantic building is where you’ll find the rooftop pool.

Restaurant report: There are more than a dozen places to eat and drink within the Plant Riverside complex; if the weather is nice, grab a seat at one of the outdoor restaurants that overlook the river or order a drink to go—yes, you really can—and sip it as you stroll along the boardwalk.

Cool extra: Adults can play all night at Moon Deck, an outdoor adults-only playground that occupies the top of the Power Plant building.

What’s nearby: The Ultimate Dinosaur Adventure takes kids on a natural history tour of the Plant Riverside District in search of fossils and evidence of the historic beings.

Entering the 56-room Cotton Sail Hotel Savannah, is like taking a step back in time: it’s located on two-story Factor’s Walk, which was constructed in the 18th century to facilitate transferring cargo from the river to the street. Guests need to cross a bridge to get to the front door, but it is fully accessible. The back door, which is a level down, opens directly onto bustling River Street.

Room scene: Vintage wood floors and paned windows give rooms a historic vibe, but bathrooms are fully modern with spa showers and large vanities. Windows look out over the river or the city; note that music from River Street restaurants can drift into corner rooms on the west side of the building.

Restaurant report: Three restaurants call Cotton Sail home. The River House Savannah is located on the lower level and serves local specialties like crab cakes and shrimp and grits alongside mountains of fried seafood. The casual Nest and Top Deck Bar share the top level.

Cool extra: Though Savannah is awash in rooftop bars, the Nest is high on my list since it’s one of the few that serves breakfast; even better, it’s rarely crowded.

What’s nearby: Savannah is one of America’s most haunted cities and the vaults that lie beneath Factor’s Walk are one of the city’s most spirited destinations. Book a ghost tour with Genteel & Bard to hear all the spooky stories.

On the map, the Kimpton Brice looks like it’s in the thick of E. Bay’s Street’s shops and restaurants; reality, it’s set within a residential neighborhood that’s close to the action but not on top of it. The hotel itself, which has been everything from a cotton warehouse to a bottling plant, continues that homey vibe with welcoming public spaces and an outdoor garden set with a pool. It’s easy to feel like you’re really part of the neighborhood when you stay here.

Room scene: The 145 spacious rooms and suites are done in deep neutrals with mid-century details like burnished gold accents and low-slung chairs. Some have balconies; others have terraces that open directly onto the courtyard and pool area.

Restaurant report: Pacci Italian Kitchen serves crowd-pleasing classics like linguine Bolognese, seafood scampi and Caesar salad, alongside compressed watermelon salad with mint, duck prosciutto bruschetta and other innovative dishes. There’s live music Fridays and Saturdays, breakfast and lunch during the week and weekend brunch.

Cool extra: Dogs aren’t just allowed at Kimpton Brice, they’re welcomed with beds, treats, bowls and other goodies; owners get a discount on pet walking and sitting services. There’s no limit on pet size and no fee.

Thompson Savannah opened in 2021 within Savannah’s Eastern Wharf, a still-growing development—retail, residential, and office—set on a 54-acre swath of riverfront property. Free bikes and a shuttle make it easy to scoot into town during the day; at night, a taxi or ride share are better choices. But you might want to stick around: it’s a happening spot for happy hour and dinner.

Room scene: The hotel’s 193 rooms and suites are done in grays, taupes and rust; stylish details like animal print rugs and leather headboards add a designer vibe. Curvy velvet settees are comfortable enough for napping but functional enough to stand in for extra seating.

Restaurant report: There’s no better place in Savannah to watch the sunset than Bar Julian, the city’s highest rooftop bar, where uninterrupted views of the skyline are accompanied by cocktails (including lots of alcohol-free options) and Mediterranean-inspired apps. Bar by Fleeting serves a wide range of drinks, and “bar snacks” that range from salads and a local cheese plate to a hefty ribeye. I loved my dinner at Fleeting, where chef Victoria Shore has put her delicious mark on everything from a jazzy tamarind-dressed apple salad to the Thai cucumber salad that accompanies grilled local fish.

Cool extra: Though the hotel offers valet parking, there’s lots of inexpensive (or free) metered parking surrounding the hotel.

What’s nearby: Looking to discover the next Jasper Johns? Make your way to shopSCAD, an expansive boutique just off Madison Square that sells works created by students, graduates and faculty of Savannah College of Art & Design.

The Alida Hotel pays tribute to Alida Harper Fowlkes (born 1908), who is celebrated for taking on the first large-scale renovation of one of Savannah’s historic homes; to get it right, she even took on tasks like electrical wiring on her own. The hotel that bears her name is equally committed to details: the subtle port theme that runs through the hotel shows up as brass boat cleats for hanging towels, nautical pull-down desks, and contemporary artwork fashioned from ropes. The hotel shop is filled with locally-made items and there’s a lending library stocked with turntables and vinyl records.

Room scene: Each of the 173 rooms is individually decorated but all have mini-fridges and upholstered window seats. Butler pantries on each floor are stocked with fruit, three varieties of water, and bags of ice—no noisy ice machines here. And a bonus for families and friends traveling together: Double rooms have two king beds.

Restaurant report: The star of the show is the Lost Square, which serves shareable plates—hush puppies, ceviche, cheddar biscuits—and mains on a sprawling rooftop overlooking the river and the city. The Trade Room, in the lobby, is all about carefully crafted, whiskey-based vintage cocktails; cigar smokers can retire with their toddies to the outdoor courtyard.

Cool extra: Hop aboard the rentable Moke, an open-air mini-Jeep with a max speed of 25 mph, to explore the city on your own.

What’s nearby: Just two blocks from the Alida, Ellis Square was created in the 18th century, paved over in the 20th, and reclaimed in 2009. You can learn more about it, and Savannah’s other squares, with an Architectural Savannah walking tour.

Bellwether House, a cozy bed-and-breakfast, stands out from the rest with a breezy, streamlined décor that works well with the former home’s 19th-century bones. The inn is located on E. Gaston Street, a wide residential boulevard that runs into Forsyth Park, which is known for its stunning iron fountain.

Room scene: Each of the 16 rooms has its own personality; some have private entrances or access to the shared terrace; others are outfitted with claw-foot tubs. Larger suites have private patios; all were renovated in 2021 and have new beds, modern bathrooms and lots of lighting.

Restaurant report: Late sleepers rejoice: breakfast is served until noon in the dining room or the brick courtyard. Plus, everything from the pastries to the coffee syrups and even some of the jams are made on site. There’s also afternoon tea, a nightly Champagne sabering, and a full bar.

Cool extra: The lower level of the inn hides a tiny but well-equipped spa offering a variety of massages as well as soothing soaks in a copper tub.

What’s nearby: Shoppers should head to the Whitaker Street Design District, where you’ll find Scandinavian-style home goods at Asher + Rye, youthful designer clothing at Hannah E, and all things gifty at One Fish, Two Fish.