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Oct 15, 2023

The 10 Best Hotels In Savannah 2023

Established in 1733, Savannah’s place in American history is as deeply rooted as

Established in 1733, Savannah's place in American history is as deeply rooted as the iconic live oak trees that drip in Spanish moss and line the city's cobblestone streets. The first capital of Georgia and the first planned city in the U.S., Savannah continues to draw more than 15 million travelers to the once flourishing port city's shores every year thanks to its convivial atmosphere, historic ambiance, and bounty of culinary delights.

With a nickname like The Hostess City, Georgia's Southern gem offers a sophisticated mix of historic hotels and charming boutiques eager to showcase the best this Lowcountry city has to offer. From trendy boutique hotels in the historic district to the best places to post up in the city's buzzy new Plant Riverside Entertainment District, these are the best hotels in Savannah in 2023.

Views at Thompson Savannah.

Set along the Savannah River, Thompson Savannah opened in 2021 in the city's up-and-coming Eastern Wharf district and has established itself as one of Savannah's most stylish and sophisticated properties ever since. With 193 industrial-chic rooms, including 21 suites, every guest room offers floor-to-ceiling window views over the city or east-facing views of the Savannah River. The oversized rainfall shower, plush, jewel-toned furniture, and waterfront locale with plenty of green space for walking your beloved four-legged friend make this modern and comfortable oasis one of Savannah's most attractive places to stay.

For sips in the sun, it's hard to beat the hotel's stellar rooftop, Bar Julian, whose fabulous handcrafted cocktails and Mediterranean-style dishes are always on point. Make sure to make reservations in advance of your stay, as Bar Julian tends to book up quickly, especially in the warmer months. Just off the modern lobby on the ground floor, Bar by Fleeting is the perfect place to sit and enjoy a nice glass of champagne or wine pre-or post-dinner at chef Robert Newton's excellent signature Southern and seasonally inspired fine dining restaurant Fleeting. While the Thompson is a magnificent place to stay and easily a destination in its own right, take note that the 15-20 minute walk to Savannah's Historic District may not suit some travelers.

Views at Perry Lane Hotel.

Each of the 167 stylish guest rooms at the stately Perry Lane Hotel blends old-world charm with delicate design touches along with vintage artwork and ephemera inspired by Savannah native Adelaide Harcourt. Here, no detail has been ignored, from the Frette linens and Byredo bath products to the eclectic found pieces of art and vintage books that give the guest rooms a little extra panache. The hotel's light-filled library is the perfect place for groups to host a private tea party that includes an assortment of bites from house-baked pastries and sweets to tea sandwiches and savory hors' d'oeuvres.

Perry Lane's signature restaurant, The Emporium Restaurant & Wine Bar, serves up Southern-inspired fare like shrimp and grits and wild foraged mushrooms, and an extensive wine list is always on offer. The hotel's pint-sized pub Wayward, located on the ground floor, is also worth a visit. Whatever you do, don't leave without spending a leisurely afternoon at Peregrin, the hotel's elegant rooftop bar, where you’ll find some of the best hand-crafted cocktails, scenic views, and lawn games in town.

Suite at River Street Inn.

The self-proclaimed oldest hotel on the Savannah River, River Street Inn underwent a major renovation in 2019, and the addition of 13 new rooms, exposed Savannah Grey Brick, in-room refrigerators and energy-efficient LED lighting make this riverside stay better than ever. River Street sees high foot traffic pretty much all year long, so if you’re staying at the Inn and looking to escape the fray, the hotel owns and operates four local restaurants and cafes, starting with petite Cafe M, an all-day French cafe and patisserie serving up café au laits and croissants with a Southern-inspired twist.

The casual New Orleans style Huey's Southern Café, as well as Bernie's Oyster House, are both located on the first floor of the hotel, and guests of River Street Inn receive a discount at each of these restaurants. Grab a seat on the balcony at the second-floor restaurant, Tubby's, which serves a delightful low country boil and is one of the best places to post up and listen to live music as you watch life along the river pass you by.

Living room at The Drayton Hotel.

Formerly known as the American Trust and Bank, the building that houses The Drayton Hotel dates back to 1892 and is not only set in one of Savannah's oldest and most historic buildings but has been meticulously restored to embrace the building's 19th-century exterior and historic charm. Today, The Drayton Hotel strikes the perfect balance of a low-key luxury experience while honoring its Southern roots in one of the best locations in town. With 48 guest rooms and two suites on the top floor that can be combined to accommodate bigger groups, rooms here come kitted out with Tivoli Bluetooth speakers, quilted bathrobes, a wardrobe steamer, twice-daily housekeeping, and views over City Hall.

Pull up a chair at the hotel's signature restaurant, St. Neo's Brasserie, which serves steak and a petite seafood platter that's not to be missed. After dinner, head to the hotel's intimate cocktail lounge The Vinyl Room for some digestives and mouthwateringly delicious Eggnog Crème Brûlée. The Pendant Terrace and Bar is the hotel's laid-back rooftop lounge offering a killer Mai Tai and Queens Park Swizzle, oysters on the half shell, and unparalleled views over City Hall, Savannah River, and the Historic District below.

Guest room at Andaz Savannah.

When it comes to location, Andaz Savannah simply can't be beat. A block away from the 18th-century City Market and nearby River Street, Andaz is an ideal urban retreat for travelers that are looking to truly be in the center of it all. The decor here is modern and pretty typical for Hyatt's luxury boutique brand, with pops of moss green hues and rich gem tones, and guests will appreciate the spacious 151 residential-style rooms, including 37 suites that make it a particularly attractive option for families and groups. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, 22 Square is Andaz's all-day restaurant concept serving up southern-style soul food from house candied bacon and pickled deviled eggs. The hotel's pool terrace is an excellent place to post up and try the pimento cheese platter with a cold beer on those hot and humid Savannah days.

Interiors of Eliza Thompson House.

Dating back to 1847, the Eliza Thompson House was not only the first house constructed on Jones Street in downtown Savannah, considered "the prettiest street in Savannah" but this former 19th-century private residence is truly one of the most romantic hotels in town. Today, the house has been converted into one of Savannah's most charming and beloved adults-only bed and breakfasts. Each of the 25 rooms includes 12 rooms in the "Main House" and 13 rooms in the neighboring Carriage House overlooking a private garden courtyard comes with its own private bath along with vintage artworks and found pieces. Just a five-minute walk to Forsyth Park, breakfast is not to be missed here and includes a mix of Southern specialties from a delightful breakfast casserole and southern grits to freshly baked desserts.

Lobby at The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Spa.

Savannah isn't exactly renowned for its abundance of kid-friendly accommodations, which is what makes The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa particularly appealing for families. A quick and complimentary ferry ride across the river to Savannah's Historic District or a five-minute drive across the Talmadge Bridge, there's no shortage of kid-tested and approved activities here, from the heated riverfront resort pool complete with splash pad to daily s’mores by the riverside fire pit, bingo and complimentary cookies in the lobby.

The biggest draw for guests is access to The Club at Savannah Harbor, which includes the hotel's recently revamped 18-hole golf PGA championship golf course as well as the Heavenly Spa by Westin which offers an array of treatments from facials to massages. The 403 guest rooms and suites here all overlook the golf course or downtown Savannah and come furnished with Westin Heavenly Beds and Heavenly Baths, making this a comfortable resort option that offers a little something for travelers of all stripes.

Views at The Alida, Savannah, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

There's a lot to love about The Alida, a one-stop shop for food, drinks and entertainment in the heart of the city's buzzy new Plant Riverside Entertainment District. With 173 industrial-chic guest rooms and suites, all of which include a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork created by students of nearby Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD), the in-room decor leans more contemporary and mid-century modern. Because of that, you won't find much of the traditional Southern charm associated with Savannah here, but Alida's amenities and plum location are a big draw.

On the ground floor, Alida's signature Southern comfort restaurant Rhett serves up coastal cuisine that celebrates the bounty of the Lowcountry, from hush puppies and cheddar drop biscuits to gumbo and She Crab soup. With a heated and chilled year-round saltwater pool flanked by private cabanas, The Cabana Club is the hotel's brand new pool bar and lounge concept offering shareable bites and coconut cocktails. Don't leave without picking up some local Savannah knick-knacks and snacks at Keep Shop, the hotel's boutique gift shop just off reception.

Sitting area at The Bohemian Hotel Savannah Riverfront, Autograph Collection

There's no better place to watch the ships wind their way down the Savannah River than The Bohemian Hotel. Set along River Street, old meets new at this whimsical boutique hotel where art, history and quirk all collide like an abstract Kandinsky painting. Paying homage to the British maritime settlers who first landed on the Savannah River in 1733, the hotel's eclectic collection of artworks and contemporary design aesthetic with vintage touches are carried throughout all 75 guest rooms and suites.

Rocks on the River, the hotel's all-day Southern restaurant can always be counted on when it comes to tried and true Southern fare from fried green tomatoes and bohemian dumplings to jumbo lump crab cakes, shrimp, and grits well as stone oven pizzas. The real star of the show here is Rocks on the Roof which offers guests a cozy place to cuddle by the fire pit, along with live music, and a tapas-style menu (don't miss the parmesan truffle fries) along with ice cold cocktails and a killer martini menu to kick back and enjoy, especially on those breezy Savannah nights.

Generator Hall at JW Marriott Plant Riverside District

From the moment you set foot inside JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District it's clear that you’ve landed somewhere special. Located on the site of a former power plant that provided electricity for Savannah for more than 9o years before it was decommissioned in 2005, the area is now known as Savannah's Entertainment District and the mixed-used development has emerged as the city's go-to destination for dining, shopping and entertainment.

The interiors of the 419-room property have been inspired by nature and science, with the lobby featuring a 135-foot-long chrome-dipped dinosaur as well as an entire natural science exhibit. The vision of Savannah native and creative visionary Richard Kessler, whose personal collection of artwork and artifacts can be found throughout the hotel, has made the JW Marriott an art destination in its own right. Don't skip drinks at Baobao Lounge, which features an incredible collection of African artwork and an always reliable cocktail menu that has perennially made it one of the best bars in town.

I am a luxury travel journalist and photographer currently based in South Carolina, where I make it my business to eat, stay and play in the Lowcountry, including beautiful Savannah. In addition to my work as a Forbes Travel Expert since 2018, my byline has been featured in Food & Wine, BBC Travel, Travel + Leisure, Vogue, Men's Journal and Condé Nast Traveler among others. I’ve visited all seven continents and reported on food and travel trends from Italy to Istanbul. You can follow my adventures on Instagram @pinktravelproject.