Hotels in Savannah

Best time to visit Savannah

March – July is a good time to visit Savannah. Average temperatures are in the range of 75 – 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and the city is covered in a green canopy of trees, and fresh azalea blooms. A host of festivals take place during this time. Along with ideal weather and seasonal attractions, you will also experience high tourist traffic and peak hotel rates. January – February is low season with average temperatures of 40 – 60 degrees Fahrenheit. You may be able to get attractive bargains on hotels at this time. If you want to avoid the cold winter months, visit Savannah in the shoulder months from September – November when the crowds are fewer and hotel prices take a momentary dip before rising up again in December during the holiday season.

Getting around Savannah

Savannah is a compact city with several historic squares surrounded by mature trees, and filled with lively fountains and ornate sculptures. Walking around is an interesting way to explore the city’s charm and beauty. If you get tired, hop on the dot Express shuttle operated by Chatham Area Transit (or CAT). This fare-free shuttle stops at approximately 24 different locations in the Historic District. CAT also operates buses in other parts of the city. One-way tickets cost $1.50 USD while day passes are available for $3.00 USD. CAT also operates the Savannah Belles Ferry service which is a unique alternative to the Talmadge Bridge as a link between Savannah and Hutchinson Island, the site of the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center. The ferry ride is free. Taxis are affordable and convenient, and you can hail one anywhere in the city. Ride share options, such as Uber, are also available in Savannah. Although parking charges in downtown are expensive, having a rental car may be useful if you plan on staying in the outskirts or visiting nearby attractions like Tybee Island. It is worth checking for deals and discounts on car rentals with momondo.

Best places to stay in Savannah

The beautiful city of Savannah inspires its visitors with quaint cobblestone streets, majestic architecture, and an emerald green canopy of oak-lined parks. The city has a pedestrian-friendly layout and innovative urban design, but somewhat loosely defined neighborhoods. While the Historic District is the heart of Savannah, there are several smaller areas within the Historic District that have their own unique charm and offer a distinct experience.

Historic District

The Historic District features over 20 city squares filled with museums, churches, historic monuments, and forts from the revolutionary era. This area boasts a thriving arts, concert and live theater scene, as well as plenty of outdoor cafés and gourmet restaurants. Overlooking Madison Square, in the heart of the Historic District, you have The DeSoto by Sotherly hotel, a treasured landmark with a museum-worthy lobby art gallery, chic cocktail bar, and a farm-to-table restaurant. The airy rooms and suites pair modern amenities with home-style comforts, and offer splendid views of Savannah’s skyline. You can also consider the spacious, stylishly decorated suites in Hampton Inn & Suites Savannah Historic District, just steps away from the Savannah History Museum.

River Street

Technically a part of the Historic District, River Street is a glitzy area along the Savannah River. The street is lined with several century-old buildings, antique shops, distinctive galleries, quaint pubs, and unique venues for nightly entertainment. Housed within a refurbished late-1800s cotton warehouse on the banks of the Savannah River, you have The Cotton Sail Hotel. This is a boutique-style hotel that preserves its past and offers refined rooms, some with balconies and river views. Check out the polished, traditionally styled rooms in River Street Inn, an 1817-dated cotton warehouse converted into a riverfront hotel, just steps away from the shopping and dining of River Street. The hotel offers an on-site sports bar, a café, and a seafood restaurant with live music.

City Market

City Market covers the 4 blocks between Ellis Square and Franklin Square, and is a part of the larger Historic District. A hub for all downtown activities, this lively part of the city offers a thriving nightlife, casual and upscale restaurants, and all kind of specialty shops and boutiques. Consider the Andaz Savannah that offers sleek, boldly-styled rooms and suites that exude a hip vibe. Enjoy the hotel’s artful décor and excellent location in Ellis Square, amid shopping, dining and popular attractions.

Tybee Island

A 20-minute drive east of Savannah is Tybee Island, a pristine seaside location boasting 5 miles of public beach area that is perfect for swimming, sailing, and fishing. Enjoy the relaxed ambience and endless views of the Atlantic Ocean. Stay in airy, warmly styled rooms and suites with ocean views in Hotel Tybee, a historic 19th-century hotel, just a 3-minute walk from the Tybee Island Marine Science Center. Check out Tybee’s only beachfront property, the award-winning 1939-dated DeSoto Beach Hotel that offers modest rooms and suites with modern amenities.

Cheap hotels in Savannah

There are only a handful of cheap hotels that are located in central Savannah. Just a block away from the splendid Forsyth Park in the Historic District, you have bright, individually-decorated rooms in the 1853-dated Savannah Bed and Breakfast Inn. You can also consider 17Hundred90 Inn & Restaurant, the oldest restaurant and inn in Savannah, renowned for its fabled ghostly past. If you don’t care about being close to popular attractions, and go farther away from downtown, you will get a wider range of hotels to choose from. Closer to the airport, you can stay in any of the reasonably priced hotels, such as the Best Western Plus Savannah Airport Inn & Suites, Country Inn & Suites by Carlson, Savannah Airport, or Hilton Garden Inn Savannah Airport.

Savannah is a versatile city that offers a wide range of attractions and activities, catering to a diverse set of travelers. You can choose from architectural tours, music and food festivals, art exhibits, and Civil War re-enactments. If you are visiting Savannah for the first time, here are a few activities that you should consider including in your itinerary.

• Head to the 30-acre Forsyth Park, in the heart of Savannah’s Historic District. Stroll past the stunning white-stone Forsyth Fountain, explore historic war memorials, wander through the Fragrant Garden, and admire the 300-year-old Candler Oak tree.
• Opt for a walking tour of the Historic District and learn about Savannah’s historic past as you stroll through the verdant city squares. Admire the myriad sculptures and fountains along the way. Some of the notable tours are Savannah Dan and Old City Walks. If you are not in the mood for a walk, book a trolley tour instead of a walking tour.
• Admire the intricate gold-leaf designs, Italian marble altar and stunning stained-glass windows of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. The French Gothic-style architecture of the church towers over Lafayette Square in the Historic District.
• Don’t miss a visit to Wormsloe State Historic Site Savannah, that features a mile-long avenue lined with mature oak trees covered in Spanish moss.
• Hop on a ferry and head to Tybee Island to enjoy a day on the vast beachfront or visit the Tybee Island Marine Science Center.
• Art enthusiasts can hop between the Telfair Museums, such as Telfair Academy, Owens-Thompson House, and Jepson Center, to admire a combined collection of over 4,500 works of art.
• Wander around the 4 blocks of the City Market where restored warehouses offer a choice of restaurants, boutiques, and art galleries. Enjoy live music and stop by for a casual bite as you enjoy the hustle and bustle of the locals.
• Amble on River Street along the Savannah River waterfront and explore the cobblestone streets lined with kitschy souvenir shops, galleries, restaurants, and pubs housed in old cotton warehouses. Watch the area come alive with street musicians after sundown.