This historic Georgia gem sets the new standard in the South for style, cuisine, cocktails, music, The Arts, and hospitality, all with a distinctive flair. Simply put, we love Savannah—an ideal destination for off island day trips, weekend getaways, or stays of any length.
Savannah is beautiful, majestic, and thriving—spellbinding visitors from around the globe, drawn to her fountains, monuments, parks, award-winning restaurants, coffee shops, museums, and the ubiquitous ghost tours that come with hundreds of years of a checkered history. This charming city at the mouth of the Savannah River is filled with life, culture, and activities to warrant more than just one visit, but here are some of our must-stays, eats, and explores.
GETTING THERE
From the Savannah/Hilton Head Airport: Many of us fly into the Savannah airport and hightail it down to SSI on I-95, braving16-wheelers and Florida-bound speeders—the I didn’t know Georgia had a coast—crowd. Let them fly by. From the Savannah/Hilton Head Airport, take a hard left on I-16 towards the coast and arrive in an elegant city, filled with squares in perfect proportion, historic brownstones, and stately residences as lovely as those of her sister-city to the north, Charleston, South Carolina.
From St. Simons Island: Take the scenic route North on U.S. 17 from Brunswick. Cross the Darien River, admire shrimp boats, and feel stress melt away in the hot South Georgia sunshine. Just outside of charming Darien, pass by small McIntosh County communities such as Townsend and Eulonia, famous for their deep Gullah-Geechee roots. This stretch, known as the Coastal Highway, is worth discovery and exploration.
STAY
Hotel Bardo: In the Victorian District off Forsyth Park, high design meets mid-century modern. Throw in quirky elements, rich textures, alluring tones, and unexpected color palettes, all wrapped up in luxury, including Frette slippers and linens in-room.
Decidedly not Palm Beach, Hotel Bardo is unique and fabulous. Our elegant bartender described the design as “riot clash.” (Let’s go with it.) Hues of pink, orange, and lime in the interior spaces and exterior spaces invite lounging and socializing with espresso or cocktail in-hand.
And did we mention the winter garden just off the lobby? Made of wrought iron in shades of green, reminiscent of something found in Vienna at the turn of the 19th Century, wander in and pretend you are in a Gustav Klimt painting. Or the long pool with tiles the color of sherbet? It’s like walking onto the set of Dr. Zhivago. Stop by the pool desk and ask the attendant for sunscreen, towels, fun pink things, and a multi-colored domino game in Lucite. Heaven!
1 of 2
2 of 2
Envisioned by New York’s Left Lane Hospitality, the same group who developed The Perry Lane, another fun hotel with a fantastic roof bar just a short walk away, Hotel Bardo continues to rack up high praise in all the glossies—ours, too. Hotel Bardo Savannah, 700 Drayton Street, 912.238.5158, staybardo.com, @staybardo.
EAT & DRINK
Ask anyone in Savannah for restaurant recs and likely 10/10 come back with Common Thread. Also in the Victorian District, located in a restored mansion off 37th Street, this culinary love child of Executive Chef/Owner Brandon Carter and Executive Chef Victor Solano, presents tasty, locally sourced creations such as Carolina Gold Rice and Richard’s Chicken. End the evening with a Trifecta: dark chocolate mousse, white chocolate clafoutis, and coconut sorbet with strawberry and lime granita. Common Thread, 122 E. 37th Street, 912.944.7482, commonthreadsavannah.com, @commonthreadsav.
1 of 2
2 of 2
For a more casual play, head to Starland District’s Brochu’s Family Tradition. Arrive hungry because everything on the menu is mouthwatering. Absolutes include oysters (Brochu’s Dry Mignonette) and The Whole Chicken Dinner (fried, of course). Brochu’s Family Tradition, 2400 Bull Street, brochusfamilytradition.com, @brochus_restaurant.
SHOPPING + MUSEUMS
Jones & Bull is a testament to our enduring love for antiques, and why every home should own at least one eye-catching piece, if not a dozen. This collection of modern and vintage décor and furniture calms the soul and dazzles the interior decorator within. (Permission to love your grandmother’s pieces and place them wherever you like.) Jones & Bull, 1 West Jones Street, 912.228.8851, jonesandbull.com, @jonesandbull.
Asher + Rye is Savannah’s answer to Scandinavian simplicity meets San Francisco design aesthetic—and this a high compliment. Super clean. Super tasteful. Highly curated. Extremely well-crafted. If this writer had one design direction (and I don’t), then this might be it. Find everything from pillows to tableware to wooden bowls, pottery, unique furniture, clothing, books, and candles—with a very cool café attached. Savannah’s must visit mercantile and taste mecca. Asher + Rye, 348 Whitaker Street, asherandrye.com, @asherandrye.
Le Chai, a true “galerie du vin.” Owner Christian Depken has created a wine store and tasting space, focused exclusively on wines of Europe. If you’re lucky and engage in witty conversation while tasting, he might take you down to his cellar. Try whatever he recommends—it will not disappoint. Buy whatever he suggests—you will be happy. Le Chai, 15 East Park Avenue. 912.713.2229, lechai.com, @le_chai.
SCAD. Art is everywhere in Savannah, but why not start at the bedrock. Savannah College of Art and Design, incorporated in 1978, has become a world leader in art and design, attracting students, faculty, artists, and guests from around the globe in pursuit of creative careers and expression. Visit the SCAD Museum of Art, a contemporary art museum, featuring emerging and established artists, and meet SCAD students, volunteering, gazing at art, or deep down a study group rabbit hole. When they come up for air, ask them what they are studying and what brought them to SCAD. Walk away inspired. Go future artists! SCAD Museum of Art, 601 Turner Boulevard, Savannah, 912.525.7191, scadmoa.org, @scadmoa.
