Savannah, Georgia is a sweet Southern belle. My delightful three-night stay entailed seriously good eats, historic walkabouts, a bit of shopping and even some ghost hunting.
STAY
The Perry Lane, a Luxury Collection Hotelis the perfect home base. The whimsically-appointed boutique hotel is a newer addition to town and it’s clearly become a popular gathering spot for the local community. Between the rooftop bar, Peregrin, and the lobby level Emporium Kitchen & Bar, the place was always hopping with residents and visitors alike. The good vibes flowed from check-in through departure, with friendly valets always at the ready to take us somewhere in the house car. There were thoughtful, personal touches like the concierge welcoming us to the property with a surprise bottle of bubbly, chocolates and a handwritten note waiting in our room. The rooms are as cute and comfortable as can be, featuring spacious bathrooms, views of the cityscape and quirky art. Every day, our complimentary jar of Byrd’s cookies was replenished by housekeeping. I can’t recommend this hotel enough—it’s motivation alone to revisit Savannah.
EAT
The food scene in Savannah is another reason to hurry back. Booking in advance can ensure you get a table at The Grey, a bustling dinner-only restaurant in a former Greyhound bus depot. Brunch at Collins Quarter is a must, as are the breakfast biscuit sandwiches at Back in the Day Bakery. The shrimp and grits at Cotton & Rye were revelatory. Every morsel at Husk Savannah was so damn good. And the bar at Perry Lane’s Emporium Kitchen was a standout for an early evening snack of oysters and the most beautiful crudité platter I’ve ever laid eyes on.
SEE
It’s easy to explore Savannah’s historic district and riverfront wandering around on foot without an agenda. Genteel & Bard’s “Ghost Encounter Tour” was a fun way to get the lay of the land during an evening walking tour. Our highly engaging guide T.C. did an excellent job weaving actual historic facts into tales of paranormal activity and supernatural encounters in and around the heart of Savannah. Everyone who visits Savannah should tour Bonaventure Cemetery—of Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil fame. We booked a 2.5-hour guided tour with Bonaventure Don, a local historian who really knows his stuff and provides a well-rounded overview of Savannah’s history through the lens of the prominent local characters who have been buried in the cemetery over the centuries. A visit to the Savannah College of Art & Design Museum will bring you back to more contemporary times. The beautifully-curated Andie Kully Boutique in the Perry Lane Hotel is a work of art in and of itself. If you have time, take a day trip out to Tybee Island for a beach fix.
