The Marshall House
As Savannah's first hotel, The Marshall House has a distinctive place in the city's history. Businesswoman Mary Marshall opened the hotel in 1851 after noting Savannah's need for accommodations. The hotel became a hospital for soldiers during the Civil War and then went through a series of openings and closing; it was renamed as The Gilbert Hotel, then closed in 1956 for more than 40 years.
In 1999, a $12 million restoration brought The Marshall House back into the hotel business. It was listed on The National Register of Historic Places in 2000. In 2003, the Travel Channel featured the hotel on its "Great Hotels" series.
The 68-room hotel still boasts its original staircases, wood floors, fireplaces, brick walls and room doors. The in-house restaurant, 45 Bistro, serves dinner daily. Rates range from $199 to $239 per night.
The Marshall House
123 East Broughton Street
Savannah, GA 31401
(800) 589-6304
marshallhouse.com
River Street Inn
Built in 1817, the five-story River Street Inn occupies a city block and is wrapped around an atrium. Originally, the building was a two-story cotton factory; the top three floors added in 1853 feature a series of balconies that allowed workers to overlook the loading and unloading of cotton. This inn is part of the Historic Hotels of America.
The building was transformed into a hotel in 1986 and now houses 86 guestrooms with views of the Savannah River and the Historic District. A complimentary wine reception, including appetizers, is offered to guests from Monday to Saturday. Rates range from $199 to $275 per night.
River Street Inn
124 East Bay Street
Savannah, GA 31401
(800) 678-8946
riverstreetinn.com
The Mulberry Inn
Also a member of the Historic Hotels of America, The Mulberry Inn opened in 1860. Although it was originally built as a livery stable, the building eventually transformed into a cotton factory, then housed the city's first Coca-Cola bottling franchise in the early 1900s.
The Inn is located on Washington Square in Savannah's Historic District. Nearby attractions include River Street and the Waterfront, as well as upscale shopping and golf courses.
The inn offers amenities such as daily valet laundry service, porter services and a concierge that will aid guests in scheduling activities during their visit to Savannah. Rates range from $129 to $269 per night.
The Mulberry Inn
601 East Bay Street
Savannah, GA 31401
(800) 678-8946
savannahhotel.com
Article Written By Kelsey Cassel
Kelsey Cassel is a professional writer and editor, specializing in food, weddings and health/fitness. Currently the food and weddings editor for "What's Up? Magazine" in Annapolis, Md., she has also contributed to "The Daily Times" of Maryland and New York City's "The Knot." Cassel holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Penn State University.
