Savannah

My friend Becky is getting married this summer and as part of my wedding gift, I asked if I could help plan her honeymoon. She accepted, and I've spent the last week or so reading up on all things related to Savannah, Georgia. Though I've still got more work to do, I've narrowed down the hotel choices to three of the best values. I also found a list of "Best of Savannah" deals on the website for Savannah magazine. I've been working my way through the list, exploring sites and narrowing the list down to one that I'd personally find useful. I'll be posting more about this historic city in weeks to come, but here are my initial finds:

Hotels:

The Hamilton-Turner Inn

About the inn: BedandBreakfast.com award winner ’07-08, recommended by the New York Times and by Southern Living magazine. Rachael Ray stayed here while filming her show, “$40 a Day.” It offers full gourmet Southern breakfast, early morning newspapers and coffee, afternoon tea and sweets, early evening wine and hors d’ouevres, late evening port, nightly turndown service with cookies at your bedside

Rates: Isiah Davenport and Julia Scarbrough rooms, $189/night (both include queen bed, private bathroom, TVs with DVD players, free high-speed internet

Customer reviews: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60814-d86744-Reviews-Hamilton_Turner_Inn-Savannah_Georgia.html#REVIEWS

Location: 330 Abercorn Street, Savannah GA 31401 (in the middle of historic Savannah)

Website: http://www.hamilton-turnerinn.com


Mansion on Forsythe

About the hotel: This restored Victorian mansion is set in Savannah’s legendary Historic District. It includes Poseidon Spa (http://www.mansiononforsythpark.com/poseidonspa), a 24-hour fitness center, art gallery, wine cellar and cooking school.

Rates: You can get a premium king suite for as low as $229; there’s also a “bohemian king” that has a more modern décor for $265 if you pay in full at the time you purchase it.

Customer reviews: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60814-d522605-Reviews-Mansion_on_Forsyth_Park-Savannah_Georgia.html#REVIEWS

Location: 700 Drayton St, Savannah, G.A. 31401 (right next to Forsythe Park)

Website: http://www.mansiononforsythpark.com


Westin Savannah Harbor

About the hotel: Overlooking the Savannah River and Historic District, the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa is just a water taxi ride away from the southern charm of Savannah. As a guest, you can ride the taxi free. The hotel is also a short trip from several beaches, including Tybee Island and Hilton Head, and guests of The Westin Savannah Harbor enjoy private access to a beach on Hilton Head. The hotel also includes an on-site spa.

Rates: $112 a night through Hotwire
To find this rate and book it, go to Hotwire.com, enter your travel dates and destination, and it is the first hotel that pops up for Savannah. Based on this posting on BetterBidding.com, http://www.betterbidding.com/index.php?showtopic=20766&), I’m pretty sure that the Westin is the $112 hotel.

Customer reviews: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60814-d219403-Reviews-Westin_Savannah_Harbor_Golf_Resort_Spa-Savannah_Georgia.html#REVIEWS

Location: One Resort Drive, Savannah, GA 31421

Website: http://www.westinsavannah.com

Best of Savannah Highlights
All of these are from the “Best of Savannah” awards, published by Savannah magazine. For the full list, visit http://www.savannahmagazine.com/archive/bestofsavannah.shtml

Dining

Best Dessert: Gottlieb's Restaurant & Dessert Bar Website: http://www.gottliebsfood.com
My notes: There’s no menu on their website, but it does allow you to make online reservations. It says an updated website is coming soon. This restaurant also was voted Best New Restaurant and Best Restaurant Overall.

Best Gourmet Pizza: Vinnie Van Go-Go's
Website: http://www.vinnievangogo.com
My notes: There’s not much variety on their menu, at least online. There might be more in the restaurant.

Most Romantic Dinner: Olde Pink House
My notes: When Brett and I spent a day in Savannah a couple years ago, this is where we ate. They have a good mix of seafood to non-seafood.

Best Business Lunch: SoHo South Cafe
Website: http://www.sohosouthcafe.com/lunch.html
My notes: Based on the menu, this looks like the best place for any lunch, period.

Best Brunch: The Aqua Star in the Westin Savannah Harbor Resort My notes: I couldn’t find a menu for this restaurant online.

Best Wine Selection: aVida Restaurant & Wine Bar
My notes: There was no website. Here is the address: 113 West Broughton.

Best Barbeque: Johnny Harris Restaurant on Victory Drive (this is its fifth straight year as best BBQ)
Website: http://www.johnnyharris.com
My notes: They also have a store, where you can buy their BBQ sauces.

Best Seafood: Almost Pearl's Saltwater Grill
Website: http://savannahmenu.net/info_pages.php?pages_id=466
My notes: There are four options for non-seafood entrees, including steak and chicken. However, there are a ton of options for seafood dishes, all of which looked fabulous.

Best Bakery: Baker's Pride
Website: http://www.savannahbakery.com
My notes: There are photos of the bakery on the site, and not only do they sell individual items (so you could go grab a Danish for breakfast or a cookie in the afternoon), but they also have tables so you can sit while you eat.

Nightlife

Best Live Entertainment: Jazz'd
Website: http://www.jazzdsavannah.com/
My notes: They also won for Best Martini.

Best Happy Hour: Venus di Milo
My notes: I couldn’t find a website for this place, but DID find a blog about it: http://www.blogsavannah.com/2006/11/04/venus-rising.