Where to stay · Savannah · United States
Where to stay in Savannah
7 neighbourhoods compared, with the trade-offs hotel listings don't tell you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bubba73 (Jud McCranie), CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
For a first visit, stay in North Historic District. City Market, Ellis Square and the shops of Broughton Street. Best alternatives — families: River Street and Plant Riverside; budget: Victorian District and Forsyth Park.
Key facts
- First visit
- North Historic District
- Families
- River Street and Plant Riverside
- Budget
- Victorian District and Forsyth Park
- Nightlife
- North Historic District
Best area for each kind of trip
| Trip type | Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-timers | North Historic District | City Market, Ellis Square and the shops of Broughton Street |
| Families | River Street and Plant Riverside | Cobblestone riverfront of converted cotton warehouses and ship-watching |
| Couples | South Historic District | Quiet squares, Jones Street and grand townhouses towards Forsyth Park |
| Budget | Victorian District and Forsyth Park | Painted Victorian houses and the city's big park with its white fountain |
| Luxury | South Historic District | Quiet squares, Jones Street and grand townhouses towards Forsyth Park |
| Nightlife | North Historic District | City Market, Ellis Square and the shops of Broughton Street |
| Food lovers | North Historic District | City Market, Ellis Square and the shops of Broughton Street |
| Solo travellers | Starland District | Murals, food trucks, vintage shops and student energy south of Forsyth Park |
| Shopping | North Historic District | City Market, Ellis Square and the shops of Broughton Street |
| Quiet stays | South Historic District | Quiet squares, Jones Street and grand townhouses towards Forsyth Park |
| Beach | Tybee Island | Beach town with a lighthouse, pier and casual seafood shacks |
Savannah neighbourhoods in detail
$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife, food lovers and shopping
North Historic District
The northern half of the historic district, between Bay Street and Oglethorpe Avenue, holds the City Market, Ellis Square, Johnson Square and Broughton Street's shopping strip. It has the largest choice of hotels and restaurants and is a five-minute walk down to River Street. Evenings are lively with to-go cups, ghost tours and live music around the market.
- Good
- Most central base; Many restaurants and bars within a few blocks; Free downtown shuttle stops nearby
- Watch out
- Busy and noisy at night around the market; Hotel parking is expensive
- Nearby
- City Market, Ellis Square, Broughton Street, River Street
$$$$ · Best for couples, quiet stays, luxury and culture
South Historic District
South of Oglethorpe Avenue, the squares become quieter and the houses grander: Madison, Chippewa, Monterey and Lafayette squares, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and tree-tunnelled Jones Street. Accommodation is mostly inns and bed-and-breakfasts in restored mansions, ideal for slow walks and evening strolls.
- Good
- The prettiest streets in the city; Historic inns with character; Walkable to both the river and Forsyth Park
- Watch out
- Few large hotels; Restaurants are more spread out
- Nearby
- Monterey Square, Mercer Williams House, Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Jones Street
$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife and families
River Street and Plant Riverside
River Street runs along the Savannah River below the bluff, lined with old cotton warehouses turned into bars, candy shops and hotels, with huge container ships passing close by. At its western end, the Plant Riverside District converted a former power plant into hotels, restaurants and music venues. It is the most touristy part of town but has the river views.
- Good
- River views and passing ships; Lots of evening activity; Ferry to Hutchinson Island from the doorstep
- Watch out
- Crowded and touristy; Steep old stairs and cobbles up to Bay Street
- Nearby
- Savannah Belles Ferry, Factor's Walk, Waving Girl statue, City Market
$$ · Best for couples, families, quiet stays and budget
Victorian District and Forsyth Park
Around and south of Forsyth Park, the Victorian District has wooden houses with gingerbread trim, a growing number of guest houses and small restaurants along Bull and Whitaker streets. The park itself has the 1858 fountain, a Saturday farmers market and lawns used for concerts. It is a 20–25-minute walk from River Street.
- Good
- Calmer and better value than the north; Park on the doorstep; Good local cafés
- Watch out
- Longer walk to the river; Some blocks feel quiet late at night
- Nearby
- Forsyth Park, SCAD buildings, Starland District
$$ · Best for solo travellers, budget, food lovers and nightlife
Starland District
Centred on Bull Street and 40th Street, Starland is a former dairy area now filled with SCAD students, murals, a food-truck yard, coffee roasters, breweries and vintage stores. It has rental apartments and a couple of small hotels, and feels like local Savannah rather than the tourist core.
- Good
- Local, creative atmosphere; Inexpensive food and coffee; Good value rentals
- Watch out
- About 3 km from River Street; Limited hotel choice
- Nearby
- Forsyth Park, Victorian District
$$$ · Best for families, luxury and quiet stays
Hutchinson Island
Across the Savannah River from downtown, Hutchinson Island has a large resort hotel, the convention centre and a golf course, with skyline views back to River Street. The free Savannah Belles Ferry crosses in a few minutes, so guests can walk into town without a car.
- Good
- Views of the historic waterfront; Resort pools and golf; Away from downtown noise
- Watch out
- Dependent on the ferry or bridge; Few restaurants on the island itself
- Nearby
- Savannah Belles Ferry, River Street
$$$ · Best for beach, families and budget
Tybee Island
Tybee Island, about 30 km east of downtown, is Savannah's beach: a low-rise island of cottages, holiday rentals and small hotels along Butler Avenue, with the Tybee Pier and Pavilion on the south beach and the lighthouse at the north end. It suits a beach-first stay with a drive into the city for a day or two.
- Good
- On the beach; Relaxed, small-town feel; Fort Pulaski on the way
- Watch out
- About 30 minutes by car from downtown; Summer weekend traffic on US-80
- Nearby
- Tybee Island Light Station, Fort Pulaski, Tybee Pier
Areas compared
| Area | Price | Nearby |
|---|---|---|
| North Historic District | $$$ | City Market, Ellis Square, Broughton Street, River Street |
| South Historic District | $$$$ | Monterey Square, Mercer Williams House, Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Jones Street |
| River Street and Plant Riverside | $$$ | Savannah Belles Ferry, Factor's Walk, Waving Girl statue, City Market |
| Victorian District and Forsyth Park | $$ | Forsyth Park, SCAD buildings, Starland District |
| Starland District | $$ | Forsyth Park, Victorian District |
| Hutchinson Island | $$$ | Savannah Belles Ferry, River Street |
| Tybee Island | $$$ | Tybee Island Light Station, Fort Pulaski, Tybee Pier |
Getting to your hotel
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) is about 15 km northwest of downtown, roughly 20 minutes by taxi or ride-hailing. Many visitors to Hilton Head also fly into SAV.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best area to stay in Savannah for first-time visitors?
North Historic District. The northern half of the historic district, between Bay Street and Oglethorpe Avenue, holds the City Market, Ellis Square, Johnson Square and Broughton Street's shopping strip.
+Where should families stay in Savannah?
River Street and Plant Riverside: River views and passing ships.
+Which area of Savannah is best for a budget stay?
Victorian District and Forsyth Park ($$): Painted Victorian houses and the city's big park with its white fountain.