Hotel Bardo Savannah

Location

Overlooking one of Savannah’s largest stretches of greenery, Forsyth Park, this hotel is well placed for morning walks to boutique cafés and manicured gardens. Happily, it’s also located in the city’s downtown meaning the architectural delights of Savannah’s colonial mansions and squares, lined by colossal oak trees, are within easy reach. From the symmetry of Owens-Thomas House’s English Regency architecture to the white stone and glass of the Jepson Center for the Arts, there’s plenty to see.

Accommodation

With its AAA Four-Diamond distinction and a 2005 renovation, this Victorian Romanesque mansion is decidedly elegant. The onyx, marble and Lalique chandeliers of the lobby set the tone for equally decadent rooms where guests are treated to plush furniture and custom, furled headboards. En suite bathrooms, appointed with marble, are a highlight with whirlpool tubs and Swiss showers. Deluxe Forsyth Guest Rooms feature park views while Concierge Guest Rooms occupy the highest floor, where continental breakfasts and evening receptions are served daily in the lounge. For superior park views, look to the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Executive King Rooms.

Dining

The 700 Drayton Restaurant proves that creativity isn’t limited to the hotel’s art gallery. Situated in one of the park’s original mansions, the restaurant combines the rich Southern opulence of the Savannah with modern ingredients and techniques. Think dishes such as coastal shrimp served with a seasonal tomato salad and in a Vidalia onion and red wine sauce. Lunch and breakfasts are a more casual affair with classic favourites such as chicken sandwiches and cooked breakfasts.

Facilities

If you’re inspired by the restaurant, you might wish to book into a hands-on cooking course, rated by Tripadvisor at the time of writing as the best experience in Savannah. For refined culture, move from the tinkling of the lounge’s piano to the Grand Bohemian Gallery and its over 400 works by local, regional and international artists. And, in a hotel of this calibre, it’s no surprise that there’s an excellent spa and pool. It also puts on tours of the Savannah Historical District that feature a hand-packed picnic lunch to enjoy in Forsyth Park.