Hotel at a Glance: Best Western Plus Savannah Airport Inn & Suites

A short drive from the antebellum mansions that line Savannah’s historic downtown, this stylish Best Western boasts amenities that cater to those traveling for business or pleasure. Within the hotel’s colorful walls, you’ll find a heated pool and hot tub as well as complimentary popcorn and lemonade. Barbecue restaurants, steak houses, and international restaurants sit within a 2-mile radius, and a free shuttle can whisk you to and from Savannah/Hilton Head Airport.

• Notable nods: The hotel received AAA’s Three Diamond rating and TripAdvisor’s GreenLeaders distinction for its environmentally conscious initiatives.
• Free breakfast includes hot eggs, fresh fruit, and cereal.
• 42-inch flat-screen TVs and wireless Internet access in guest rooms
• Fitness center stocked with cardio machines, free weights, and motivational finger paintings by Richard Simmons
• Complimentary wine and beer at the hotel’s happy hour, held every Monday–Thursday

Savannah, Georgia: Historical Mansions and a Lively River Walk

Founded in 1733 as Georgia’s first town, Savannah is not only one of the most graceful cities in the South but also one the most historic. The old but well-preserved architecture landed it on Forbes’s 2011 list of America’s Best Downtowns, and Travel + Leisure recently dubbed it one of the World’s Best Cities for the way it “reveres its heritage.” You can see this in the city’s 22 famous public squares, which play host to some famous landmarks, such as antebellum-era houses framed by moss-covered oak trees. Head to Oglethorpe Square to see the Owens-Thomas House, an English Regency–style mansion completed in 1819 that now serves as a museum; tours here depart from the original carriage house and go past its charming English-style parterre garden.

Another relic of Savannah’s past, River Street curves for about a mile along Savannah River’s south bank. The cobblestone walkways are lined with 100-year-old cotton warehouses that have been converted into antique shops, brewpubs, and galleries. Explore the riverfront in style aboard one of the Old Town sightseeing trolleys or during a horse-drawn carriage tour. Though the street is tamer than it was a few decades ago—when it was overrun with muscle cars and rowdy sailors—there’s still plenty of energy here, with a lively pub scene and views of large ships lumbering toward the dock.

A five-minute walk west will take you to the City Market, a four-block public meeting space on the edge of downtown. This section of Savannah’s sprawling historic district has established itself as one of the city’s top destinations for entertainment and dining thanks to the many artists’ studios, open-air restaurants, and taverns found here.

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