$150–300

Easily the best bed-and-breakfast for the price in Savannah is The Green Palm Inn (546 E. President St., 912/447-8901, www.greenpalminn.com, $159–189), a folksy and romantic little Victorian number with some neat gingerbread exterior stylings and four cute rooms, each named after a species of palm tree. It’s situated on the very easternmost edge of the Historic District—hence it’s reasonable rates—but let’s face it, being right next to charming little Greene Square is far from the worst place you could be. Delightful innkeeper Diane McCray provides a very good and generous breakfast plus a pretty-much-constant dessert bar.

One of Savannah’s original historic B&Bs, the
Eliza Thompson House (5 W. Jones St., 912/236-3620, www.elizathompsonhouse.com, $180–225) is a bit out of the bustle on serene, beautiful Jones Street but still close enough to get involved whenever you feel the urge. You can enjoy the various culinary offerings—breakfast, wine and cheese, nighttime munchies—either in the parlor or on the patio overlooking the house’s classic Savannah garden. One of the half-dozen lodging properties owned by the locally based HLC group, the Eliza Thompson House hews to their generally high standard of service.

Over $300

The circa-1896 Foley House Inn (14 W. Hull St., 912/232-6622, www.foleyinn.com, $199–375) is a four-diamond B&B with some rooms available at a three-diamond price. Its 19 individualized, Victorian-decor rooms, in two townhouses, range from the smaller Newport overlooking the “grotto courtyard” to the four-poster, bay-windowed Essex room, complete with fireplace and whirlpool bath. The location on Chippewa Square is pretty much perfect: well off the busy east–west thoroughfares but in the heart of Savannah’s active theater district and within walking distance of anywhere.

One of Savannah’s favorite bed-and-breakfasts, The Kehoe House (123 Habersham St., 912/232-1020, www.kehoehouse.com, $215–315) is a great choice for its charm and attention to guests. Its historic location, on quiet little Columbia Square catty-corner to the Isaiah Davenport House, is within walking distance to all the downtown action, but far enough from the bustle to get some peace out on one of the rocking chairs on the veranda.

Once a bordello, the 1838 mansion that is home to the 16-room Ballastone Inn (14 E. Oglethorpe Ave., 912/236-1484, www.ballastone.com, $235–355) is one of Savannah’s favorite inns. Highlights include an afternoon tea service and one of the better full breakfasts in town. Note that some rooms are at what Savannah calls the “garden level,” i.e., sunken basement-level rooms with what amounts to a worm’s-eye view.

© Jim Morekis from Moon Charleston & Savannah, 4th Edition