GA Savannah Inn at Ellis Square Historic District

[dragonf1y]

FYI: This is run by Days Inn, and people in town may refer to as such.

Check in 05/10/10, check out 05/12/10. Reserved on 05/10/10. $79 per night. Regular rate $99 per night.

2 nights = $158

Tax recovery charges and fees: $27.22

Total Hotwire price: $185.22

Parking is self-parking, $9 per night. There is $8 parking very closeby for those who want to save a couple bucks.

There were no other hidden fees, no "resort" fees or other nonsense.

Amenities listed by Hotwire:

Pool

Restaurant (I never could find one, and there was no room service menu in the room)

Business center

High speed internet (this was free)

Golf nearby

Tennis nearby

NOT listed by Hotwire:

Has a fitness center on the first floor (listed on 7th on their web site). Never did find it to examine it since I was looking for it on the 7th floor and only noticed the sign on checking out.

Is now 100% nonsmoking

Listed as 3 stars. I'd give it more like 2: Out of order elevator, out of order ice machine, broken safe in closet with limited keys for safes, no shower curtain, no bath mat, no bath soap in bathroom, sliding mirrored closet off track, broken glass, somewhat unprofessional staff (front desk response to request for key that was supposed to be in the safe according to the note on the safe "You'll have to come down and get it.") Limited number of newspapers, not to door. No evidence of room service. LOUD air conditioning (bring ear plugs). Two double beds, not very comfy. Pillows are way overstuffed, so bring your own. Bar is extremely small. I never did see a bartender on duty. The bar was always empty.

Pluses: VERY good continental breakfast. Waffles, four types of juice, mini donuts, sweet rolls, sausage patties, eggs, bagels, cream cheese, fresh fruit, applesauce, etc. Location good, but at one end of historic district (close to the Riverwalk, which is 99% tacky souvenirs and a few pubs). Seemed clean, though I wouldn't want to go barefoot on the carpet. Helpful concierge. If you're wanting to see Paula Deen's stuff, this location is very close to her restaurant and her store.

I wouldn't stay there again. There are many other choices nearby.

TIPS:

You can walk to anything in the historic district from this hotel, though it is on the edge rather than in the middle. I did not use my car the entire time. HOWEVER, put moleskin on your feet before walking at all. By the second day I had severe blisters, even though I put moleskin on my feet at the first sign of discomfort. If you need anything, there is a CVS in the historic district (used to be a jail!). So prep your feet before you even begin walking.

Bring bug spray. You'll need it if you visit the cemetery. Continental Cemetery in the historic district closes at 8 p.m. most nights. Bonaventure Cemetery is not within the historic district, so you'll need the car for that one.

Lunch at The Pirates' House is fabulous. If you want to eat in the oldest house in GA (and supposedly one of the most haunted), ask to eat in their Herb House. Ply the waiters with questions about ghosts they've seen, and they just may entertain you with some stories.

Choose your ghost tours wisely. Many are stupid. Most will just be you and the tour guide walking around town. If you want to go INSIDE buildings, be sure to check for that on the tour description.

When your feet get tired and blistered (if you didn't heed the moleskin advice!), call a Pedicab (usually a Savannah College of Art and Design student riding a bike and pulling you behind him). Cheap, fast, and fun.

You can skip the Riverwalk. If you're like me, you'll find it a huge disappointment. It's mostly tacky souvenir shops -- you know, tired shot glasses, flip flops, t-shirts and other crap along with a few pubs. Nothing down there worth seeing. I walked half of it, stopped in a candy shop and asked if the rest of it had anything besides junk, and they answered honestly "no." So hit the candy shop if you must, hit the art gallery of local artists, and forget about the rest of it.