WHERE TO STAY IN SAVANNAH
Ballastone Inn: 14, east Oglethorpe Avenue, (912) 236-1484, maintain its antebellum refinement. Once a bordello, the Ballastone was built in 1838 and named for the stones carried in ship’s holds for stability. It blends the old (love seats, marble top-tables and framed engravings from Harper’s) with the new (color televisions and VCRs)’
Hyatt Regency: 2, West Bay Street, (912) 238-1234, is the best in-town hotel. Its location is ideal: on the riverfront, within walking distance of the historic district. From many of the well kept modern rooms you can watch ships from Oslo and other distant ports creep upstream to dock. The valet parking crew must be the speediest anywhere.
Gastonian: 220, East Gaston Street: (912) 232-2869. This is perhaps the best bed-and-breakfast in a city full of good ones, good enough to make it into the picky Relais and Chateaux group. Two refined 1868 houses in the Italianate style, furnished with period antiques, bedrooms with working fireplaces; only a somewhat remote location is a minus.
Westin Savannah Harbor Resort: 1 Resort Drive. (912) 201-2000. This 403 room newcomer, located on Hutchinson island, across the river form downtown savannah and adjacent to the convention center, offers it all: and eighteen hole golf course designed by Sam Snead, two pools, three tennis courts and super comfortable beds. The historic district on the other riverbank is a few minutes away by fast water taxi.
