Andaz Savannah

Andaz Savannah wins on location above all: it stands on Ellis Square at 14 Barnard Street, in the busy heart of the historic district, with City Market's galleries and restaurants on one side, the Bull Street walk a block east and River Street's cobblestones two short blocks north. Hyatt opened it under the Andaz lifestyle brand in 2012, and it carries the brand's relaxed, locally flavored style — contemporary rooms with Southern touches, a lobby that doubles as a lounge, and staff who act as neighborhood hosts. Ellis Square itself is one of the city's great stories: paved over for a parking structure in the 1950s, it was reclaimed and rebuilt as a public square in 2010, and today its fountains, life-size chessboard and statue of the songwriter Johnny Mercer make it a lively front yard. The hotel's practical strengths suit a first visit: an outdoor heated pool on the second floor that is open year-round, 22 Square Restaurant and Lounge for breakfast through dinner, room service, and a garage directly beneath the building. Dogs are welcome (with a weight limit and fee), and the destination fee covers perks such as bike use, in-room snacks and Old Town Trolley discounts. Fit: first-time visitors who want everything walkable, couples who like being in the middle of the action, travelers with dogs, and families who need a pool that works in any season.

What to expect from the location: Ellis Square and City Market are the liveliest corner of the district, which is both the appeal and the caution. You can walk out the door to dinner, galleries, the American Prohibition Museum and the river in minutes, and come back between outings without thinking about transport. Evenings bring music and crowds around City Market, so the hotel suits travelers who enjoy that energy more than those seeking a sleepy inn on a residential square. The location also makes the Andaz an easy base for the trolley, walking tours and ghost tours, almost all of which start within a few blocks.

Room strategy: square-view rooms look over Ellis Square's fountains and the market and are the most atmospheric; inside rooms are quieter. Upper floors cut down on street noise. The pool deck is a real asset in summer and a pleasant surprise in the cooler months because it is heated, and families should plan a pool break mid-afternoon when the streets are hottest. Book 22 Square for an easy first-night dinner, then use the hotel as a launch pad for the city's bigger restaurants, most of which are walkable.

Practicals: 14 Barnard Street on Ellis Square; self-parking in the Whitaker Street garage beneath the hotel (city-run) or valet with daily charges; guests must be twenty-one to check in; a daily destination fee applies; about twenty minutes from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport; World of Hyatt points and benefits apply. Rates sit in the upper-middle range and rise on spring and October weekends and around St. Patrick's Day, when City Market is at its loudest. Fit: first-timers, couples, dog owners and families — the most central full-service address in Savannah. Booking advice: Andaz is the right pick when convenience matters most — short trips, first visits, travelers without a car, or anyone who wants to drop shopping bags between outings. Factor the destination fee and parking into price comparisons, since they change the math against inns that include breakfast and parking. Weekend nights around City Market can be lively until late, so request a high floor or an inside room if you are a light sleeper. Pair a stay here with the trolley for the first day and walking for the rest; almost everything in this guide's historic-district section is within fifteen minutes on foot.