The Brice, a Kimpton Hotel

The Brice is the most fun boutique hotel in the historic district and the easiest recommendation for travelers who want character, a pool and a relaxed, friendly vibe at a fair price. It sits on the quiet eastern end of Bay Street at Washington Square — one of the prettiest and least crowded squares — in a nineteenth-century brick building with a colorful past: it served as a horse livery and later as a Coca-Cola bottling plant, a history the hotel celebrates with a Coke float on the restaurant menu and the old livery facade visible through the arches of its Secret Garden. Kimpton turned it into a 145-room hotel with bright, witty interiors — bold color, Southern references, playful art — and the brand's familiar hospitality touches, from a friendly front desk to a pet-friendly policy that welcomes dogs without fuss. The courtyard pool terrace with the Daisy Pool Bar is a genuine oasis in the summer heat, and Pacci, the hotel's Italian restaurant, is a dependable dinner and a lively bar. River Street is a few blocks away down the old ramps, the Pirates House and Emmet Park are around the corner, and the Bull Street spine is a fifteen-minute walk west through some of the district's loveliest blocks. Fit: couples who want a stylish but unpretentious base, travelers with dogs, families who want a pool, and first-timers who like a hotel with personality.

Why Washington Square: the eastern end of the historic district is quieter and more residential than the City Market and River Street blocks, with grand houses, oak-shaded squares (Washington, Warren and Columbia among them) and easy access to both the riverfront and the house museums. From the Brice, the Davenport House and Owens-Thomas House are a short walk south, the Pirates House restaurant and Emmet Park's river bluff are steps away, and the new Eastern Wharf neighborhood lies just downriver. You give up being in the middle of the action, and gain calmer nights and a more local feel.

Room strategy: rooms vary in size and outlook because of the historic building; ask for a courtyard or pool-view room for the prettiest outlook, or a suite for more space on longer stays. Rooms facing Bay Street can pick up traffic noise, so light sleepers should request an inside room. Kimpton loyalty members (IHG One Rewards) often get perks, and the hotel's social hour and bike loans, where offered, are worth asking about at check-in. Families should note that the pool is a courtyard pool rather than a resort deck — perfect for cooling off between outings rather than a full day's entertainment.

Practicals: 601 East Bay Street at Washington Square; valet parking with daily charges typical of the district; about twenty minutes from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. Rates are in the district's upper-middle range and rise on spring and October weekends and around St. Patrick's Day. Dogs are welcome under the Kimpton pet policy. Fit: couples, dog owners, families wanting a pool and first-timers — the historic district's most cheerful boutique stay. Booking advice: the Brice is a strong choice for midweek stays and longer visits, when rates soften and the courtyard pool is quiet; on spring and October weekends it fills with weddings and group trips, so reserve early. Dog owners should mention their pet at booking so the hotel can prepare, and should ask about nearby walking routes — Washington, Warren and Columbia squares, plus Emmet Park's long bluff-top green, make this one of the most dog-friendly corners of the district. Compared with the riverfront hotels, the Brice trades views for calm, character and a pool, which many repeat visitors consider the better bargain.