Thompson Savannah

Thompson Savannah is the city's best contemporary hotel and the pick for travelers who want modern design, big views and a social scene more than antiques and creaking floorboards. Opened by Hyatt in August 2021 as the Thompson brand's first property in Georgia, it anchors the Eastern Wharf, a large mixed-use development on the Savannah River at the eastern edge of the historic district, and its tower is set perpendicular to the river so that rooms look either upriver toward the city or downriver toward the marsh and the sea. There are 193 rooms, including 21 suites, designed with botanical accents, jewel tones, custom stone tile and local artwork — polished and residential rather than flashy. The hotel's restaurants and bars are a real draw for locals as well as guests: Fleeting, the signature restaurant, cooks seasonally with a coastal focus; Bar Julian, the Mediterranean-influenced rooftop bar, is one of the most popular sunset spots in the city, with sweeping river views; and The Sunroom, an art-deco poolside lounge, serves the second-floor pool deck with its splash pool, daybeds and private cabanas. A riverside event lawn and ballroom make it a wedding favorite. Fit: couples looking for a stylish modern base, foodies who want a strong restaurant downstairs, groups and celebrations, and travelers who want the river without the River Street crowds.

The Eastern Wharf location deserves explaining. The hotel sits at the downriver end of the riverfront, past the traditional River Street strip, where a newer neighborhood of apartments, restaurants and a riverwalk extension has grown on former industrial land. That means calmer evenings and better views than the crowded middle of River Street, with the historic district a ten- to fifteen-minute walk west along the river or up through Washington and Warren squares. The trade-off is that the Thompson feels a little apart from the squares; travelers who want to step straight out onto an oak-shaded square should look at the district's inns instead, while those who like a modern neighborhood with the old city in walking range will find this the ideal compromise.

Room strategy: upper floors are the point — request a high river-view room for the ships passing close on the channel and the marsh opening toward the sea, or a city-view room for the skyline of steeples and the Talmadge Bridge at sunset. Suites are generous and work well for small families or longer stays. Make a dinner reservation at Fleeting early in the trip, and plan a sunset at Bar Julian; on busy weekends, hotel guests should arrive early, as the rooftop draws a crowd from across the city.

Practicals: on the river at the Eastern Wharf, east of the historic district; valet parking with typical downtown charges; about twenty-five minutes from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport; World of Hyatt points and benefits apply. Rates sit in the upper tier of the market and peak on spring and October weekends and around St. Patrick's Day. Fit: design-minded couples, foodies, groups and celebrations — Savannah's modern riverfront address, with the old city a stroll away. Booking advice: the Thompson is one of the city's most popular wedding and event venues, so check for large events on your dates if you prefer a quieter stay, and book Fleeting and Bar Julian ahead on weekends. Travelers who want the Eastern Wharf without the Thompson's prices can consider the neighborhood's other new hotels, but the Thompson remains the area's standout for design and dining. For a first visit, plan to walk into the historic district in the morning, return for the pool in the afternoon heat, and finish with sunset on the roof — a rhythm that makes the most of the hotel's position between the river and the old city.