Hamilton-Turner Inn

The Hamilton-Turner Inn was featured in the film "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," as the home where the eccentric Mandy and Joe Odom threw lavish, Gatsby style parties. One look at this stately mansion and it's easy to see why it was picked. First built in 1873, the Hamilton-Turner Inn blends Second Empire and Italianate architectural styles, featuring a mansard roof, wide overhanging eaves with decorative brackets, and tall windows with heavy hood molds. Both the mansion and the carriage house are built of stucco-covered Savannah gray brick. Inside, the high style continues. Beyond the grand entry and staircase is the reception desk, and either side is flanked by the parlor, where the evening wine reception takes place, and the dining room, where breakfast is served. While the property is short on features -- there’s no gym or business center, and no elevator -- it’s long on atmosphere. From the brocade wallpaper to the crystal chandeliers and marble-topped end tables, guests will find Southern elegance in every corner.

The Hamilton-Turner Inn offers a great location to go sightseeing around historic Savannah. The surrounding streets are chock full of parks and beautifully well-kept mansions. In fact, the Inn is part of some historic walking tours of the area, including a ghost tour (though we witnessed no paranormal activity). Plenty of local dining options exist nearby, including Angel's BBQ, Clary's Cafe, and Firefly. Be aware however, many local establishments close early. It's a seven-minute walk to the historic Savannah Theater, a four-minute walk to the Savannah College of Art and Design, and a 13-minute walk to either the Savannah Civic Center or Telfair Museum. Flannery O'Connor's childhood home is next door, as is Electric Bikes of Savannah. If Tybee Island Beach calls, it's just a 34-minute drive. It's a 12-minute walk to public transit that will take you to the airport in about an hour, or it's a 24-minute drive.  

Like most boutique hotels, the square footage and features in the guest rooms can vary -- some have working fireplaces or clawfoot tubs. Some are on the small side and have awkwardly placed  TVs. But rooms share an antique look with Oriental rugs, brocade wallpaper, and heavy drapery. The ground-level rooms, including the carriage house, tend to be noisier, while suites and rooms on the upper floors have more privacy and could be better suited to romantic getaways. Amenities include flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, but they lack coffeemakers. All of the bathrooms have recently been overhauled without losing their historic flair. Antique dressers topped with gleaming fresh marble sinks make for charming, functional vanities. Rooms have walk-in showers, and suites add slipper bathtubs. Rainfall showerheads, along with premium soaps, shampoos, lotions and hairdryers complete the picture. One downside is the balconies -- which aren't up to code and can't be used by guests. 

The star feature of the Hamilton-Turner Inn is its incredible atmosphere, but like many historic boutique properties, it lacks the amenities of a larger upscale property -- there's no gym, business center, or full restaurant, and service can lag a bit. The hotel does provide free coffee, served in the parlor, where guests will also find newspapers to peruse. Egg dishes, homemade scones and pastries, as well as yogurt and granola are part of the free morning breakfast, served by reservation in the dining room. Homemade pastries are available throughout the day, and every night there’s a wine reception, and then evening port. Concierge service is 24 hours, and there's free property-wide Wi-Fi. Pets are allowed in certain rooms for a surcharge.