Beachview Resort

The Beachview Bed and Breakfast is charming and welcoming. A large yellow house with a front porch and brick columns, the bed-and-breakfast feels like a genuine home from the moment guests reach the red brick driveway. The second level of the front porch looks out on a residential street, and has small tables with white tablecloths, along with wooden rocking chairs clustered around a space heater for cooler evenings. The cuddly, blue blanket thrown over one of the chairs is emblematic of the level of detail and care the owners bring to their property. Down the steps to the ground-floor verandah, there are more rocking chairs and cushioned benches -- and a more private feeling, as few rooms are on the first floor. Beach equipment is tucked away under the wooden staircase. Inside, the Beachview has used its space efficiently, valuing private guest room space over communal areas. The dining room occupies a long hallway with beautiful wood floors, walls, and ceilings; elegant small tables and chairs line one side of the space, while antique furnishings, a unique chandelier, and a fireplace lend cozy style. A number of guest rooms are situated off this dining space, which elevates the sense of community, but could create some noise issues, particularly in the morning when guests -- typically couples -- are grabbing breakfast. 

Tybee Island is a petite barrier island 19 miles outside of Savannah. A small, waterside city, Tybee is known for low-key beach getaways, which is exactly what the Beachview offers. The hotel is a few minutes' walk from the beach, which is where most guests spend their days. A compact place, Tybee nonetheless offers a business district with restaurants, bars, and shops, centering around Tybrisa Street (16th Street), just a few minutes' walk from the Beachview. 

Rooms at the Beachview range in size and layout, but all maintain the style of a bed-and-breakfast, typically with four-poster beds and antique (or antique-looking) dressers or chests. Some have original pine floors. Each room is painted in a different pastel color, giving them a beachy flair. Some rooms are truly spacious, including Mary's Suite, which has two room separated by French doors. Other rooms are smaller, such as the Ocean View room, which opens onto the second level of the porch, with the water visible off in the distance. The Garden Suite could be great for a family (or group) of three, as it has two bedrooms in a railroad design, a private porch over the garden, and a kitchenette. Bathrooms range in size, but are typically comfortable, clean, brightly lit, and have shower/tub combos. Each room has a flat-screen TV and mini-fridge, and some also have microwaves, coffeemakers, and/or wet bars. Wi-Fi is included. 

As a bed-and-breakfast, the Beachview offers a free breakfast every morning, and puts out dessert and snacks for guests in the evening. Items are homemade, and include everything from biscuits and gravy to fruit and granola. The hotel recently added a multi-use, open-air pavilion with a small bar that could easily serve as venue for a reception or meeting. The Beachview's proximity to the beach is a great feature, as well -- it's just a block away from the sand. Under its porch steps, the hotel has coolers, beach towels, and umbrellas for guest use. Bikes are also available. It should be noted that the Beachview's owners deliver an attention to detail that puts this property a step above. Guests consistently rave about the level of service they've experienced at the Beachview, and often return again and again.