The Hotel: Doubletree Hotel Historic Savannah...

The Doubletree Hotel Historic Savannah is, as the name indicates, in the Historic District of Savannah, Georgia. The Doubletree is located near Franklin Square at the busy corner of Bay and MLK, Jr. streets on the edge of the Historic Part of Savannah, about 2 blocks from the Savannah River and the River Street shops. Although the Hyatt and Hilton have better locations in Historic Savannah, the Doubletree is better situated than the Marriott or Westin.

The Doubletree is a newer 6-story contemporary building built in the early 21st Century, with some brick in it’s facade to fit in with the Historic Savannah theme. It opened as a Radisson, but switched flags to Doubletree in 2004. The hotel offers valet parking for $13/day, but otherwise has no parking facilities. The valet attendants were extremely courteous and fast. My only complaint is my rental car came back with some sort of weird lime deposit drops one day that were really hard to clean off.

The Welcome: Every greeting is better with a cookie...
Welcome Ratings: Curb Appeal = 4 Stars; Interior Design = 4 Stars; Staff Quality = 4 Stars

The main entry is located off Bay Street. The entrance is pretty non-descript, but the doors open into a quaint little Southern Style lobby. Immediately on one side is the concierge desk (one concierge attendant was very helpful, the other very stuffy). On both sides of the lobby are small sitting parlors, decked out in wood paneled walls and fine Southern style furnishings. They felt formal and casual all at the same time, which is a good description of Savannah in general. The front desk is immediately behind all this, and is a simple desk with two counters. Here you’ll find the key part of this hotel...it’s staff. The front desk staff, the valet, the bellmen, the housekeeping...All get A+’s. Top notch...Primo. It’s as if we were staying at the Four Seasons, but much more casual. And as if this wasn’t enough, you get warm chocolate chip cookies at check-in. It’s the little things in life…

Needless to say our check in went smoothly. All my requests were honored...top floor, non-smoking, king bed, two cribs, city view. We exited the front desk with our bellman in tow. The elevator lobby was very attractive as we waited for the elevators. The elevators are slow here. Maybe it’s because we are in Savannah, everything here seems to run at it’s own pace. It arrived and we were off to our 6th floor room. Corridors are nicely lit and finely decorated.

The Room: This is the nicest Doubletree Room I’ve ever seen...
Room Ratings: Bed = 5 Stars; Bedding = 4.5 Stars; Design = 4 Stars

We opened the door to our room, and Wow! I was impressed. Is this only a 3-star hotel? This room was very 4-star indeed and immaculate. I quickly ran through the room trying to find the fatal flaw. I didn’t find it. But I think I found out why this is not a 4-star hotel. There is no telephone in the bathroom and the A/C was not on a wall-mounted thermostat. I know, I was horrified too! Ha, ha, ha! Anyway, I’m getting side-tracked...

Our room was just the run of the house King room in a decor that I can best describe as Eclectic Southern Boutique. It was extremely tasteful, with all the charm of Southern furnishings but with subtle whimsy that made it eclectic. The room was only an average size, but had high ceilings with wood crown moldings and base, typical of a high end home. This hotel just has a boutique feeling all the way around. It’s hard to believe it is a Doubletree.

Our furniture consisted of dark wood Thomasville collection pieces, and a light mustard contemporarily cut wing back chair with matching ottoman. I know this sounds eww, but really looks fantastic in this room. The bed is what really stands out though. Our king-size was a four post bed high off the floor with a thick and comfy floral comforter and cool contrasting red bed skirt. In fact, the bed is so high, it comes with a step stool. I thought for sure the comforter was a duvet stuffed with down because it was just so darned comfortable, but alas, it was not. But the best part of the bed was what was under the comforter. This is one of the most comfortable beds I have ever been in. The bedding was extremely clean and soft, and the bed so nice, I just never wanted to leave it. 5-star quality bed, undoubtedly. I loved taking afternoon naps in it. Doubletree Hotels come with the Sweet Dreams Bed, but these were actually superior to them.

Our 6th floor room looked out upon Franklin Square below and the full historic district beyond. Very desirable view and a great place to pull up the chair, sip your morning coffee and watch the city’s steeples light up with the morning sun. Oh, it’s just so cool, I can’t wait to go back.

The Bathrooms are extremely clean and nicely decorated, but will win no size awards. They are average hotel size with a textured tile floor and beautiful granite slab vanity. There is a wood framed mirror with nice lighting with 2-tone (brass and chrome) faucets/fixtures, including a pleasant multi-setting showerhead. Bath care amenities were standard Neutrogena products…which I don’t mind.

Additionally there is a small vanity area in the room’s foyer, but there isn’t much room there beyond the coffeemaker. There was no wall-mounted hairdryer in the bathroom, but there was a complimentary real hairdryer ready for your use in the closet. That’s a nice touch.

Room Amenities include Iron and Board hanging in the closet, Coffee/Tea Service, Broadband Internet Access, Alarm Clock/Radio, Telephones at Night Stand and Work Desk, Voicemail, PPV Movies and Video Games. The TV was average size with an average selection of channels. The air conditioning worked extremely well, but is hard to get the room temp just right without a thermostat. Truly the room’s only flaw.

The Grub: You could eat here, but WHY???
Food Ratings: Restaurant = 3 Stars; Lounge = 3 Stars

We ate one breakfast in the Hotel’s Restaurant. We had the buffet and it was fair in every way. Our waiter was very friendly and looked like Ted from Queer Eye. The Doubletree has room service, but there was no menu in our room. I found that odd.

However, it seems like a waste to eat in a hotel in a city like Savannah when there are hundreds of restaurants serving up everything from seafood to history. Who knew History was an entree? Try Mrs. Wilkes Dining House for Southern food served family style. We just couldn’t stomach the 3-hour wait for Lady & Sons. Can’t do that with two little girls.

The Recreation: Small, but a nice place to unwind from a day of walking about...
Recreation Ratings: Pool = 3 Stars; Fitness Center = 3 Stars

There is a nice heated outdoor pool on the Second Floor sundeck. It isn’t large but is totally sufficient for a smaller property like this one. My wife enjoyed the spa (hotter than normal and too hot for me). There were ample clean towels available. Additionally there was a nice and bright, but small Fitness Center immediately adjacent to the pool deck.

The Verdict: Even better now, because I get more Hilton HHonors points...
Grades: Market Percentile = 85%; Class Percentile (Upscale) = 95%

In closing, I was extremely satisfied with the Doubletree Historic Savannah. It was a nearly perfect hotel in a good location, touting excellent staff. I’ve stayed here when this was a Radisson too, but the only difference from then is the check-in cookie, a change in bath care products and different loyalty program. But these are good changes by me. I don’t stay at Radissons often enough to get much value out of their loyalty program. So, Viva la Doubletree!.

Signed,
The Hotel Dork
a.k.a.Robert Herron

Doubletree Hotel Historic Savannah Reference Section:
Address: 411 West Bay Street, Savannah, GA 31401
Phone: (912) 790-7000 Fax: (912) 790-7070
Website: www.historicsavannah.doubletree.com
Rooms: 150
Year Built: 2002 Last Renovated: Never

Recommended: Yes