In short… Savannah—a city of tree-shrouded city parks, well-preserved historic architecture and a haunting Southern beauty—never had an urbane hotel that captured the elegance of its surroundings, until now. The Douglas is a sumptuous 16-room hotel (with more suites and a restaurant on the way), meticulously restored over two years, making a good case for putting Savannah on your “must visit” list.
The surroundings… The Douglas sits on the tree-lined Ogelthorpe, a street that is as fun to pronounce as it is pretty. Nestled in the city’s historic district, it’s in close proximity to most of what a Savannah visitor is looking for. Several blocks north sits Broughton Street, the city’s “high street” for shopping, dining and dallying. To the south is Forsyth Park, countless historic residential blocks for exploring, and many of the buildings that make up SCAD’s rambling campus.
The backstory… Dating to the 1850s, the building has been many things throughout the years. In its last iteration before its transformation, it was an inn that seemed less lodging and more storage facility for an owner with a penchant for Victorian furniture and fussy antiques. The new owner brought together several notable architects and a design team that led the charge in preserving the details of the building while injecting it with a fresh sensibility. They wisely kept intact the important details: stunning stained-glass transom windows, original heart pinewood floors, and the exquisite historic staircase. These details lend the project a soul and sense of timelessness, along with a fresher vision for the furnishings—tasteful, comfortable, elegant and cool.
The vibe… The interiors were overseen by Charleston-based designer Kirby Caldwell, and they capture the residential nature of the building with inviting spaces that encourage lingering. Couches are deep, chairs are plentiful, and wherever you set foot, there’s a place to set a drink down nearby. It feels like walking into the home of a friend with excellent taste and a big budget. Despite the judicious use of antiques (I’m told there were buying trips to Round Top in Texas), everything feels a bit new. Time and customers will take the sheen off, and it will no doubt settle into a relaxed, refined, and undeniably cozy choice for our Savannah visits.
Original art adorns the walls throughout the property, lending another layer of personality to the public spaces.
There were customized playing cards and branded scent diffusers in each room and throughout the property. It was overkill at times—you won’t forget where you are staying!—but the overall effect was that no detail went unconsidered in developing this property and creating a consistent whole.
The rooms… They got the little things right: bedside tables had pre-programmed sound machines (nice touch!), easily accessible plugs, and a simple phone that didn’t require a degree in engineering. There was a Marshall speaker (one of my favorites) so we could listen to Oscar Peterson as we got dressed for the evening, and two bottles of water—still and sparkling—with thin-lipped glassware.
The rooms were plush, elegant, and cozy—the “quiet luxury” of hotel room design—with beds draped in pressed, papery cottons, and rotund, overstuffed pillows. Our room, one of the largest on property, had a spacious area at the foot of the bed (with a small couch and two lounge chairs) that invited lingering, and was a great place for coffee in the morning.
Our marble-clad bathroom was palatial with a walk-in shower and soaking tub. Hooks were plentiful (a key detail!), and the fixtures were high-end.
The 16 rooms in the main building will be joined by another 6 suites when the adjacent property completes its renovation, along with the future restaurant and the courtyard linking the two buildings.
Before we left, I asked to see the smallest room on the property. While there are several garden-level rooms with lower ceilings, there are windows to the street and Caldwell worked the diminutive scale to maximize coziness. It felt like a bunker in all the best ways, and I’d be happy to return for them.
The food… Lester’s, their full-service restaurant and raw bar, is under construction next door.
In the meantime, there’s a nightly spread of snacks. Drinks can be enjoyed at the elegant bar (open to guests only) or in the adjacent parlor—a spacious room and comfortable bolthole overlooking the street below. The space invites lingering over something stirred—a Negroni or Manhattan, perhaps!
In the morning, a complimentary à la carte breakfast is served from a surprisingly expansive menu overseen by Charleston-based chef, Jacques Larson.
There are also selections of complimentary snacks on each floor, as well as a mini-fridge full of various beverages, free for the taking. It’s a nice touch—you won’t go thirsty!
The wellness… There’s no gym onsite, but bikes are available for guests wishing to explore the area on two wheels. Forsyth Park, about a half-mile away, is the ideal greenspace for a morning run. If you’re counting steps, it’s hard to beat a long, meandering walk through the expansive Historic District—one of the largest in the nation—with 23 park squares, cobblestone streets, and colossal, mature oak trees dripping in Spanish moss.
The kid-friendly factor… Leave them at home! Kids aren’t allowed at the hotel, which makes it ideal for a sexy adults-only getaway. Trust me, you’ll appreciate the quiet.
Be sure to… Head to Pinkie Master’s, a few blocks away, for a taste of an iconic Savannah dive bar—it is well-kept, clean, and dare I say, almost elegant? Afterward head to Late Air, one of several new restaurants in town, for their showstopping Caesar Salad, thoughtful smaller plates, and a deep list of natural wine.
Parting words… Savannah has played second fiddle to Charleston for some years, despite the fact that it is just as beautiful and enchanting. The continued growth and investment of SCAD has positioned the city as a leader in art and design, and there is a current of excitement in the air, with young entrepreneurs taking advantage of favorable rents, and pushing the city into its exciting next chapter.
Date of stay… August 8, 2025
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