East Bay Inn
225 E. Bay St., Savannah, Georgia, 31401, United States, Savannah, Georgia, USAWhy We Like It
Close to the river and sporting an affordable nightly rate, the inn has tons of character compared to a standard chain hotel.
Fodor's Expert Review
Built in 1852, this charming inn has a handsome brick exterior, hunter-green shutters and awnings, and soaring 12- to 18-foot ceilings adorned with intricate crown molding. The interior design is tasteful and professionally done with details—notably the lavish drapes, done in a French toile pattern that looks remarkable against the shellacked brick—that put it a step above what you see in similarly priced properties. Once a series of cotton warehouses and factory offices, the inn now has inviting guest rooms, each with one or two queen beds, a couch, and two comfy chairs. There's a well-regarded restaurant, and breakfast includes cereals, baked goods, fresh fruit, meats, and scrambled eggs.
Tip From the inn, it is less than a 5-minute walk to most of the northwestern squares. Although smaller and less trafficked by tourists, they are lovely in their own right and should not be missed.
Recommended Fodor’s Video
Room
The rooms have an understated charm, with exposed brick walls and crown molding. Although they are not the fanciest accommodations, they are a great deal, especially for this area of town. Here, you still get the Savannah Morning News delivered to your door each morning; Savannah teaches you to relax and enjoy a slower approach.
You Should Know Bay street can be slightly noisy at times. Light sleepers may want to request a higher floor.
Bathroom
The bathrooms are nothing to write home about, but sometimes that’s a good thing. Neither old nor sparkling new, the facilities are clean and well stocked with plenty of towels and bath products.
Lobby
We really appreciate the design of the lobby. Although not showy, the gentle color tones of the furniture and paintings are a nice contrast to Savannah’s vibrant color-scape. Not especially large, the space offers three couches and a nice handful of comfy chairs to relax in. A pleasant place to exchange tips with other travelers.
Dining
A continental breakfast is served downstairs in Skyler’s Restaurant from 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. Monday - Friday and from 8 - 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The restaurant itself is cheap and cheerful for lunch and dinner, serving a delicious, uncommon melange of Asian, European, and American dishes. The Savannah Crab Cakes are a fantastic deal.
Drinking
Wine, other beverages, and hors d'oeuvres are served in the parlor from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
The easiest and most exciting way to get around downtown Savannah is on foot, which reveals hidden courtyards and quaint shops galore. The local trolley companies that originate from the Visitors Center on MLK Boulevard also offer fascinating — and often colorful — historic tidbits while shuttling visitors around the squares and landmarks.
Restaurants
Pacci (4-minute walk) takes traditional Italian cuisine to new heights with locally sourced Southern flair. Digesting the comfort-food buffet at Paula Deen's famous The Lady and Sons (8-minute walk) will slow you down sufficiently to laid-back local standards, but for finer Southern fare, head over to Alligator Soul (10-minute walk) for the gumbo or shrimp and grits.