Destination Guides
Coastal Savannah
by Michael C. Lowe and Kaitlin HoldenAugust 1, 2011
Why Here?
This quintessential Southern city provides more than the proverbial hospitality. Savannah's growing roster of attractions include world-class museums (such as the Telfair Academy, shown above), music and historic sites. Two new areas -- Ellis Square and Forsyth Fort -- offer great spaces for events.
Reader's Choice
Voted the city's signature cocktail by Savannah Magazine, the Savannah, served at the Avia hotel, is made with Maker's Mark, Cointreau, Pama Liqueur, Midori, peach bitters, and a slice of peach on a skewer for garnish.
Local Update:
The 75-room Bohemian Hotel Savannah Riverfront earned the American Automobile Association's four-diamond rating for 2011. The property features approximately 750 square feet of meeting space.
Following more than four years of construction, Ellis Square, originally created in the 1700s but later paved over for parking and other utilitarian purposes, reopened to the public in March in the heart of Savannah's Historic District. Here, visitors will find interactive fountains, a life-size chessboard, a visitor's center and more.
Visit Savannah, the city's destination marketing organization, launched Savannahmeetings.com, a comprehensive online information and booking tool for meeting planners.
Forsyth Fort, an outdoor park complex and visitor's center, reopened last spring, following a $4.7 million renovation. The site now offers 7,500 square feet of event space, a gourmet café, a fountain and a performing arts band shell with a retractable canopy.
Meeting Hotels Major properties with meeting space in downtown Savannah include the 403-room Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa, 387-room Savannah Marriott Riverfront, 350-room Hyatt Regency Savannah, 253-room Inn at Ellis square, 246-room Hilton Savannah DeSoto, 240-room Ocean Plaza Beach Resort, 174-room Quality Inn Midtown Savannah, 170-room Quail Run Lodge, 154-room Hampton Inn & Suites Savannah Downtown, 150-room Doubletree Hotel Historic Savannah and 145-room Mulberry Inn.
Among meeting properties in Savannah's Historic District are the 160-room SpringHill Suites Savannah Downtown/Historic District, 156-room Courtyard by Marriott Savannah Historic District, 151-room Avia Savannah, 144-room Hampton Inn & Suites Savannah Historic District, 127-room Four Points by Sheraton Historic Savannah and 126-room Mansion on Forsyth Park.
Hotels near Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport include the 162-room Embassy Suites Savannah–Airport, 155-room Savannah Conference Hotel and 105-room Hilton Gardens Inn Savannah Airport.
For a more detailed listing of area meeting properties and venues, visit mcvenues.com.
Convention Center Savannah International Trade & Convention Center; exhibit space, 100,000 square feet; number of meeting rooms, 13; (912) 447-4000
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