Savannah
Merging New Growth Into Old World Charm
By Ashley Wright Savannah, Ga., is coming into its own as a meetings destination, mixing Old World history and elegance with modern-day charm, something Joseph Marinelli, president of the Savannah Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) believes few destinations can beat. "Savannah continues to be a very popular meetings and conventions destination," he said. "This city offers an authentic and unique visitor experience that, quite frankly, few destinations can match."
And the numbers prove it. An increase in hotel rooms for meetings and conventions in 2007 reached more than 309,000 room nights, surpassing 2006 bookings by 10,000 rooms. "Savannah continues to grow its meeting and convention business and is a strong competitor among second-tier meetings destinations," Marinelli said.
Riverfront/Historic District
New development along the city's riverfront is helping to fuel Savannah's growth as a meetings destination. The biggest project is a 54-acre, $800 million mixed-use development called Savannah River Landing. According to Erica Backus, director of public relations for the CVB, construction on the project began in October 2007 that is slated to be the largest expansion of downtown since the city was founded. "Under development by the Ambling Company, Savannah River Landing will feature several elements that will contribute to the city's past while creating a new vibrancy of its own," Backus said. "The new properties will feature a 250,000-square-foot luxury retail center, two hotels and six new public squares."
Ground was broken in January on an $8 million public project linking the Landing to downtown. This public promenade will run along the Savannah River, connecting to the riverwalk's terminus near the Riverfront Marriott, and will front the Savannah River Landing development now under construction.
The riverfront will soon be home to the Bohemian Hotel at Savannah Riverfront, a luxury boutique hotel that will feature 75 guest rooms, Rocks Modern Grill, a rooftop café and other various amenities and services, according to Richard Kessler, chairman/CEO of The Kessler Enterprise Inc. The hotel is currently under construction and is slated to open in spring 2009.
Along the riverfront, Savannah's Historic District features a diversity of meeting sites nestled among the city's antebellum homes, Marinelli said, adding that the historic district continues to evolve.
For example, several projects are under way near Ellis Square, a section of the historic district. According to Backus, plans call for a 150-room hotel, residential units and commercial space. An underground parking garage is in the works and is set to be completed in the second quarter of 2009.
The AVIA hotel, a new boutique hotel collection from LodgeWorks L.P., will open in December near Ellis Square with 151 guest rooms and 7,300 square feet of meeting space. "The AVIA hotel will evoke the inviting ambiance of a cocktail party thrown by a gracious local host, offering a new hotel experience for guests who are bored with anything cookie cutter," said B. Anthony Isaac, LodgeWorks L.P. president.
Two new hotels have also recently opened in the historic district: the 143-room Holiday Inn Express Savannah Historic District, with 4,000 square feet of meeting space, and the Sheraton Four Points Savannah Historic District, with 127 guest rooms and about 2,000 square feet of meeting space, according to Backus, who added that the 161-room SpringHill Suites Savannah Historic District is slated to open in 2009.
Other historic district hotels have recently undergone renovations. The Doubletree Hotel Historic Savannah underwent a $2 million renovation, according to Ryan Cornelius, sales and marketing manager, who said the project included new "Sweet Dream" beds and new carpet in guest rooms, a new fitness room and restaurant renovations. "The hotel is perfectly situated in the heart of the historic district, easily within walking distance of most attractions, more than 50 restaurants and plenty of night life," Cornelius said. The property offers 150 guest rooms and more than 5,000 square feet of meeting space. According to Cornelius, the largest meeting room can accommodate 125, classroom style, with several breakout rooms and two boardrooms nearby. The hotel has also won numerous customer service awards such as being recognized as a "Top 10 Doubletree Hotel" by brand officials.
The Hilton Garden Inn Savannah Historic District opened its doors in January 2007 and is one of the area's newest boutique-styled hotels, said Becky Sterrett, director of sales and marketing. The hotel is adjacent to the Doubletree Historic Savannah and includes 134 guest rooms. The Doubletree and the Hilton Garden Inn can be sold as a package to groups with "one convenient point of contact for two hotels," Sterrett added.
The 246-room Hilton Savannah DeSoto is "undergoing some major changes," said Kim Chambless, director of sales and marketing. The $12 million renovation includes the refurbishment of meeting spaces, a renovation of the front entrance, which is in progress, major improvements to the atrium and lobby spaces, an update of the fitness center, and a renovation of the bar and restaurant areas, Chambless said.
Key Info · Sales Tax: 6 percent
· Hotel Tax: 6 percent
· Transportation: Chatham Area Transit offers free shuttles to and from various hotels and attractions in the Historic District, including shuttles to a ferry site that offers free rides from the mainland to Hutchinson Island via two ferries. Numerous trolley companies operate tours in the historic district. |
The Mansion on Forsyth Park, which features 126 guest rooms and 8,500 square feet of meeting space, is "extending and enhancing our dining capabilities," said Jeff Homad, director of sales and marketing. The hotel has also replaced the king beds in seven rooms with two queen beds, giving the hotel 21 rooms with queen bedding. "We have increased demand for rooms with this bedding configuration for girlfriend weekend getaways, family travel and wedding groups," Homad said.
The 351-room Hyatt Regency Savannah underwent a total hotel renovation in 2005, according to Scott Edwards, director of sales, who added that the hotel's location in the historic district, along with Hyatt's name and service reputation, draws in meetings and visitors year round.
The Coastal Georgia Center, with nearly 50,000 square feet of meeting space, is also located in the Historic District. According to Director Henry Whitfield, on-site amenities include complimentary parking for up to 150 vehicles, auditorium seating for 350-plus, catering services, on-site technical assistance, and state-of-the-art technology, including wireless Internet access, laptop computers, computer labs, distance learning and videoconferencing.
For a meeting venue option close to the Historic District, the Hilton Garden Inn Savannah Midtown offers 131 guest rooms and nearly 4,000 square feet of meeting space. The hotel is one of the newest additions to Savannah's Abercorn Walk retail development and offers complimentary shuttle service to and from the Historic District, according to Stacy Thomas, sales and catering manager.
Hutchinson Island
Another group-based draw is the 330,000-square-foot Savannah International Trade and Convention Center located on Hutchinson Island, which is north of the Historic District on the Savannah River. According to Fredia Brady, director of sales and marketing, the location of the center is one of its unbeatable attractions. The facility features 150,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 100,000-square-foot exhibit hall and a 367-seat auditorium.
Brady added that Hutchinson Island is under review for further development. "The Master Civic Plan lays out specific phases, including the potential of a hotel," she said. The planned development would be located west of the convention center and could include a restaurant, a music venue and recreational opportunities.
The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Spa is also located on the island and features 400 guest rooms and 20,000 square feet of meeting space. The hotel recently renovated all of its meeting spaces to "reflect a modern take on classic Savannah style," said Laura Quail, public relations manager. Additional enhancements include an outdoor fire pit and waterfall feature and air-conditioned golf carts that feature GPS information and shot advice for golfers using the resort's on-site, 18-hole golf course.
Pooler & Tybee Island
Pooler, located off U.S. Interstate 95 and eight minutes from Savannah's Historic District, is home to the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites Savannah – Pooler, which opened in 2005 and is one of the new generation, full-service prototype hotels in the brand, according to Susan Steinhauser, director of sales and marketing, who added that Lorenzo Grant, certified director of food and beverage, "brings unique skills to our banquet facilities that rival any type function held in the downtown historic district of Savannah."
The hotel features 3,000 square feet of meeting space.
Tybee Island, marketed as "Savannah's Beach," is a 20-minute drive east of Savannah and has more than 500 hotel and motel guest rooms, all located within one block of the beach.
The Ocean Plaza Beach Resort is the only full-service hotel on the island and features 205 guest rooms and 3,000 square feet of meeting space.
One of the most unique attractions on the island, according to officials with the Tybee Island Tourism Council, is the availability for groups to take a dolphin tour. On a dolphin boat tour, visitors can take in the scenery of Old Cockspur Lighthouse, Fort Pulaski, Tybee Island's north beach, Bull River and the surrounding salt marsh.
