Review Author

Brandon Berkson

HOTEL SNAPSHOT

Savannah’s always been about ghosts and gardens, but Hotel Bardo is pushing it in a different direction—toward what they’re calling a “lustrous future.” Set inside a 19th-century Victorian-Romanesque mansion right on Forsyth Park, this adaptive reuse project by LEFT LANE is the city’s coolest stay. The place kind of feels like a modern clubhouse, especially since there’s a member’s club attached to it.

Design + Character

The whole design vibe here is intentionally “unresolved”—like the place was pieced together over decades instead of all at once. The outside keeps that historic terracotta charm. It’s contemporary and playful. Muralist Vanessa Platacis stenciled Savannah flora throughout the elevator lobbies, and SCAD professor Kelly Boehmer created a tongue-in-cheek installation of the “Patron Saint of Hangovers.” Around the pool and gardens, you’ll spot five bright bird sculptures by Belgian artist William Sweetlove, adding a surreal pop of color to the greenery.

The Rooms

The 149 rooms and suites are designed to feel instantly calming—clean, natural materials that balance out the energy of the public areas. Ground-floor rooms are the real score, with their own “outdoor living rooms” and private gardens flanking the pool. Upper-level suites feature either Juliet balconies or large terraces overlooking Forsyth Park. All rooms feature high-end items like Frette linens and custom Corpus Naturals bath products.

Food & Drink

The main restaurant is Saint Bibiana, a coastal Italian spot named after the Roman martyr and patron saint of hangovers. They’re doing plates like Sicilian Arancini with saffron risotto and Dover Sole Piccata with top-tier ingredients. For something more laid-back, Bar Bibi is poolside with “Spritz Service” and wood-fired pizzettas. Then there’s The Green Room, a dramatic oval lobby bar slinging creative cocktails like the Spy vs. Spy (tequila, elderflower, celery). Members and guests can also hit up the exclusive Club Bardo for punch bowls, caviar, and elevated club sandwiches.

Amenities

The centerpiece is the massive 25-meter Mediterranean-style pool, surrounded by cabanas and the seriously lush Courtyard. It’s basically the social hub all day long. There’s also Camp Bardo, a kids’ program for ages 5 to 12, and a cooking school that’s launching soon for workshops and guest chef events. If you’re doing the work-trip thing, the Carriage House and Ballroom are solid event spaces that open onto lawns and courtyards.

Spa & Wellness

Wellness here means Saltgrass—a holistic gym and spa that’s about way more than just chilling out. They do daily bootcamps, run clubs, and pilates classes with top local instructors, some right in Forsyth Park. The spa side has restorative facials with CODAGE products, plus wood therapy and heat-based body treatments..

Location & Neighborhood Recs

Hotel Bardo sits smack in the Victorian District, right across from Forsyth Park. You’re steps from those moss-draped oaks and the iconic fountain that everyone associates with Savannah.

Fast Facts

Location: Savannah, Georgia

Rating: 4.5 stars

The vibe: Savannah’s modern clubhouse

Rooms: 149

Pricing: Rates start at $400/night

Our favorite thing about the hotel: The location—going for a walk around the city’s Victorian District, where the hotel is located, makes for a wonderful afternoon activity. Forsyth Park is right across the street, and the upper-level rooms look out at it (those are my favorite suites). 

Amenities: Fitness center, Courtyard, Pool, Spa, Shop, ADA Rooms, Restaurants, bar

Nearby: Monterey Square, Forsyth Park, Owen-Thomas Museum, Savannah History Museum

Airport: Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (10 miles away)

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