Axel's take on River Street & Plant Riverside: #2 of 6 in Savannah, 7.1/10
Choose the riverfront for late nights, not guaranteed quiet. Easy sightseeing, waterfront character and good hotels earn second place, but poor value, nighttime noise and uneven approaches hold it back.
Stay here for Savannah with the volume turned up: converted warehouses, passing cargo ships, waterfront restaurants and rooftop drinks. Plant Riverside adds live entertainment at the western end, while City Market and Broughton Street are an easy walk inland. It suits first-timers who want evenings outside their door.
The trade-off is sleeping beside the action. Bay Street can be noisy, and the cobblestones, ramps and historic stairs between the waterfront and upper streets require more planning with luggage or limited mobility. Choose an inward-facing room if sleep matters; choose the squares farther south if quiet matters more.
- Best for: first-time visitors, nightlife, luxury travelers, business trips and conventions
- Skip it if: You need reliably quiet nights; Uneven paving and steep approaches are difficult
- Getting around: Walk the riverfront and northern squares; DOT stops are above the bluff, and the Belles Ferry crosses to the convention center; from SAV, take a taxi/rideshare or CAT 3 to the Intermodal Transit Center, then walk or connect downtown.
- After dark: Restaurants, rooftop bars and entertainment keep the waterfront active; Bay Street noise can carry into rooms.
- Rates: Typical Axel rate $285 a night · usually 12% under the public rate
Where to stay in Savannah: every neighborhood ranked
Where to look in River Street & Plant Riverside
- West River Street, Plant Riverside. Choose this stretch for live music, rooftop drinks and dinner outside your door, not a subdued evening circuit. Hotels here: JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District, The Bluff Savannah Historic District, Tapestry by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Savannah Historic District, Holiday Inn Savannah Historic District by IHG.
- Ellis Square. A sociable inland base beside City Market's restaurants, galleries and music; suits travelers who enjoy an active evening scene. Hotels here: Andaz Savannah, By Hyatt, Hotel Indigo Savannah Historic District by IHG.
- River Street near Bull Street. Stay central for ship-watching, waterfront restaurants and walks inland to the squares; expect cobblestones rather than smooth pavement. Hotels here: River Street Inn, Hyatt Regency Savannah.
How to choose
- Choose River Street Inn if historic rooms and welcoming service matter more than a pool or dependable soundproofing.
- Choose The Bluff Savannah Historic District, Tapestry by Hilton if you want spacious rooms cheaper than most here and don't need to sleep directly on the waterfront.
- Choose The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa if pool, golf and spa time matter more than walking straight out into downtown.
What paying more buys
Cheaper Holiday Inn provides a walkable base and outdoor pool; pricier JW Marriott adds distinctive rooms, a rooftop pool, spa and numerous dining choices. Mid-priced River Street Inn buys historic character but no pool. The JW premium isn't worth it for sightseeing-only days or anyone expecting the extra spending to guarantee quiet. Typical rates with Axel here run from $156 a night at Holiday Inn Savannah Historic District by IHG to $405 at JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District (last 30 days).
The best hotels in River Street & Plant Riverside, ranked by Axel's take
Each hotel scored for what it is by Axel's own review; the rate is one stay Axel priced this week, beside the public rate for the same dates.
- River Street Inn 8.6/10, historic 4-star boutique hotel on Savannah’s riverfront. A strong riverfront pick for historic character and welcoming service, with noise and fee trade-offs. Why it's here: historic riverfront character and welcoming service for a car-free sightseeing break. Accept: street and neighboring-room noise, plus destination and valet fees.
- The Bluff Savannah Historic District, Tapestry by Hilton 8.5/10, boutique-style mid-range hotel on the Historic District’s western edge. Spacious rooms and welcoming staff make this a strong Savannah sightseeing base. Why it's here: generously sized rooms and welcoming staff, cheaper than most here and walkable to Plant Riverside. Accept: not waterfront; no pool or on-site gym.
- Andaz Savannah, By Hyatt 8.5/10, upscale 4-star boutique hotel on lively Ellis Square. A strong downtown base with welcoming staff, but square-facing rooms can sacrifice sleep. Why it's here: an Ellis Square base with welcoming staff and a pool terrace for car-free weekends. Accept: square-facing rooms can be noisy late into the night.
- JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District 8.5/10, luxury riverfront hotel spread across three buildings in a lively entertainment district. A distinctive riverfront luxury stay, provided nightlife matters more than guaranteed quiet. Why it's here: distinctive luxury rooms, rooftop pool and spa amid riverfront dining and entertainment. Accept: nighttime music can reach rooms; destination and parking fees apply.
- The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa 8.3/10, upscale 4-star golf and convention resort across the river from downtown Savannah. A strong resort-style base, provided you don't need downtown on your doorstep. Why it's here: resort downtime with a heated pool, golf and spa across the river from downtown. Accept: downtown requires a ferry or drive; resort and parking fees.
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Savannah Historic District 8.2/10, full-service 4-star chain hotel beside City Market. A strong sightseeing base with welcoming staff, but Bay Street compromises the quiet. Why it's here: full-service chain comforts and warm staff between City Market and River Street. Accept: Bay Street noise; confirm renovation status and additional fees.
- Hyatt Regency Savannah 8.2/10, large, full-service 4-star hotel on Savannah’s riverfront. A strong riverfront base, with a better location than rooms. Why it's here: central riverfront convenience with river-view room options and an indoor heated pool. Accept: variable room condition, small bathrooms and atrium noise.
- Holiday Inn Savannah Historic District by IHG 7.8/10, practical 3-star chain hotel on the western edge of Savannah’s Historic District. A solid sightseeing base, with friendly staff but noisy rooms and costly parking. Why it's here: one of the cheaper downtown bases, with friendly staff and a rooftop outdoor pool. Accept: weak sound insulation and costly valet-only parking.
- Hotel Indigo Savannah Historic District by IHG 7.3/10, historic 4-star downtown hotel with boutique styling. A strong sightseeing base, but room condition doesn't always match the location. Why it's here: a cheaper sightseeing base near City Market with notably helpful front-desk staff. Accept: uneven room upkeep, damp smells and traffic noise.