Four Historic Inns of Savannah
- East Bay Inn
- 21 hours ago
- 8 min read
Savannah is one of America's most distinctive historic cities. Beneath the moss-draped oaks and elegant squares lies a city shaped by nearly three centuries of history, from colonial foundations and Civil War stories to a rich architectural heritage that continues to define the Historic District today.
Visitors come for many reasons. Some are drawn by Savannah's famously haunted past, others by its restaurants, galleries, riverfront, and nearby beaches. Many use the city as a base for exploring the Georgia coast and the surrounding Lowcountry. Yet for countless travellers, one of Savannah's greatest attractions is the opportunity to stay somewhere with genuine history.
Historic inns are woven into the fabric of the city. Former townhouses, merchant residences, and landmark buildings have been carefully adapted into places where guests can experience Savannah's character firsthand rather than simply observing it from outside.
Among Savannah's historic inns, East Bay Inn, Eliza Thompson House, Kehoe House, and The Gastonian each offer a distinct perspective on the city. One is a flexible historic hotel near the riverfront. One delivers the classic Savannah bed and breakfast experience. One feels like an intimate private mansion. One is the setting for some of the city's most memorable celebrations. All four are rooted in Savannah's history, but they appeal to different travellers for different reasons.
This guide explores the differences between these four historic Savannah inns and helps you choose the property that best matches the kind of Savannah experience you want to have.
Which Savannah Experience Are You Looking For?
At first glance, East Bay Inn, Eliza Thompson House, Kehoe House, and The Gastonian have a lot in common. All four are historic properties located within Savannah's Historic District, and all offer easy access to the city's squares, restaurants, architecture, and riverfront.
The differences become clearer once you look beyond the location.
East Bay Inn combines historic character with the flexibility of a boutique hotel. Eliza Thompson House offers the classic Savannah bed and breakfast experience on one of the city's most admired residential streets. Kehoe House delivers an intimate mansion stay overlooking Columbia Square, while The Gastonian is often chosen for milestone occasions, weddings, and guests seeking one of Savannah's most distinctive historic experiences.
Before comparing room categories and amenities, consider what kind of Savannah stay you are looking for.
Is the hotel simply your base, or part of the experience?
Some visitors spend most of their time exploring Savannah and want a comfortable, historic place to return to each evening. Others want the property itself to play a central role in the trip.
East Bay Inn and Eliza Thompson House are excellent choices for guests focused on experiencing the city. Kehoe House and The Gastonian are often chosen by travellers celebrating an anniversary, honeymoon, elopement, or other special occasion where the property becomes part of the memory.
Do Your Prefer a hotel or a traditional B&B Experience?
East Bay Inn operates as a historic hotel, with a 24-hour front desk, elevator access, and greater flexibility for arrivals and departures.
Eliza Thompson House, Kehoe House, and The Gastonian follow a more traditional bed and breakfast model, where breakfast, afternoon hospitality, and a more intimate guest experience are part of the stay.
DO YOU HAVE ANY PRACTICAL REQUIREMENTS?
For some travellers, the decision is straightforward. East Bay Inn is the only property in the collection that welcomes both children and pets. It is also the only property with a 24-hour front desk. The other three properties are adults-only.
Guests arriving by car may wish to compare parking arrangements before booking. East Bay Inn and Kehoe House offer dedicated parking solutions, while Eliza Thompson House relies on street parking with guest parking passes provided by the property.
East Bay Inn
Bay Street, Historic District · 28 Rooms · Historic River Inn
Built in 1852 as a cotton warehouse, East Bay Inn offers a different historic Savannah experience from the city's traditional bed and breakfasts. Located one block from River Street and the Savannah riverfront, it combines the character of a historic building with the flexibility and convenience of a boutique hotel.
Exposed brick walls, tall ceilings, original architectural details, and a central Historic District location give the property a strong sense of place, while features such as a 24-hour front desk, elevator access, and pet-friendly accommodation make it one of the most practical choices among Savannah's historic inns.
For many guests, East Bay Inn is the ideal balance between historic character and modern flexibility. It appeals particularly to first-time visitors exploring the city, travellers arriving by car, guests travelling with dogs, and those who want the atmosphere of a historic property without the structure of a traditional bed and breakfast.
Guests receive parking through the property's amenity fee, with garage access located a short walk from the hotel. Tandem Coffee & Spirits occupies the ground floor, and guests receive a complimentary glass of wine or draft beer during their stay.
The property's two patio rooms are among the most sought-after accommodations and are especially well suited to guests travelling with dogs, offering convenient direct access to the garden level. Bay Street-facing rooms place guests in the heart of downtown Savannah, while other accommodations provide a more private retreat within the historic building.
Eliza Thompson House
Jones Street, Historic District · 25 rooms · Adults-only B&B
Located on Jones Street, one of Savannah's most celebrated residential streets, Eliza Thompson House offers the classic bed and breakfast experience that many visitors envision when planning a stay in the Historic District. Built in 1847, the property combines historic architecture, a secluded courtyard, and a relaxed atmosphere that feels distinctly residential rather than hotel-like.
Among Savannah's historic inns, Eliza Thompson House is often considered the most approachable. The focus here is not on grandeur or formality, but on genuine hospitality. Breakfast, afternoon refreshments, and the property's intimate scale encourage guests to slow down and experience Savannah at a gentler pace. The courtyard, shaded by ivy-covered walls and centred around the Ivan Bailey fountain, remains one of the property's most memorable spaces.
For travellers seeking a traditional Savannah inn experience on one of the city's most beautiful streets, Eliza Thompson House remains one of the Historic District's most enduring addresses.
Guests arriving by car should note that the property does not have a private parking lot. Instead, parking passes are provided for nearby metered spaces, allowing guests to enjoy one of Savannah's most desirable locations while remaining within easy walking distance of the city's major attractions.
Kehoe House
Columbia Square, Historic District · 13 rooms · Adults-only B&B
Overlooking Columbia Square, Kehoe House occupies one of Savannah's most elegant historic mansions. With just 13 guest rooms, it offers an intimate experience that feels less like staying at a hotel and more like being welcomed into a beautifully preserved private residence.
The atmosphere strikes a balance that is surprisingly difficult to achieve. Crystal chandeliers, grand architectural details, and rooms overlooking the square create a sense of occasion, yet the property never feels formal or intimidating. Instead, Kehoe House has developed a reputation as one of Savannah's most romantic and approachable luxury inns, attracting couples celebrating anniversaries, special occasions, and romantic escapes.
The property's scale is part of its appeal. With relatively few guests in residence at any given time, the experience feels personal and attentive. Breakfast, afternoon hospitality, and the peaceful setting of Columbia Square all contribute to a stay that feels distinctly removed from the pace of everyday life.
Kehoe House is also one of Savannah's leading destinations for intimate weddings and elopements. The property's small scale and residential atmosphere make it particularly well suited to celebrations where the setting itself becomes part of the experience.
Guests interested in Savannah's history may also appreciate the property's connection to songwriter Johnny Mercer, while those drawn to the city's more mysterious side will discover that Kehoe House has earned a place in many local haunted tales over the years.
Private parking is available for guests, making Kehoe House one of the easier historic inns to access by car while still enjoying a prime Historic District location.
The Gastonian
Gaston Street, Historic District · 17 rooms · Adults-only Bed & Breakfast
Spread across two adjoining 1868 Regency-Italianate mansions connected by a raised pergola and private garden courtyard, The Gastonian represents one of Savannah's most distinctive historic stays. For many guests, this is not simply where they sleep while visiting Savannah. It is a central part of the experience itself.
The Gastonian combines architectural grandeur with a level of intimacy that larger luxury hotels cannot easily replicate. Sunlight fills the historic rooms, original details remain carefully preserved, and each space reflects the individuality expected of a property that has evolved over more than 150 years. Rather than feeling like a museum, however, the inn remains warm, welcoming, and deeply connected to the city's residential character.
The property is particularly popular for milestone occasions, including anniversaries, honeymoons, proposals, and romantic getaways. Its layout also makes it one of Savannah's most sought-after wedding venues, with the courtyard and raised pergola providing a setting that feels both private and unmistakably Savannah. The Gastonian hosts dozens of weddings and elopements each year, supported by an experienced in-house team that helps couples navigate everything from officiants and flowers to local vendor recommendations.
Guests should expect character rather than uniformity. No two rooms are exactly alike, and some feature layouts shaped by the realities of adapting historic mansions to modern hospitality. For many travellers, these details are part of the charm and authenticity that make The Gastonian memorable.
As the flagship property among these four historic inns, The Gastonian is best suited to travellers who want the accommodation itself to be one of the highlights of their Savannah visit.
YOUR Decision, Simplified
If you are travelling with children, bringing a dog, or simply want the flexibility of a Savannah hotel with a 24-hour front desk, East Bay Inn is the natural choice. It offers historic character, a central location near River Street, and a style of stay that suits a wide range of travellers.
If your idea of Savannah involves a classic bed and breakfast on one of the city's most beautiful streets, Eliza Thompson House is difficult to overlook. Its welcoming atmosphere, intimate courtyard, and Jones Street location make it particularly appealing to couples seeking a traditional inn experience.
For romantic getaways, anniversaries, and intimate celebrations, Kehoe House stands out. Its mansion setting, views over Columbia Square, and highly personal atmosphere make it one of Savannah's most sought-after small inns.
For honeymoons, milestone occasions, weddings, and travellers who want the accommodation itself to be one of the highlights of the trip, The Gastonian offers the most immersive and distinctive experience of the four properties.
Still undecided? Contact the inn directly. The teams know the strengths of each property and can help guide you toward the stay that best matches your plans for Savannah.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Choosing between these four historic Savannah inns is less about finding the "best" property and more about finding the one that matches the experience you want from your visit.
Each occupies a different place within Savannah's hospitality landscape. East Bay Inn offers flexibility and convenience within a historic setting. Eliza Thompson House captures the classic charm of a traditional Savannah bed and breakfast. Kehoe House delivers an intimate mansion experience ideal for romantic escapes, while The Gastonian elevates special occasions into something unforgettable.
The good news is that there is no wrong choice. Each property places you within Savannah's Historic District, surrounded by the architecture, stories, squares, and atmosphere that have made the city one of the South's most beloved destinations.
Whichever you choose, you'll be experiencing a piece of Savannah's history rather than simply observing it.
A Note on Historic Inns of Savannah
Many travellers searching for East Bay Inn, Eliza Thompson House, Kehoe House, or The Gastonian will come across references to “Historic Inns of Savannah,” a name long associated with some of the city’s best-known historic accommodations.
Today, East Bay Inn, Eliza Thompson House, Kehoe House, and The Gastonian are part of the {verdigreen} hotels portfolio. While ownership has changed, the properties themselves and the teams behind them remain rooted in the same tradition of Southern hospitality, helping guests experience Savannah from four distinct historic settings.