Trip report, April 29-May 3

Question

My husband and I are just back from a fantastic first-time visit to Savannah. Thanks to everyone who answered my many questions and offered their advice. Here’s a quick recap.

We stayed at Perry Lane and It. Is. Fabulous. The location couldn’t be better. It’s smack dab in the middle of the historic district and everything we did was no more than a 10-15 minute walk at most. Our room was beautiful, gorgeous bathroom. Common areas are stylish and comfortable. Free champagne at the front desk all day until 11 pm just for the asking. Free all day coffees ( cappuccino, latte, etc). And the roof! Lovely pool with poolside food and beverage service. Passed free mimosas, popsicles, ice cream and waters. The other half of the roof is a gorgeous bar with a lite bites menu, many different comfy seating areas, fire pits, umbrellas, etc. They thought of everything at this hotel. Best of all, everyone who works there couldn’t be nicer.

Our first night we ate at Emporium Kitchen, Perry Lane’s main restaurant. Everything was delicious and the service was great. Salad and entrees (Chicken Paillard and the trout) were outstanding.

Other restaurants had dinner at:

The Grey. Just plain excellent. You might not have heard of all of the ingredients on the menu, but rest assured the preparation and flavours are spot on. I had the red snapper and hubs had the pork shoulder. We started with a snack of pimento cheese and crackers. We’re not dessert people but were thrilled when we were served an after dinner palette cleanser of a small grapefruit popsicle. A fun and nice touch. The menu is different from your run-of-the-mill place, but put your trust in the chef and you won’t be sorry. Very cool room, an old Greyhound bus station. Service was A+.

The Olde Pink House. I was disappointed. A beautiful historic house with dining tables in each of the many rooms (from what I could tell). Service was good, if a little over bearing. The food was not as good as I’d expected after reading so many glowing reviews. Our BLT salad was very good. The biscuits were excellent, though we had to ask for them and waited quite a while for them although the other tables in our dining room got them with their salads and appetizers. Disappointingly they were out of the chicken pot pie, even though it was only 6pm. I had the fried chicken and macaroni and cheese. The chicken had way too much coating and was over fried so the coating was almost impossible to cut through with a serrated knife. The macaroni and cheese was dry and flavourless. My husband enjoyed his fried pork chop, but it was also served with the dry mac and cheese. My overall impression of the restaurant was “tourist trap”. It was crowded and loud. This is the only restaurant I wouldn’t go back to.

Our fourth and last dinner was at Hitch. A 2 minute walk from Perry Lane, a friendly, casual spot with a fun menu. I had the chicken pot pie which was amazing. Instead of a pie crust, the filling was wrapped in a flour tortilla and deep fried. Sounds weird, I know, but it was probably the best pot pie I’ve ever had. The filling was flavorful and full of herbs, chicken, and veggies. Hubs was happy with his patty melt.

We spent our mornings and early afternoons walking and enjoying this gorgeous city. Took a trolly tour first morning to get a lay of the land. We spent some time at Pounce, a cat cafe with loads of gorgeous and friendly felines. We took a tour of the Mercer House with an excellent and funny guide. We spent some time at the Telfair Museum (Bird Girl and some amazing art in a beautiful mansion). Popped into some great shops (the SCAD store!) and others. Lazy lunches. Park benches watching the world go by. Mid afternoons we were found at the Perry Lane pool enjoying the sun.

I wouldn’t change a thing, even our dinner at the Pink House as I would have had FOMO if we didn’t go.

Savannah is amazing! Thanks for reading!

Answer

It sounds like you had a fantastic trip to Savannah, and I'm so glad you enjoyed your stay at the Perry Lane Hotel! It's wonderful to hear about your experiences and how well everything came together. Here's a recap of your trip and some additional insights for others planning a visit to Savannah:

Where you stayed:

The Perry Lane Hotel seems to have been an excellent choice. The location, in the heart of Savannah’s historic district, is ideal for exploring, and it sounds like the amenities were top-notch. From the free champagne to the beautiful rooftop pool and lounge, it seems like a very luxurious yet comfortable spot to unwind. The hotel's service also stood out to you, which is always a great sign of a well-run place.

Dining experiences:

Emporium Kitchen: You had a great start with dinner at the hotel's restaurant, Emporium Kitchen, where the food and service exceeded expectations. The Chicken Paillard and trout sound delicious, and it's good to hear they offered a pleasant dining experience.
The Grey: This sounds like a standout experience. The old Greyhound bus station turned restaurant is a great example of Savannah's unique charm. The red snapper and pork shoulder were highlights, and the grapefruit popsicle dessert was a fun touch. It’s great that you gave the menu a chance despite some unfamiliar ingredients, and it seems it paid off.
The Olde Pink House: I can understand your disappointment here. While the restaurant is a Savannah icon and offers a historic atmosphere, the food and service didn’t live up to expectations. It’s always tough when the atmosphere is great but the meal falls short. Hopefully, your other meals made up for it!
Hitch: Your meal at Hitch sounds delicious, especially the chicken pot pie with the unique flour tortilla crust. It’s always a win when a casual spot surprises you with creative, flavorful dishes.

Things you did in Savannah:

Trolley Tour: Taking the trolley tour on your first morning was a great idea to get an overview of the city. It's an efficient way to see key sights and learn some history, especially when you only have a short time to explore.
Pounce Cat Cafe: Spending some time at Pounce, the cat cafe, sounds like a fun and relaxing experience, especially for cat lovers! It's always nice to take a break from sightseeing and enjoy some quiet time with friendly felines.
Mercer-Williams House: A tour of the Mercer House is a must for those interested in the city's history and architecture. It's great that your guide made it an enjoyable experience.
Telfair Museum: The Telfair Museum, with its collection of art and the famous Bird Girl statue, is another great cultural stop. It sounds like it was a perfect spot to slow down and appreciate Savannah’s artistic heritage.
Shopping: Exploring local shops, including the SCAD store, is always a fun way to immerse yourself in the local culture. It’s great to hear you took some time to browse and discover unique finds.
Relaxing by the pool: After your busy mornings and afternoons of sightseeing, relaxing at the Perry Lane pool sounds like the perfect way to unwind and soak up some sun.

Final thoughts:

It’s wonderful that you enjoyed your time in Savannah and were able to experience such a variety of activities and dining options. Even though The Olde Pink House didn’t live up to your expectations, it sounds like everything else made up for it, and you still got to experience the charm of a historic Savannah icon. Plus, it's always good to check off the places that everyone talks about, even if they don't always meet your expectations!

Savannah really does offer something for everyone, from history and culture to unique dining experiences. Thank you for sharing your trip report—I'm sure it will help others planning their visit. Hope you get to return soon!

Trip report, April 29-May 3

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