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Once the turkey settles from Thanksgiving celebrations, the hostess city of the south starts to sparkle! This guide reveals the most magical Savannah Christmas hotels featuring welcoming wreaths, dazzling trees, and cozy social spaces, some of which non-guests can visit.
As well as detailing the wonderful hotels in Savannah that decorate for Christmas, we’ve also included which hotels are close to the big festive events at Broughton Street and City Market so that you can plan your trip accordingly.
Check out our guide to Savannah getaways here and all of our Savannah content.
Joyful Christmas Hotels in Savannah
JW Marriott Savannah For Christmas Market
Stay steps away from the Savannah Christmas Market at the exceptional JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside (400 W River St).
Expect holiday events from mid-November to January, such as tree lighting, live festive music, and a European-style market with local vendors.
The hotel is more than just accommodation; the complex has rooftop bars with views, restaurants, and cafes, and its lobby has a giant dinosaur, along with some festive decorations.
Note: The rooftop pool is open all year round, but the bar is closed during the winter season.
While staying at JW Marriott, you can wander along River Street, sipping on seasonal spirits as you take advantage of the city’s open container policy.
Pick up holiday gifts at the market or River Street stores, and remember to pop into A Christmas On the River, the all-year-round decoration store!
Look out for the decorated Georgia Belle docked in the river.
A personal suggestion: If this is your first visit to Savannah, I recommend a sunset ride on the Georgia Belle as you see the skyline turn from dusk to dark while the city lights sparkle.
If you want to make a big event of the cruise, go for the dining option, which includes a small buffet served by waiting staff.
Alternatively, just grab drinks on the top deck and listen to the DJ as you sail by the Plant Riverside District to Talmadge Memorial Bridge.
Check the availability of JW Marriott rooms this winter at Expedia and Booking.
The Westin Savannah For Spa and S’mores
JW Marriot and The Westin are two of the best options for hotels near the Savannah Christmas Market.
The Westin Savannah (1 Resort Dr) is located on “the other side” of the Savannah River on Hutchinson Island, which means guests can access the best skyline pictures of the city!
To get to Savannah’s historic district, simply hop aboard the free ferry, which docks at the famous River Street, where you’ll be greeted by gas-style lamps decorated in ruscus garland and Christmas bows.
Be sure to catch this ride at night to see the lights reflect in the water.
This huge hotel complex puts on an annual Santa meet and greet, and previous festive events also include Christmas comedy nights and Christmas Eve dinner.
Guests can also take advantage of building s’mores by the hotel garden fire pit.
Need to unwind before the festive madness? Book a massage at the onsite spa.
Check availability at Booking and Expedia.
Olde Harbour Inn For Traditional Decor
The Olde Harbour Inn (508 Factors Walk) is a popular hotel in Savannah year-round, with guests most impressed with the free cheese and wine evening events.
During Christmas, the wine and hors d’oeuvres reception area is elegantly decorated in colors that complement the modern interior feel of this historic hotel.
As the saying goes, dogs aren’t just for Christmas, and the Olde Harbour Inn’s inclusive pet policy extends through the festive season, too; read our dog-friendly Savannah hotels guide here.
This hotel, with studio-like rooms, is located by River Street, a great location for first-time visitors who want to be among the bustle of the touristy area.
Check availability at Expedia and Booking.
The Olde Harbor Inn also appears in our haunted hotels guide, so if you plan to seek spirits in the US’s most paranormal city, it is worth a read.
Kimpton Brice Hotel For a Modern Stay
We appreciate that historic inns aren’t everyone’s cup of cocoa this season.
The Kimpton Brice Hotel, an IHG Hotel (601 E Bay St), is a hotel located minutes away from the city’s iconic Waving Girl statue at the River Street Boardwalk.
Expect modern amenities such as a TV with digital channels and newly released films, Wi-Fi, an electric car charging station, festive fairy lights strung up in the hotel yard, and seasonal cocktails to raise the festive spirits served in the hotel bar.
The king suite has a soaking tub, perfect for returning to after a long day of sightseeing.
Check availability at Expedia and Booking.
The Drayton For a Luxurious Bath Experience
The Drayton Hotel Savannah, Curio Collection by Hilton (7 Drayton St) is a mere hop, skip, and jump from the happenings at River Street, City Hall, and The Olde Pink House Restaurant.
After a hard day of holiday shopping, you deserve to soak in one of the hotel suite’s clawfoot tubs.
Then, choose from a hot chocolate with marshmallows or hot mulled wine at the hotel’s St. Neo’s Brasserie.
Are you sticking around for New Year’s Eve? Consider the hotel’s dinner package and rooftop party with a DJ.
The Drayton is also featured in our romantic hotels of Savannah guide.
Check availability at Expedia.
The Marshall House For Southern Christmas Charm
Book a stay at The Marshall House (123 E Broughton St) for Hallmark vibes this winter.
Situated on the shopping street of Savannah and the location for one of the main Christmas trees, The Marshall House, with its unique decor, isn’t overshadowed by the official city December events!
For decades, the hotel has created its Southern interpretation of the traditional Christmas tree – a sparkling pineapple tree.
Pineapples are symbolic in Southern culture, initially being displayed by families at dinner parties as a sign of wealth.
Keep your eyes peeled for pineapples among the architectural design as you sightsee around Savannah.
The Marshall House is also very close to City Market, where you can tap your winter boots to live music, enjoy the open container law (definitely try The Georgia Tasting Room across from the American Prohibition Museum – it feels naughty), and take the wee ones along to meet Father Christmas!
Check availability at The Marshall House on Expedia and Booking.
The Marshall House also made it to our unique hotel list!
Kehoe House For Tasteful Decor
Another one of the Savannah Christmas hotels to consider is Kehoe House (123 Habersham St).
See the iron staircase adorned with green garland, eye-popping poinsettia pots, and wreaths hung on the doors of this 1892 family home.
Guests at the boutique bed and breakfast can enjoy the coziness of the music room, where the Christmas tree sparkles.
Check availability at Expedia and Booking.
The Gastonian For a Cozy Stay
Consider The Gastonian (220 E Gaston St) for a low-key Southern-style Christmas hotel.
Guests love its gas fireplace, perfect for the cooler nights of Savannah in December.
Like many of the city’s inns, wine and hors d’oeuvres are served in the decorated social area, accompanied by Christmas tunes!
For a very special stay, check out the Caracalla Suite with its oversized whirlpool tub and drapes.
The Gastonian is close to Forsyth Park, where you’ll see the ornate fountain decorated for the season – the perfect holiday card picture location!
Also, this is where the lighting of the giant Menorah takes place for Hanukkah, during a family-friendly afternoon.
Personal tip: I can’t get enough of the French toast with seasonal toppings at Collins Quarter at Forsyth.
Check availability at Expedia and Booking.
Ballastone Inn For a Four-Post Bed Adventure
Ballastone Inn (14 E Oglethorpe Ave) is one of the city’s many mansion inns, dating back to 1838.
Expect the hotel’s exterior to have cute ribbons and bows that complement the vintage lamps and metal stair entrances.
Inside, the lobby and fireplace are wrapped in garland and ornaments, a classic touch.
Enjoy a restful sleep in the inn’s four-post bed, then wake up to a bowl of winter oats to set you up for a day in Savannah at Christmas; magical!
Tip: If you enjoy history and the holidays, reserve a seat on the city’s trolley this winter to see the houses lit up.
The tour also includes holiday traditions such as caroling, offers a stop at the City Market festivities, and free Christmas treats!
Check availability for the Ballastone Inn this season at Expedia and Booking.
Perry Lane For a Rooftop Reindeer Surprise
Perry Lane (256 E Perry St) is a modern hotel close to East Jones Street, coined Savannah’s prettiest street.
The hotel puts on a calendar of events during December, including a rooftop visit from Santa and his reindeer.
The hotel transformed its bar into a Christmas winter wonderland with soldiers, ornaments, and a Christmas train set in previous years.
Tip: If Perry Lane is your Savannah Christmas hotel of choice, make time for a wander along the East Jones Street mansions to see the beautiful front door wreaths and check out the Basilica calendar of events, too.
Check availability for Perry Lane Hotel at Expedia and Booking.
The DeSoto For Fire Pit Frolics
The DeSoto Savannah (15 E Liberty) literally decks the halls with its hotel lobby laced with winter garlands, wreaths, and ribbons.
During your visit, sample the seasonal Lowcountry sourced menu at the 1540 Room, drink on the heated porch of Edgar’s Proof & Provisions, or have cocktails by the rooftop fire pit.
Check availability at Expedia and Booking.
Final Words
Savannah Christmas getaways have never been easier to plan since the city’s hotels put on such a great show for the festive period.
Which will you choose? Tell us in the comments below.