This Artsy Hotel in Savannah Mirrors the City’s Elegant Gravitas
Savannah isn’t like anyplace else—and neither is the evocative Perry Lane Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel. Ever suffused with an otherworldly dimension Savannah with its soulful squares, cobbled streets and anthropomorphic oak trees mantled with Spanish Moss exudes a kind of poetic darkness and romantic levity all at once. So, it seems deliciously apropos that Perry Lane Hotel claims a fictitious muse, Adelaide Harcourt who imbues the glamorous inn with her amiable—albeit ghost-like—presence.
A stridently artsy hotel that draws guests as far into Adelaide’s web as they desire, Perry Lane Hotel has been envisioned around the concept of an exotic heroine, a native Savannahian who has traveled the world as a dancer, returning to her birth city, toting home a veritable full-to-bursting-personally-curated cabinet of curiosities: artifacts, art, treasures, mementos and heirlooms galore.
Not a bit fussy, utterly contemporary in fact, Perry Lane melds old and new in spellbinding juxtaposition. In the common rooms, every nook holds a surprise. Pull open a drawer to find Civil War bullets, daguerreotypes, tiny tea cups or fossils, while walls hold au courant artworks. In the chic guest rooms, a handful of Adelaide’s “collection” rivets you along with Frette linen-made beds: a silver bowl, an antique book, a cut crystal dish.
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As I move as slowly as molasses (as one does in the South) through the hotel, I feel Adelaide’s presence as an invitation to reflect, ponder, go deeper. I like thinking she’s with me in the rooftop bar Peregrin, where an Aperol-laced Frose does the trick on a hot-as-Hades, one-hundred-percent-humid Savannah day. Toasting the 360-degree view of the historic district, I nibble from a creative “bites” menu meant to be a voyage around the world: tofu bao buns, frito mixto with anchovy aioli, chaat fries and dolmas, to name a few.
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All around me church steeples, some of Savannah’s 22 extant squares, cemeteries, Georgian and Victorian residences can be seen—and I imagine Adelaide’s stories, maybe hear them, too. A dreamy hotel, full of gravitas, deeply rooted in the city’s legends and prodigiously linked to Savannah College of Art and Design’s presence in the city, Perry Lane will delight artists, gadabouts, epicureans and history lovers. It’s romantic enough for a honeymoon and battened down enough for business meetings.
Stay
Taking a modern approach while celebrating Savannah’s historic gravitas, the 167-room hotel straddles two sides of a quiet lane. Conveniently located near the buzz, such as vivacious River Street, the hotel holds a gym, rooftop pool, restaurants and bars, common areas and indulgent boutique, Muse. Residential-style rooms flaunt panoramic windows with city views, Frette bed-and-bath linens. The largest room, and the only one with a bathtub (take note bath lovers) is the gorgeous Celebration Suite, which encompasses 1,080 sq ft with a separate living space and a dining area for up to eight. ‘
Dining
Airy and friendly, invoking that in-the-know moodiness of a Parisian neighborhood brasserie, Perry Lane’s all-day restaurant Emporium Kitchen & Wine Market hits the mark with an earthy French-inspired menu and decor. For me, it was the perfectly executed details: the dijon vinaigrette and sous vide egg on the Frisee Salad, the piperade beneath the artichoke caps topped with barigoule sauce, the scallops with brown butter and celery root remoulade.
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Upstairs, at Peregrin rooftop bar and lounge, dine in the afternoon or evening on gastronomic around-the-world bites, while sipping cold drinks to beat the heat. For night caps, slip into Wayward, meant to be a bit edgy, like a glamorous dive, the bar customizes drinks as if they were customer portraits. Eye-popping artwork and an arcade room add to the vibe.
Relax
Perry Lane imparts a festive air, offering bubbly all day to guests, around its rooftop pool, with its state-of-the-art gym and via in room spa treatments. A local studio brings yoga to the rooftop, where guests can also play lawn games with a view. A lending library with an honor bar boasts books for all ages.
Explore
Perry Lane offers a bevy of VIP experiences meant to unravel the secrets of Savannah and convey guests deep into its intriguing culture. I highly recommend an architectural tour with Savannah College of Art and Design graduate Jonathan Stalcup who does walks most days at 10am. Best bet: Perry Lane organizes a private audience with the popular expert at happy hour, during which you can swill a cocktail as you stroll, hearing stories and learning about the city’s architectural highlights. Ask for much lauded concierge Pops (Tom Vincent Davis), who gets rave reviews from guests.
Sustainability
Deeply committed to being stewards for a cleaner planet, Perry Lane partners with BioGreen360, an organization with a mission to transform the world’s food waste for a better world. In the case of Perry Lane, 100% of their food waste is converted into high-quality fertilizer used to support plants throughout the property.
256 East Perry Street, Savannah, GA, 31401
Contact [email protected], +1 912 415 9000, perrylanehotel.com
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