People travel to Savannah, Georgia, to step back in time, relishing the historic homes, cobblestone streets, and lush squares full of magnolia trees and camellias. A new bed-and-breakfast taps into our love of old architecture and a great location without the old-fashioned décor, so consider Bellwether House a find.
We checked into the inn mid-afternoon, and had time to explore the inn and its surrounding streets before tea time (more on that later). The structure itself is gorgeous: two Italianate townhomes were joined together, creating an expanse of wrought-iron beauty.
There are 16 bedrooms and common areas to enjoy, along with a spacious outdoor patio. The 14-foot ceilings, chic green bar, rich wood floors, and interior design (two blue velvet Chesterfield sofas in the living room are an homage to the past but feel fresh) all say luxury in an understated way.
The inn is one block from Forsyth Park, the much-photographed fountain and greenspace surrounded by stately homes – in other words, a great place to walk for an architecture fix.
The charming bar at Bellwether House is open at 6 pm every day with a champagne toast, and then available through the evening for a cocktail and as a place to visit.
To me, it’s the best of all worlds, being a 15-minute walk to bustling River Street and shops of Broughton Street, but far enough away from those big tourist crowds. There are even restaurants close by to recommend, such as the Collins Quarter at Forsyth Park or The Haunt, but other top places are an easy walk or drive.
The Bellwether House has its own culinary features to look forward to. Every afternoon, guests can partake of the afternoon tea from 3-5 pm, followed by a champagne toast at 6 pm.
Breakfast is a treat, and with a different twist. They call their approach “Indian flavors cooked with southern soul,” which might include saffron chicken confit, a syrniki pancake with pineapple chutney, shrimp and grits with a chili-lime sauce, or a spicy-sweet chai latte.
Traditional breakfast treats – pastries, fruit, and oatmeal – are also available for a light meal. Fortified with a good start to the day, the city is at your doorstep to explore.
For another option in Savannah, see our story “You Love the Historic DeSoto for its Fantastic Location, Dining and View“
– Story and photos by Lisa Mowry