If you’re looking for a festive place to stay in Savannah this holiday season, look no further than these five incredible B&Bs! From classical to whimsical to over-the-top, these bed and breakfasts go all out with their Christmas decorations.
Note: This guide contains affiliate links to my trusted travel partners.
If you’re new around here, first of all … allow me to extend a warm welcome.
My name is Erin, and I authored the Savannah First-Timer’s Guide. It combines my top Savannah travel tips from this website into one handy ebook.
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🤶🏻Christmas in Savannah: Get the Scoop From a Local
🎄Where to Find the Best Christmas Lights in Savannah
🎁 Tips for Visiting Savannah’s Riverfront Christmas Market
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Christmas Bed & Breakfasts in Savannah
I’m totally convinced Savannah is one of the most charming Southern cities you can visit during the holiday season. It’s a lot like a Christmas wonderland — minus the snow.
In fact, I consider November and December two of the best months to visit Savannah.
I highly recommend staying in a quaint inn or historic B&B when you’re in the city versus opting for a chain hotel brand. You’ll have a more authentic experience that way.
Hamilton-Turner Inn
Hamilton-Turner Inn | 330 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31401
Location: Historic District South
Decorating Style: Elegant, refined
Compare Rates: Booking.com | Expedia.com
It’s no secret that Hamilton-Turner Inn is one of my favorite B&Bs in Savannah, but I love it even more during the holiday season.
It’s such an elegant B&B! It has that “old money” feel many people have come to expect from historic Savannah properties.
They typically begin decorating the week of Thanksgiving and keep the decor in place until the first week in January.
During the holidays, the B&B’s wrought-iron fence gets a touch of color with swags of greenery and festive red ribbons, and striking life-sized nutcrackers guard the front entrance.
The Hamilton-Turner Inn is steps away from one of the top must-see spots in Savannah — the beautiful Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist.
During the Christmas season, the Cathedral is filled with thousands of poinsettias and features an elaborate nativity scene.
Pros: The Hamilton-Turner Inn offers a gourmet breakfast and an evening wine reception. Expect to find fresh-baked cookies in the reception area each time you walk through the door. The inn gets an A+ for its walkability factor, since it’s so close to numerous attractions and restaurants. It’s a stunningly beautiful historic property, and it’s located in a very safe area.
Cons: It’s one of the more expensive options on the list, but it’s worth every penny. If you’re afraid of ghosts, know that some consider it one of Savannah’s haunted B&Bs.
Eliza Thompson House
Eliza Thompson House | 5 W Jones Street, Savannah, GA 31401
Location: Historic District South
Decorating Style: Classic, w/a touch of Southern charm
Compare Rates: Booking.com | Expedia.com
The Eliza Thompson House is centrally located on Jones Street, which is generally considered one of the prettiest streets in Savannah.
Employees at the inn create a warm and welcoming atmosphere by adding touches of cheery holiday decor throughout the B&B.
It’s nice that they include the employees in the festivities by adding their names to the ornaments on the trees. (They also have stockings for each employee hanging from the mantle in the entryway. So cute!)
Pros: Southern hospitality abounds at the Eliza Thompson House. The private courtyard area is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy Savannah’s (typically mild) December weather. It does have heaters in case the weather turns cold. This B&B is located in the safest section of the Historic District.
Cons: They don’t have off-street parking, so you’ll need to be mindful of the meters. Be sure to move your vehicle on nights when the street sweepers are scheduled to clean. (They posts signs at the entrance to remind you of street sweeper nights.)
Kehoe House
Kehoe House | 123 Habersham Street, Savannah, GA 31401
Location: Historic District North
Decorating Style: Warm, welcoming
Compare Rates: Booking.com | Expedia.com
The Kehoe House is easy to spot when you’re strolling through the quiet east side of Savannah’s Historic District.
The imposing four-story brick home was built in 1892, and the majority of the exterior decorative features are made of cast iron that was designed to resemble wood. It’s probably the sturdiest home in Savannah!
It’s an impressive property year-round, but it looks particularly grand during the holiday season.
That’s when its dramatic front entrance and side balcony are lined with hundreds of twinkle lights that cast a warm glow over the courtyard and nearby Columbia Square.
Inside, you’ll find elegant holiday decor that includes Christmas trees trimmed in coppery tones. The copper adds warmth to an already-inviting atmosphere.
Pros: The staff at Kehoe House excels in the art of Southern hospitality. They truly go out of their way to make your stay enjoyable. Expect a gourmet cooked-to-order breakfast, afternoon wine and hors d’oeuvres, and homemade cookies before bed.
Cons: Similar to the Hamilton-Turner Inn, the Kehoe House is one of the more expensive options on the list — but it’s also worth every penny. If you’re afraid of ghosts, it’s another spot that’s considered one of Savannah’s most haunted B&Bs.
Forsyth Park Inn
Forsyth Park Inn | 102 W Hall Street, Savannah, GA 31401
Location: Historic District South
Decorating Style: Classic, traditional
Compare Rates: Booking.com | Expedia.com
You’ll feel much more like a local if you stay in a B&B bordering Savannah’s beautiful Forsyth Park. It’s a busy area, but it’s not nearly as touristy as areas closer to the riverfront.
The Christmas decor at Forsyth Park Inn is classic, with lots of greenery and red ribbons. The inn is cozy, and it’s a nice place to stay if you’re looking for that “home away from home” feel.
Pros: The inn faces Forsyth Park, so the views from the rocking chairs on their front porch are hard to beat. Street parking in the area is always free. The inn is next to a stop on the free DOT Shuttle route, which makes it easy to get back and forth to the more touristy areas near River Street. If you need to check items off your gift list, you can take a leisurely ten-minute stroll to the Design District to shop for home decor.
Cons: You’ll be close to a few good restaurants, but locations further north in the Historic District have a better selection within easier walking distance.
If you want to stay warm and toasty, the Holiday Lights & Sights Trolley Tour is an ideal way to see some of the Christmas lights in the Historic District. It’s also a nice option if you’re mobility-impaired or prefer to see the city after dark in a group environment (for safety reasons). Purchase tickets here.
The Gastonian
The Gastonian | 220 E Gaston Street, Savannah, GA 31401
Location: Historic District South
Decorating Style: Traditional, classic
Compare Rates: Booking.com | Expedia.com
If you ever read the New York Times best-seller, “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” then you probably know north of Gaston Street (NOGS) is a desired place to be in Savannah.
Gaston Street borders the north end of Forsyth Park and is lined with opulent mansions — plus at least one of my favorite B&Bs in Savannah that decorate for Christmas: The Gastonian.
During the holiday season, you’ll find trees trimmed in gold to match the gold curtains throughout the main areas of the B&B, traditional swags of greenery topped with red ribbons, and hundreds of sparkling twinkle lights lining the entrance and balconies along the exterior of the property.
Pros: The Gastonian is located in a quiet, residential area, but it’s still within a comfortable 20-minute walking distance to River Street. It’s only two blocks away from Forsyth Park and a five-minute walk to Colonial Park Cemetery.
Cons: You’ll be close to a few good restaurants, but locations further north in the Historic District have a better selection within easier walking distance.
More Savannah Holiday Info
Here’s a summary of some of the Christmas posts mentioned above, in case you want to circle back to any of them.
- Christmas in Savannah: Get the Scoop From a Local
- Where to Find the Best Christmas Lights in Savannah
- Tips for Visiting Savannah’s Riverfront Christmas Market
- 7 Spectacular Hotels that Decorate for Christmas in Savannah
If you aren’t familiar with Savannah and would like to learn more about the different sections of the city, I suggest reading where to stay in Savannah, Georgia.
That article separates the city into different zones and discusses the pros and cons of staying in each area!
Do you have any questions about these B&Bs in Savannah that decorate for Christmas? If so, please let me know in the comments below.
Erin authored the Savannah First-Timer's Guide and loves helping first-time visitors plan their trips. She lives in the artsy Starland District and enjoys exploring Savannah's hidden gems, as well as the surrounding Lowcountry.
We are considering spending Christmas in Savannah from 12/24 – 12/28/22….2 adults. Would prefer to be near a restaurant that’s open on Christmas Day. Will the tour bus be available during the dates I mentioned? Are there any events between 24-27?
I’m not sure which restaurants will be open on Christmas day yet this year. The ones attached to or affiliated with hotels often stay open (for example, Emporium at Perry Lane or Stone & Webster at the JW Marriott). The holiday trolley only runs until Christmas Eve, so you could book tickets for that night if they’re still available. The regular hop-on/hop-off trolleys run that week, though — except for Christmas day. You could do those instead. Here’s a list of holiday events (they’re arranged by date): https://savannahfirsttimer.com/savannah-georgia-in-december/