I have a post that goes very in-depth about the best places to stay in Savannah, but today I’m going to give you a rundown of what to expect if you decide to stay on River Street.

While staying in a hotel along the waterfront isn’t necessarily a terrible idea, it’s a lot like visiting NYC and staying in Times Square; I just want you to know what to expect before you plop down hundreds of dollars per night for that waterfront view!

River Street is one of Savannah’s entertainment hubs, so it’s a bustling area that stays noisy from street traffic and activities. Just something to keep in mind!

Entrance to a hotel on River Street with two gas lanterns illuminating the doorway

Note: This guide contains affiliate links to my trusted travel partners.

Related Reading:
21 Photos That’ll Make You Fall in Love with River Street

The Riverfront: West vs. Central vs. East

Each section of the waterfront has a distinct “personality.”

The far west end is the Plant Riverside District (PRD), the central portion is the Landmark Historic District (LHD), and the east end is the Eastern Wharf District (EWD).

Here’s a map to give you a visual:

Watercolor map showing three sections of the Savannah waterfront. The Plant Riverside District is indicated by a pale blue marker along the far west side of the river, the Landmark Historic District is indicated with a green marker along the central portion of the waterfront, and the Eastern Wharf District is noted with a dark blue marker on the far east side of the waterfront

Plant Riverside District | PRD

Much of the Plant Riverside District was developed around 2020, so it’s a relatively new area.

It’s the area closest to the big Savannah bridge, and it includes a mix of historic buildings plus a few new ones.

Plant Riverside is one of Savannah’s most popular entertainment districts, so expect lots of live music, events, and activities.

There is a parking garage in this district with rates ranging from $10 to $45.

Landmark Historic District | LHD

The Historic District takes up the largest and most-central portion of the waterfront.

During the 1800s, this historic section of the river saw more cotton exported along its banks than any other place in the world! It was an industrial area.

This middle section of the waterfront looks the most historic, thanks to its ballast-stone streets and centuries-old cotton warehouses.

This area stays busy with foot traffic, road traffic, and events.

It has the greatest concentration of bars, restaurants, and businesses.

There are no public parking garages along the waterfront in this section the Historic District, but there are two city-owned surface lots and at least one private lot.

Eastern Wharf District | EWD

The Eastern Wharf District is the newest section of the waterfront, and it’s still partially under construction.

This section includes a mix of commercial and residential spaces, with more of a focus on residential.

Although some large events are held at Eastern Wharf, the area is relatively quiet most of the time — aside from some construction noise.

There’s a city-owned parking garage in the Eastern Wharf District, and there are also surface lots surrounding the hotels and businesses in the area.

Related Reading: Check Out My Top Savannah Parking Tips

Hotels on River Street Savannah GA

Here’s a quick list of the hotels that have unobstructed waterfront views.

This list goes from the west side of the river (the closest section to the bridge) to the east.

I’ve indicated which district the hotel is in or left it blank if it borders two districts.

The Alida Savannah is a beautiful hotel located in the Plant Riverside District, but since the JW Marriott blocks most of its waterfront views, I didn’t include it on the list.

The Pros

If you’re the type of traveler who likes being in the heart of the action, the waterfront is a good place to stay. The area is bustling with activity day and night.

Here are some of the perks of staying on River Street:

  • Bars and restaurants stay open later than many spots further into the city.
  • Watching the cargo ships is one of the most unique experiences in Savannah!
  • The sunsets views are amongst the best in the city — especially from rooftop bars.
  • The street performers and artists add a fun touch of personality to the area.
  • If you like sugar, there are plenty of sweets shops lining River Street.
  • The history of the waterfront is evident nearly everywhere you look in the Landmark Historic District and the Plant Riverside District. You can see it in the the old cotton warehouses, historic (aka: steep) steps, rusted downspouts, and ballast-stone streets.

Overall, the area is steeped in history, and it’s pretty cool to relax on a hotel balcony as massive container ships cruise past throughout the day and night.

The Cons

Now, if you’re someone who prefers peace and quiet, the Savannah waterfront probably isn’t the ideal place for you. Here’s why…

  • Drivers enjoy cruising down River Street while blasting loud music for attention.
  • Motorcyclists also love to rev their engines while riding down River Street.
  • The restaurants on River Street aren’t as good as options elsewhere in the city.
  • Where there are tourists, there’s a good chance of panhandlers looking to make a quick buck.
  • Expect to pay $45+ valet fees at most of the hotels in the area.
  • There’s a lingering scent of urine and weed in some areas that never really fades away, and the central section of River Street seems like it could use a good scrubbing with an industrial-sized bottle of bleach.

Overall, the waterfront is a busy, working area. It’s where the hustle happens!

Additional Considerations…

It’s not uncommon to find members of the homeless community sleeping by the river.

In my experience they’re generally harmless and want to be left alone to sleep in peace.

Also, when I mention traffic and road noise, please be aware that River Street runs from the Ocean City Terminal (one of the ports in Savannah) through the Plant Riverside District, and then it ends on the far eastern end of the Landmark Historic District.

Here’s a visual to show where it ends…

Pale green and blue watercolor map with a red dotted line indicating where River Street begins and ends (at the intersection of E Bay Street) in Savannah

Because it doesn’t cut through Eastern Wharf, that section doesn’t typically have the high levels of street noise of the other two districts.

Top Riverfront Hotels by District

These are the most popular hotels in each section along the waterfront, according to readers.

Plant Riverside District | PRD

The JW Marriott Plant Riverside is the only hotel in the Plant Riverside District that offers true waterfront property.

It’s very popular amongst tourists, since it has a little something for everyone.

There’s a giant chrome dinosaur in the lobby to impress the kids, adults can enjoy the two rooftop bars, and there are a handful of restaurants–such as Stone & Webster Chophouse–on site.

A gas lantern glows yellow in the foreground and a neon sign with the words "Plant Riverside" illuminated in yellow is silhouetted against a twilight-blue sky in the background
CHECK RATES AT THE JW

Landmark Historic District | LHD

This one’s a no-brainer: River Street Inn is centrally located along the waterfront, so you can’t beat it for the convenience factor.

The historic property is exactly what you’d expect of a hotel on River Street, with rows of gas lanterns lining the front entrance and exposed brick walls throughout.

Their staff excels at Southern hospitality.

Rows of gas lanterns illuminate the front entrance to River Street Inn at night
CHECK RATES AT RIVER STREET INN

Eastern Wharf District | EWD

Stay at the Thompson Savannah in Eastern Wharf if you want the beautiful riverfront view but prefer to enjoy it from a quieter area.

You’ll feel pampered at this hotel, which includes the only Les Clefs d’Or USA concierge in the city, fine art curated by Laney Contemporary, and a driver to chauffeur you to dinner in one of the complimentary house Teslas.

If you choose a room with a riverfront view, you can, quite literally, lie in bed and watch giant cargo ships cruise past the window.

Wide-angle shot of the Thompson Savannah. The background shows blue skies dotted with clouds and the foreground shows two yellow railroad cars with the words "Eastern Wharf" inscribed on them in white lettering
CHECK RATES AT THOMPSON SAVANNAH

Do you have questions about any of the hotels on River Street? If so, please ask 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.