I had the best experience during my weekend stay at the Alida hotel in Savannah. The hotel has taken great care to follow COVID guidelines. Masks are required in all public areas and all unnecessary high-touch items have been removed from guest rooms. The Alida is a Tribute Portfolio hotel which are know for being full of character, driven by captivating design and creating vibrant social scenes. I love how they feel more boutique but are still part of Marriott Bonvoy. The service was great and the attention to detail was amazing. I loved the sustainability aspect as well. When you arrive you are given reusable water bottles to refill at the stations on each floor. This is amazing for me because I always tend to not drink enough water when I stay at hotels.
The Location
The site that is now the Alida hotel was previously the warehouse of Alida Harper Fowlkes, a famed Savannah architectural preservationist and antique collector. The location is right by the river and easily accessible to all sites you could be interested in seeing. Right across the street is the Plant Riverside District which is the ultimate adult playground featuring tons of restaurants, bars, restaurants and shopping.
The Decor
The hotel decor fits the artsy vibe of Savannah and is stunning, tying in cognac leather couches with fun patterns and jewel tones. The lobby features various seating nooks for enjoying a coffee while you get some work in or a drink when you just want to relax. It is truly such cozy feeling hotel and has photo opportunities at every corner.
THE ROOM
We stayed in a corner studio king and it was perfect. There was plenty of room for two of us and had views of the Plant Riverside District across the street. There is a modern, minimalist design but there is a spot for everything. The room had a safe and mini refrigerator which was not expected but greatly appreciated. The bathroom was a good size, was stocked with Red Flower products and featured a two sided full length mirror as the door which I greatly appreciate. When one person is in the bathroom the other can still get ready on the other side.
AMENITIES
The Alida offers the following amenities:
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Complimentary coffee, whole fruit and granola bars served 7-9am in Rhett.
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Fresh baked cookies are served at 1pm in the lobby, but they are available in the afternoon at your leisure.
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Happy hour from 3-5pm in the lobby where you can choose a glass of red, white or sparkling wine.
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A nook on every floor which includes sparkling, still or ambient water.
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Bicycles available to roam through the city.
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Discounted culture pass
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High speed wifi
To be fair these items aren’t truly complimentary as you do pay a $25 daily amenity fee, but in my opinion what you receive in return has a higher value than what you pay.
WELLNESS
The Alida has a heated pool which is super cute. There are cabanas available or you can post up on a poolside lounger and keep the beverages coming from the poolside bar. One thing to note is that is pretty small so I can imagine it gets pretty busy in the summer. The Alida has a 24-hour exercise studio overlooking the pool. It features state-of-the-art equipment, including Peloton bicycles and virtual programming, as well as free weights and yoga mats. It is definitely at the top tier of hotel fitness centers.
DINING
The Alida offers a few dining/ drinking options within the hotel and you will not be disappointed. I don’t consider the Pool Bar a separate option
Rhett
Rhett is the ground level restaurant open daily for breakfast and every night but Sunday for dinner. The mushroom and boursin toast is superb! Rhett also has a happy hour Monday through Friday from 5 – 6pm. As my status bonus I chose the daily free breakfast at Rhett and it was superb. Daily breakfast included an entrée, hot drink and cold drink for two.
The Trade Room
The Trade Room is the lobby bar which is open for dinner Thursday through Saturday. Happy Hour is available from 4 – 6pm. The Trade Room is currently the only whiskey bar in Savannah so it is perfect for any whiskey lovers.
The Lost Square
The Lost Square is the rooftop bar which is open daily and features great views of the city, river and bridge. You must visit the rooftop for at least a drink because it is lovely!
The Pool Bar
Be sure to The Pool Bar is open on the weekends serving craft cocktails and small bites from Rhett.
In a Nutshell
I will definitely coming back to visit the Alida and I highly recommend this hotel for a stay in Savannah! The hotel has great amenities and dining options, but is also super accessible to Savannah hot spots.
One other thing to keep in mind if you are in Savannah, but not staying at the Alida is that you can book day pass to relax by the pool using ResortPass. You can get a day pass for the pool starting at $19 and rent a poolside cabana starting at $99.