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The FM Team recently had our annual team meeting in one of my favorite southeastern cities: Savannah, Georgia. Hyatt has an enviable group of properties in downtown Savannah, including the massive, riverfront Hyatt Regency and a well-regarded pair of boutique properties: the Thompson and the Andaz. I had an extra night after our meeting, as well as an expiring Hyatt Category 1-4 free night certificate. The combination provided a great opportunity to check out the Andaz.
Andaz Savannah Bottom Line Review
The Andaz Savannah checks most of the boxes for an enjoyable stay in Savannah. It can be booked with a category 1-4 free night certificate, which can be valuable during peak season when weekend rates sometimes top $400. It’s a small hotel without a ton of frills, but the lovely, outdoor pool terrace, desirable location, excellent elite recognition and included extras make it a worthwhile option. Thumbs Up
- Price: Hyatt category 1-4, award prices ranges from 12,000-18,000 points per night. I booked using a Hyatt Cat 1-4 Free Night Certificate. The cash price on the night that I stayed was ~$240/night.
- Value: It seems to usually offer 1.5-2.5 cents per point in value, right around our reasonable redemption value for Hyatt points of 2.1 cents each. However, booking this as a free night award with the destination fee waived (and parking if you’re a Globalist) adds some significant value, due to all of the complimentary food and beverage that’s provided (see below).
- Location: Andaz Savannah has an excellent location in downtown Savannah on Ellis Square, right by City Market and a block from Bay Street. It’s also about two blocks from River Street and the Savannah riverfront.
- Room: I booked a standard king room and was proactively upgraded to a ~540sq ft Andaz Suite. The room included a complimentary snack bar, deep soaking tub and a lovely view of Ellis Square. The only downside was the significant noise from music at the neighborhood bars around the square.
- Parking: Valet parking is $45/night (waived for Globalists on award stays). Self-parking is available in a nearby garage for $24/night.
- Resort/Destination Fee: $33 (waived on award stays). Includes:
- Discount with Old Town Trolley (up to $21 or more based on which tickets are purchased).
- Complimentary, refillable snacks and non-alcoholic beverages
- 2 daily appetizers in 22 Square Lounge from 5-9pm.
- Daily beer and wine tasting at 22 Square from 5-8 p.m.
- Complimentary champagne on arrival and with 22 Square dinner reservation.
- 50% discounted poolside cabana reservations with seasonal infused water.
- Daily sunset s’mores at firepit area.
- Internet: Good throughout the property, indoor and out.
- Service: Good overall, with excellent elite recognition and benefit explanations. Valet was a bit slow and the pronounced friendliness of the service occasionally veered towards overkill.
- Turndown service: None.
- Dining:
- 22 Square Restaurant and Bar: Located on the ground floor, with large windows facing the square. Globalist breakfast is served off the menu here. Open for breakfast daily from 6:30am-11am, lunch from 11am-2pm and dinner from 5pm to 10pm. The bar is open daily from 3pm-12am, 1am on Friday and Saturday.
- Spa: There’s no spa, but there is an atmospheric outdoor pool area on the third floor with cabanas, table service and an outdoor firepit.
- Fitness Room: There is a small fitness room located by the pool on the third floor. It’s fairly bare-bones with a smattering of weight and cardio equipment.
- Hyatt Globalist Benefits:
- Room Upgrade: I booked a standard room and was proactively upgraded to a ~540 sq ft Andaz Suite with a view of Ellis Square.
- Free Breakfast: Served off the menu at 22 Square Restaurant. Includes Coffee, juice, entrée, side and gratuity. The benedict that I had was excellent.
- Club Lounge: None. All guests do get appetizers and beer/wine tastings daily at the 22 Square bar.
- Late Checkout: I was automatically given a 4pm checkout
- Welcome Amenity: Local candy as well as 50ml bottles of Savannah Distillery vodka and tequila.
- Would I stay again? Yes. It’s a good location and offers additional value as an award given the waived destination fee and food and beverage add-ons.
Andaz Savannah Pros
- Nice location right in downtown Savannah on Ellis Square, but off of the main drags
- Excellent added food and beverage amenities
- Terrific elite recognition
- Cool pool terrace that has an outdoor firepit with s’mores
Andaz Savannah Cons
- A little noisy on the square-facing rooms
- Lame fitness area
Image Gallery
Andaz Savannah Andaz Suite
Andaz Savannah Globalist Welcome Amenity
22 Square Restaurant and Bar (elite breakfast)
Andaz Savannah Pool Terrace
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When you factor in the freebies, this is a better-than-average Andaz — especially for a Globalist. I’ve stayed here 3 times and gotten a nice suite each time. My only modest complaint is breakfast. Last time, we ordered the shrimp & grits, and they were tasty, but the portion was meager. I see from your photo that it may now be off the menu. Kind of wish they had a buffet — or at least larger portions.
I have been there a few times. Nice place and staff.
We live about 45 minutes north of there and my wife and I have stayed there many times. Our son even had a pre wedding reception there. I have found the food there to be great, the front staff is really hit or miss.
However, Savannah is one of the most awesome and unique cities anywhere in the world.
Wow so much refined taste here 🙂 As someone who was born in Savannah and lived there for 35 years, I can say this is one of the best spots to be in downtown. I have stayed at this hotel since it was first re-branded as Andaz. The staff, front desk and dining, are beyond amazing. Even when it was almost a year since my last visit, I was greeted by name as I was walking through the door and received hugs by all the dining staff the next morning. When I returned to my room later that night, there were two bottles of sparkling wine with one note from the front desk and one from the restaurant.
For those driving an electric vehicle, the valet will even make sure your car is plugged into an L2 charger (Tesla or J1772). The front desk asked last time as I was checking in if I would like my car plugged up. This time I didn’t drive to Savannah but it’s these small touches you don’t find at many properties anymore.
I will admit, the pictures in this blog post aren’t flattering — wide-angle shots seldom are. The rooms are much nicer than they appear here. I would much rather stay here than the Savannah Thompson or HR (that I’ve stayed in as well). Note: The Thompson doesn’t have free parking since they don’t own the garage. And you may or may not have parking at the HR depending on how full their small garage is.
All I can say is please stay elsewhere else when visiting Savannah, so I have a better chance of staying at my favorite property. 🙂
It looks like a really nice Hyatt House, but I like Hyatt House.
Thanks Tim for the post………I’ll take this hotel off my Bucket List
Didn’t know Henry Winkler was so Boujie…
bou·gie1 /ˈbo͞o(d)ZHē/ noun MEDICINE
Best deal going was The Drayton (on Drayton St) on cheap Choice points via Preferred Hotels – perfect location & so very nice. Unfort switched to Hilton 2 mths ago & that always means mega HH points.
Now I like the Cambria – again on cheap Choice points. Brand new & somewhat on the fringe of town but the same 30k points that gets you a 1-br also a very nice Suite if you book early!
Really liking all the new Cambrias around the country for nicely-appointed suites at 20 – 30k Choice points. Portland ME; Southlake TX; Omaha NE etc all great stays. Good growth across New England. Check out all the new props, incredible growth & NICE product. Get the cc along with nice Elite perks then transfer 1:2 points from Citi. Has kept me busy all year with nice stays!
HOLY MOLY, Annual Team Metting? You guys just traveled halfway around the World together! Sounds more like Annual Team Party.
Time to quote Nobel Laureate Yakov Smirnov, “AMERICA, watta country!”
That bathroom counter is brutal…Hyatt Regency circa 2005.
I’ve stayed here many times and have enjoyed it. As noted, it’s not tremendously upscale (the Thompson nicer), but it’s available using free night certs, the location is outstanding, and the benefits as a globalist are valuable.
We do sometimes stay at the Hyatt due to the river facing rooms, which kids of all ages enjoy. However, I’ve never seen the inside of a real suite there (their standard suites are just larger rooms). The Andaz has many real suites.
Never tire of those big barges floating by a riverfront room window at the HR!
Maybe it’s the photos but doesn’t look upscale at all to me. Definitely not like the other Andaz properties I’ve been to.
Agreed, this Andaz certainly looks nice but not necessarily luxury/premium. Then again, that’s probably the reason it is a Category 4, lol. Don’t think you’ll find many upscale Andaz properties in the USA that are Cat 4, although Andaz Bali is a nice one if you’re willing to fly across the Pacific for it.
Location & use of a FNC are the real draws to this property. Smack dab in Ellis Square (along with the City Market, Lady & Sons, etc), And with Globalist a free/decent breakfast & free $35 parking, which means a lot in downtown Savannah!
Great amenities & service but yeah the suites themselves not so much.