ARRIVAL/CHECK-IN: Driving in from Sarasota, Florida, I arrived at the charming and historic Hotel Bardo, where the valet team welcomed me and assisted with luggage, directing me inside to the check-in desk. As I stepped in, a friendly staff member greeted me and assisted me with a smooth check-in. The lobby set the tone for a Midcentury Modern aesthetic with dark wood and various plants throughout. At the time I visited, a beautifully decorated and lighted Christmas tree stood in the lobby. This excited me for the upcoming holidays.

GUEST QUARTERS: My premium pool-view suite was stunning. The room overlooked the pool area where guests can access their own personal patio. The patio offered two large, pink chairs and a personal pink and white umbrella, along with an outdoor table and two pool towels.

The room itself was remarkable; Midcentury Modern style and pops of color made it feel unique. In the main space, the king-sized bed offered much-needed supreme relaxation for my guest and me. On each side stood a bedside table with a lamp, and a button within the bedframe controlled the lamps and lighting around the TV. I enjoyed this feature during the few movies we watched in the room.

The bathroom was also superb, with two sinks giving me and my guest the space we needed to start our day. Green and white tiles lined the quite spacious shower. I enjoyed the Corpus No Green body wash and haircare products, which made me feel and smell refreshed. Two comfortable, white, short-sleeved bathrobes were also available for us.

SERVICES/AMENITIES: During the stay we enjoyed a delicious breakfast at the on-site restaurant, Saint Bibiana. I ordered avocado bruschetta along with an iced caramel latte — the perfect start to a day exploring Savannah. The server was very kind and swift during our visit. The restaurant itself exudes elegance, with natural lighting and greenery touches throughout.

We also enjoyed a cooking class at The Cooking School of Saint Bibiana, where we learned to bake a Thanksgiving Day pie. The materials and ingredients were all set out for our use as we arrived, including a pen and paper for taking down recipes. This was a great hands-on learning experience with a professional chef. We learned how to make the pie crust along with the filling for pumpkin and pecan pies. Our chef gave us variations on ingredients as well as thorough instructions, assuring our pies would turn out delicious. We had the finished pies packaged and sent to our room while we spent the afternoon seeing Savannah.

We sampled delicious drinks at the more casual The Green Room and Bar Bibi, both offering good service and a relaxing atmosphere. We also attended the Very Bardo Holiday Party in the Courtyard where Christmas lights decorated the palms and Christmas music played. We greatly appreciated the Champagne and hors d’oeuvres.

TOP TAKEAWAYS:

• Don’t miss the chance to take cooking classes at The Cooking School at Saint Bibiana and are available both to guests staying at Hotel Bardo as well as the public.
• The service was attentive and the amenities excellent during my stay at Hotel Bardo.
• Hotel Bardo offers a calendar of activities, from yoga and Pilates to live music and game nights.

HOTEL BARDO SAVANNAH
700 Drayton St. Savannah, GA 31401
tel 912 238 5158
staybardo.com