ARRIVAL/CHECK-IN: I arrived in Savannah about 5 p.m. on a warm, pleasant Sunday and decided to drive around the popular areas of the Historic District to get my bearings and absorb the vibe. All over town people were enjoying the sunshine in the 22 parks and squares in the city, playing softball, lounging, walking their dogs, running or just relaxing. It looked like everyone was enjoying themselves; the city has a youthful feel to it.

Finally, I drove to The Alida and valet-parked my car, which was convenient — the bellman was impressed I had just driven in from Philadelphia. Once I went inside, check-in was swift and friendly, and I was offered an empty water bottle to fill with my choice of water at the hydration station on my floor.

GUEST QUARTERS: I was in Suite 508, which had a convenient entrance hallway with a little table. I was meeting the team from Visit Savannah the next day, and they had dropped off a little gift of local honey products nicely wrapped. The hallway led to the bathroom on the left, and to the right was a coffee and bar station. Due to COVID- 19 protocols, there was nothing there.

The king-sized bed had a down comforter, which made for a cozy sleep. Right off the sleeping area, a sitting area held a settee sofa and two chairs facing the large-screen TV on the wall. The TV remote had been sanitized and wrapped in a zip-lock bag. The window facing the back looked out over the top-floor bar of the JW Marriott and the river beyond.

The bathroom was well-stocked, with a single sink hung under a marble-top counter, offering space for a travel kit. There was no tub, but the shower was large, with an all-glass front and a significant showerhead providing decent water pressure. Amenities included Red Flower shampoo, conditioner, soaps and lotions.

My only complaint was the bathroom door was difficult to close, and I informed the front desk.

SERVICES/AMENITIES: Each floor at the Alida has a hydration station where one can fill and refill the supplied water bottle with mineral water, filtered water or sparkling water. There was a drawer filled with little bags of ice rather than the scooper to refill the guestroom ice bucket. This was the practice pre-COVID and was not developed in response. Unfortunately, the ice bin was empty, but I was able to flag housekeeping to deliver ice to me and replenish that station.

I had dinner and breakfast at Rhett’s Restaurant on the lower level facing River Street and the JW Marriott. For dinner, I sat outside and enjoyed the threat of rain; while others moved inside, I remained out under an umbrella through the sprinkles. Chef Jason Starnes serves local cuisine with a Southern influence. For dinner, I enjoyed the pan- seared scallops, a perfect finish to the day after my long car ride.

TOP TAKEAWAYS:

• Great location — the back of the property has you right on the riverfront with lots of restaurants.
• Perfect and swift parking
• Great rooftop bar, a popular Savannah hangout for cocktails

THE ALIDA, SAVANNAH, A TRIBUTE PORTFOLIO HOTEL
412 Williamson St.
Savannah, GA 31401
tel 912 715 7000
thealidahotel.com