Hotels NOT in the historic district & getting around

My husband and I are planning a trip to Savannah for our 8th wedding anniversary in mid May. It will be our first visit and we are really looking forward to it!

We have reservations for 2 nights at the Residence Inn in the historic district. However, the more we think about it, the more we would rather stay 3 nights and have at least two full days in Savannah. We are on a budget and to be able to stay 3 nights we are going to have to pick a cheaper hotel outside of the historic district.

Can any recommend a NICE hotel that runs less than $90 a night in Savannah. Also, can you recommend the best way to get around. Should we pay to park in the historic district or would it be best to get a taxi. Is there a shuttle or anything that runs to the historic district. (If not, there should be!)

Thanks so much for your help!

Thank you

Hotels NOT in the historic district %26amp; getting around

The airport exit and the ';gateway'; area at hwy 204 and I-95 are both loaded with hotels that should be much cheaper than downtown. Some are nicer than others, look at the photos on their sites, you can tell which are newer and nicer.

Parking downtown is not that big a deal. When you get to the end of I-16 you are downtown. At the first traffic light turn right and park in the garage on your right.

When you come out of the garage, look back the way you came (west on Liberty) and you will see the visitors center, they have all the maps, all the trolley tours stop there and the free city shuttle stops in front. It is only $8-10 for the day parking there.

www.savannahvisit.com/images/maps/Map_72b.pdf

On that map you can see where 16 dumps into town, if you turn right on Liberty, the garage is between Jefferson and Tattnall, right on liberty. Over to the left is the visitors center.

From the freeway exits where the hotels are, it is 15 or 20 minutes on the freeway, to the parking garage.

Hotels NOT in the historic district %26amp; getting around

Another solution is to stay in the Midtown section and use the CAT (the city buses) system to get into the historic area.

A taxi would eat up any saving that you would get from staying out of the HD.

An option might be motels on Victory Drive. We typically stay downtown on Bay St when we go and spend a bit extra for the convenience. Did you check out the Hampton?

If you can save more by staying a bit out than will cost to park, it would probably be worth it. Not sure if you will say big $ at Victory Drive area.

Another option is staying in Pooler, which is a short drive from Savannah, it is beyond the airport area. We stayed here once and it was cheaper since it is off I-95, but the motel we picked was not all that nice. I am sure some better ones are there. You might save enough out here to extend visit, but would certainly want to drive and park. The Visitor Center has parking also, it might be less expensive. Not sure how late parking is open though.

Maybe a cheap night in Pooler would allow you to keep the Residence Inn downtown. It is soooo nice to walk around and stroll back to room.

BTW, be sure to see Bonaventure Cemetary, Forsyth Park (get out and walk around to see the fountain) and Tybee Island (make a 1/2 day trip out there for beach and lighthouse).

Also, your first day there I would recommend the On/Off Trolley Tours. Can catch one of several at the Visitor Center (we like Old Town). You can ride around and get on/off at sights and get the lay of the land for first time visit and identify things to come back to later.

Did you try priceline? Put in that you want historic district and bid low. I got the best deal for St Paddy%26#39;s day that way.