Following a short stint in the Golden Isles on a recent visit to Georgia, I drove north to Savannah.
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I navigated toward the city’s Historic District, where live oak trees fill centuries-old squares and tap on the windows of preserved homes that date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Just past Washington Square waits the Kimpton Brice Hotel, an IHG-portfolio boutique hotel.
While Savannah isn’t short on lovely bed-and-breakfasts and exciting new hotel openings, the Kimpton Brice offers the best of both worlds. The building dates back to 1860, at which point it was used as a livery stable and then a cotton warehouse. By the early 1900s, it was serving as Coca-Cola’s first bottling plant in the city.
The large structure, dubbed the Brice, takes up an entire city block—you’re bound to notice it as you head toward Emmet Park on your way to River Street. And it’s been the home of the Kimpton Brice Hotel since 2014.
I was offered the chance to stay at the Kimpton Brice Hotel for two nights. Here’s what I thought about the experience, and what you should know before booking your stay at the Kimpton Brice Hotel in Savannah.
Welcome to The Kimpton Brice Hotel
As mentioned above, the Brice is a highly unique structure. It’s older than some other buildings in the Savannah Historic District, but it’s got an industrial feel thanks to its history as a warehouse and then a bottling plant. The exterior almost brings to mind urban lofts thanks to its sleek gray-and-white paint job.
The interior feels markedly different, with warm and modern touches. The lobby has plenty of sitting space, along with a large desk. From the lobby, you can access a grand courtyard with mature trees and string lights. It’s the type of place you want to have your morning coffee and your nightcap.
Further inside the property, there’s a tucked-away courtyard with a large outdoor pool and stylish loungers and umbrellas. It even has its own mini-bar where you can order cocktails, soft drinks, and snacks. Even though it rained during my visit, I saw guests hanging out on the loungers when the showers let up—it’s a great hang-out.
The property also has an on-site restaurant, Pacci Italian Kitchen + Bar, which serves breakfast and dinner. There’s also a fitness center, which I didn’t end up using. (Spoiler alert: I never do.) But it was clean, updated, and had a range of equipment that I’m sure will get the job done for any Energizer bunnies.
What I liked about staying at The Kimpton Brice Hotel
The pet-friendly approach
When you walk into the lobby, you’ll see a pup setup right away. By ‘pup setup’, I mean the Brice has treats, doggy bags, and a large bowl of water right at the entrance. As a chihuahua owner who often travels with her pooch (although not this time), I immediately noticed the thoughtful touch. There’s even a little bed where dogs can sit for photos.
In fact, the Kimpton Brice Hotel first ended up on my radar years ago because of its pooch-friendly approach. The hotel is renowned as one of the best hotels for pet owners to stay at nationwide. In addition to in-room perks for your pet, dogs are also welcome at Pacci and in the courtyard.
If you’re traveling with a dog in Savannah and you want to enjoy the city’s historic neighborhood, I can’t think of a better setup. Not only did the Kimpton Brice Hotel have pet-friendly amenities, but the staff were also very happy to engage with pets and give scritches.
So, if you like a little puppy party with your morning coffee, the Kimpton Brice might just grace you with a daily show. Of course, I can’t guarantee dogs will be in town during your visit.
The third spaces
The Kimpton Brice Hotel is a luxury boutique hotel where you can actually hang out for an afternoon. Because I usually work while traveling, I needed to log around five hours of screentime on my laptop. I was able to work comfortably in the Kimpton Brice Hotel’s lobby, along with its courtyard.
That’s a big perk for any remote workers and business travelers. But even when I don’t have my laptop with me, I look for hotels with third spaces that you want to enjoy. The Kimpton Brice Hotel’s lobby, courtyard, and pool area didn’t feel stuffy or museum-like. They’re warm and meant to be lived in.
In short, you aren’t just paying for a room. You’re paying for a place to hang out and unwind. Even better, the Kimpton Brice Hotel serves morning coffee in the lobby (perfect for a morning chat and puppy party), then daily wine from 5-6 pm. I took advantage of both and had the chance to catch up with other guests.
The location
As mentioned above, the Kimpton Brice Hotel is located in Savannah’s sought-after historic district. I personally loved its location because it’s toward one end of the district near Washington Square, letting you pop down to Emmet Park or River Street when you want a stroll or some fun, then retreat to a quieter corner of the neighborhood.
I can’t recommend the location enough. As someone who enjoys a morning walk, I had Savannah’s most scenic historic squares at my fingertips. On the first day that I arrived, I walked around without a purpose… and stumbled upon at least five of the city’s top sites, museums, and restaurants.
The only catch is parking. I drove in, so I used the Kimpton Brice Hotel’s private garage. It was a little pricey, but you can take your car in and out of the lot as many times as you want under the day rate. That’s not the case at other public garages in the area.
The best price guarantee
The Kimpton Brice Hotel will cost you between $200-500, depending on the season, the room, and other factors. However, the Kimpton Brice is part of IHG, which offers a lowest-price guarantee when you book directly. Sure, it won’t save you hundreds, but it’s worth pointing out: When you go for a more upscale hotel, always book direct.
What to keep in mind if you book a stay
Here’s what you should think about before booking a stay at the Kimpton Brice Hotel:
- Pacci was great for breakfast, but I recommend going out for dinner. The historic district in Savannah is dotted with can’t-miss restaurants. I recommend enjoying Pacci for a great coffee and breakfast in the mornings, then venturing out for a meal at night. (You can also have a nightcap at Pacci afterwards.)
- Some events take place in the garden and in the conference rooms. During my stay, there was a small work conference and a gathering in the courtyard. It didn’t get in the way of me enjoying the stay, but it’s worth pointing out.
- Check-in and check-out can get a little hectic. The Kimpton Brice Hotel has 145 rooms, along with 26 suites. During the busy weekends, you might need to wait in line for help checking in and out. This is pretty standard at boutique hotels in popular cities, but, once again, it’s worth pointing out so that you know what to expect.
