$150–300

A short walk from Forsyth Park, the Dresser-Palmer House (211 E. Gaston St., 912/238-3294, www.dresserpalmerhouse.com, $189–319) features 15 rooms in two wings, but still manages to make things feel pretty cozy. Garden-level rooms go for a song (under $200).

Over $300

The 1868 Gastonian Inn (220 E. Gaston St., 912/232-2869, www.gastonian.com, $245–455) got a major renovation in 2005 and remains a favorite choice for travelers to Savannah, mostly for its 17 sumptuously decorated rooms and suites (all with working fireplaces) and the always-outstanding full breakfast. They pile on the epicurean delights with teatime, evening nightcaps, and complimentary wine. This is one of the six properties owned by the local firm HLC, which seems to have consistently higher standards than most out-of-town chains here.

How ironic that a hotel built in a former mortuary would be one of the few Savannah hotels not to have a resident ghost story. But that’s the case with Mansion on Forsyth Park (700 Drayton St., 912/238-5158, www.mansiononforsythpark.com, $339–419), which dominates an entire block alongside Forsyth Park, including partially within the high-Victorian former Fox & Weeks Mortuary building. Its sumptuous, big-bed, big-bath, big-screen-TV-equipped rooms scream “boutique hotel,” as does the swank little bar and the alfresco patio area.

The Mansion’s Addams Family decor of thick velvet and vaguely Dadaist artwork isn’t for everyone, but still, it certainly beats seagulls and pink flamingoes.

© Jim Morekis from Moon Charleston & Savannah, 4th Edition