The Mansion on Forsyth Park: Savannah's Opulent Parkside Hotel

The Mansion on Forsyth Park, a AAA Four-Diamond hotel, is located in the Historic District of downtown Savannah. Forsyth Park is the city's largest green space, and the rest of the southern part of the District is within walking distance of the hotel. CAT, Savannah's public transit system, has a free shuttle that stops very near the hotel.

"Savannah has never seen anything like this hotel.'' That was the opinion of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution when the 126-room Mansion opened in 2005. The owners took an 18,000-square-foot Romanesque mansion and added on a building in the same style to create a luxury hotel with "a baroque, neo-Miami vibe that is the last thing you'd expect behind the walls of an 1888 Victorian residence in this little old lady of a city.''

The Mansion's guest rooms, including six suites, all come with luxurious bedding and bath amenities, marble baths, wired and wireless high-speed Internet access, marble writing desks, velvet sofas and other opulent decorations. Rooms on the second floor, called the Bohemian Floor, have upgraded baths. Frommer's says, "Bedrooms are avant-garde and plush, and among the most spacious in Savannah. Urban and very comfortable, they were inspired by posh boudoirs in New York or Milan.''

All guests have access to the fitness room, which features cardiovascular equipment; the outdoor heated pool; and the luxurious Poseidon Spa. The Spa offers a full menu, including wraps and scrubs, massages, facials, waxing, and manicures and pedicures. The Bohemian Gallery offers guests over 400 pieces of art, mostly from local artists. A full-service business with Internet access is also available to all guests.

Food and drink options at the Mansion include its signature restaurant, 700 Drayton, and two lounges, Casimir's and the Btzsendorfer. The restaurant offers upscale, gourmet cuisine for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. The food is Southern, especially Low Country, with Asian and Mediterranean influences thrown in. Casimir's Lounge has a rooftop terrace and provides live jazz and blues. The Btzsendorfer Lounge is more elegant and features piano music. The chef of 700 Drayton, Darin Sehnert, runs a cooking school at the hotel, which is the highest-rated attraction in Savannah, according to the website tripadvisor.com.

The Mansion has over 8,500 square feet of meeting and function space, including the 3,456-square-foot Viennese Ballroom, which accommodates up to 275 reception-style or 200 banquet-style. A total of six meeting rooms are available. Outdoor events can be held in the Marble Garden Courtyard or the pool deck. The hotel provides elegant catering for any event, as well as state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment. It is a popular spot for weddings in Savannah.

Frommer's says, "This is the most opulent and spectacular boutique hotel in Savannah. ... we think the place is tasteful, highly entertaining, and stimulating.'' Reviews of the Mansion on Forsyth Park are, for the most part, very positive. The style appeals to most guests. One says, "All a bit Las Vegas but very tasteful.'' Another recent visitor noted, "Everything was over the top, artsy and classy.'' The service is generally highly praised, although some guests think they get overwhelmed when busy. Several comments mirror this one, saying the Mansion is a "5-star hotel with 2-star service.'' Most guests, however, have reacted like this person, who raved, "This isn't just a hotel. It's a showplace of wonderful art, exquisite restaurant, fabulous cooking school, a gorgeous spa, beautiful lounges and surroundings to take your breath away.''