Hotel Bardo Savannah

Quite a lot of the appeal of the American South lies in its attachment to history and tradition. But there’s room for a little creativity. While other Southern mansion hotels feel dry and airless, preserved in amber, Hotel Bardo Savannah is a fantasy — behind the walls of this treasured 19th-century Victorian mansion is a hotel that’s caught between two worlds: the tranquil seclusion of a resort and the convivial bustle of a private members’ club.

It’s set not downtown but on Forsyth Park, a comfortable (but still convenient) remove from Savannah’s busy riverfront district. There’s a thread of Mediterranean sophistication about the place as well, and the interiors are an eclectic blend of romantic retro influences. The 149 rooms and suites are located not in the original house, but in an addition next door, one that adheres remarkably closely to the style of the red-brick mansion. As a result they’re spacious, and laid out like modern luxury hotel rooms, oversized baths and all.

The modern-retro panache of the décor makes these bedrooms a good deal more seductive than you’d expect from a historical Southern mansion. And that’s even more true of the public spaces — from the impressive spa to the expansive pool deck to the restaurant, Saint Bibiana, serving impressively authentic coastal Italian fare.