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, the Hotel Bardo Savannah is a fantasy — behind the walls of this very authentic 19th-century Victorian mansion is a hotel that’s caught between two worlds: the tranquil seclusion of a resort-style hotel and the convivial bustle of a 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 European sophistication about the place as well, and the interiors are an eclectic blend of romantic retro influences. The hundred-odd rooms 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 boutique 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 historically correct Southern mansion. And that’s even more true of the public spaces — from the impressive spa to the pool deck to the restaurant, Saint Bibiana, serving impressively authentic coastal Italian fare.