Welcome to Savannah (Part 2)!

We stayed at The Marshall House in Savannah. The Marshall House has a very interesting history. It was built in 1851 as Savannah's first hotel. It has its original staircases, wood floors, fireplaces, brick walls and the doors in each guest room. The atrium (which was once a courtyard) has been glass enclosed to give a sense of its original use. From 1864-1865 the hotel was occupied by Union troops under General Sherman. It was also used as a Union hospital until the end of the Civil War.





In 2003 the Marshall House was featured on Great Hotels. It has been voted the "Best of Savannah" twice. In 2005 it was even featured on the Travel Channel's Haunted Hotels!





The Marshall House has just undergone a $12 million restoration. I can't recommend this hotel enough and we will certainly stay there again.

Gorgeous original staircase from the lobby to the 2nd floor

This was a little sitting area in our room

I believe this bed was the most comfortable I've ever slept in away from home

Corner of the "sitting area" just off the main lobby

Looking out from the sitting area into the lobby

Front of The Marshall House

French doors that lead into an adjoining restaurant/lounge

Original floor!

Atrium where breakfast was served

Portrait of Gen. James Marshall (Mary Marshall's husband)

A "must see" is Bonaventure Cemetery. Just outside of Savannah, this cemetery is rich in history and permanent "guests". Originally a plantation, over the years it was divided and eventually became the cemetery you see today. It is so peaceful and has more of the oak trees with dripping moss.

Gracie Watson's grave is one of the most visited graves at Bonaventure. She was the only child of her parents who owned one of Savannah's hotels. She died in 1890, two days before her 6th birthday. A noted sculpturer carved her life-sized likeness from a photograph. It is said that no matter where you stand to view her tomb, it seems her eyes are following you. Take a good look at Little Gracie and see what you think!

The detail is unbelievable. It is sculpted (sp?) to be the exact size of Little Gracie at her death wearing her Easter clothes

Her grave is beautifully maintained

Johnny Mercer is another famous "guest" at Bonaventure. His home is the Mercer-Williams house featured in "Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil". This bench depicts many of the songs he wrote.

Family burial plot of Johnny Mercer

OK....(drum roll)..... finally------------- It's off to The Lady and Sons for Sunday lunch!

In order to get your name in the hat for the Sunday buffet, you line up about 8:00 so you can get on the list. They start taking names at 9:00 for the 11:00 buffet. Hubby got up and went to get in line...even at 8:00 he was about 5th in line! These were some of the folks standing in line about 10:45 (what were they thinking!) trying and get a seat that day. The line goes around the building!

This is Paula Deen's shop right next to her restaurant. While hubby was standing in line, some of the staff were watering the planters...naturally, the water dripped down on all standing in line (not a good thing!)

Doors to enter The Lady and Sons. There are three floors to the restaurant and we were on the 3rd floor

Yummy fried green tomatos served with salsa and a valdalia onion relish. Hubby could not wait for his first bite so that's why there is an empty spot on the plate!

You know you are in the South when you get a sprig of mint in your ice tea!

Hoe cakes and garlic cheese biscuits

Fried chicken, mashed potatos, mac and cheese, collards....put some South in your mouth!

Good grief....it was soooo good!

I cannot recommend a trip to Savannah enough. Even in February, the weather was spring like. I went once before in May and it was wonderful.

Hope ya'll enjoyed a little bit of our trip to Savannah. I can't wait to go back!!!