It’s a tale of two cities: Charleston , the coastal colonial dandy, has always played big sister to smaller, Southern Gothic, so-pretty-Sherman-couldn’t-burn-it Savannah . Just over 100 miles apart, but divided by state and subtleties of culture, these bastions of low-country luxury enjoy a not always friendly rivalry. With world-famous restaurants, top hotels, and oodles of investment, Charleston has the obvious upper hand. But is that finally changing? The recent debut of an urban resort dubbed the Bardo in Savannah brings the highest per-night rate ever to the city. Is it a sign of shifting momentum? A jab at Charleston’s solar plexus? We put both cities in the ring, head-to-head, bareknuckle, to see who is punching hardest in 2024. Who has the best hotels? Strike the gong. Fight!
The spas : Neither hotel has a spa.
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The Dewberry vs. The Bardo
The basics: A temple to midcentury modern, the Dewberry occupies a brilliantly restored Federal building in downtown Charleston, radiating the best of the 60s. It has 153 rooms with rates starting at $500. Meanwhile, t he Bardo is Savannah’s newest hotel and arguably the city’s most unique offering to date. It brings a chic, design-forward experience to an iconic 19th-century Southern Gothic building. Spread across two acres, it’s an urban resort with a Cote d’Azur ambiance. The hotel’s self-described self-described “riot clash aesthetic” mixes bold vibrant pops of color, stylish furnishings, and beautifully restored historic architectural accents. It has 149 rooms, including 50 suites, starting at $450 a night. The bars: The Dewberry has two bars—the rooftop Citrus Club Bar and the sexy Living Room lobby bar—both with award-winning cocktail lists. In fact, the hotel’s bar scene is its most touted amenity. The top order is the Dewberry Old Fashioned (Coopers’ Craft Barrel Reserve demerara, bitters, orange oil, cherry). In the morning, the house caffeine is oft served with bubbly. (Why not?) Offerings include Morning Dew custom blend coffee, brewed for the hotel by Second State Coffee, and Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve Champagne. Compare that with the Bardo Club, an exclusive social club for locals (who score a membership) and hotel guests (who purchase access as part of a booking). Perks include a swanky private lounge, personal training and small group fitness classes, and a personal shopping service. The house bubbles are from Louis Roederer. The cocktail here is the Theodora, a southern riff on a margarita, made with verjus, clarified passion juice, saffron, and tequila. Take the drink to the pool—which the Dewberry lacks—and into a private cabana or poolside suites. When you wake up, the coffee comes compliments of La Colombe (and we’re sure you could get some Champagne with it if you wanted). The spas: John Dewberry’s own Charleston carriage house was the inspiration for the Dewberry Spa. Here custom products by Natura Bissé made with scents inspired by the southern dewberry plant are incorporated into treatments, like a signature massage.Zero George vs. The Drayton
The basics : Located in Charleston’s historic Ansonborough neighborhood, Zero George is an intimate hotel set in a beautifully restored set of 1800s-era buildings. Sophisticated, with a focus on individualized services and culinary splendor, it’s a favorite stop for romance or a quiet getaway. The hotel doesn’t have a pool, but their lushly landscaped courtyard offers a change of pace. It has just 16 rooms starting at $299 per night. Alternatively, Savannah’s the Drayton is a registered historic landmark dating back to the 1890s. It’s an almost equally intimate stay, and some of the city’s best singer-songwriters and musicians come here for “Sit in Sessions” in the hotel’s Vinyl Room. Located on the Savannah River in the walkable historic district, it offers easy access to shopping, dining, and nightlife. The hotel’s pre-arrival concierge service helps guests plan and book the most sought-after Savannah experiences. It has 50 rooms starting at $330. The bars: Zero George punches well above its weight class with a full on eight-seat caviar bar. Stop by for Regiis Ova Caviar service, weekly cooking classes in the restaurant’s original 1840’s cookhouse, and seasonal curated wine tastings. When it comes to Champagne, what else would do but Krug Grande Cuvee Brut (169th Edition). Cocktails won’t disappoint either: Their Reserve Old Fashioned is made with a 20-year aged Jefferson single-barrel reserve, barreled specifically for the hotel. Coffee is by South Carolina’s King Bean Coffee. Drayton guests gather for the peerless views of City Hall, the Savannah River, and Historic District from the hotel’s rooftop, Pendant Terrace and Bar. The Slow Clap cocktail is a favorite (bourbon, spiced pear liqueur, orgeat, lime, orange) or sip a glass of Los Monteros Cava at St. Neo’s brassiere and raw bar. A brisk Counter Culture brew in the hotel’s coffee bar will get you going in the morning.The spas : Neither hotel has a spa.