Tryp by Wyndham Savannah

B Historic (formerly known as the Country Inn and Suites) was taken over by the B Hotels franchise in 2014 and was renovated in 2014 and 2015. The upscale vibe of B Historic is immediately apparent upon entering the lobby. It has a tasteful decor that looks like a contemporary take on historic Southern design. The lobby has gorgeous dark wood hardwood floors with matching wood paneling, floor-to-ceiling windows, crystal chandeliers, and a rustic-looking red brick fireplace where guests can sit to warm up. There is a large staircase lined with plush patterned carpet descending into the lobby that would make Scarlett O'Hara feel right at home. The red brick exterior fits in seamlessly with the other buildings in the area. The hotel draws couples and families in around equal measure. Couples may appreciate the quiet location and forthcoming spa, while families are probably drawn by the indoor pool (though it's small) and the availability of big suites with sleeper sofas. The hotel primarily attracts tourists, but there is some meeting space on-site for business travelers. 

The B Historic is located on the western edge of Savannah's Historic District, which is advantageous for two reasons: it's situated on a quiet street within a residential district with not many pedestrians or cars passing by (the only other business on the block is a Courtyard Marriott), yet it's close enough to most of the historic attractions in the city that strolling there is a possible feat. Guests can walk 15 minutes to River Street, 12 minutes to City Market, or two minutes to three nearby museums. Still, the 15-minute trek to the restaurants on Bay Street may feel a bit long in the evenings, especially for families with young children; those who'd rather be in the heart of the action should consider the Holiday Inn Express Savannah-Historic District.

The large rooms give guests a lot of space to kick up their feet. Though sparsely decorated, the rooms have interesting touches like intricately carved wooden headboards on the beds and plaid curtains. Bedding got upgraded to a more modern look after the property was purchased by the B Hotels chain. The TVs are LCD, but seem to have slightly too small screens for the distance they are placed from the beds. The bathrooms were huge and modern, with faux marble countertops, great lighting, and massaging showerheads. Bathrooms come fully stocked with Aveda products. There are mini-fridges, but no microwaves or coffeemakers, unlike at the Holiday Inn Express Savannah-Historic District -- though free coffee and tea can be found in the lobby. 

The features at B Historic are hit-and-miss. The indoor pool is quite small and only four feet deep at its deepest point, so diving (or anything other than laps, really) is out. Still, it's nice to have a pool at all at a mid-range hotel -- though it's worth noting that the outdoor pool at the Holiday Inn Express Savannah-Historic District is larger. The fitness center has a treadmill, an exercise bike, a Bowflex -- and that's it. However, the hotel offers a free breakfast buffet every morning with hot options and an upscale eating area attached to the lobby that is lit by chandeliers. There is also a spa suite coming soon (promising therapeutic massage, hot stone therapy, and aromatherapy). One thousand square feet of meeting space is offered for business travelers with courtesy guest iPads, and there is a business center with a fax machine. Free Wi-Fi rounds out the list. There is plenty of parking to be found at the parking garage across the street, but there is a fee.