36 hours in savannah
The Alida Savannah
A Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Photographed by Kenniese S. Franklin
Earlier this year, I quietly celebrated my birthday with my mother in Savannah, GA. We stayed at the Alida, located downtown right off the Riverwalk. The hotel is homey, but doesn’t feel like home, which I appreciate. I like to feel like I’m elsewhere on my hotel adventures. Below are a few design elements I loved and a few I’d change.
four things i loved
Immediate Immersion. The front desk is set a ways away from the entrance. Rather than handling paper work immediately on arrival, guests take a short stroll through the world of Alida. Warm colors, textured walls and dramatic plants pull you inward. You orient yourself in the space, then you handle business.
Color Palette. Terracotta arm chairs blend with red brick walls and gold light fixtures. Various shades of blue create calm contrast. The color palette introduces cohesion through all corners of the hotel - from the The Trade Room lounge to Rhett restaurant and from The Lost Square rooftop bar to the Keep Shop. The spaces in the Alida are their own orchestra.
Designers: LMNOP Creative
3. Bay Windows. Right off the check-in desk is a large, curved window wall fitted with a blue velvet bench. It’s unique seating that encourages contemplation. Guests can lounge, converse and take in city views. Our guest room featured window seating behind sheer curtains. The afternoon light that washes through that window warms the entire room. Perfect for reading, meditating and daydreaming.
4. Dining Spaces. Atmosphere is everything. We visited the Trade Room lounge and restaurant for some cocktails. When my mother asked where I wanted to sit, a navy blue corner toward the back caught my attention. It was tucked off in a way that made it feel private, yet connected. Dark hues paired with wine, warm lights and a window is a winning combination.
The Lost Square, Alida’s rooftop lounge, has a large fire place and stunning views of the river.
Rhett restaurant is inviting, open, well-lit. The burger was good!
three things i’d change
The Music. I’m not hard to please when it comes to music, but I do have obscure taste. And I do believe certain environments call for certain vibrations. I approve of the soul music they played on the rooftop around sunset. But each time we sat down to eat at the restaurants, I wished something smoother was playing. The music was upbeat, electronic and poppy. I prefer soulful, jazzy, groovy. Artists like Yussef Dayes, Common Saints and Kaytranada would elevate the atmosphere at the Alida.
Meeting Spaces. The concept of the hotel ballroom is outdated. People want to feel excited by the spaces they’re in, especially for events like weddings and holiday parties. Event spaces must be neutral enough for any group of people to make it their own, but that doesn’t have to mean boring. Hotels should incorporate art galleries that double as event spaces. Art is a means of expressing the culture and history of a place. A gallery is a thoughtful backdrop that casually informs and inspires. The Keep Shop features objects made by local makers. The lobby showcases local art as well.
Lighting. If lighting is the jewelry of a room, Alida is wearing too much. Many light fixtures in the hotel have complex silhouettes. The metallic finish with the multi-layered build of the chandeliers fel noisy for me, especially in dining spaces with hard tile floors. Perhaps a more simple fixture would create serenity and room to breath.
The Lost Square Rooftop Lounge & Bar. Alida Hotel, Savannah, GA
