NO RESERVATIONS:: SAVANNAH'S FORGOTTEN HOTELS

Savannah has for many years been known as the "Hostess City of the South". That's not just a slogan. In 2018, 14.5 million tourists visited the city, spending more than 3 billion dollars and supporting 28,000 jobs. All of these visitors have to have somewhere to stay and Savannah has more than 300 hotels with more on the way. In 2018, fifteen were under construction or in planning stages just in the city's Historic Landmark District.

The city's popularity as a tourist destination is not a new phenomenon. In the late 18th Century, there were no hotels in the city and visitors stayed in the homes of friends or in the several inns available. The first three hotels opened in Savannah between the years 1818 and 1821 with many more opening in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Many hosted major events, joyous occasions and important guests including a number of U. S. presidents. Some were the scene of tragedies. All had stories to tell and are part of Savannah's rich history. In fact, the history of these hotels is in many ways the history of Savannah during the times in which they existed.

All are gone, now, replaced by modern facilities that cater to every whim of the travelling public. This book is written in the hope that for some, memories of these hotels will be revived and for others that it will provide addiitional knowledge of Savannah's very rich history.