Savannah is getting another boutique hotel in December, and this one landed in a spot I like a lot. Sabal House is taking over the old Presidents’ Quarters Inn on Oglethorpe Square, right across from the Owens-Thomas House.

If you don’t spend much time around Oglethorpe, that’s sort of the point. It’s one of the calmer squares downtown, but you’re a block or so from Broughton Street and the line outside Leopold’s, and one square over from The Olde Pink House. You can walk into the middle of everything and then walk right back out of it, which is a pretty good deal for a hotel guest.

The property keeps the original pair of 1885 Federal-style townhomes, with their dark woods and old Savannah brick, and adds a new wing built from mass timber, river stone and tabby. The Presidents’ Quarters had 16 rooms. Sabal House will have 64. That’s a big jump for that corner of the square, and I’m curious to see how it sits once it’s finished.

“We sought to create an intimate haven where guests can connect with the genuine essence of Savannah,” said Ryan Marshall, General Manager of Sabal House.” By blending the storied history of our dual townhomes with contemporary coastal design and warm Southern hospitality, Sabal House provides a truly soulful home base for travelers looking to immerse themselves in our city’s vibrant culture.”

Hay Creek Hotels and Restaurants is managing the place, with the first guests expected in mid-December. For the holidays, they’re planning seasonal drinks and a Santa tuck-in for kids, which is a new one on me. They’ll also put together picnic baskets meant to be eaten on Oglethorpe Square itself. I like that idea more than I expected to.

The part we are really watching is the restaurant. Oak Steakhouse, from Charleston-based Indigo Road Hospitality Group, is set to open on the property in early 2027. Expect steaks, classic American plates and a serious wine list. Indigo Road has been running Oak in Charleston for years, so this isn’t a first attempt. Oak opened a location in Athens, Georgia mid-September.

More on that one as we get closer.

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