New Video from Romantic Inns of Savannah: The Savannah Way to Stay

SAVANNAH, Georgia (April 29, 2013) -- In a town popular for its Savannah Film Festival and Hollywood movie making, it is no surprise that standout bed and breakfasts now turn the spotlight to themselves. In The Savannah Way to Stay the Romantic Inns of Savannah LLC highlights an important, yet overlooked word that defines their generosity -- complimentary.

"What a delight to be pampered in so many unexpected ways," announces Jim Carswell of Spyhop Productions, who produced and narrates the video. The association of privately owned Savannah bed and breakfasts in the National Landmark Historic District commissioned the USA travel video.

In just under two minutes the branded content emphasizes the high value and charm found in a dozen family owned and operated B&Bs. "Complimentary is a centric common denominator, important to each innkeeper and to each of our guests," says Jackie Heinz, volunteer chair of the association's marketing committee and owner of Zeigler House Inn. Each innkeeper chooses his/her own unique combination of complimentary offerings to be included in their lodging rate.

In southern, genteel ways the adjective "complimentary" is seen on-screen but never mentioned. Kudos go to the objectivity of Mari Carswell of Spyhop Productions, who pinpointed "complimentary" as the simple, memorable differentiator.

Complimentary Sweetens (or de-salts) the Deal
Business travelers estimate the value of the Romantic Inns' "complimentary" offerings would be an additional $75-$125 surcharge (nightly) at a national brand hotel. Especially for travelers with special diets, the complimentary home cooking is a extraordinarily welcome treat. It can be the deal maker, sweetening (or de-salting, de-wheating, de-lactosing) the enticement of B&B lodging in Savannah, Georgia USA.

No doorpost banners or street-side signs announce the long list of complimentary products and services at these historic lodging establishments -- each one tucked into prestigious residential neighborhoods of the National Landmark Historic District. "That would be tacky and provoke our neighbors to wag fingers, justly. Savannah's historic district guidelines won't permit it," adds Jackie.

Behind the Scenes: The By Words Are Local and Person-to-Person
"Innkeepers are connoisseurs of the arts, cuisine, literature, and well informed about what is extraordinary to do and see in and near Savannah. We wear a hat that once belonged to the fee-charging travel agent," adds Diane McCray, co-owner of Green Palm Inn, treasurer of the association and marketing committee member. "We will set up reservations to the area's top dining spots, arrange travel for sightseeing, set appointments for antique shopping, and pre-purchase special event tickets. Talking personally to a knowledgeable innkeeper is optimal efficiency."

There are more personal touches behind the scenes. "Like visiting your grandmother who insists on preparing her family's prized recipes, we are the cooks too, serving deliciousness, minus an a la carte pricing chart. Most inn owners are in the kitchen cooking personally, daily," states Diane. Before heading to the kitchen she, like most of her colleagues, has been to the grocer that carries favored brands and to the day-boat seafood dock. "On farmers' market days the innkeepers are there as well, hand selecting what guests will enjoy," she adds.

First introduced through social media -- Twitter, Facebook and the blog stream -- "The Savannah Way to Stay" video will be accessible on RomanticInnsofSavannah.com; BetterWaytoStay.com, a Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII) campaign; and on YouTube.com/RomanticInns.

"From this day forward our Savannah, Georgia tourism messages will include a lot more of this sweet adjective -- complimentary. No more of the Scarlett O'Hara approach of thinking about that tomorrow," concludes Jackie Heinz.

ABOUT ROMANTIC INNS OF SAVANNAH
A collective marketing association of family--owned historic home inns (circa 1855-1898), Romantic Inns of Savannah LLC interprets and romanticizes southern hospitality a dozen different ways in Savannah, Georgia USA -- renown as North America's most beautiful city. Let Savannah Romance You!™ is the invitation from the non-profit organization. Situated along the southeast Atlantic Ocean coast, Savannah's National Landmark Historic District (2.5 miles) is home to the city's smallest restored home inns -- private carriage houses to 16-room European-style town homes -- that dot the prestigious, quiet residential neighborhoods. Elite among America's original 13 colonies, Savannah, Georgia is prized for its southern traditions and architecture that survived the American Civil War (1861-1865), urban and coastal landscapes, the arts, and international commerce. For more information -- romanticinnsofsavannah.com, Twitter @RomanticInns, and Facebook. Press Contact: Sandy Traub, straub@spatior.com

Copyright 2013 Romantic Inns of Savannah LLC

Memorial Day Weekend in Savannah, Georgia 2013

SAVANNAH Georgia (April 10, 2013) – Formerly known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the war.

Entrance to old Fort Jackson on the Savannah River.

In an address delivered for Memorial Day on May 30, 1884, Oliver Windell Holmes spoke that “life is a profound and passionate thing” and of “youth they lent the passion and joy of the spring”.

"Life is action and passion.” – Oliver Windell Holmes

For a long holiday weekend in Savannah, Romantic Inns of Savannah innkeepers will help you to celebrate Memorial Day – the day in late May that typically marks the start of the summer vacation season. Labor Day marks its end.

We invite you to get away for gentle climates and quiet, patriotic days and nights in Savannah. Enthusiastically, we look forward to welcoming you to our Romantic Inns in Savannah on your next road trip to the Georgia Coast!

Monday, May 27, 2013 - Memorial Day in Savannah, Georgia USA

Especially in Savannah’s beautiful springtime one does not need events. The city itself is a spectacular destination worth the trip and worth the anticipation to explore.

Memorial Day is a patriotic holiday in the USA, a time for a long weekend to begin your summer vacation in Savannah, Georgia.

Memorial Day is a respectful time for tributes to the ultimate sacrifices by soldiers. For nearly 300 years and today Savannah maintains an idyllic, southern way of life because of brave soldiers and wise civic leaders.

Recommendations from our innkeepers embrace Savannah’s unique places and southern style. Famous places include garden-park cemeteries -- Colonial Cemetery downtown, Bonaventure Cemetery on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, and Laurel Grove Cemetery where over 600 Confederates from the Battle of Gettysburg are buried.

• On tours of mansion museums in our fair city, you’ll come to appreciate architecture and lifestyles that survived the Civil War.
• On a walk down the Bull Street corridor, visitors will take photographs in Savannah’s famous squares that highlight monuments dedicated to fallen heroes.
• On a walk along the Savannah River riverfront and bluff tourists will see the World War II Memorial, and Vietnam War Memorial.
• Colonial and 19th Century forts – Fort Jackson and Fort Pulaski -- are spots you don’t want to miss.

Events Memorial Day Weekend --

• May 23 – 26, 2013 - Tony Award-winning Best Musical, "Urinetown" at Lucas Theatre
• Saturday, May 25, 2013 - “The Savannah Mile” (run benefits line-of-duty tragedy survivors)
• Saturday, May 25, 2013 – “Savannah Live” (8 p.m.)at historic Savannah Theatre.
• Sunday, May 26, 2013 (1 – 3 p.m.) - War of Jenkins' Ear at Wormsloe State Park
• Sunday, May 26, 2013 – “Jukebox Journey” (3 p.m.) at historic Savannah Theatre

Historically, Savannah’s slow-talking passionates offer refreshing welcome, goods, and services.

Located in Madison Square, downtown Savannah, patriotic monument to Sgt. William Jasper, hero in the American Revolutionary War, Battle of Savannah

During the 1700s, early colonists built a “Strangers House” in Savannah on Johnson Square. Yet, today the tales of ‘life and passion’ are daily episodes, like the arrival of strangers and returning friends into our historic Savannah inns. For over a century grand homes and colonial cottages have played important roles of ‘life and passion’ in the Hostess City of the South.

You will recognize more local names that we share with you in our chat here about ‘the passionates’ in Savannah, Georgia.

The headline from GastroTraveling is “Savannah Bee Company Passionate About Honey”. The local artisan honey is at the core of a modern-day, home-spun Savannah small business that has gained a chic-crowd following and now-famous praise. Besides that, the honey is delicious and the founder so passionate to deliver excellence!

Fleet Feet Sports -- the tireless sponsors of running events in the Savannah Area – posts this question on its web site: “Are you passionate about running and fitness?” Fleet Feet is a primary sponsor of running events year around, including the “The Savannah Mile” on Memorial Day weekend (May 25, 2013), and the Rock N Roll Marathon (November 9, 2013).

Of Flannery O’Connor’s Childhood Home, one TripAdvisor.com reviewer from North Carolina writes of his experience at the Pulitzer® prize writer’s home: “Absorbing story of a passionate girl. We absorbed vignettes of her child life on Lafayette Square and caught glimpses of the spirited, assured youngster, who would spell as she chose and not as directed! A true sense of caring for her memories is rolled up in the house restoration, which presents a resemblance of the O'Connor's 1930's decor and furnishings. The museum volunteers, staff, and donors earn our thanks for preserving and showing off the plain texture and style of this bygone era.”

Of the Black History Tour another TripAdvisor.com reviewer writes, “History Brought to Life Through Passionate and Gifted Story-Telling”. One stop on the tour is the First African Baptist Church, built by God-loving slaves. During the 1800s church patrons passionately hosted an important hub of freedom seekers, those traveling along the Underground Railroad during the American Civil War.

There is no need to wait only for Memorial Day.

The passionate spirit of the Romantic Inns of Savannah is stated gently in our tagline – Let Savannah Romance You!™ Be assured that guests staying under our roofs will spend their pleasantest days here, whether slumberous or excursion packed. Our innkeepers are among the doting passionates, too. Yes, the synonyms apply -- excitable, emotional, impulsive, and zealous.

‘The passionates’ and the homes of Romantic Inns of Savannah are like Savannah herself -- always dressed and ready for company. Just ask. We’ll even rustle up a picnic ‘dinner on the ground’* for you!

Of Memorial Day Wikipedia describes: “People gather on the designated day and put flowers on graves and renew contacts with kinfolk and others. There often is a religious service and a ‘dinner on the ground’*, the traditional term for a potluck meal in which people used to spread the dishes out on sheets or tablecloths on the grass. It is believed that this practice began before the American Civil War and thus may reflect the real origin of the ‘memorial day’ idea. Source: Memorial Day, Wikipedia 

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Copyright (c) 2013 Romantic Inns of Savannah / Sandy Traub