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

Introducing Savannah Romantic Inns’ Unique Points of View: National Savannah Landmark District

SAVANNAH, Georgia (February 10, 2013) – The wonder and romance of Savannah are legendary. Travel writers, guidebooks, and news often tout Savannah’s charm and point to the southern hospitality found in the historic city’s bed and breakfasts.

“It was the wise Helen Keller who stated, ‘The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart’. Savannah’s beauty is love at first sight. When travelers want more than a drive by tour, plus a bed and shower, we are here!” states Jackie Heinz, spokesperson for Romantic Inns of Savannah, and owner of Zeigler House Inn.

St. Patrick's Day. Photo (c) Bruce Tuten

"To revel in the heart of this historic city – to fully discover Savannah by heart -- travelers should and can get beyond the outside views of historic homes, into the heart of city life and into our lovable old inns,” Jackie adds.

The Association of Romantic Inns of Savannah wants more city visitors to discover the quiet small inns nestled in the National Landmark Historic District. “Our bed and breakfast guests become the extended marketers for the Savannah experience,” the sweet-tempered innkeeper insists.

The Romantic Inns are lovingly restored vintage homes nestled into picture-perfect residential neighborhoods downtown. Soft adventure travelers meet up in the inns’ home-like settings while they learn and explore more of Savannah’s secrets. Couples choose Savannah for a romantic weekend, eager to learn from the friendly insiders. Executives wanting a break from glass and steel love a home cooked meal.

From the noble cottages and stately homes, collectively, the innkeepers’ live up to the organization’s tag line -- Let Savannah Romance You. TM

These brief introductions only scratch the surface of 'let me count the ways'. They just may win over even the naysayer for a first-time bed and breakfast stay in Savannah.

Whitaker Huntington Inn and Forsyth Park Inn overlook downtown Savannah’s grand park, Forsyth Park.  Imagine strolling in the crossing sidewalks and stepping right into big events, like the greening of the fountain for St. Patrick’s Day festivities in March, and Savannah Jazz Festival in October.

Located on tree-canopied and mannerly Jones Street, Zeigler House Inn signals guests how to be first in line for Mrs. Wilkes boarding house lunch (4 houses from the inn). “Movie fans can visit film locations nearby, including Something to Talk About, and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” she adds.

The 1895 Inn on Oglethorpe Avenue (originally South Broad Street) is consistently rated #1 among Savannah B&Bs on TripAdvisor.com.  Ideally located, the inn is steps away from the homes of Pulitzer Prize winning poet Conrad Aiken, the in-town Colonial Cemetery, and historic theatres.

Just east of Forsyth Park, two inns open their private pools in early spring -- McMillan Inn and Amethyst Inn at Sarah’s Garden (family friendly). The city’s central park was Mercer’s playground, and still the spot for bandstand events, Savannah Jazz Festival, and movies on the green. From Olde Savannah Inn

Catherine Ward House  you’ll be within a block or two stroll from the picturesque park for beautiful photos under the Live Oak tree canopies and at Savannah’s iconic French fountain. Hum one of Johnny Mercer’s lyrics while you roam -- Moon River, Days of Wine and Roses, and Ac-cent-chu-ate the Positive.  

More iconic images of Savannah are the garden squares. Balconies overlook the namesake square of Georgia’s founder at Presidents’ Quarters Inn, voted “Best Savannah Inn” by Savannah Magazine readers for five years.  On Oglethorpe Square the inn’s neighbor is Owens-Thomas House considered by architectural historians to be one of the finest examples of English Regency architecture in America, plus and authentic slave quarters.  

Once seamen cottages, the cozy Green Palm Inn is just off Greene Square in a village-like setting, popular for small weddings on the green.  Of all the Romantic Inns it is nearest the Savannah River front -- considered the best kept secret for a sunrise run and great spot for a sunset walk downtown.

For the best of self-contained lodging, Savannah Villas bring travelers to beautiful lodging places on time-honored streets – Liberty and Broughton -- near Leopold’s Ice Cream (named among top-ten in the world). A catered breakfast and fresh baked treats from local artisans are delivered daily to the much-sought-after historic homes of Armstrong Cottages.  

"I live here. I work here. This summary makes me want to stay at each inn,” adds Diane McCray, co-owner of Green Palm Inn.  It is Whitaker-Huntingdon innkeeper, Bill Saxman who extends a heartfelt invitation so well. “On your next visit, stay in one of the historic Romantic Inns of Savannah homes, and enjoy Savannah's true ambiance when you are not exploring Savannah's historic sites and districts.”

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Copyright © Romantic Inns of Savannah / Sandy Traub