Some cities tolerate dogs. Savannah, Georgia actively rolls out the red carpet for them. The historic coastal city — nicknamed the Hostess City — lets leashed pups wander its famous squares, invites them onto restaurant patios, and even serves them treats. Leopold's Ice Cream, a Savannah institution since 1919, makes special sundaes for dogs to enjoy outside, while cafes like the Collins Quarter at Forsyth Park and Foxy Loxy Cafe in the Starland District welcome four-legged guests alongside their humans.
So it tracks that the hotels here take pets seriously too, and not in a grudging, kennel-in-the-back way. According to a new roundup from Condé Nast Traveler, the standouts include Hotel Orielle, named the city's best pet-friendly stay. Its riverside location means plenty of sidewalk for walks, the pet fee comes with actual doggy perks like treats and toys, and the hotel's restaurant, Coastal 15 Fish House, has a dedicated dog menu — so your pup orders off the patio card too.
The city makes an easy backdrop for a dog holiday beyond the hotel. Walking tour company Oliver Bentleys runs history tours that double as scent-rich strolls for canine companions, and Mother Mathilda Beasley Park in the Historic District has a fenced-in, off-leash area where dogs can actually run. Most of Savannah's green squares and parks are open to leashed dogs, so a walk can easily stretch across hours of oak-shaded streets.
A couple of cautions worth knowing before you go. Savannah's Low Country setting means marshy edges, and spots like Lake Mayer attract alligators — keep small dogs close around the water. And with a city this historic, standard etiquette applies: leash up, respect the landmarks, and clean up after your dog.
For travellers who hate the choice between a nice hotel and leaving the dog at home, Savannah removes the dilemma. The city combines walkable historic charm, a genuine patio-dining culture, and hotels that treat pets as guests rather than problems — a rare combination in the US, and a strong pick for a shoulder-season city break with your best friend in tow.