Kehoe House — Hotel in Savannah

“Send for the children, darhling. I will not be returning home,” I joked with my husband, donning a sly smile, complete with a pinky in the air. I sipped on my mimosa as the gentle Georgia breeze caressed my skin, the promise of summer heat still an hour away. I sat, completely at ease, on our semi-private veranda, reached only by climbing through a bedroom window I found undeniably southern in its charm.

It was June 2018 and I, along with my husband of almost 18 years, were vacationing at the Kehoe House…a trip 8 years late in the making given that I was married to an active duty military man who was gone more than he was ever home. A trip to Savannah--one of the top priorities on my bucket list—was finally coming to fruition, and all the pictures online and personal testimonies from trusted friends could never do it justice.

As I crossed that mighty bridge into the epitome of the Grand Old South, I gasped as I was consumed with the beauty that was Savannah and I honestly questioned how I was supposed to ever return “home”.

Mornings were spent waking leisurely after a restful sleep that was never achieved at home…in awe of the grandeur of the room that greeted me. As I climbed out of bed, a soft knock on the door would bring foods, delivered on a silver tray, which could never be duplicated at home for their mouth watering delight was something straight from my dreams. Crab cakes, crepes, the freshest of fruits and if nothing on the menu suited us, they would make something to our request. The kindest woman would deliver our breakfast with smiles and wishes for a wonderful day and I couldn’t help but feel like royalty…a feeling unknown to a military wife who had spent most of her time just trying to care for her three children while living away from family and while her husband served his country for lengths that would sometimes equal three quarters of a year.

Luxuries of this nature were unknown, foreign, and welcomed with feverish delight.

Historic discussions paired with mouth-watering hors d'oeuvres and house wine, local tours and strolls along charming streets filled our days. Never once did we drive--choosing, instead, to walk from destination to destination as we became more and more convinced we could never return to “normal life”. Historic Savannah holds an allure…a charm…a welcomed escape that makes one feel as if they are in a bubble—a bubble that allows you to exist in a never ending cycle of hospitality, charm, and decadence.

The last seventeen months have brought twists and turns, trials and tribulations, that I could never have predicted back during the summer of 2018. But such is life…one can never know what is to come. What I have learned through it all, however, is that perspective-- along with incredible memories—can get you through almost anything. Everyone needs a happy place…a place to remember, to escape to, to make them smile—for us, that is the Kehoe House. I can not tell you how many times, since our visit, my husband and I have brought up our stay there—the staff, the meals, the house itself, the history. Being whisked back to that vacation has given us so much happiness and peace during the chaos that can be daily life.

We will never be able to truly express what it meant to us.

I had every intention of writing a thank you letter to your staff as soon as we returned home. I apologize that it has taken me 17 months to do so. Please know what that trip meant to us and that when we said we could not wait to return and were desperate to try and stay another night because we simply couldn’t fathom leaving just yet, we meant every word. Your kindness, graciousness and the ability to make us truly feel like family meant more than we could ever express.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you, thank you, thank you.

Until we see you again, warmest wishes,

Stacey and...

My wife and I went to Savannah to celebrate my wife’s birthday. We stayed for three nights at the Kehoe House. This 1892 Renaissance Revival Mansion is extraordinary. The rooms, staff, service, and food is top notch! It’s centrally located and has its own parking lot a few steps away. Convenient for walking to restaurants, the river, shops, attractions, and the many city squares.

The staff at Kehoe House wrote the book on making guests feel special. The Guest Services person that assisted me in making the reservations was so helpful in picking out the right room for making my wife’s Birthday special.

Eduardo, who checked us in, toured us around the Mansion, and showed us to our room. He repeatedly, asked us if we needed any beverages or snacks after our flight to Savannah. He treated us like family members. I had the birthday present for my wife shipped to the hotel so that the package would be in our room upon arrival. Faith Kuhn, another superstar staff member intercepted the package, took it out of the shipping box, and beautifully wrapped the present for me. When we entered our room the gorgeously wrapped Birthday Present was the center piece on the bed! Yes, it brought my wife to tears!

My wife is a long distance runner training for an upcoming ultra-marathon of 50K (31 miles). Guest Services Member Melody, told us about several running routes on where to get her long run done. She also gave us names of numerous restaurants and attractions to see along our many walks through the city.

The room we stayed in had an outside balcony. This allowed us to have breakfast delivered to our room and we ate outside on our balcony. The views from our room were outstanding. What a way to start the day!! The staff member that delivered our breakfast always had time for a small chat about our stay. One morning I had shrimp and grits. The flavor was fantastic. I mentioned that I would like to get their recipe. Faith says no problem and emails me Chef Peter’s recipe!!

In the late afternoon the Kehoe House serves Wine and appetizers. There were musicians each afternoon playing the piano or a guitar. Just a great way to relax from a busy afternoon.

Each night there is coffee, homemade desserts (which were better than any restaurant desert we had) and Port.

The Kehoe House has turn down service. Oh, yes, there were homemade cookies on the bed!

The first day we stayed at the Kehoe House we were standing across the street from the hotel in Columbia Square taking a few pictures. A gentleman exits the hotel and walks across the street to greet us. He introduces himself to us and welcomes us to Savannah and the Kehoe House. Turns out he’s Hugh Osburne, Innkeeper. He claims we got outside before he had an opportunity to say hello and welcome. Now what other hotel does the Innkeeper leave the building to track down a guest just to give you a “Welcome”?

The Kehoe House along with its staff is a place you need to experience when staying...

My wife and I had stayed at the Kehoe House for 3 days. The building itself was very charming and inviting (inside and out). The food that was served was very good. However, that's about as far as our excitement for this place went. As soon as we got into our room (the Oglethorpe, with fireplace and private balcony), we noticed that the fireplace was non-operating (not even a log in it), and the balcony seemed a little soft to walk on????. No fridge, no ice. Went into the bath room and the light bulb blew out. It was replaced very quickly but by the next day went out again. The bed and the sheets were comfortable, even though I had to get up three times a night to put the fitted ones back on the bed. It seemed every time we went back to our room for whatever, there was someone there. First day, the maintanance guy and the housekeep were there fixing the bath light all over our bed and chair. Next time the housekeeper was there about to clean the room (we had to go downstairs and wait). We had to use the stairs when the elevator was out (third floor). The second day we were there it was very windy. All night long the windows banged against each other because there was only half a lock on them (had to get up "AGAIN" and jam cardboard between them to make it stop). Wanted to take a horse and carrige ride, so we asked the "desk person" if he could set it up. He said yes and we told him when we would like it to be. Went out for the day and got a call from him saying that the time we chose was when they were not operating. I called him a "desk person" because I would have expected a true veteran "concierge" to know these things by memory. We ended up going after dark when you couldn't see half the things the driver was telling you about. The fact that you had to pay for parking in "their own" parking lot was also absurd! It's a shame to have to say that the best times we had while staying there were out of the house. If we were to go back to Savannah again, we probably would stay at one of the better hotels right on river street. I know that I have had much better facilities and "concierge" service than this. My question is this: can you actually buy a four star rating? I would give it...