Hotels on River Street Savannah: Which Riverfront Stays Are Actually on the Water (2026)
By Best of Savannah
Hotels on River Street in Savannah put you right on the water, but "riverfront" means different things on different booking sites. The short answer: for a true river-view room, look at the Bohemian Hotel Savannah Riverfront, the Hyatt Regency Savannah, River Street Inn, the Olde Harbour Inn or The Cotton Sail Hotel. If you want a resort-style stay with restaurants and bars under one roof, book the JW Marriott at Plant Riverside, at the west end of the street.
Hotel names, addresses and brands below were checked against hotel, visitor-bureau and travel-trade listings on November 4, 2026. Rates and amenities change often, so confirm details with the hotel before you book.
TL;DR: River Street Hotels at a Glance
- Best river views: the Bohemian Hotel Savannah Riverfront at 102 W. Bay St., with the Rocks on the Roof bar.
- Most central: the Hyatt Regency Savannah at 2 W. Bay St., next to City Hall, built right over River Street.
- Most historic feel: River Street Inn at 124 E. Bay St., a converted cotton warehouse.
- Best for suites and families: the Olde Harbour Inn at 508 E. Factors Walk, where every room is a suite.
- Best boutique rooftop: The Cotton Sail Hotel at 126 W. Bay St., home of the Top Deck bar.
- Best resort-style stay: the JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District at 400 W. River St.
- Know the layout: most "River Street" hotels have a Bay Street address and step down to the river.
Which Hotels Are Actually on River Street?
River Street sits at the bottom of a steep bluff. The old cotton warehouses along it rise several stories, so their top floors open onto Bay Street and their lower floors face the river. That is why most of the hotels below list a Bay Street or Factors Walk address but still overlook the water.
The catch is that some booking sites call any downtown hotel "near River Street." A hotel two blocks back on Broughton Street is walkable, but it is not riverfront. Before you book a "river view," check the address on a map and look for the words river view in the room name. Our River Street guide explains the street's layout from end to end.
Is the Bohemian Hotel the Best Riverfront Hotel?
For views, it is hard to beat. The Bohemian Hotel Savannah Riverfront is part of Marriott's Autograph Collection and sits on the bluff right above the water. Rocks on the Roof, its rooftop bar, is a favorite sunset spot, and you can watch huge cargo ships pass close enough to feel.
It is the most stylish of the true riverfront options and is priced to match. It also appears in our Savannah luxury hotels guide. Ask for a river-view room when you book, and ask about valet rates.
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Is the Hyatt Regency a Good Choice for River Street?
Yes, especially if location is your top priority. The Hyatt Regency Savannah at 2 W. Bay St. opened in 1980 next to City Hall. The building spans River Street itself, and a passage under it still carries foot and car traffic along the riverfront. Listings describe about half of its rooms as facing the river.
It is a large, full-service hotel with a pool, a fitness center and an on-site restaurant, which makes it a good fit for conventions, groups and families. It lacks the small-hotel charm of the warehouse inns, but you will not find a more central address. Ask for a river-view room, since the city-side rooms look over Bay Street.
Which River Street Hotel Has the Most History?
River Street Inn at 124 E. Bay St. is the pick for old-Savannah character. Its building dates to 1817 and was once used to store, grade and export cotton, and the inn's own history page says it now has 99 guest rooms. Expect exposed brick, heart-pine floors and a building that steps down the bluff toward the water.
The inn has long offered an evening guest reception, but sources disagree on its days and hours, so ask at check-in. Not every room faces the river, so pay for the view if it matters to you.
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Where Should Families Stay on River Street?
The Olde Harbour Inn at 508 E. Factors Walk is an all-suite inn in a historic riverfront warehouse at the quieter east end of the street. Its own site lists 24 suites and calls itself pet and family friendly. Suites give you more room to spread out than a standard hotel room, which helps on longer stays or with kids.
Getting there by car can be confusing because it sits on Factors Walk, between Bay Street and River Street. Listings say guests reach it by the Lincoln Street ramp, so call ahead for directions and parking. Traveling with a dog? Our pet-friendly hotels guide has more options.
Which River Street Hotel Has the Best Rooftop Bar?
Two hotels compete here. Rocks on the Roof at the Bohemian is the better-known name. The Top Deck bar at The Cotton Sail Hotel, 126 W. Bay St., is a smaller rooftop overlooking the river and the Talmadge Memorial Bridge. The Cotton Sail is a Tapestry Collection by Hilton hotel in a converted 1800s cotton warehouse, right next door to the Bohemian.
If you plan to bar-hop, our rooftop bars guide and River Street bars guide cover the best stops. Check each bar's hours before you go, since they change by season.
Local tip: The stairs and cobblestone ramps between Bay Street and River Street are steep and uneven, and they can be slick after rain. Pack flat, sturdy shoes. If you have mobility concerns or a stroller, ask your hotel about the closest elevator to the riverfront before you arrive.
Is Plant Riverside a Good Place to Stay?
It is, if you want everything in one place. The JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District at 400 W. River St. sits in a converted power plant at the west end of River Street. Its complex is packed with restaurants, bars and live music, plus a guests-only rooftop pool and a spa. It is the only hotel in this guide with an actual River Street address.
The Alida, a Tribute Portfolio hotel at 412 Williamson St., sits nearby at the same end of the riverfront. Our Plant Riverside District guide covers what to do there, from the dinosaur fossils to the riverfront stage.
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Is It Noisy to Stay on River Street?
It can be. River Street is Savannah's busiest nightlife strip, and weekend crowds, live music and the occasional ship's horn carry. Rooms on high floors and at the east end of the street tend to be quieter than those right above the bars. On big weekends like St. Patrick's Day, the street gets packed, and rates and minimum stays climb. Our St. Patrick's Day guide covers what to expect.
Light sleepers who still want the river might consider Thompson Savannah. Michelin lists it at 201 Port St., where the Historic District meets the newer Eastern Wharf area. It is quieter at night, but River Street is a longer walk, about 10 to 15 minutes.
What Should You Do While Staying on River Street?
You are steps from some of the city's best people-watching. Walk the riverfront promenade at sunset, take a cruise, or grab dinner with a view. Start with our River Street restaurants guide, and see our boat and dolphin tours guide for time on the water. The squares and Broughton Street shops are a short uphill walk.
Not sold on the riverfront? Compare it with other areas in our where to stay in Savannah guide, or browse our best Historic District hotels for options closer to the squares.
Bottom Line
For a real riverfront stay, pick from the Bohemian, the Hyatt Regency, River Street Inn, the Olde Harbour Inn and The Cotton Sail. Book the Bohemian for views and a rooftop, the Hyatt for location, River Street Inn for history, and the Olde Harbour Inn for suites. Choose the JW Marriott at Plant Riverside if you want a resort feel. Always check the room type for a river view, plan for steep stairs, and expect noise and higher rates on festival weekends. Confirm current rates and amenities with the hotel before you book.
