Sitting pretty at the corner of Bay and the street of its namesake, you’ll find The Drayton Hotel, an opulent lodge boasting exceptional style and rich history. The building that the hotel resides in was originally erected in the 1890s. Named the American Building, it was home to the American Trust and Bank. Hotel owner Raghav Sapra acquired the building in 2016 and spent three years renovating the historic edifice, retaining much of the original structure. The Drayton Hotel opened its doors in 2019 as Savannah’s only luxury historic hotel. 

The Rooms

The hotel offers 48 rooms and two suites, each with their own unique decor. In the rooms, you’ll find many rattan elements and antique items, giving each room a special charm. All of the floors are made with rare 130-year-old Georgia pine. And all of the bathrooms feature Italian carrara marble as well as luxe rainfall showerheads. Every room was thoughtfully designed with great attention to detail, which carries throughout every space in the hotel.  

The Living Room

Upon entering The Drayton Hotel, guests are received in the Living Room, the hotel’s lobby area featuring style reminiscent of the Victorian era. 

“We named it such because we want people to feel like it’s an extension of their home,” said Carlee Griffin, The Drayton Hotel’s sales coordinator. 

The design of the space is meant to recall Savannah’s famous squares. In the flooring, there are brick pavers to bring to mind downtown’s cobblestones. Verdant greenery is all around and park bench seating lines the wall. The Living Room connects to a cozy coffee bar and an intimate venue called the Drawing Room, which features curved walls, custom chandeliers and a stunning hand-painted mural by local artist Bob Christian. 

The Rooftop

The rooftop is another fabulous venue with indoor and outdoor spaces available for parties year-round. A new addition to the hotel, the rooftop offers panoramic views of City Hall and its glorious golden dome as well as the iconic Talmadge Bridge. 

“We’re the only property that has this unobstructed view. . . This space is great during golden hour. We get really nice indirect light and it kind of bathes off of the golden dome,” said Griffin. 

The sun deck is decorated with fashionable furniture, lush live plants and stringed sky lights. It’s a perfect space for bachelorette parties and other fun events. 

The Vinyl Room

Downstairs, one of Savannah’s best-kept secrets awaits you. It’s the Vinyl Room, which is a sexy little cocktail lounge that doesn’t have a Google listing yet. It’s a low-light venue that’s perfect for date night with hand-crafted cocktails made especially for you. 

“We have an elevated cocktail program where you’re meant to talk to the bartender, let them know your preferences, and they’ll make a curated cocktail special based on that,” Griffin explained.

Hosting live music from time to time, the Vinyl Room boasts a bluesy, sultry vibe. It’s located beneath St. Neo’s Brasserie, the hotel’s flagship restaurant. 

St. Neo’s Brasserie

St. Neo’s is an elevated eatery and raw bar serving up delicious Southern Coastal fare in an artful environment. 

“This is a very funky, high energy space great for locals getting off of work coming for happy hour,” she said. 

In the restaurant’s back room, you’ll find another hand-painted mural from Bob Christian, which further adds to the restaurant’s beautiful art collection.

“All of the artwork that you see here and in our suites is a specially curated collection for the owner. All of it ties to Savannah in some way,” she added. 

Between the art, the history, and the beautiful design, The Drayton Hotel has a lot to offer to locals and tourists alike. Breakfast for two is included in the rate as well as minibar access. And the front desk staff are trained concierges who can help you plan your day. 

“We’re very new and we have a story to tell. Our staff is passionate and so happy to be here and tell that story,” said Griffin.
Visit them online at thedraytonhotel.com/ to learn more and book your stay today.