A Dog Friendly Escape in Savannah
Discovering Kimpton Brice and the Joy of Exploring the Hostess City Together
There are cities that ask you to keep moving.
Savannah asks something entirely different.
Here, mornings begin beneath a canopy of ancient live oaks where sunlight filters gently through Spanish moss. Brick streets carry the soft rhythm of horse drawn carriages. Wrought iron balconies cast shifting shadows across quiet sidewalks, and hidden courtyards seem to appear just when you think you've seen everything the city has to offer.
It is a city best discovered on foot.
Perhaps that is why traveling with a dog feels so perfectly at home here.
Every walk becomes an invitation to wander a little farther. A shaded square encourages one more pause. A quiet garden, an inviting café, or an open courtyard offers another reason to linger just a little longer. Instead of searching for the quickest route from one landmark to the next, we found ourselves following whatever caught our attention, often discovering the most memorable moments where we least expected them.
Some experiences are better felt than described. This cinematic short captures the atmosphere of a weekend at Kimpton Brice, where contemporary hospitality, memorable dining, and the timeless beauty of Savannah come together one moment at a time. Editorial photography and video by Maring Visuals
Sugar, our beloved rescue dog, seemed to understand this instinctively.
She approached Savannah with the same curiosity we did, happily leading us beneath towering oaks, stopping to greet friendly strangers, and reminding us that the best adventures are rarely planned.
Finding a hotel that embraces that same philosophy is uncommon.
Sugar quickly made herself at home in our suite at Kimpton Brice, one of Savannah's most welcoming dog friendly boutique hotels.
Tucked quietly along East Bay Street, just beyond the energy of River Street, The Kimpton Brice Hotel became more than the place where we unpacked our bags. It became home between adventures, a place where every walk began with anticipation and every evening ended with the comforting feeling of returning somewhere familiar.
That feeling greeted us from the moment we arrived.
Rather than simply checking into another hotel, we stepped into an atmosphere that immediately felt welcoming. Original brick walls, thoughtfully curated artwork, lush gardens, and inviting gathering spaces reflected Savannah's historic character while embracing a fresh contemporary perspective. Nothing competed for attention. Every detail seemed intentionally placed, creating spaces that felt comfortable enough to enjoy rather than simply admire.
Before we had even settled into our suite, Sugar had already claimed her favorite spot on the bed.
It was a fitting beginning.
Traveling with a dog often requires compromise. Luxury hotels sometimes welcome pets with additional fees, size restrictions, or policies that quietly remind you your companion is an exception.
Kimpton Brice offered something refreshingly different.
Pets are welcomed as naturally as every other guest.
There are no pet fees.
No weight restrictions.
No sense that traveling with your dog requires special accommodation.
That simple philosophy changes the entire experience.
Instead of planning each day around where pets are permitted, we found ourselves free to experience Savannah exactly as we hoped we would. Exploring beautiful streets. Discovering neighborhood businesses. Sharing memorable meals. Returning to peaceful courtyards as evening settled over the city.
The hotel never became the destination.
It became the beginning and ending of each day, quietly framing everything we experienced in between.
Why Kimpton Brice Is One of Savannah's Most Dog Friendly Hotels
It is easy for a hotel to describe itself as pet friendly.
Creating an experience where dogs genuinely feel welcome is something altogether different.
Throughout our stay, Sugar was greeted with the same warmth and enthusiasm we received. Staff members stopped to say hello, fellow guests smiled as she wandered through the courtyard, and nowhere did we feel as though traveling with a dog required explanation or apology.
The hotel's beautifully landscaped courtyard quickly became one of our favorite places to spend time.
By day it offered a peaceful retreat tucked behind the historic streets of Savannah.
As evening settles over Savannah, the courtyard becomes one of the hotel's most inviting gathering places.
By evening it transformed beneath the warm glow of Edison lights into one of the most inviting gathering spaces on the property. Guests settled into comfortable seating with glasses of wine, craft cocktails, and quiet conversation while the sounds of the city drifted gently beyond the garden walls.
More than once, we found ourselves returning simply because it felt good to be there.
The same was true throughout the hotel.
Morning coffee in the lobby became an excuse to sit a little longer before heading out to explore. Thoughtfully designed interiors encouraged conversation instead of hurried departures. Even our suite seemed designed for lingering, with a separate sitting room that made it easy to unwind after a day spent wandering Savannah's historic streets.
Luxury often reveals itself quietly.
It is found in exceptionally comfortable linens after miles of walking. In never waiting long for valet after an evening downtown. In genuine smiles at the front desk. In beautifully designed spaces that invite you to stay awhile rather than simply pass through.
Those moments shaped our experience far more than any list of amenities ever could.
By the end of our first day, Kimpton Brice no longer felt like a hotel.
It simply felt like home.
Exploring Historic Savannah With Your Dog
Pacci welcomes guests with inviting indoor and outdoor spaces that reflect the relaxed spirit of Kimpton Brice.
One of the greatest pleasures of staying at Kimpton Brice is discovering how naturally the hotel connects to the city surrounding it.
Within minutes we found ourselves wandering beneath the shade of Savannah's iconic live oaks, following streets that seemed to invite exploration rather than efficiency. One turn revealed a quiet square filled with dappled afternoon light. Another opened onto the bustling waterfront where cargo ships drifted silently along the Savannah River, reminding us that this remarkable city continues to balance its historic character with a vibrant working harbor.
Traveling with Sugar changed what we noticed.
Instead of rushing from attraction to attraction, we paid closer attention to the spaces in between. The shade beneath an old oak. The texture of weathered brick beneath our feet. The laughter drifting from a hidden courtyard restaurant. The gentle breeze carrying the scent of jasmine through a historic neighborhood.
Savannah has a remarkable way of rewarding curiosity.
Every walk seemed to reveal another discovery waiting just beyond the next corner.
Oliver Bentleys is one of Savannah's favorite stops for locally made dog treats, gourmet meals, and unique pet gifts.
Exploring Beyond the Hotel
Handcrafted treats at Oliver Bentleys make every visit a special outing for four legged guests.
One of the things we appreciated most about staying at Kimpton Brice was how naturally the hotel connected us to the surrounding neighborhood. Rather than spending our days in the car, we found ourselves exploring Savannah on foot, discovering places we may have otherwise walked right past.
One of our favorite stops was Oliver Bentleys Dog Deli, a welcoming neighborhood boutique devoted entirely to dogs. More than a pet store, it felt like a place where Savannah's dog loving community naturally gathers. Handcrafted treats, thoughtfully selected toys, and friendly conversation made it easy to understand why both locals and visitors return again and again.
Sugar certainly approved.
Watching her happily explore the shop reminded us that traveling with a dog often leads you to experiences you might never have discovered otherwise. It quickly became one of our favorite finds of the trip and a place we look forward to visiting again.
Dogs can choose from an assortment of freshly prepared treats displayed just like a neighborhood bakery.
Lunch at Vic’s on the River
After Oliver Bentley’s we dropped Sugar off for a nap and made our way toward the Savannah River for lunch at Vic's on the River.
Housed inside a beautifully restored cotton warehouse, Vic's on the River remains one of Savannah's classic dining destinations.
Housed within a beautifully restored cotton warehouse overlooking River Street, Vic's has long been one of Savannah's classic dining destinations. While the shaded patio welcomes dogs, Jennifer and I settled into the bar where we enjoyed a leisurely lunch overlooking the rhythm of the historic waterfront.
An absolutely perfectly prepared Painkiller cocktail with Pusser’s Rum was the perfect companion to a warm Savannah afternoon, while fresh fish tacos and a perfectly prepared chicken sandwich offered a relaxed meal before continuing our walk down River Street.
What struck us most was how easily the day unfolded.
Nothing felt rushed.
One discovery naturally led to another.
That is one of the greatest pleasures of staying at Kimpton Brice. The hotel places so many of Savannah's experiences within walking distance that the city begins to reveal itself organically, one block at a time.
Sometimes the best itinerary is simply choosing a direction and seeing where Savannah leads.
Days Well Spent Between the Pool and the Courtyard
Every memorable hotel has a place where time seems to slip quietly into the background.
At Kimpton Brice, we found ourselves returning again and again to two very different spaces.
The first was the pool.
Hidden behind the historic façade of the hotel, it feels unexpectedly contemporary. Colorful murals bring an energy that contrasts beautifully with Savannah's centuries old architecture, while lush landscaping softens the space into a peaceful retreat tucked just beyond the city's historic streets.
Quiet afternoons by the pool offered the perfect balance to mornings spent exploring Savannah's Historic District.
It is the kind of setting that encourages an unhurried afternoon.
Jennifer settled comfortably into a lounge chair beneath the summer sun while I wandered with my camera, drawn equally to the clean architectural lines, reflections dancing across the water, and the vibrant artwork surrounding the pool. Between photographs, we simply enjoyed the rare luxury of having nowhere else we needed to be.
There is something refreshing about discovering a space that feels completely different from the city beyond its gates.
Only moments earlier we had been wandering beneath towering live oaks and historic brick facades. Now we found ourselves surrounded by colorful contemporary design that hinted at another side of Savannah's evolving character.
Meanwhile, Sugar was enjoying a quiet afternoon back in the comfort of our suite, happily claiming the bed as though it had been reserved exclusively for her.
Later, as the warmth of the day gave way to evening, we reunited in the courtyard.
If the pool offered an afternoon escape, the courtyard became the heart of the hotel.
Guests gathered beneath softly glowing Edison lights with glasses of wine and handcrafted cocktails while conversations drifted easily through the garden. Mature trees framed comfortable seating areas that invited people to linger well after sunset.
One evening we settled into a quiet corner with Sugar resting contentedly beside us. Jennifer sipped a glass of wine while I enjoyed a perfectly poured Guinness before finishing the evening with an espresso martini. Around us, the courtyard seemed to settle naturally into the rhythm of the night.
No one appeared to be in a hurry.
People simply enjoyed where they were.
Those evenings became some of our favorite memories from the stay.
Not because anything extraordinary happened.
Because the setting made ordinary moments feel unforgettable.
Pacci blends contemporary design with Italian inspired cuisine in an inviting setting that welcomes both locals and hotel guests.
Pacci Italian Kitchen Brings Italy to Savannah
One of the pleasures of staying at Kimpton Brice is discovering that one of the city's most inviting dining experiences is just steps from your room.
Pacci Italian Kitchen is much more than the hotel's restaurant. It is a destination in its own right, welcoming both hotel guests and Savannah locals into a warm, contemporary space where Italian tradition meets Southern hospitality. High ceilings, exposed brick, and thoughtfully designed interiors create an atmosphere that feels equally suited for a leisurely breakfast, an evening cocktail, or an unhurried dinner with friends.
Our introduction to Pacci came shortly after arriving at the hotel during Tuscan Tuesday.
Each Tuesday evening, Pacci celebrates the wines of Tuscany with rotating wine flights, featured bottles, and Italian inspired small plates. It is a relaxed gathering that encourages guests to settle in, sample something new, and ease naturally into the evening. We ordered a Tuscan wine flight, paired it with the restaurant's signature meatball appetizer, and immediately understood why this weekly tradition has become a favorite among both locals and visitors. Rich, comforting, and beautifully prepared, the meatballs disappeared almost as quickly as they arrived.
The experience left such an impression that we returned the following evening for dinner.
Jennifer chose the ribeye steak while I ordered the seared scallops served over creamy mashed potatoes. Both dishes reflected the same philosophy we found throughout our stay at Kimpton Brice. Thoughtfully prepared, beautifully presented, and confident enough to let quality ingredients speak for themselves. Alongside our meal, we enjoyed a pair of classic Old Fashioneds, the perfect accompaniment to another memorable Savannah evening.
Breakfast at Pacci is worth lingering over, especially when bourbon peaches, fresh berries, and house made pancakes are on the menu.
The following morning, breakfast at Pacci provided a fitting close to our stay. Thick pancakes topped with fresh berries and peaches, fresh coffee, and juice offered a relaxed beginning to the day before one final walk through Savannah's Historic District.
Like Kimpton Brice itself, Pacci never felt hurried.
It invited us to settle in, enjoy good conversation, and simply appreciate where we were.
Sometimes the most memorable meals are not defined by elaborate presentations or complicated menus.
They are remembered because they become part of the experience.
Pacci did exactly that.
A Place We'd Happily Return To
Every trip leaves you with a handful of moments that stay with you.
For us, it was morning walks beneath the live oaks with Sugar, afternoons exploring Savannah's historic streets, evenings spent in the courtyard with a glass of wine, and returning each night to a place that felt welcoming and comfortable.
Kimpton Brice fit naturally into those moments.
Its location made it easy to experience Savannah on foot, while its relaxed atmosphere made it just as enjoyable to return after a day of exploring. Whether we were enjoying breakfast at Pacci, relaxing beside the pool, or ending the evening beneath the courtyard lights, the hotel never felt separate from the city. It simply became part of the experience.
For travelers looking to explore Savannah with their dog, Kimpton Brice offers something that is becoming increasingly rare. A boutique hotel where thoughtful hospitality extends to every member of the family.
It is a place we would happily return to, and one we look forward to sharing with readers planning their own Savannah adventure.
Behind the story
Photography, video, and editorial by Charles and Jennifer Maring
Charles and Jennifer Maring are the founders of Savannah Proper and the creative team behind every photograph, film, and editorial feature. Together with Sugar, they explore Savannah through thoughtful visual storytelling that celebrates the city's evolving hospitality, culinary, and cultural experiences. Through Maring Visuals, they also collaborate with hotels, restaurants, destinations, and tourism brands to create authentic editorial photography and cinematic content.
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