Kehoe House, A Savannah Icon
Walking up the steps to Kehoe House is like walking back in time. The house was built in 1892 for William Kehoe and his family directly across from Columbia Square. Mr. Kehoe was an immigrant that made his money in the foundries that once lined River Street. Trolleys stop briefly on the road outside for tourists to gaze at the impressive architecture and learn some historical facts, while groups of ghost hunters stop on the stairs in front to hear stories of apparitions that once lived and died on the premises and who appear to those that spend the night. In fact, I briefly interrupted one such tour as I walked up the steps to check in. There is a constant bustle of activity on the street below, much as it was in its inception
Once I walked through the heavy, hand carved, wooden door to the front foyer, I was met with a smile and was quickly checked in, where I was given a menu and allowed to select what I would like for breakfast the next morning. I was given a choice of dining in the breakfast room, or any other public space whether inside or out, or having it brought to my room. I opted to dine solo in the comfort of my room. After finalizing breakfast plans, I was given a tour of the house and the public spaces that are open for guests to enjoy. There is a room in the front of the house with a beautiful piano in an alcove, and a fireplace that would create a cozy winter retreat. There is also a veranda overlooking Columbia Square that beckoned to me and I knew that I would return. It had a table and two chairs so that you could enjoy breakfast or a drink while sitting and people watching. On the other side of the house is a large room where food can be found. It has two large tables set family style, a seating area with a fireplace and a cabinet with antiques scattered about. It is the perfect place to sit and read a book while having an evening cordial. Drinks, such as water, hot tea, and soda are available around the clock. Champagne is offered to welcome you to the house and ice is always available, as well. In the corner you will see a menu of offerings for your stay. The menu changes daily and these delights are included with your accommodation. At 5 pm, they offer hors d'oeuvres, which for the evening of my stay were bacon wrapped brussel sprouts and creamy dill potato salad. There were also crackers, cheese, and fruit. This was accompanied by a selection of wine and champagne. The next food offering was at 8 pm when they served dessert, coffee, and cordials, which for our evening included warm blueberry crumble. To top it off at 10 pm they serve you a cookie turndown service. They hang two beautiful wrapped, fresh baked cookies on your doorknob, to be found when you come in for the night ,or the next morning if you are early to bed.
Continuing our tour to the back of the house, I was led to a courtyard that included a fountain and various seating. It had a gate that opened onto the street. There was a wedding the evening that I stayed at Kehoe House, but I will definitely spend some time in the courtyard on my next visit. After my tour, I was shown to my room. I stayed in the Emma Kelly room and it was everything that the online images promised. I had a queen bed, fireplace, and desk, as well as a sitting area that included a TV, two benches and two armchairs with a table. Windows were abundant and wrapped around the room like a string of pearls.The bathroom was large and included a jetted tub that was perfect for relaxation. I definitely took advantage of that amenity and felt the stress of a long drive melting away.
In between all of the food that I was served at Kehoe House, it was recommended by staff that I dine at 17hundred90, which was conveniently across the street. I took their suggestion and I am happy that I did. I had a Caesar salad and crab cakes, both of which were good. They also brought a biscuit dripping in butter and honey. The biscuit was tall and fluffy and melted in your mouth in a sweet, buttery deliciousness that will leave you craving more. I only planned to have a bite to try it, but before I knew it, there was nothing but crumbs left on the plate. This is included with any entree and is reason alone to order a meal. The interior of the dining room is brick and beautifully designed. It made me think of trying to replicate it in my own house. There was a piano in the corner and a pianist supplied the musical background for our dining experience. It was filled from corner to corner with wonderful ambiance. The room was lit with flickering light on the tables and would be perfect for a romantic dinner. The other patrons were couples and solo diners; I did not see children. There was also a large group of ghost hunters at the bar that had taken a break after their tour. The inn and restaurant is supposedly haunted and made a perfect evening stop for those that wanted to learn more about haunted Savannah. They sat awhile at the bar and discussed the ghouls that were rumored to wander the halls.
After dinner, I would suggest a walk through the streets of Savannah's historic district, or you could take a seat on a bench in Columbia Square under ancient live oaks dripping in moss. Benches are strategically placed under the towering oaks, where there is always an ample abundance of shade. There was a parade of people and dogs that were interesting to watch as they passed through. Some people were on their way home after a long workday by the docks, some were tourists happy with their purchases from Broughton street, and some were young families out for a stroll. All walks of life converge on the squares in Savannah. Once ready to go to bed, I made my way back to my room and the bed was exceedingly comfortable. It was like lying on a cloud and there was a selection of pillows to choose from. I slept so well that I never heard the cookies being left on my doorknob.
After a refreshing night of slumber, I awakened to the promise of a delicious breakfast. When I checked in I was asked to choose between orange and craison pancakes and Eggs Corfou, which were poached eggs on a bed of spinach topped with a Hollandaise sauce. It was like eggs benedict without the English muffin. It was accompanied by grits or rosemary potatoes and I chose the grits, at the recommendation of the staff. I was not disappointed. They were creamy and delicious. I also had fruit, bacon, and a biscuit that was light and fluffy and melted in your mouth. I had requested to have breakfast served in my room and it was brought in on silver tray service and I opened my blinds to watch the scurry of those heading to work as I leisurely enjoyed my meal.
After breakfast, I walked to the Colonial Park Cemetery which is only a couple of blocks from Kehoe House. I also walked along Bull Street and stopped at various city squares to take photos or simply to breathe in the quiet of morning. I passed shops that beckoned me inside, but it was too early and they were not yet open for business. I made note of those that I would make sure to stop at on my next visit, such as Atelier Galerie, where jewelry designer Phyllis Lang’s designs caught my eye as I wandered by on the sidewalk. I couldn’t pass without a lingering look in the windows. I noticed that Adam Sandler had also been compelled to purchase the delightful jewelry designs that were in the windows and now has his picture on the door.
I hated to check out of Kehoe House, but it was with the knowledge that I would return as soon as I possibly could. My initial plan was to visit all of the Historic Inns of Savannah, but now I am not sure that I can stay somewhere other than Kehoe House. They take service to a new level that I am not sure will be replicated anywhere else that I stay in the future. All of the little details made my stay one that I will remember.
Walking up the steps to Kehoe House is like walking back in time. The house was built in 1892 for William Kehoe and his family directly across from Columbia Square. Mr. Kehoe was an immigrant that made his money in the foundries that once lined River Street. Trolleys stop briefly on the road outside for tourists to gaze at the impressive architecture and learn some historical facts, while groups of ghost hunters stop on the stairs in front to hear stories of apparitions that once lived and died on the premises and who appear to those that spend the night. In fact, I briefly interrupted one such tour as I walked up the steps to check in. There is a constant bustle of activity on the street below, much as it was in its inception
Once I walked through the heavy, hand carved, wooden door to the front foyer, I was met with a smile and was quickly checked in, where I was given a menu and allowed to select what I would like for breakfast the next morning. I was given a choice of dining in the breakfast room, or any other public space whether inside or out, or having it brought to my room. I opted to dine solo in the comfort of my room. After finalizing breakfast plans, I was given a tour of the house and the public spaces that are open for guests to enjoy. There is a room in the front of the house with a beautiful piano in an alcove, and a fireplace that would create a cozy winter retreat. There is also a veranda overlooking Columbia Square that beckoned to me and I knew that I would return. It had a table and two chairs so that you could enjoy breakfast or a drink while sitting and people watching. On the other side of the house is a large room where food can be found. It has two large tables set family style, a seating area with a fireplace and a cabinet with antiques scattered about. It is the perfect place to sit and read a book while having an evening cordial. Drinks, such as water, hot tea, and soda are available around the clock. Champagne is offered to welcome you to the house and ice is always available, as well. In the corner you will see a menu of offerings for your stay. The menu changes daily and these delights are included with your accommodation. At 5 pm, they offer hors d'oeuvres, which for the evening of my stay were bacon wrapped brussel sprouts and creamy dill potato salad. There were also crackers, cheese, and fruit. This was accompanied by a selection of wine and champagne. The next food offering was at 8 pm when they served dessert, coffee, and cordials, which for our evening included warm blueberry crumble. To top it off at 10 pm they serve you a cookie turndown service. They hang two beautiful wrapped, fresh baked cookies on your doorknob, to be found when you come in for the night ,or the next morning if you are early to bed.
Continuing our tour to the back of the house, I was led to a courtyard that included a fountain and various seating. It had a gate that opened onto the street. There was a wedding the evening that I stayed at Kehoe House, but I will definitely spend some time in the courtyard on my next visit. After my tour, I was shown to my room. I stayed in the Emma Kelly room and it was everything that the online images promised. I had a queen bed, fireplace, and desk, as well as a sitting area that included a TV, two benches and two armchairs with a table. Windows were abundant and wrapped around the room like a string of pearls.The bathroom was large and included a jetted tub that was perfect for relaxation. I definitely took advantage of that amenity and felt the stress of a long drive melting away.
In between all of the food that I was served at Kehoe House, it was recommended by staff that I dine at 17hundred90, which was conveniently across the street. I took their suggestion and I am happy that I did. I had a Caesar salad and crab cakes, both of which were good. They also brought a biscuit dripping in butter and honey. The biscuit was tall and fluffy and melted in your mouth in a sweet, buttery deliciousness that will leave you craving more. I only planned to have a bite to try it, but before I knew it, there was nothing but crumbs left on the plate. This is included with any entree and is reason alone to order a meal. The interior of the dining room is brick and beautifully designed. It made me think of trying to replicate it in my own house. There was a piano in the corner and a pianist supplied the musical background for our dining experience. It was filled from corner to corner with wonderful ambiance. The room was lit with flickering light on the tables and would be perfect for a romantic dinner. The other patrons were couples and solo diners; I did not see children. There was also a large group of ghost hunters at the bar that had taken a break after their tour. The inn and restaurant is supposedly haunted and made a perfect evening stop for those that wanted to learn more about haunted Savannah. They sat awhile at the bar and discussed the ghouls that were rumored to wander the halls.
After dinner, I would suggest a walk through the streets of Savannah's historic district, or you could take a seat on a bench in Columbia Square under ancient live oaks dripping in moss. Benches are strategically placed under the towering oaks, where there is always an ample abundance of shade. There was a parade of people and dogs that were interesting to watch as they passed through. Some people were on their way home after a long workday by the docks, some were tourists happy with their purchases from Broughton street, and some were young families out for a stroll. All walks of life converge on the squares in Savannah. Once ready to go to bed, I made my way back to my room and the bed was exceedingly comfortable. It was like lying on a cloud and there was a selection of pillows to choose from. I slept so well that I never heard the cookies being left on my doorknob.
After a refreshing night of slumber, I awakened to the promise of a delicious breakfast. When I checked in I was asked to choose between orange and craison pancakes and Eggs Corfou, which were poached eggs on a bed of spinach topped with a Hollandaise sauce. It was like eggs benedict without the English muffin. It was accompanied by grits or rosemary potatoes and I chose the grits, at the recommendation of the staff. I was not disappointed. They were creamy and delicious. I also had fruit, bacon, and a biscuit that was light and fluffy and melted in your mouth. I had requested to have breakfast served in my room and it was brought in on silver tray service and I opened my blinds to watch the scurry of those heading to work as I leisurely enjoyed my meal.
After breakfast, I walked to the Colonial Park Cemetery which is only a couple of blocks from Kehoe House. I also walked along Bull Street and stopped at various city squares to take photos or simply to breathe in the quiet of morning. I passed shops that beckoned me inside, but it was too early and they were not yet open for business. I made note of those that I would make sure to stop at on my next visit, such as Atelier Galerie, where jewelry designer Phyllis Lang’s designs caught my eye as I wandered by on the sidewalk. I couldn’t pass without a lingering look in the windows. I noticed that Adam Sandler had also been compelled to purchase the delightful jewelry designs that were in the windows and now has his picture on the door.
I hated to check out of Kehoe House, but it was with the knowledge that I would return as soon as I possibly could. My initial plan was to visit all of the Historic Inns of Savannah, but now I am not sure that I can stay somewhere other than Kehoe House. They take service to a new level that I am not sure will be replicated anywhere else that I stay in the future. All of the little details made my stay one that I will remember.