Rental car/Hotel in Savannah prior to HH

[JoEllen]

My 16 yr old DD and I have a week in June booked at HHI. We fly into Savannah around 5pm since we're coming from Seattle. We plan to book a hotel that night and check into HHI the next day. I'm not familiar with this area at all . Should we stay in Savannah that night and drive to HH the next day? Or is there somewhere(safe, clean, economical) that's along the way to HHI? Also, what rental car company do you like to use from the Savannah airport?

DH was originally supposed to come with us and now has to work . DD and I have done the "girls trips" to WDW but this is alittle more concerning to me. Any tips/advice are much appreciated!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I don't know how prices would be in June, but we faced an almost identical dilema in March, coming in at 4:45, so we wanted to stay one night off-site. We were surprised to find that the on-island hotels were the same price. Since it was our first trip to HH, we loved the fact that we could stop and pick up brochures on the resturaunts and stuff the night before since we were staying on the Island and get the "lay of the lands." Also, that meant we could check into HH the first thing the next morning, and although our room wasn't ready, we could get our bikes for no extra cost at that hour (length of stay, whatever time you check in). So I'd definitely advise checking into staying on the island. If prices are competitive, it's so convenient!

 

[Disneyaholic]

I wouldn't go to Savannah for the night unless there is something specific (sightseeing) that you want to do there. The airport is actually north of the city, on the way to Hilton Head.

You might want to check out Bluffton, SC. It's on Rt. 278 between I-95 and Hilton Head. Not out of the way at all. There are also some great outlets there, which makes a great start to a "girls trip", IMHO!

 

[JoEllen]

Thank you! I didn't realize Savannah would be back tracking from the airport. I'll ask AAA to give me some ideas for hotels for HH the night before.

I just spoke with MS today and got a quote of $185 for a full-size car (National) for 8 days. Sounded good to me so I booked it.

Glad to hear of the shopping possibilities!

 

[JimMIA]

There are several nice chain hotels right at Savannah airport, including some of the value ones. They'd be easy stops, most offer airport shuttles, so you might even save one day on your car rental if you are willing to schlep back and forth a bit. (Leave your family and luggage in the room, or at the free breakfast buffet, shuttle to the airport, get rental car and drive back to the hotel.)

I hate those West --> East flights, and I'd be ready to crash as soon as I got off the plane. I'd be wanting dinner and one or more beers, and I'd be in bed. Someplace near the airport at Savannah would be perfect for that.

Then you have an easy drive the next morning and you are ready to start out on your vacation. Also...where was it exactly that you wanted to go at 9 AM the next morning? You're on vacation, you don't have anyplace to be.

 

[JoEllen]

Thanks Jim. That's a good idea to look at renting a car the next day. Especially since I've booked for 8 days, I might get a better deal with a "weekly" rate.

And yea, I'm not much for driving in a strange city after dark. The quicker to the hotel the better!