Stars looked to be aligned for me to absolutely love this hotel. The exterior colors (gray, yellow, white) match my home living room. The interior rooms (gray, lime green) matched my sneakers. I love hotels, but I was surprised I didn't like this cute one more, until I started writing it all down in a review when it started to make sense. You know the feeling you sometimes get at fancy joints when you are underdressed or when you're at the airport gate trying to get a first class seat but the gate attendant would rather leave the seat empty than give it to you? Yeah, I felt a little of that at this hotel...not from everyone, but from some. (BTW, Valets and cleaning crew were great...greeting me each time we passed by and upon entrance/exit of the hotel.)
Cranky and hangry from my travels and dressed in yoga wear (since I was on my way to the spa), I arrived to check in. The upgrade certificate I received was not honored, with the front desk staff saying there were no upgrades available, and there were no king bed rooms clean at my check-in time (which was early), so I got a room with 2 queen beds. Wish they didn't even offer the upgrades...that and the great reviews made my expectations way too high. I had also received an email the day before my arrival, saying that upgrades were still available for purchase as well, so while it is entirely possible that other people with reservations bought all the upgrades the day before, I'm highly skeptical. Kimpton is very responsive via social media but the flip side is that it gives the illusion of customer service, without actually receiving any benefits or fixes.
While its decor and colors are totally my taste, the Brice remains a regular hotel, with regular rooms and tiny bathrooms. There was a $10 voucher for mini bar items that came with my room rate, but I would have much preferred faster wifi or a quieter room with a king bed over getting $10 of minibar stuff (hoping that the voucher is correctly applied to my bill later...we'll see, otherwise, I would be stuck with an extra $10 of mini bar items). The room was very clean with a big window (mine overlooked the pool and Bay St), with white sun shades and room darkening curtains. Bathroom with the shower tub and toilet is very small and a bit claustrophobic. Small sink and vanity is outside the bathroom door in the hallway, which is a good feature especially if you are sharing the room (but didn't matter much if not sharing). I turned off the room air, since the heat made a lot of noise, but I could still hear the loud vent in the hallway, along with lots of noise from the cleaning staff since there was also a utility room across the hall from my room. The toilet also kept running for a long period of time each time it was flushed. Really slow wifi in the rooms. I got to see one of the suites that friends of mine are staying in...definitely more spacious bath vanity and sitting area, but also in higher traffic locations from some of the rooms that are accessed from outdoor hallways.
Yes, there is a happy hour with wine and small snacks in the cute lobby, but it is very crowded. It is probably better in warmer weather when people can move out side to the courtyard. There are 4 elevators in the square layout hotel, which is good so you don't have to walk far to get to your room, but bad with the incessant dinging sound that is way too close to the rooms.
Lots of positive reviews from dog owners who can bring their pets, but if you're not a pet person like me, it makes me a bit nervous having dogs around food and barking at each other. Each time the pets passed each other and I was between them, I felt like I was in the middle of a pending duel. Some owners also left their dogs unattended in their rooms...I could hear some dogs barking in a nearby room for quite some time.
Great location on Washington Square at the edge of historic district, and probably one of the reasons I would definitely stay here again. I valet parked my car (at $25/night) when I arrived and walked around Savannah my entire stay, with easy walks to the riverfront area, through all the squares, and to Forsyth Park. Great restaurant and bar at the hotel (Pacci), and of course, many options in the surrounding area. 3.5 stars. read more