611 W Oglethorpe Ave, Savannah, Georgia, United States | (501) 232-4463
Kitschy mid-century design that gives the hotel an eclectic feel
Free Krispy Kreme doughnuts for breakfast
Cheaper parking compared to other hotels in the area
Easy walking distance to many Historical District attractions
Dog-friendly, with a dog run and free dog biscuits in the lobby
Two free cans of RC Cola and two Moon Pies in every room
Free Wi-Fi
Worn, bad-smelling rooms with stained carpets and chipped furniture
Tiny bathrooms
Lots of traffic noise, compounded by the fact that every room faced the street
No closets, just a clothing rack mounted to the wall
Iffy area of town
Rooms that are much too small for families
The retro-style Thunderbird Inn is a fun, throwback idea that doesn't quite meet the standards of budget hotels in this day and age. Though the decor and free treats are appreciated, they can't make up for the small, outdated, noisy rooms that are greatly in need of an overhaul. The hotel location is within easy walking distance to Savannah's Historical District, but the area directly outside of the hotel grounds can be a bit dicey at night. Cheap parking and budget rates might draw the most frugal of travelers, but the lower costs probably aren't worth the sacrifices guests must make to stay there.
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Scene
Bright, mid-century design makes guests feel like a Jetson
If retro flavor is what you're after, the Thunderbird Inn has it in spades. The quirky Atomic Age design (splashed with red, yellow, and teal accents) brings a unique, playful feel that isn't usually found in most budget hotels. The marmoleum-floored lobby comes complete with a gumball machine, a postcard rack, and a vintage popcorn maker. The Thunderbird is mostly patronized by older adults who require only the basic amenities and not much else. This is a bad choice for business travelers (there are no meeting spaces and it's somewhat noisy if a good night's sleep is important). Even the largest rooms don't have enough square footage for large groups, so families should steer clear.
Location
Not-so-nice area, but close to the sights
The name "Thunderbird" might bring to mind images of wide-open skies and infinite green prairies, but in reality, the hotel is located on a busy avenue in a slightly sketchy area of town (a liquor store and Family Dollar are found across the street). We were catcalled multiple times while walking along the sidewalks. However, Thunderbird's location is right on the westernmost boundary of Savannah's Historic District, which means that several museums and upscale restaurants are a less-than-10-minute walk away (in a much nicer area). There is also a DOT express shuttle every 20 minutes that stops at the nearby Visitors Information Center to take tourists around the city for free.
Rooms
Groovy throwback theme tries to cover for worn, bare-bones rooms
The rooms at the Thunderbird echo the playful mid-century design found in the rest of the hotel, but that's just about the only appealing aspect to them. They are quite small, with minuscule bathrooms, even for a budget hotel. The carpets are old and stained, the furniture chipped, and the walls have marks and dents in them. The TVs appear dated because of their hulking CRT silhouettes. There are no closets, only a metal clothing rack with hangers bolted to the wall. There is an odd smell prevalent in all of the rooms and a lot of traffic noise that comes in through the windows that face the street.
Features
Fun features offer guests a bit more than an average budget hotel
Though Thunderbird is a budget hotel, it does offer several perks to keep its guests happy. There is free Wi-Fi and a free breakfast (well, Krispy Kreme donuts and coffee/tea/juice). Upon arrival, guests are treated to free fresh popcorn in the lobby, two cans of RC Cola, and two moon pies in each room. The overnight parking fee is one of the cheaper options in the area (half the price of the parking at the nearby Embassy Suites). The hotel is also dog-friendly, made obvious by the container of free dog biscuits placed on the front desk and the small dog run the back.
