Press & Media

The Douglas has opened its doors in Savannah’s historic district after a two-year restoration.

The 16-room boutique hotel blends timeless architecture with contemporary comfort, reflecting the city’s storied hospitality and deep appreciation for design and preservation.

Obstinate Hospitality has opened the 16-bedroom boutique property in Savannah, which will soon house a restaurant from a James Beard nominated chef.

August 14, 2025 - After a meticulous two-year restoration, The Douglas, a striking 16-room boutique hotel located at 14 East Oglethorpe Avenue, is now open in Savannah’s historic district. Blending timeless architecture with contemporary comfort, The Douglas reflects the city’s storied hospitality and deep appreciation for design and preservation.

Two-time James Beard Award nominee chef Jacques Larson (Wild Olive, the Obstinate Daughter, and Beardcat’s Sweet Shop) will have a new restaurant in Savannah next year. Lester’s will be part of boutique hotel the Douglas. While the 14 East Oglethorpe Avenue hotel is up and running now, construction is happening at 18 East Oglethorpe Avenue for more guest rooms and a full-service restaurant.

Chef Jacques Larson, a two-time James Beard Award nominee, is set to open a French oyster bar named Lester’s in Savannah in early 2026. Situated in the basement of the Douglas hotel on East Oglethorpe Avenue, Lester’s will offer a unique culinary experience focusing on seafood, particularly oysters, alongside an à la carte breakfast menu. The restaurant aims to enhance Savannah’s dining scene by providing an intimate atmosphere and a diverse range of French-inspired dishes, while details about the menu and concept will be shared closer to the opening.

A once-forgotten 19th-century residence in Savannah’s historic district has been brought spectacularly back to life, reincarnated as The Douglas; a refined 16-room boutique hotel at 14 East Oglethorpe Avenue, where design meets old-world soul.

The Georgia city has long been a go-to vacation destination, but an uptick in business and group travel is contributing to its growing hotel scene.

Savannah, Wrightsville Beach, and Georgetown are all welcoming guests to refreshed historic confines.  If the coast is calling, a trio of new hotels might just sway your destination selection.

The first time I saw The Obstinate Daughter on Sullivan’s Island was Fourth of July weekend, 2020. Jared and I had escaped from our 800-square-foot Atlanta apartment to an airy Airbnb in Charleston for a socially distanced getaway and sanity-saving change of scenery.

Although we didn’t dine at The OD on that particular trip, I distinctly remember feeling a little entranced as I strolled by the restaurant’s beachy home on Middle Street and made a mental note to return someday. 

Savannah’s backdrop of live-oak-lined squares charms at any time of the year, but there’s something particularly cozy about wintertime. The weather is generally mild, the camellias pop out to say hello with festive red and white petals, and the historic downtown lights up with seasonal fun. 

The sixteen room property in the heart of the city’s historic district quietly opened in June of this year following a two year restoration. With its James Beard-nominated chef, luxurious amenities, and a guest-only bar that rivals the best drinking spots in town, it’s primed to become one of the city’s preeminent places to stay and play.

Over its 170-year history, the townhouse has played many roles—from a banker’s private residence and a gentlemen’s club to wartime apartments during World War II and even a Girl Scouts annex. These architectural and cultural layers informed the restoration, which was led by locally based firms Reggie Gibson Architects and Glenn Keyes Architects.

The Douglas, an intimate stay in Savannah's Historic District has recently been reimagined.

The Historic District is home to numerous 19th-century mansions. Yet the revived residence to boutique hotel pipeline really hasn’t taken off—yet. Occupying a restored 1853 townhouse, The Douglas brings a modern-minded approach to hospitality laced with Southern charm and an adults-only policy to protect the peace.