The highly anticipated Recess Hotel & Club Savannah, a member of Leading Hotels of the World, opens its doors this September. Transforming the Historic District’s 114-year-old Manger Building and inspired by Savannah’s rich creative community, the property introduces a new vision for what a lifestyle hotel and clubhouse can be. The hotel is designed to bring together like-minded individuals to unwind, dine, drink, play, connect, and ultimately, channel the carefree spirit of childhood recess.
New York City-based real estate development and hospitality firm Left Lane opens Recess on the heels of its internationally acclaimed Hotel Bardo Savannah, which topped numerous best new hotel lists when it opened in February 2024. Known for its transformation of historic properties, the firm has restored the Manger Building, first built as the Hotel Savannah in 1912, to its original purpose as a place to stay, and now, play. Following a “retro futurist” narrative, the 221-key property leans into the rise of analog, screen-free experiences and the return of nostalgia-fueled pop culture across its 136 guest rooms, 23 suites, and 62 bunk rooms. Beyond the interiors with tactile elements like natural wood grains, marble, tile, and unique patinas, this translates to a distinctly tangible approach to hospitality.
Nowhere is this more evident than in Recess’s imaginative Rumpus Rooms, which serve as lively social hubs on each floor with lounge seating, large flat-screen televisions, custom vending machines, vintage board games inspired by those from the 1970s and 1980s, and more. Recess will also house numerous food and beverage venues including French brasserie Le Flâneur; the retro-chic rooftop bar Kilter, which at 12 stories takes the title of Savannah’s highest rooftop pool; a buzzing Lobby Bar and adjacent The Servery, inspiring communal dining in lieu of solo room service; new immersive, circuit-based offerings at the beloved holistic fitness and wellness spa, Saltgrass; members-only social club Club Recess; and a collection of dynamic event spaces overlooking Johnson Square.
“Luxury travel is evolving with guests seeking out community and meaningful experiences built around connection,” says Jon Kully, Left Lane managing partner. “Savannah’s rich cultural heritage, entrepreneurial spirit, and vibrant arts community made it the perfect home to launch Recess, and we’re honored to build on the success we found with Bardo in a city that means so much to us.”
Left Lane partnered with hospitality design firm Atelier Pond to bring Recess’s “new old-school” design philosophy to life. At the time of its original construction, the Beaux-Arts-style Manger Building was one of Savannah’s first skyscrapers, boasting grand arched windows, decorative cornice, and a tripartite architectural composition rare for the city. This ambitious design approach aptly laid the foundation for Recess’s groundbreaking debut over a century later, as every element of the new hotel celebrates the unexpected. Analog elements like vintage push-button light switches, antique mirrors, natural wood, and even the building’s original mosaic tile flooring are juxtaposed with modern finishes and whimsical colors, bringing a playful, youthful energy to a property steeped in history and grandeur. And in keeping with Recess’s vision to serve as a playground for the new creative class, the property will showcase modern artwork from creatives all around the world, including a custom mural from Savannah-based painter Kipper Millsap, whose creation guests will have the opportunity to observe in real time.
Recess’s social-first ethos is apparent upon entering the hotel. At the center of the action is the 10-seat Lobby Bar and adjoining 47-seat living room-style lounge, where woven custom chandeliers, layered textures, tiled columns, and lush greenery foster a convivial, welcoming atmosphere no matter the time of day. The lobby also houses The Servery, a Japanese automat-inspired takeout window serving up fresh juices, smoothies, pastries, salads, and sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. This spirit carries to each subsequent floor, where the Rumpus Rooms transform traditional hotel guest experiences as opportunities for connection. Solitary TV reruns become floor-wide viewing parties; custom vending machines with local snacks, wellness products, and disposable cameras offer a fun twist on the standard mini bar; and vintage board games, video games, and Mahjong tables provide screenless socializing and entertainment for those looking to unplug.
Both clever and communal, Recess’ bunk rooms, 20 of which are TV-free, balance design with functionality through built-in bunk beds, shared vanities, and smart storage, allowing groups and families to settle in comfortably without losing the sense of fun. Traditional guestrooms, meanwhile, are thoughtfully pared back, with natural materials, organic linens and Corpus Naturals amenities encouraging rest and relaxation. Opting for useful art, each room is appointed with a custom throw designed by local artist and SCAD graduate Juliana Lupacchino (JULU), further spotlighting the makers that make up Savannah’s singular creative culture. Each of Recess’s 23 suites, all located on the 10th floor, literally showcase the best of the city, with 17-foot high ceilings, dramatic arched windows, and panoramic views. Guests wanting to take a piece of Savannah home with them can purchase the JULU blankets at the onsite Shop Recess.
Recess also introduces an expanded vision for Saltgrass, Left Lane’s holistic wellness and spa concept, reimagining the traditional athletic club model through a distinctly social, communal lens. In fact, Saltgrass at Recess is set in the space of the former Savannah Health Club, and the mosaic tiling found throughout the spa not only carry through a cohesive design narrative from the rest of the property, but are inspired by the tiles of the original pool. A circuit-based fitness facility offers a central turf area for functional training, TRX, boxing bags and a robust calendar of private sessions, while immersive recovery treatments include a bioharmony lounge, sound temple, steam rooms, saunas and cold plunges. The result is not just a place to train but a social wellness hub where focused movement and intentional restoration live side by side.
Executive chef Zach Chancey and vice president of beverage and service Eben Klemm have partnered to create a food and beverage program centered around communal dining. Principal restaurant Le Flâneur, which showcases the building’s original mosaic flooring alongside antique mirrors, authentic woven rattan bistro chairs, and custom statement lighting, reinterprets the traditional Parisian café through a distinctly Savannahian lens on the hotel’s first floor.
Twelve stories above the city, Kilter Rooftop Bar offers the most playful interpretation of Recess’s dining options. The bar and lounge are home to Savannah’s tallest rooftop pool, creating an urban garden oasis teeming with vibrant greenery and trees, warm colors, and whimsical tile patterns perfect for both daytime poolside lounging and high-energy evenings. Cocktails like the Confluence (a classic Southside made with shiso), Mildly Mannered (a hibiscus lychee martini) and Pensacola (a play on the Hurricane with guanábana, tequila and sotol) pair alongside Asian-inspired small plates like Hamachi Crudo (burnt peach ponzu, sliced jalapeno, yuzu kosho), Gochujang Wings (crispy chicken, scallion, burnt sesame seed), Wagyu Striploin Skewers (yuzu kosho, pickled ginger) and a selection of sushi rolls (Crunchy Avocado, Spicy Tuna and Coconut Shrimp).
Recess’ meeting and event spaces, too, challenge convention. Its flagship 6,500-square-foot, two-story event hall, the only new build on the property, begins on the first-floor Annex Ballroom, offering elegant, adaptable elements, soaring ceilings, outdoor space overlooking Johnson Square and its own street-side entrance for weddings and conferences for up to 250 guests. Meanwhile, the second floor Conservatory is inspired by Savannah’s famous gardens with luxuriant (yet moveable) greenery and pools of natural light from striking statement windows. Kilter’s adjacent Rooftop Lawn serves as an open-air playground, providing panoramic views and an additional 830 square feet of flexible event space for soirées and cocktail hours set amid the sky.
The heart of Recess’s events programming is Club Recess, which serves as the property’s creative clubhouse. Set across 5,500-square feet on the hotel’s second floor and marrying the old school art of conversation with the new age of collaboration, the club provides a home for local and visiting makers, entrepreneurs and artists. A collection of libraries, studios, lounges, meeting rooms, communal workspaces and even a conversation pit foster discussion and ideation, while complimentary photoshoot sessions provide members with a headshot that’s just as fresh as their workspace. After hours, members can mingle over weekly game nights and biweekly Glass Half Full happy hours on Fridays or Off The Record local live music and DJ sets on Saturdays. All hotel guests are honorary Club Recess members, while a variety of membership tiers give local individuals, couples, and teams exclusive access not only to the coworking floor but experiences at Saltgrass, The Conservatory, and Kilter.
In reimagining one of the city’s most iconic buildings as a clubhouse for all, Recess Hotel & Club offers a fresh expression of hospitality rooted in connection, culture, and the enduring power of shared experiences.
