At 123 Habersham Street in Savannah, a red brick Queen Anne mansion draws travelers seeking something hotels can't deliver: immersion in Gilded Age luxury where every detail—from cast-iron balustrades to morning gourmet breakfasts—transports guests to 1892.
From Iron Foundry Fortune to Architectural Masterpiece
William Kehoe arrived in Savannah as an Irish immigrant with metalworking skills and ambition. By 1892, he owned Kehoe Iron Foundry and had accumulated the wealth to commission architect Dewitt Bruyn for a mansion befitting his rise from worker to industrialist.
Bruyn delivered a Queen Anne Revival showcase featuring everything Kehoe's foundry could produce: cast-iron exterior stairways, balustrades, columns, gates, and fences demonstrating the craftsmanship that built the family fortune. The truncated turret, asymmetrical façade, and varied roofline create the picturesque irregularity that defines Victorian architecture at its most exuberant.
Inside, ten Kehoe children grew up surrounded by stained glass, hardwood floors, and ornate plasterwork. Annie Kehoe personally tucked each child into bed every evening—a Victorian domestic ritual that guests still hear about during their stays, adding family intimacy to architectural grandeur.
A House's Many Lives
After the Kehoe family era ended, the mansion passed through purposes that nearly destroyed its historic character. It served as a boarding house, then a funeral parlor. In the 1980s, NFL legend Joe Namath owned it briefly, with plans for nightclub conversion that preservation advocates thankfully blocked.
The 1990s brought salvation when HLC Hotels, Inc. acquired the property for restoration as a luxury bed and breakfast. This conversion required balancing period authenticity with modern comfort—preserving original details while integrating climate control, updated plumbing, and contemporary safety systems without compromising historic integrity.
Thirteen Rooms, Thirteen Experiences
The Kehoe House offers thirteen guest rooms, each reflecting original floor plans and period décor. This isn't reproduction Victorian—it's careful curation of authentic antiques, era-appropriate furnishings, and historically accurate color palettes that recreate 1890s luxury for modern guests.
Private and semi-private balconies overlook Columbia Square, one of Savannah's most beautiful public spaces. Brass and marble chandeliers illuminate double parlors furnished with Victorian settees and fainting couches. Original iron radiators and working fireplaces add authenticity that sets like this can't fake.
Nightly rates run $320-$640 depending on season, with spring and fall commanding premium prices as Savannah's weather turns perfect and azaleas bloom. These aren't budget accommodations—they're investments in time travel.
The Hospitality That Separates B&Bs from Hotels
Chain hotels deliver consistency. Historic B&Bs like the Kehoe House offer personality. Gourmet breakfasts cooked to order using fresh local ingredients start each day. Nightly wine and hors d'oeuvres gather guests in common spaces for conversation. Afternoon refreshments and evening dessert service create rhythm different from room service anonymity.
Turn-down service, luxury toiletries, high-speed WiFi, and private parking provide modern conveniences, but the real luxury comes from staff who remember names, anticipate preferences, and share stories about the house and city that no guidebook captures. Guests report feeling like family rather than transaction numbers.
The Ghosts Who Stayed Behind
Victorian mansions collect ghost stories like they collect architectural details, and the Kehoe House has accumulated its share. Local legend claims two Kehoe twins died trapped in a chimney—a story debunked by historical records but persistent in Savannah's ghost tour circuit.
What guests actually report: disembodied children's laughter echoing through halls, footsteps in empty rooms, inexplicable cold spots despite modern climate control. Whether these phenomena reflect residual family energy, overactive imaginations, or genuine paranormal activity depends on your worldview. The house embraces its haunted reputation without exploiting it, letting guests draw their own conclusions.
Preservation as Philosophy
Maintaining a 133-year-old building as a functioning B&B requires constant vigilance. HLC Hotels' preservation philosophy prioritizes historically accurate materials and techniques while making necessary upgrades invisible. Climate control systems hide behind period millwork. Plumbing and electrical upgrades meet modern codes while preserving historic finishes.
Restoring the mansion's signature cast-iron work involved consulting archival foundry patterns—bringing William Kehoe's original craftsmanship full circle. Façade maintenance and ironwork conservation happen in collaboration with preservation architects who understand both historic materials and contemporary building science.
This approach costs more than cosmetic renovation but ensures authenticity that discerning guests recognize immediately. You can't fake the patina of genuine age or the craftsmanship of 19th-century artisans. The Kehoe House doesn't try.
Why Stay Here Instead of Downtown Hotels
Savannah offers plenty of accommodations. The Kehoe House offers transformation. Waking in a Victorian bedroom with period furnishings, enjoying breakfast in a mansion dining room, and spending evenings on a cast-iron balcony overlooking a historic square creates immersion impossible in modern hotels.
The location in Savannah's Historic District puts guests within walking distance of Colonial Park Cemetery, Forsyth Park, River Street's waterfront, and dozens of other landmarks. But unlike hotels that simply provide beds near attractions, the Kehoe House becomes part of the historical experience—a living museum where guests sleep.
Special Packages Worth Considering
The Romantic Getaway package includes champagne, rose petals, and a private carriage ride—Victorian romance delivered with contemporary polish. The Haunted History Tour adds a guided evening paranormal walk ending at the mansion, perfect for guests who take ghost stories seriously or just enjoy atmospheric storytelling.
The Victorian Tea Weekend offers traditional high tea in the music room—an authentic Gilded Age experience complete with period china and proper etiquette. These packages transform accommodation into event, making the Kehoe House destination rather than mere lodging.
Recognition and Awards
TripAdvisor named the Kehoe House #1 Most Romantic Hotel in the USA for 2022—recognition that speaks to both physical beauty and experiential quality. Historic Hotels of America membership confirms preservation standards and historical authenticity. Consistent AAA Four-Diamond equivalent ratings acknowledge service quality that matches architectural excellence.
These accolades matter because they confirm what guest testimonials express: "From nightly champagne to antiques-filled rooms, the Kehoe House exceeded every expectation." "Staff felt like family; breakfasts were a highlight of our stay." Awards verify experience rather than replace it.
Planning Your Kehoe House Experience
Book directly through the property rather than third-party sites for best rates and service. Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer peak weather but require advance reservations. Summer brings heat and humidity that Victorian architecture handles better than you might expect—high ceilings, piazzas, and modern climate control combine effectively.
Request specific rooms based on preferences. Some feature working fireplaces, others offer superior balcony views. Staff can advise based on whether you prioritize space, natural light, specific period features, or reported paranormal activity.
Parking is included—important in Savannah where downtown parking challenges visitors. The location means walking to most attractions, though the property can arrange carriage tours and provide recommendations for restaurants, galleries, and historical sites.
Beyond the B&B: Exploring Historic Savannah
The Kehoe House sits at the intersection of architectural preservation and Southern hospitality, making it ideal headquarters for exploring Savannah's historic district. Walking tours depart from nearby squares, leading visitors through centuries of architectural evolution from Colonial through Victorian eras.
The Mercer Williams House (of "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" fame) lies within walking distance. River Street's waterfront offers restaurants and shops in converted cotton warehouses. Forsyth Park's fountain provides the Instagram photo opportunity every Savannah visitor seeks.
But the real discovery happens returning to the Kehoe House each evening, stepping from contemporary Savannah back into 1892, where gas-flame-effect lighting, period furnishings, and carefully preserved details create temporal displacement that makes history immediate rather than abstract.
What the Kehoe House Represents
America contains thousands of historic properties. Only a fraction survive with enough architectural integrity to operate as immersive heritage experiences. The Kehoe House succeeds because its owners understand that preservation without purpose fails as surely as demolition.
By functioning as a bed and breakfast, the mansion generates revenue that funds ongoing maintenance. By maintaining historical accuracy, it educates guests about Victorian architecture, Gilded Age lifestyles, and Savannah's evolution from port city to preservation showcase. By providing exceptional hospitality, it proves that historic buildings can serve contemporary needs without sacrificing authenticity.
William Kehoe built this mansion to announce his success and provide his family with beauty, comfort, and status. Today it serves a broader purpose—connecting modern travelers with the craftsmanship, aesthetics, and domestic rituals of an era we can only experience through buildings like this that survived long enough to share their stories.