On Savannah's historic riverfront, where cobblestones meet the water and tourists queue for trolley tours, sits something entirely unexpected: a chrome-dipped dinosaur skeleton stretching 135 feet across a hotel lobby. The JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District isn't your typical riverfront accommodation. It's part hotel, part museum, part entertainment complex, housed in what was once the city's power plant. And somehow, against all odds, it works.
From Power Plant to Entertainment District
Savannah Plant Riverside District before and after renovation | Photos by JW Marriott
The building that now houses this sprawling complex spent decades abandoned on the western edge of River Street, a reminder of Savannah's industrial past slowly crumbling by the river. Built in 1912, the power plant supplied electricity to Savannah and the surrounding area until the mid-1950s, then sat vacant and deteriorating for years.
Richard C. Kessler, CEO of Kessler Enterprises, saw potential where others saw decay. His vision for a large-scale redevelopment of the area took shape throughout the 2010s, with Phase I officially opening in July 2020 and the final phase completing in October 2021.
The project earned recognition from the Congress for the New Urbanism, the Urban Land Institute, and Historic Savannah Foundation, along with a Georgia Trust Historic Preservation Award for Excellence in Rehabilitation. What emerged wasn't just a hotel, but an entire district of dining, entertainment, and retail that's helped transform a once-sketchy stretch of riverfront into Savannah's newest destination.
Generator Hall: A Jurassic Welcome
Fossil display in the Power Plant's lobby
The lobby, known as Generator Hall, immediately announces that this isn't going to be a conventional stay. Miss Chromina Joule, that 135-foot chrome-dipped skeleton of Amphicoelias fragillimus, dominates the space beneath soaring glass ceilings.
Generator Hall
The hotel leans hard into its fossil fuel origins with installations channeling the Jurassic period: oversized geodes, a prehistoric tortoise shell, an Ice Age bear skeleton, and the world's largest copper nugget are displayed throughout. Audio clips and exhibits in the lobby explain the building's history and restoration. It could easily tip into theme park territory, but the sheer scale of the space, with its industrial architecture and towering ceilings, somehow makes it feel more museum than gimmick.
Turbine Market + Café
Turbine Market + Café
Start your day at this ground-floor spot in the Power Plant building, where freshly baked croissants, muffins, and scones sit alongside gourmet sandwiches and healthy options like yogurt parfaits and salads. It's casual and functional, with grab-and-go market items for lunch and full-service breakfast seating. On Friday through Sunday, there's a breakfast buffet. The café draws a mix of hotel guests and locals conducting breakfast meetings, which speaks to its appeal beyond just convenience.
Stone & Webster Chophouse
Stone & Webster Chophouse
Named after the engineering firm that built the original power plant, this modern steakhouse serves USDA Prime cuts, fresh seafood, and elevated Southern fare. The dining room honors the building's history with original brickwork and vintage fixtures while adding contemporary touches through clean lines and upscale accents. The menu focuses on integrity and freshness, sourcing seafood locally and produce from Georgia growers. For something truly unusual, you can book a private dinner inside one of the original smokestacks, where a mixologist creates interactive smoked cocktails while you dine within the century-old structure.
Savannah Tequila Company
Savannah Tequila Company
This lively spot serves authentic Northern Mexican cuisine alongside an impressive selection of premium tequilas and mezcals. Street tacos, enchiladas, and table-side guacamole anchor the menu, while signature margaritas flow freely. The restaurant overlooks the Savannah River, making it suitable for everything from casual lunches to romantic dinners. The vibe is festive without being forced, focusing on the vibrant flavors of Northern Mexico rather than tired Tex-Mex standards.
Baobab Lounge
Baobab Lounge
Here's where things get interesting. This venue celebrates African culture through art, music, and cuisine, offering handcrafted cocktails, an extensive wine list, and small plates inspired by diverse African flavors. Try the traditional suya chicken skewers. The décor features earthy tones, traditional African art, handcrafted furniture, and intricate patterns meant to evoke the continent's varied landscapes. It's sophisticated without being stuffy, adventurous without feeling forced.
Graffito
Graffito
Authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas emerge from custom double ovens at this Italian eatery, alongside rustic salads and classic dishes. A striking graffiti mural by Atlanta street artist Greg Mike sets the tone, the bright colors and bold lines working surprisingly well with the industrial setting. The pizzas are properly executed, with the fresh ingredients and blistered crusts you'd expect from a place that takes its Neapolitan credentials seriously.
Electric Moon Skytop Lounge + Moon Deck
Electric Moon Skytop Lounge + Moon Deck
Located on the Power Plant building's rooftop, this high-energy lounge offers panoramic views of the Savannah River and skyline. Illuminated smokestacks, open-air design, and expertly crafted cocktails create the atmosphere, while the Moon Deck below features a slide, spiral staircase, and lawn games.
Moon Deck
Throughout the year, the "Mix It Up at the Moon" series brings in mixologists and brand ambassadors who teach you to make signature cocktails alongside dishes from the culinary team. It's playful without being juvenile, managing to blend sophisticated cocktail culture with genuinely fun elements.
Three Buildings, Three Distinct Experiences
Atlantic Building's lobby
The complex comprises three separate hotel buildings, each with its own character. You're not just booking a room at the JW Marriott; you're choosing which building matches your style.
The Atlantic Building
Inspired by a luxury yacht journey, the Atlantic embraces a contemporary maritime theme throughout. Traditional nautical details appear in the rooms, which are described as handsome and stately. You'll find river views and décor that evokes life at sea without resorting to obvious anchors and rope.
Every piece of art hanging in the halls and rooms is an original by Shane Pendley, commissioned specifically to showcase maritime adventures. The building houses District Live, the hotel's Live Nation-powered music venue, and the rooftop Compass Pool. The Salzburg Ballroom takes the maritime concept from "sea to land" with large velvet draperies representing the sails of Salzburg ships that arrived in Savannah in the 1730s.
Three Muses Building
Three Muses Building - Riverfront View King Bedroom
This is the romantic option. Polished marble and classic European design define the space, with soft, sophisticated colors and magical realist art adorning the rooms. The views look out over the Savannah riverfront, and the overall atmosphere leans toward intimate elegance.
Three Muses Loft
Ground floor shops include Savion Gallery, award-winning Reubel Fine Jewelry, September's Closet, and J.Parker LTD. The secret Myrtle & Rose Rooftop Garden sits at the top, a botanical bar named after the flowers that adorned muses' crowns in classical mythology.
The Power Plant Building
Power Plant River View Room
Here's where the industrial heritage shines through most clearly. Rooms retain historic architectural details, from exposed brick to original structural elements, paired with modern-industrial styling. Raw wood and metal nod to the building's past without feeling like a forced theme.
Power Plant Building Executive Studio
The architectural details that once served functional purposes in the power plant are now design features, creating spaces that feel genuinely unique rather than generically historic.
Poseidon Spa
Poseidon Spa
The spa offers hydrafacials, manicures, and massages, along with all-levels yoga classes designed to boost flexibility while taking in river views. It's on the smaller side but covers the essentials, focusing on rejuvenation rather than trying to be a full-scale wellness resort.
Compass Pool Lounge
Compass Pool Lounge
Perched atop the Atlantic building, this heated outdoor pool features a compass design in its center and offers the kind of views you'd expect from Savannah's tallest rooftop pool. In-pool loungers, private cabanas, and daybeds surround the pool, all overlooking the Savannah River and Historic District.
The full-service menu includes gourmet sandwiches, signature salads, small plates, and expertly crafted cocktails. It's exclusively for hotel guests, which keeps it from becoming overcrowded. The nautical theme continues here, but the focus stays on tranquility rather than spectacle – a welcome contrast to the energy elsewhere in the complex.
500 W River St, Savannah, GA 31401, United States
