Azalea Inn & Gardens: Savannah, Georgia Bed and Breakfast

Azalea Inn & Gardens Selected as Savannah's 2012 Select Registry Inn

Select Registry is a collection of nearly 400 of the “finest country inns, B&Bs, and unique small hotels” on the continent, from California to Nova Scotia. Yesterday we were overjoyed to hear that these distinguished inns of North American chose Azalea Inn and Gardens for membership in this exclusive enclave – the very best the Travel industry has to offer! The official announcement will be in a few days, but we wanted to share this precious accolade of hard work with the people who helped us to grow – our guests who provided invaluable feedback and encouragement over the past nearly seven years. 

The journey began in 2001, though we really didn’t know at the time that we were being led here. Our first visit mesmerized us and we chose Savannah for our honeymoon in 2002 and we realized that 5 days were not and would never be enough. We returned yearly, several times a year, and always stayed in our “honeymoon” inn, and in 2005 we bought her – Azalea Inn – and in honor of Jake’s passion – we added “& Gardens” to her name.  We lacked many basic “innkeeper” skills but we did share a passion for food and wine, and I had (and still have) my Irish-rooted “gift of gab.” This city, this inn, seemed heaven made for us, and is truly the most delightful job I have held in my more than 40 years in the workforce.

We joined several Innkeeping groups as we grew into our jobs, the best of which hosts a yearly conference where I continue to learn and grown. Jay Karen, the leader of this group, Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII), encouraged me to join the elite group of Select Registry, and for more than two years I hemmed and hawed; were we ready?

Finally, on February 1, 2012, I spoke with Carol Riggs of Select Registry, asked questions, and made the leap – We Want to be Members! The first step is an exceedingly rigorous inspection which would be conducted within the next three to four weeks. You don’t know who the inspectors are until they check out – and though initially it seemed a bit scary – I would not have filed the application if I doubted our ability to pass this rigorous 200-point inspection – and besides I had at least two weeks to finish our winter “repair and replenish” list. Understanding that you must have a minimum of 175 points to be considered made me a bit queasy, but we plunged ahead with our plans. If you look at our Facebook page you will see some of the undertakings we planned and accomplished in January and February.

February 5 started out like any other Sunday at the inn – I prepped breakfast, bantered and teased with the guests, and cleared the table. My last check-out of the day handed me back our parting gift with the heavy words “I’m Rich with Quality Consultants for Select Registry.” I leaned over and began hyper-ventilating and laughing somewhat hysterically.  He gave us 180 points, a list of suggestions to enhance your experience at our inn, and wished us good luck – apparently the Board has to like us too!

Once again, thank you guests, thank you friends, thank you guests who have become friends – we love how you have helped us grow. If you have not yet experienced a Select Registry property, Azalea Inn and Gardens, a Savannah GA bed and breakfast inn, is one of only two properties in this beautiful city of Savannah.

Call us today at 800.582.3823 or reserve online by clicking here and begin experiencing what Travel + Leisure Magazine acclaimed as a “World’s Best City” (July 2011).