Making sweet memories in Savannah, Georgia with my daughter and her friend. #ivyholley has recently purchased her first property, having graduated college with 3 degrees, and receiving 3 promotions since she started working at her place of business 3 years ago, and I knew it was time to plan a celebration. Since nothing says “celebration” like a vacation, we planned a trip to stay at The Marshall House, the oldest hotel in Savannah, built in 1851 and renovated in 1999.

Then we learned that it is haunted!

My girls reported hearing someone twirling the champagne bottle in the ice bucket in an early hour of the morning. I asked the desk clerk the next morning about other unexplained happenings. Reportedly, there are stories of people seeing children and hearing their laughter, along with the pitter patter of children’s feet running through the hallways, when there is in fact carpet in the hall. People have told tales of feeling a presence of someone beside them, as well as greeting another in the hallway, to see them disappear into the air as the apparition walked away.

My girls and I signed up for Bad Kitty Haunted Savannah Pub Crawl that night, which I highly recommend. Riveting stories of hauntings in many hotels of Savannah entertained as we strolled its streets to four different taverns, each offering a complimentary cocktail. Our guide shared on the tour that when The Marshall House was renovated in 1999, it was discovered that may bodies are buried under the hotel, and that Sherman used the hotel as a hospital for wounded soldiers in the Civil War.

We ate at Jazz’d Tapas Bar, blocks away from the hotel. A delightful underground restaurant, the rack of lamb and the stuffed portabellos, along with the hummus, were out of this world. And our waiter, dennis_david, provided stellar service along with “not to be missed” attractions around the city.

A quick trip to commemorate a special hallmark of life makes it even sweeter, and the memories I made with my girls will live forever. #sweetmagnoliatravel