The Garden of Good Guidebook
Welcome to Savannah! This guide is very useful and will save you valuable time during your vacation! Please take a few minutes to read through it and familiarize yourself with its contents. Most importantly, please either bookmark this web page or keep it open in your device’s browser, so it’s easy to reference during your stay with us! If, for some reason, a question isn’t answered, PLEASE call us. We are here to ensure you have a perfect vacation!
Getting here/Contacting Us
Address
206 E. Gordon Lane
Savannah, GA 31401
Accessing the Rental
Like nearly all houses in the historic district, our home occupies a full block (front to back): so the front of our house sits on Gaston St. and the back on Gordon Lane (the alley). Carriage houses (The Garden of Good is a carriage house) sit atop the garages (formerly the horse stable), which is why you access via the lane/alley. Whether entering Gordon Lane from Abercorn St. or Lincoln St., look for the garage door that has an adjacent antique black door with the numbers 206 on it. This is the door you enter through. Please watch the video below on using the Lockly digital lock!
Having an issue? Call us!
(757) 293-8324/Kelly or (757) 293-8323/Patrick
Using the Digital Lock on Gordon Lane
This is a Lockly lock, which is known for its security features, but it can be tricky to use at first. Watch the video, and you will get the hang of it in no time. Please Note: You will see the same digit appear in more than one circle, but it doesn’t matter which circle you tap. This is a security feature to prevent someone from seeing/learning your code.
Also, this door locks automatically behind you. If you need to prop it open to bring in/take out your luggage, just be sure that it is, in fact, locked once you no longer need the door to remain open.
Access Codes
Gordon Lane and Garden of Good Codes
There are two codes to access the rental. The first one is the Gordon Lane/Alley Code, which gets you onto the property, and the second is the code to enter the Garden of Good. These codes will be sent to you one to three days prior to your arrival.
Check-In/Out Times
Check-In at 3:00 and Check-Out by 11:00
If at all possible, we will have The Garden of Good ready for you before 3:00. On days, however, when we have a guest checking in on the same day that someone else checked out, this just isn’t possible because we need all four hours to clean the rental.
WiFi
Network/Password
The WiFi network you should connect to is “VIRUS,” which is my father’s idea to prevent people from unnecessarily using it! The password is 206Gaston
Parking
Is free on the weekends and the weekdays if…
To understand all of your parking options, please click HERE for more information. This guide will detail all of your parking options!
Liquor/Wine/Beer
Is just a block away
Johnny Ganems is the neighborhood wine/liquor store. He has an excellent selection of liquor, wine, beer, and mixers. Best of all, it’s only a block away! Head left (east) on Gaston St., and it’s located on the corner of Gaston and Habersham. Closed on Sundays!
Local Grocery
Also within walking distance
Kroger is also just a few blocks away. It is not the nicest Kroger, but you will most likely find what you need! Head south on Lincoln St., and you will run right into it.
Heat/AC
On the Ecobee thermostat next to the bathroom
It is currently on an “at home” setting, which means it is set to 72. Feel free to adjust the temperature to your preference by pressing the numerical digits and then selecting your desired temperature.
Frame TV
So you can choose your own artwork
The Frame TV offers you the ability to select your own artwork during your stay instead of looking at a blank screen! Also, if, for some reason, the TV doesn’t automatically turn off when it gets dark in the evening, press and hold the power button to turn it off.
Washer/Dryer Combo
Is in the kitchen to the left of the fridge
This machine is not meant to handle large or heavy loads, but we wanted something in there in case you need to wash something due to a spill, etc. There is all-natural detergent in a glass bottle on the counter above the unit.
Pour-Over Coffee
In a Chemex glass carafe with filters
Open a CHEMEX® Bonded Coffee Filter into a cone shape so that one side of the cone has three layers, and place it into the top of the CHEMEX® brewer. The thick three-layer portion should cover the pouring spout. There is New Orleans-style coffee in the fridge, as well as lactose-free whole milk.
Teas
And homemade herbal sugars
There is an assortment of tea in the stone black container on the countertop, as well as an assortment of homemade herbal sugars, such as lavender, rose, and, if in season, vanilla.
Microwave
Is by-request
Having lived in Airbnbs for nine months, we realized that we didn’t really use a microwave very often, so we opted to make it an optional appliance. Its absence allows for much more room on this kitchen countertop, but we have one in the garage should you prefer to have it.
Picnic Basket
Is above the refrigerator
”Picnicking” in Forsyth is a very popular activity in Savannah, and one in which we wanted our guests to experience. Consequently, above the refrigerator, you will find everything you need to enjoy your very own picnic!
Breakage/Spillage
Because accidents happen!
There is a bottle of stain remover below the kitchen sink for any spills/stains. And, if you accidentally break anything, hey, no worries! Just please let us know so we can replace/fix it.
Trash
Can be put in the alley if it’s full
There are two colors of trash cans in Gordon Lane: black with a yellow lid (for recycling), as well as green (garbage). Don’t worry if you can’t figure out which cans belong to Be Our Gaston — neither can we! We generally use the ones closest to our garage.
Neighbors
Are mostly year-round residents
Most of our neighbors call Savannah home, although many have rentals like us. We ask that you don’t play loud music, etc, especially after 10:00, to maintain the serene vibe that this area offers. It’s a sharp contrast to staying near River St. where it’s difficult to sleep due to the noise.
Smoke-Free Property
Sorry, but no smoking is allowed
If you’d like to smoke, we ask that you leave the property to do so.
Pets
Are not allowed
We love animals! Like really, really love them. But, we know that many people are allergic, etc, so we’ve opted to keep The Garden of Good pet-free. Thank you for understanding.
Restaurants/Bars
Are plentiful in Savannah!!!
There are so many great places to dine in, get carryout, etc. If you’d like the inside scoop on our favorites, check out this Guide to Savannah’s Restaurants, Bars, and Sports Bars that I created, which details our favorite places.
Shopping
Local is best
Similar to my guide on our favorite restaurants and bars, I created something similar for shopping locally. If you’re interested in discovering some of our favorite places to shop, check out this Guide to Shopping in Savannah.
Exercise Ideas
To work off the day’s indulgences
We are avid runners and walkers, so I created a few paths of varying lengths around the north and south districts. Each path has an accompanying map that briefly describes what you’re passing, so you can make the most of your run/walk. Guide to Exercising in Savannah’s Historic District.
Checking Out
You are not required to do anything!
This is your vacation, and you shouldn’t spend the last hour of it carrying out garbage or stripping the beds. We hope you’ve enjoyed your stay in our historic carriage house and that you return again soon!
USEFUL LOCAL SERVICES
SavTakeOut.com
Is better than Uber Eats, Door Dash, etc.
SavTakeOut.com is the local option for ordering food for delivery. They charge a distance-based delivery fee, don’t price-gouge individual items, and they have a great selection of restaurants to choose from. Have them deliver to 206 East Gordon Lane.
ConnectOnTheDot.com
Provides free transportation downtown
This is an excellent service for a particular cadré of people — those who need to get around but aren’t interested in a “tour bus,” per sé. If you’re not very mobile and need to get from point A to point B, this is worth checking out.
Royal Bike Taxi Pedicab
Is another pedicab option
If you can’t schedule/reach Savannah Pedicab, this is an option, as well.
Old Town Trolley Tours
The green and orange tour buses
See the explanation for “Old Savannah Tours.”
Old Savannah Tours
The white tour buses
Both companies (this one and Old Town Trolley Tours) operate hop-on/hop-off tours, enabling you to see the entire historic district. Check out their websites and decide which one appeals to you more. Most importantly, one of the stops is literally located by our house, and it’s used by both tour companies. Consequently, you can start and end the tour right by The Garden of Good! Turn left in the alley, then right on Abercorn. The Massey Center on the corner is a stop for these tour buses. Buy your tickets online first!
Savannah Pedicab
Our go-to pedicab option
Savannah Pedicab is great. They are well-priced and they can be scheduled. If you have dinner on River or Bay and you’re in a rush, just give them a call. It’s a convenient service for transportation.