Last month, I had the opportunity to go on my first-ever staff retreat with my company to Savannah, Georgia. It’s safe to say Savannah has been one of my most-visited cities this year—I’ve been three times! In February, I came for a quick work trip; in July, I returned with my partner to celebrate their birthday. And now, this retreat gave me another reason to explore the city’s charm.
One of my favorite places to visit in Savannah is the Riverside District. Located along the iconic River Street, this bustling area combines the city’s historic vibe with modern flair. It officially opened in 2020 after years of planning and development, transforming what was once a historic power plant site into a vibrant destination. Today, the Riverside District is home to a plethora of restaurants, boutique shops, and live music venues, making it a hub for both tourists and locals.
For our retreat, we stayed at the JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District, which is a destination in itself. This stunning hotel is built on the bones of a 1912 power plant and seamlessly blends industrial history with luxury. Walking through the hotel, you’ll find a mix of art installations, repurposed industrial materials, and even a massive geode in the lobby! It’s the perfect base for exploring the Riverside District, as it anchors the development and offers direct access to the buzzing riverfront.
The room that I resided in during this retreat has got to be my favorite hotel stays thus far! JW Marriott has three buildings that you can stay in: Power Plant, Three Muses, and the Atlantic. I stayed in their Power Plant building on the third floor. Upon entering my room, I was welcomed with a message on the television saying, “Welcome Home, Camille!” The loft style room was so inviting and had everything that I could possibly need.
After settling into my room and unwinding with some light yoga, I took a moment to rest before dinner with my coworkers. Around 7 p.m., we made our way to The Grey, which was just a short walk from our hotel. I’d been looking forward to this meal for months. When I visited Savannah with my partner in July, we took pictures outside The Grey but never made it inside. This time, I finally got the chance to experience it.
The Grey, founded by Mashama Bailey and John O. Morisano, opened in December 2014 and is housed in what used to be a 1938 Greyhound station. From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere drew me in. It was warm, vibrant, and brimming with southern hospitality. You could still feel the building’s history in its design—it was like stepping into a piece of the past that had been beautifully reimagined for the present. A hostess led us upstairs to a private dining area where our evening began.
The first course arrived quickly: a colorful salad with peppers and feta cheese, roasted oysters swimming in butter, and red rice balls served with green goddess dressing. I’ll admit it—I’m an oyster fanatic, and these didn’t disappoint. They were slightly salty, perfectly buttery, and melted in my mouth. Easily the highlight of this round. The salad was fresher than I’d expected, with the peppers and feta adding a nice touch to the light, oil-based dressing. The red rice balls, though, weren’t my favorite. They looked great but didn’t pack the flavor I was hoping for.
For the main course, we had two options: a 28-day dry-aged ribeye with butter or seared snapper with salsa verde. The sides—mashed potatoes seasoned with butter, thyme, and garlic, and smoked collards with pepper vinegar—were served family-style. I went for the ribeye, and it was solid. The steak was indeed delicious—lightly seasoned and tender—but I found myself wishing the center was cooked a bit longer to reach my preferred medium rare. On the other hand, the snapper was delightful, though slightly overcooked on the edges, making some parts a bit dry and tough. Nonetheless, the mashed potatoes and collards were fantastic and paired beautifully with both proteins.
We concluded our meal with chantilly cream pie, which was the perfect sweet ending to the evening. The crust was buttery and soft, the filling was subtly sweet without being overpowering, and the chantilly cream topping was light and airy with hints of vanilla in every bite. It was easily one of my favorite parts of the meal.
Dining at The Grey felt like more than just a meal. It was an experience, blending incredible food with a sense of history and place that made it truly special. This was my first time at The Grey, but it definitely won’t be my last.
The next day, we made our way to Midway, Georgia, to visit Dorchester Academy, where we hosted a community event. The school’s rich history was evident in every corner. According to Liberty County’s official website: “This historic school was founded in 1871 by the American Missionary Association (now the United Church of Christ) as a school for freed slaves. By 1917, the fully-accredited high school enrolled 300 students. While the academic program ended in the 1940s, the Dorchester Cooperative Center was established on the site, and Dorchester Academy became an institute for community development, political, and social change.” (Liberty County. (2024, January 2). Dorchester Academy – Liberty County. Liberty County – The Right Blend. https://libertycounty.org/dorchester-academy/.)
Walking through the historic grounds and learning about Dorchester’s legacy was inspiring. It felt like such a fitting place to bring people together for our rural organizing event—a space rooted in education, activism, and community growth.
For lunch, I had my very first low country boil, which turned out to be a memorable experience. The closest thing I’d ever had to it was a Juicy Crab seafood boil, but if you ask anyone from rural Georgia, they’ll tell you that’s not even close to the real thing. A true low country boil, which originated in South Carolina and Georgia, is a more communal affair.
Our boil included smoked oysters, snow crab legs, blue crab, shrimp, and potatoes, all boiled together in a broth of rich spices and flavors. Unlike the saucy seafood boils I’m used to, this was all about simplicity and sharing. The seafood was perfectly seasoned and only needed a little melted butter with Creole-inspired seasonings on the side.
Trying blue crab for the first time was an adventure! I had no idea how to properly crack it open, so one of my coworkers graciously showed me the ropes. While the meat was buttery, smooth, and sweet, I have to admit, I prefer snow crab legs—less work, more payoff. And, of course, the oysters stole the show for me again. Shucking them wasn’t my strong suit, but a few locals at the event stepped in to help. Their kindness made the experience even better.
The sense of community during that lunch was incredible. Sitting together, sharing stories, and enjoying a meal steeped in tradition was such a highlight of the trip. I left Midway feeling grateful for the connections we made and the history we had the chance to honor.
The sense of community during that lunch was incredible. Sitting together, sharing stories, and enjoying a meal steeped in tradition was such a highlight of the trip. I left Midway feeling grateful for the connections we made and the history we had the chance to honor.
Later that day, after our drive back to Savannah, we had some free time before dinner. The hotel provided dining vouchers for us to explore the local restaurants connected to the JW Marriott, so we decided to regroup at Baobab Lounge in the Power Plant building
The Baobab Lounge is a stunning space filled with African-inspired art and decor, creating a vibe that feels both sophisticated and unique. I didn’t order any food, but I did try a cocktail, which was delicious. The atmosphere alone made it worth the visit—it’s definitely a spot I’d recommend to anyone looking for something different in Savannah.
The next morning, we gathered in one of the hotel’s conference rooms to plan for the year ahead. Between breaks, we took the chance to step outside and walk along the Riverwalk. Strolling by the Savannah River felt like a refreshing pause amid the day’s discussions. Along the way, we noticed several palm flower makers—a common sight on River Street. Most create beautiful flowers from palm fronds, but one artisan caught my attention with a unique cross made entirely from the leaves of a palm tree. It’s amazing how people can turn something so simple into such intricate and meaningful art.
Later that evening, we capped off our retreat on the Georgia Queen river cruise. The Georgia Queen, originally built in 1995 as a luxury casino on the Mississippi River, found a new home in Savannah in 2016 after gambling laws changed. Stepping onto the boat felt like stepping back in time, with its grand design and Southern charm.
Dinner was served buffet-style, but unfortunately, it didn’t live up to the elegance of the evening. I tried the shrimp and grits, squash casserole, pork tenderloin, and fresh vegetables, but none of it really stood out. However, the peach cobbler with ice cream saved the meal—it was sweet, warm, and perfectly comforting.
After dinner, we made our way to the top deck, and that’s when the night truly became magical. The view of Savannah from the water was breathtaking. The buildings glowed
against the night sky, their reflections shimmering on the river’s surface. It was the perfect way to soak in the beauty of the city one last time.
The boat ride turned out to be the highlight of my trip, a serene and stunning farewell to Savannah. As we headed back to the hotel to prepare for checkout the next morning, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the experiences, the people, and the moments that made this retreat unforgettable.
Be sure to check out my TikTok that recaps my entire trip to Savannah down below!
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