Southern Hospitality

Pondering where to go on your next vacation? We’ve got the perfect escape. At the first East Coast location of Montage Hotels and Resorts, you can enjoy Southern hospitality year-round, amid the tranquility of the Coastal Carolina marshlands. 

Montage Palmetto Bluff’s luxurious offerings have been awarded a Five-Star Rating by Forbes 2021 Travel Guide, along with outstanding 2020 rankings and accolades in Travel + Leisure, Southern Living and Condé Nast Traveler for being one of the best resorts in not only the South but also in all of the U.S. and Canada. 

Set in the historic community of Bluffton, S.C., within 20,000 acres of Palmetto Bluff’s maritime forest and 32 miles of riverfront, Montage Palmetto Bluff offers a haven for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. 

While basking in the scenery of a Lowcountry setting surrounded by the May, Cooper and New Rivers, guests can choose from a plethora of activities including salt and freshwater fishing, paddleboarding, and dolphin viewing. An extensive trail system can be explored on foot or via kayak or canoe. 

Or they can go for a stroll through the Lowcountry, guided by advice from the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy; play tennis, bocce and croquet at the Wilson Lawn and Racquet Club; or play a few rounds at the 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature May River Golf Course.

Other pleasures await, such as scenic river cruising and enjoying Saturday morning mimosas aboard the resort’s exquisite yachts, including the restored, century-old boat named Grace. Most recently, the resort has launched a Picnic + Pedal experience with Veuve Clicquot, pairing gourmet picnic menus with the brand’s decadent champagnes. Participants can follow a map of nearby picturesque picnic locations on their custom Veuve Clicquot bicycles.  

But for those who prefer to eschew all the activities and just take it one blissful, relaxing day at a time, the resort offers ample sanctuary. Resting beneath the sheltering arms of moss-draped live oaks and lined with quiet streets, gas-lit walkways and wraparound porches, Palmetto Bluff evokes a sense of timelessness and neighborly peace. 

The resort offers a wide range of living arrangements, including 200 spacious suites, guest houses and cottages. All are classically designed, honoring the region’s architectural style, and are inspired by the setting. 

In addition to vaulted ceilings, furnished terraces and state-of-the-art appliances, guests can expect features such as subtly toned fabrics, rugs and accessories; wood flooring from reclaimed antique pine; and new and antique furnishings sourced from a collection of antique shops found throughout the region. Local art plays an important role throughout the resort, with regional works of art celebrating the natural beauty and history of Palmetto Bluff. 

All eight dining locations at Montage Palmetto Bluff highlight incredible views of the waterways and explore an array of cuisines, ranging from a Carolina smokehouse and a Southern Italian Café to a classic ice cream parlor that offers freshly churned small batch ice cream daily.   

There’s also a 13,000-square-foot spa to accommodate a tranquil escape, and 16,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space to work with if you have a special occasion in mind.  

If you feel like getting off the resort, you won’t want to miss the nearby charming coastal town of Bluffton. It promises to entertain with its unique artisan shops, galleries, restaurants and boutiques. 

The resort is also just a 30-minute drive from Hilton Head Island; day excursions are accessible in one of their complimentary Cadillacs or via a daily boat trip over to Harbour Town. With Savannah only 30 minutes away as well, guests can enjoy visiting its 22 park squares, rich historic buildings and the oldest antebellum rail facility in America. 

Montage Palmetto Bluff is located at 477 Mount Pelia Road, Bluffton, S.C. For more information, call 843-706-6500 or visit montagehotels.com/palmettobluff.