I first visited Montage Palmetto Bluff with my family several years ago, and I left that trip completely smitten with this beautiful slice of the Lowcountry. After recently returning for a girls’ weekend, I can confidently say I love it every bit as much today. Perhaps even more.
The two trips could not have been more different. The first time, we stayed at the Inn with our boys and filled our days with bikes, swimming, fishing, archery, air rifles, scavenger hunts and seemingly every activity we could squeeze in.
This time, four girlfriends settled into a three-bedroom residence with mahjong tiles, muumuus and plenty of bubbles. We slept late, lingered on porches, explored by golf cart and did very little that could be classified as an actual activity.
Both trips were pretty darn perfect. And I think that says a lot about what makes Montage Palmetto Bluff so special.
Montage Palmetto Bluff
Montage Palmetto Bluff is located along the May River in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, between Hilton Head Island and Savannah. The resort sits within the enormous 20,000-acre Palmetto Bluff community, surrounded by waterways, maritime forests and miles of trails. Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is about 30 miles away, making this surprisingly easy to reach for a long weekend.
The setting is truly the star. Majestic live oaks draped in Spanish moss, red cedars, quiet waterways, brick paths, beautiful Southern homes and gas lanterns make the whole place feel like the idyllic Lowcountry town you wish actually existed.
The service has also been excellent on both of my visits. This is a luxury resort, but it has never felt overly formal to me. You can dress for a beautiful dinner one night, then spend the next day tooling around in a golf cart and stopping for an ice cream cone.
Most importantly, Palmetto Bluff invites you to slow down. On both trips, we parked the car when we arrived and didn’t need it again until it was time to leave.
Where to Stay at Montage Palmetto Bluff
There are a LOT of accommodation choices here, and where you stay can really shape your experience. The resort offers rooms and suites in the Inn, Guest Houses, cottages, Signature Residences and private homes throughout Wilson Village and Moreland Village.
On our family trip, we stayed in the Inn, and I loved being right in the heart of everything.
The Inn itself is beautiful, with traditional Southern decor, antiques, soaring ceilings, comfortable gathering spaces and plenty of places that practically beg you to sit down for a while. It is home to the main reception and concierge as well as Spa Montage, Octagon and other resort amenities.
Our family of four stayed in a spacious double queen room with a balcony overlooking the waterways. The bathroom was equally generous, with double vanities, a separate shower and deep soaking tub. Current Inn Queen Queen rooms continue to accommodate up to four guests and include furnished balconies.
For couples or a small family, I adore the cottages. They offer more privacy, beautiful river, lagoon or forest settings, screened porches and fireplaces. I thought they looked dreamy on my first visit and still do.
This time around, we stayed in a three-bedroom residence in Wilson Village, and it was absolutely ideal for four girlfriends. We had a full kitchen, living and dining spaces, plenty of bathrooms and, most importantly, a wonderful porch where we could pop the bubbles and catch up for hours. The Signature Residences range from two to five bedrooms and are particularly well suited to families and groups who want more room to spread out.
After experiencing both, I wouldn’t say one is better than the other. I would say choosing the right one for your particular trip matters. For a first visit or family wanting to be in the center of resort activity, I love the Inn. For a romantic getaway or babymoon, I’d be very tempted by a cottage. For girlfriends, extended families or multigenerational trips, the residences and homes give you the communal spaces that can make the trip. And that is exactly the sort of decision I help my clients make.
Getting Around the Bluff
Part of the fun is leaving your car behind.
On our first trip, bikes were our primary mode of transportation. We rode beneath the oaks, over to Wilson Village and all the way out to Moreland Village. Palmetto Bluff has 20 miles of biking and walking trails, so you can actually cover quite a bit of ground on two wheels.
For the girls’ trip, we had a golf cart, and I think we loved riding around on it almost as much as anything else we did. We used it for meals, trips to RT’s Market, evenings in Wilson Village and leisurely tours with no particular destination in mind.
There is something wonderfully vacation-y about throwing your bag into a golf cart and setting off beneath the mossy oaks.
Pools & Spa
The family-friendly Inn Pool is just outside the Inn, with plenty of loungers and convenient access to Fore & Aft for lunch and drinks.
Just off the Inn is the adults-only Spa Pool, which is a much quieter place to relax. There is also the beautiful River House Pool overlooking the waterways.
Spa Montage is located in the Inn and spans 13,000 square feet. While I somehow still haven’t managed to carve out spa time on either trip, I certainly wouldn’t argue with building a massage or facial into a future girls’ getaway.
Things to Do at Palmetto Bluff
Here’s where I have to laugh at the difference between our two trips.
On our girls’ weekend, we played mahjong, rode around in the golf cart, sat on porches and went for a walk along the bluff. That was about the extent of our ambition, and it was glorious.
With the boys, we seemingly tried to conquer Palmetto Bluff. And there is plenty to conquer. They even have a Montage Merits program for kids… which as you can see Whit was ALL ABOUT. The property offers biking, boating, kayaking, naturalist experiences, horseback riding, golf, the Palmetto Bluff Shooting Club, racquet sports and miles of trails. You’ll also find simple pleasures like bocce, swings, treehouses and nightly s’mores.
The Shooting Club was a huge hit with my family. We tried archery and air rifles with an instructor, and the boys absolutely loved both. For families who enjoy trying something different on vacation, it was one of our most memorable experiences.
Fishing was another favorite. The boys spent a quiet morning out on the dock, and there are also opportunities to explore the May River and inland waterways by kayak or boat.
We biked out to Moreland Village, explored the treehouses, played bocce and stopped on the swings overlooking the river. Cole’s in Moreland is also home to bowling, ping pong and pool tables, which makes it an especially fun destination for families.
Palmetto Bluff also offers golf, horseback riding at Longfield Stables and the Paintbox children’s program, so you could very easily fill your days here if that’s your idea of vacation.
But I learned something on this most recent visit. You don’t have to. There is just as much pleasure in taking the golf cart to the market, walking along the May River at sunset or sitting on your porch during an afternoon thunderstorm. I think the sweet spot is choosing one or two things that genuinely appeal to you and leaving plenty of room for the Bluff to fill in the rest.
Don’t Miss the Little Things
Some of my favorite Palmetto Bluff experiences don’t require a reservation at all.
Afternoon “porching” has long been a favorite, with refreshments at the Inn and an invitation to do something we don’t do nearly enough at home: sit down and stay awhile. On our family trip, my boys raced down for cookies and lemonade. On the girls’ trip, we happily continued the tradition ourselves.
And then there are the puppies. The resort has a long tradition of canine ambassadors, and meeting the resident dogs has been a delight on both trips. This time we met sweet Brody at the Inn, and I can confirm that girlfriends are every bit as excited about a resort dog as children are.
Nightly s’mores, exploring the historic Wilson Mansion ruins, wandering through the pet cemetery, visiting the simple and beautiful May River Chapel and watching the sun settle over the water are all part of the experience too. The resort still features nightly s’mores among its signature activities.
And while I wouldn’t call Palmetto Bluff a shopping destination, I never mind a little browsing. RT’s Market is handy for provisions and there are boutiques scattered throughout the property.
Dining at Montage Palmetto Bluff
One thing we have now done quite well over two visits is eat. There are enough dining options at Palmetto Bluff to keep you happily on property for your entire stay, ranging from poolside tacos and pizza to beautiful Lowcountry dinners.
Octagon
Located inside the Inn, Octagon serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a contemporary take on classic Southern comfort food. We had a wonderful dinner here on our girls’ trip, and I love the warm, residential atmosphere. It feels polished enough for a special dinner without requiring you to leave relaxed resort mode behind.
River House
For a more elevated evening, River House is the resort’s waterfront fine-dining option with steaks, seafood and beautiful May River views. This would be high on my list for a couples’ getaway, anniversary or special celebration.
Fore & Aft
This was our first stop on the girls’ trip, and tacos and margaritas overlooking the water felt like exactly the right way to announce that the weekend had begun. Fore & Aft sits beside the Inn pool and serves Mexican-inspired fare including tacos and salads, making it an easy choice for a casual lunch.
Buffalos
Buffalos is a Palmetto Bluff classic in Wilson Village, with relaxed American fare and views toward the May River. We had dinner here on Saturday night, and it was just what we wanted after a very leisurely day. Easy, casual and delicious. It also serves weekend brunch.
Hush
Hush may have been the dining and drinking discovery of this trip.
This intimate little speakeasy in Wilson Village serves beautifully crafted cocktails and premium spirits, and we loved both the drinks and the service. We stopped before dinner, enjoyed it so much that we went back afterward and could have happily lingered even longer. For a couples’ trip or girls’ getaway, put this one on the list.
Cole’s
Out in Moreland Village, Cole’s is a casual, family-friendly restaurant and gathering spot with a bar, bowling alley, ping pong and pool tables. This was especially fun when we visited with our boys.
Buzz, Flame & Melt
For something quick, Buzz has coffee, specialty drinks and housemade pastries. Flame serves Neapolitan-style pizzas from a converted vintage fire truck, while Melt is the resort’s classic ice cream parlor.
Who Is Palmetto Bluff For?
After two very different trips, this is what I think Montage Palmetto Bluff does exceptionally well.
It works for families because there is so much for children and teens to do. It works for couples because the cottages, spa, restaurants and setting can be wonderfully romantic. It would make an easy babymoon because you can do as little as you’d like. And after this trip, I can wholeheartedly endorse it for a girls’ weekend or elevated Lowcountry bachelorette getaway.
For my Atlanta and Southeast clients, it’s an especially wonderful long-weekend escape because you can arrive and immediately settle into resort life.
For clients flying in from farther away, I love combining Palmetto Bluff with Savannah and/or Charleston to build a week-long Lowcountry vacation. You get the history, restaurants and energy of the cities paired with a few slower days at the Bluff.
Book Montage Palmetto Bluff With Me
This is exactly the kind of resort where I think firsthand experience and a little guidance can make a real difference. There are so many accommodation types, neighborhoods, activities and dining options that simply booking a room online doesn’t necessarily give you the best version of the trip.
Having now experienced Palmetto Bluff as both a family vacation and a girls’ getaway, I can help you determine how long to stay, which accommodations best fit your group, what is worth reserving in advance, how much you should actually plan and how to build the rest of your vacation around your time here.
When you book your stay with me, you’ll also enjoy these additional benefits:
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Daily breakfast credit of $65 per bedroom for up to two guests per bedroom, available in the restaurant or through in-room dining
- $100 resort or hotel credit to enjoy during your stay
- Early check-in and late check-out, subject to availability
Whether you have a family vacation, babymoon, romantic weekend, girls’ getaway or a very chic Lowcountry bachelorette trip in mind, I would love to help put it together.
Years after our first family visit, I returned wondering whether Montage Palmetto Bluff would feel as special as I remembered it. It did.
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As a Premier Level Advisor with Glass Slipper Concierge, I’m proud to be recognized for delivering the highest level of service, expertise, and personalized care in the industry. I leverage my personal connections and firsthand knowledge to design bespoke vacations for the most discerning travelers. Travel is an investment, and I’m here to ensure you receive the very best value for your time and money. Whether you’re celebrating a major milestone or simply seeking a well-deserved escape, it’s an honor to be part of the memories you’re making.
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