The Montage Palmetto Bluff is located on May River in the South Carolina low country. The moss-draped oak trees and the cobblestone of the village take guests back in time. In the waters, around the resort, you can see dolphins, a variety of birds, and other wildlife. Therefore, with all of the things to do on and near the resort, this is a perfect family vacation spot. In addition, the event space and the experienced events planning team provide you with a great locale for weddings, business meetings, or other special events. Presently, this detailed review of the Montage Palmetto Bluff will give you all the information you need to plan your stay.
Accommodation type: 4.5-star hotel
Number of Rooms & Suites: 200
Pricing: starting at $370 for Inn King Room, starting at $460 for Guest House room, starting at $560 for Cottage room, starting at $730 for Inn suite, starting at $790 for Guest House suite, and $875 for Cottage suite.
High season: March to May
Nearest airport: Savannah, Georgia (SAV) – 23 minutes
Suitable for: Family vacations, destination weddings, special events, and business meetings.
Awards:
- Travel & Leisure World’s Best Awards “The Best New Hotels in the World” (2017)
- Condé Nast Traveler Readers Choice Awards “Best Resorts in the American South” (2016)
- U.S. News & World Report “Best Hotels in the USA” (2016)
- AAA Five Diamond Award (2016)
Brief History
The Montage Palmetto Bluff features southern architecture with wrap-around porches and gaslights. In fact, the Bluff was originally called Moreland Plantation.
In 1730, Robert Wright, Chief Justice of South Carolina, and British Navy Admiral George Lord Anson bought 12,000 acres from the British government. Then they divided the land into tracts. In 1774, Richard Proctor bought 1,184 acres and called it Moreland Plantation. As a consequence, during the antebellum era, 21 plantations covered the Palmetto Bluff area.
Afterward, Richard Thomas Wilson, Jr bought Palmetto Bluff in 1902 intending to build a hunting estate. However, he and his wife, Marion, built a mansion for entertaining instead. Unfortunately, it burned down in 1926, and Wilson sold the property to J. E. Barn. Then, in 1937, the Union Bag Company bought the property with the intention of using it for a lumber operation. However, they changed their minds and created a conservation plan for the property. So when you are enjoying the nature preserve at Palmetto Bluff, thank the Union Bag Company.
Accommodations
Accommodations at the Montage Palmetto Bluff include guest rooms and suites at the Inn at Palmetto Bluff, cottages, and village homes. The Inn at Palmetto Bluff has a choice of four different rooms and two different suites. In addition, the rooms offer either a king bed or two queen beds and three of the room styles offer furnished balconies. The Forest Inn Suite has a separate bedroom, a living room with sleeper sofa, two full baths, and a furnished balcony. The Presidential Suite at the Inn at Palmetto Bluff has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, dining room, den, wet bar and furnished balcony.
Meanwhile, The Cottages at Palmetto Bluff offer a choice of three room styles and one suite. The Cottage rooms, for example, have a gas fireplace and a screened-in porch. The Riverview Cottage Suite has a living room with a gas fireplace, separate bedroom, full bathroom, and screened-in porch. The Lagoon Guest House has a choice of two room styles and one suite.
Finally, the rooms at the Guest House have a king or two queen beds and a furnished terrace or balcony. The suite at the Guest House has a living room with sleeper sofa, a separate bedroom, two full bathrooms, a gas fireplace, and a screened-in porch. You can also choose a two, three, or four bedroom home.
Facilities
Montage Palmetto Bluff offers seven restaurants for your dining pleasure.
The Montage Palmetto Bluff restaurants include Jessamine, which offers an extensive breakfast menu; seafood, steak, chicken, and pasta for lunch and dinner; and an enticing dessert menu.
Fore & Aft, located by the lagoon and the Inn at Palmetto Bluff pool serves appetizers, sandwiches, salads, a children’s menu, smoothies, craft beers, cocktails, and wine. It is open from the morning until afternoon.
The Canoe Club, located along the May River, is open Thursday through Monday from 6 PM until 9:30 PM. It offers coastal cuisine with ingredients and inspiration from the May River and surrounding low country. Furthermore, the Canoe Club locally sources its beef, poultry, and vegetables from area farms.
Buffalo’s, located in the center of Wilson Village, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Among its breakfast choices is its famous biscuit bar. For lunch, there are a variety of sandwiches, and for supper, it serves a selection of American cuisine favorites including pizza.
Cole’s, open Thursday through Saturday from 5 PM to 10 PM features BBQ, sandwiches, southern comfort food, and a kid’s menu. Reservations are not required except for parties of six or more. Parties of 12 or more are welcome but with limited menu selections.
The Octagon Bar & Gathering Place, located by the lobby, features sandwiches, appetizers, classic cocktails with a twist, locally crafted beers, wine, and the Montage Palmetto Bluff’s Signature barrel-aged Artillery Punch.
The River House Lounge has light sandwiches, appetizers, high gravity and craft beers, wine, remixed classic cocktails, and handcrafted locally-inspired creations. Other dining options include in-room dining, private dining, and culinary events.
The Wine Cellar, with its collection of fine wines and fireplace, is suitable for an intimate reception or for formal dining. In addition, at Moreland Landing, guests can enjoy a “Lowcountry Boil” or an Oyster Roast. The Montage Palmetto Bluff also hosts special Culinary Events.
Complimentary Activities
At the same time, for guests’ health and wellness, the Palmetto Bluff offers a full-service spa with a salon; fully-equipped fitness centers with classes and trainers; swimming pools; and hiking and biking trails through the nature preserve as well.
Moreover, for recreational fun, the resort has the Jack Nicklaus Signature 7,200 yard Golf Course with state-of-the-art practice facility, the Montage Palmetto Bluff Shooting Club with 13 sporting clay stations and an expansive 40-acre hardwood forest, a 173 acre equestrian center with 15 miles of trails, the Wilson Lawn and Racquet Club with eight Har-Tru tennis courts, croquet, and bocce, a marina, freshwater and saltwater fishing, kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, a tree house, and Paint Box, their children’s activity program.
Travel Options
The Savannah, Georgia (SAV) airport is 23 minutes from the Montage Palmetto Bluff resort. For transportation to and from the airport, you can rent a car or use a taxi or shuttle.
Main Attractions Around Montage Palmetto Bluff
Harbour Town Lighthouse, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
The Harbour Town Lighthouse at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, was privately built in 1969. It is 90′ tall. The lighthouse and museum are open daily from 10 AM to 7:30 PM. The Palmetto Bluff offers transportation by car or a daily boat ride to Harbour Town so take advantage of it.
H2O Sports, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Their experienced staff will have you out on the water, sailing, parasailing, Jet Skiing and more. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8 AM to 8 PM and Saturday and Sunday 9 AM to 5 PM.
Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace
You do not have to be a current or former Girl Scout to appreciate Juliette Gordon Low’s life and accomplishments. Even so, visit her birthplace and be inspired. Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM.
Final Words
A stay at the Montage Palmetto Bluff offers so many things to do that you will have to come home to rest. So whether you are planning a vacation, wedding, business meeting, or other special events, book your stay at the Montage Palmetto Bluff and then share your experience when you get back home. Moreover, the beautiful Carolina state has another option for you to consider, the Umstead Hotel in Cary, NA.