Pluff mud from the May River is blended and applied after an invigorating full-body exfoliation, followed by a therapeutic soak in ocean-inspired, mineral-rich botanicals at Spa Montage in Palmetto Bluff, South Carolina.
Succumb to an “extreme spa,” alternating heat (eucalyptus-infused steam room, giant hot tub or sauna) with a quick cold-water plunge and then a required rest to round out your experience. Spa Montage is a 13,000-square-foot comprehensive spa that will leave you a mere puddle of happiness.
Spending time at Montage means living your best life. Whether it’s grabbing a bike and tooling through the canyon of towering oaks or nosing around the neighborhoods of million-dollar (second) homes in Palmetto Bluff, you’ll feel connected.
After exploring the property, explore your inner zen at Spa Montage. Body treatments include the Carolina Kur Experience with exfoliation, a full body mud masque, soak, and massage. Facials for men, women, and teens will target cellular rejuvenation with hydrating collagen enhancements and advanced skincare technology. Couples who want to chill together can book the May River Renewal, 2 1/2 hours with exfoliation, a soak and Heart of the Bluff Massage. The California Wildflower Ritual (90 or 120 minutes) was created exclusively for Spa Montage celebrating the brand’s Southern California roots with a head-to-toe experience, a bouquet of vibrational technology, heated healing flower poultices, and aromatic essences as inspiration for a very restorative ritual.
The experienced Montage therapists undergo hundreds of hours of specialized education and training in order to create truly customized therapies that best address your needs. For those seeking structured wellness, the hotel’s state-of-the-art fitness facilities boast views of pools and nature. The Movement Studio hosts yoga, pilates, spin, and cardio classes, encouraging you to break a sweat and revitalize your spirit. Personalized sessions, ranging from 30 to 90 minutes, ensure a holistic approach to your well-being.
To the mountains!
Rugged on the outside, and luxe on the inside, The Swag is a magical mountaintop Relais & Chateau resort at the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina where you’ll meet the most interesting people and find the calm you’ve been craving.
Most guests are returning to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or an annual pilgrimage to this beloved resort, joining wildflower or birding hikes and settling into memorable farm-to-table meals in front of a roaring fire.
Luxurious guest rooms in the inn and lovely private cottages dotting the rolling property have wood fireplaces (fire starters and plenty of seasoned wood are staples) and swoon-worthy bathrooms. Be sure to book a room with a copper soaking tub, steam shower, sauna and outdoor shower.
After a day of hiking (hundreds of miles of national park are steps away from The Swag’s dog trot), retreat to your own room for a nap or wander down the hill to The Still Spa. Massages from 60 to 90 minutes and signature facials are choreographed for each guest. The Detoxifying Mud Wrap starts with a gentle dry brush exfoliation (like a lullaby) that stimulates circulation, promotes lymph flow and smoothes the skin. A warm clay cocoon, steam shower and healing herbal body oil treatment follow.
May your new year be filled with the wonders of nature and the magic of a spa vacation!
Montage Palmetto Bluff
477 Mt Pelia Rd, Bluffton, SC
The Swag
2300 Swag Rd, Waynesville, NC
Be sure to book a room with a copper soaking tub, steam shower, sauna and outdoor shower.