If you’re looking for a family destination in the Lowcountry that offers southern hospitality, seclusion and a wide assortment of things to do, consider Montage Palmetto Bluff.
This time of year, Montage Palmetto Bluff offers events, parades, and festive gatherings to celebrate the holidays. Extended families often come to celebrate together, enjoying the time spent with each other as well as the many holiday activities.
The beauty of the resort is matched by the surrounding landscape. The people, architecture and natural beauty of the South Carolina Lowcountry is unique to this corner of the world, and Palmetto Bluff captures it all. Whether you’re sipping a drink in a rocking chair on a stately porch in the afternoon or relaxing in the shade of an old oak draped in hanging moss, the picturesque natural scenery and splendid architecture will charm you with classic southern style.
Stay
As one of the most luxurious destinations on the East coast, Palmetto Bluff is 1.5 times the size of Manhattan and boasts 32 miles of coastline. With more than half of that area devoted to conservation, it’s not uncommon to see deer in the woods or whole families of dolphin swimming by in the river.
In addition to the private homes, there are over 200 rooms, suites, and cottages. Combining luxury amenities and elegance, the Lowcountry culture is evident in both the accommodations and the staff. The rooms are decorated with sophisticated grace and often include working fireplaces, marble bathrooms or screened in porches. Your hosts go out of their way to make your stay as enjoyable as possible with an old-world earnestness that’s endearing and genuine. Be prepared to wave and greet those you pass, and don’t be surprised if they take the time to learn and remember your name.
Dine
It is impossible to separate southern hospitality from southern cooking and the options on offer at Palmetto Bluff exceed expectations. There are eight restaurants to choose from, each offering unique cuisine. With a focus on locally sourced ingredients you can sample comfort food, upmarket seafood or smokehouse barbecue. You may see fisherman pull up to the dock to deliver oysters fresh from the river or see vegetables from a local farm delivered via golf cart.
If you’ve ever been curious about trying grits, this is the place to do it. The gumbo is delectable with just the right amount of spice and consistency. The kids love roasting their own s’mores over a bonfire each night. One tour guide told us that Russian Czars, known for their opulence, only ate oysters from waters around Palmetto Bluff. One taste and you’ll understand why.
Play
Getting from place to place at Palmetto Bluff is a fun activity. The resort provides bicycles: the preferred method for exploring the grounds. Along the way you’ll find bocce ball, croquet and clay tennis courts. They even have pickle ball!
Kids love exploring the professionally made tree houses, one of which is five stories tall and offers a view of the surrounding forest and marshlands. Take out a kayak and explore the waterways or grab a fishing pole and try your luck in the well-stocked lagoon. If mother nature doesn’t cooperate, there is a bowling alley and an adjacent game room to keep you busy until the sun comes out again.
Palmetto Bluff also has an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus golf course. Like most things on the bluff, the course was built with conservation in mind. The course, the bunkers and greens blend in seamlessly with the landscape so you’ll wonder what was natural and what was intentional. The Lowcountry has no shortage of water, and you’ll find the greens often flanked by challenging water hazards.
Do
From the dock at the resort you can take a dolphin cruise with a local who knows the best spots to view the dolphin of Palmetto Bluff. They share colorful stories about the surrounding islands and fascinating details about the wildlife and their habitat. Large graceful pelicans and herons keep the dolphin company gliding over the marshlands. Dolphin raise their young in the secluded coves and tidal waterways around Palmetto Bluff. They give birth in the marshes and the baby dolphin barely leave their mother’s side for the first year.
Longfield Stables at Palmetto Bluff provides guests and residents with an exquisite equestrian facility. Immaculately kept with the health and well-being of the animals in mind, the stables are studied by design students for their beauty and aesthetic. Each horse has a private stall, larger than most NYC studio apartments. In addition to horseback riding, they offer pony painting for the kids. A pony will stand patiently while children pat and paint away. The experience for the pony is like a massage and they often fall asleep as they’re groomed by soft brushes and little hands.
Montage Palmetto Bluff offers merit badges for kids. You’ll earn a badge for experiencing activities and taking part in excursions around the resort. It’s a clever way to encourage exploration and new experiences. It also provides a sense of accomplishment and is a nice keepsake.
Montage Palmetto Bluff is a unique experience for you to have fun, unwind and reconnect with family and friends while enjoying the best the Lowcountry has to offer.
