It's More Than a Vacation, It's a Life Changing Experience
Written by Dominik Severino
An extraordinary way of life has been created at Palmetto Bluff, and the history behind it is a testament to how magnificent of a place it truly is. Located in Bluffton, South Carolina, Palmetto Bluff is 30 minutes from Savannah and Hilton Head Island - a place both convenient and a world away.
The land originally belonged to Union Bag & Paper Company, who purchased the 20,000 acres in the 1930s for timber resources. They quickly realized the depth of the beauty in this place, and chose instead to use it as a retreat for clients. The Bluff spoke to them, as it has spoken to all who have called it home.
In 2000 Palmetto Bluff was purchased by Crescent Communities, now known as Palmetto Bluff Company, and began the next phase of its life as a residential community and host to the Montage Palmetto Bluff resort. Respect for the land is the top priority for this resort. All of the structures within Montage Palmetto Bluff are built with oversight from the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy, ensuring nature takes precedence to conserve the land and wildlife that exist. This care for the surroundings extends to the care they take with guests and members within the community. They strive to care for everything and everyone in the most exceptional way. Each day they work to provide exceptional hospitality to their guests and explore ways to improve their guests’ and members’ experiences. It’s a rare opportunity to have such deep connections with the land and people around you.
Today Montage Palmetto Bluff welcomes guests to the expansive nature preserve and community with experiences indigenous to the South Carolina coast. Guests carry on the traditions of the sporting life in the Lowcountry, enjoying both active and relaxing pursuits amid the 32-mile waterfront setting. Montage Palmetto Bluff is a true multigenerational escape, creating moments of connection and escape for those of all ages. From the soulful Spa Montage, to tennis, croquet and lawn sports, Jack Nicklaus Signature golf, the Palmetto Bluff Shooting Club, fishing or getting out on the water, there’s a wealth of ventures. The team puts much thought into that connection when developing their activities and programs. It creates a very personal experience, with every guests’ perspective in mind. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, this mantra has come front and center- that Montage Palmetto Bluff isn’t just a spot for a vacation, it’s a life-changing experience for people where memories are created and held onto for a lifetime.
Take golf, for example. The sport has seen a renewed interest in the past year, driven in part by a desire to return to nature and a desire for the simple pleasures of sport. A desire that also inspired the design of the course at Montage Palmetto Bluff.
The sensational May River Golf Course, a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course has a special place in the story of Palmetto Bluff they had a vision for a golf course that amplified the natural beauty of the property, not overwhelmed it. The course was designed with the land, complementing the natural landscape and planned to route around all significant trees. Even further in the quest to enhance the surrounding nature, the life cycle of insects of the course was studied in order to use minimal amounts of pesticides. The grass used on the course, paspalum, is heat, drought and salt water tolerant to meet the natural environment found on the banks of the May River. The course is also an Audubon Certified Golf Course, and the abundant wildlife population doesn’t leave you wondering why. The golf course maintenance team adds more bluebird houses to the course each year attracting just one of the many species that call it home.
We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the eight dining options on property. Each eatery honors the Lowcountry’s rich and unique culinary history by using the freshest ingredients harvested from the surrounding waters, woods and local farms for a one-of-a-kind epicurean experience. From casual to fine dining, quick bites to elegant meals, these opportunities to gather together are yet another part of the genuinely crafted connections at Montage Palmetto Bluff.
And at the end of the day, when laying your head to rest, the accommodations speak to varying needs for togetherness: couples and small parties can choose between the Inn rooms, guest houses or cottages. For families, an array of suite options or the luxuriously appointed village homes with two to four bedrooms, chef’s kitchens, dining rooms and outdoor entertaining spaces create the ideal space. With so much to explore, rooms can simply be a place to dream of the day’s next adventures.
When people are looking for a vacation, the biggest thing they look for is a connection. And that is what Montage Palmetto Bluff provides. Authenticity is the embodiment of all Montage properties, and we can say with confidence that Montage Palmetto Bluff is the most authentic lowcountry experience you can find.
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