Montage Palmetto Bluff Hotel Review: A Dazzling Southern Gem

“We were provided accommodations and access to some attractions in order to facilitate this story. As always, all opinions are ours”

Montage Palmetto Bluff Hotel Review: A Dazzling Southern Getaway

Every now and then people ask me if I have a favorite car, a favorite hotel, or a favorite destination? Funny enough, you’d think that having the incredible opportunity to cover the automotive and hospitality industry would allow me to quickly spew a few answers — wrong!

It’s not that I don’t have my favorites, but I’ve also done this long enough to know that my tastes, preferences and even demands are as different from Missi’s or anyone else’s as could be. That being said; I’ll let you in on this: South Carolina is hands-down one of my favorite states in the nation.

Montage is known for having one of the country’s most breathtaking property portfolios, and their latest and greatest isn’t the exception — the Montage Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, South Carolina.

Having to opportunity to stay at a recently-untiled property doesn’t come very often. What does happen often is the chance to stay at a renovated, or re-branded property, but not a brand-spanking new one. Just imagine being one of the first people to lay your head on that pillow, to use the towels, or the shower. You catch my drift, no?

The Palmetto Bluff

Once we arrived to the cozy Savanna/Hilton Head International Airport, we were quickly picked up and shuttled across the Georgia and South Carolina border to make our way to Bluffton. The ride must’ve taken around 35 minute or so, but the last few miles were specially beautiful.

Windy roads lined with hundred-year-old trees, Spanish moss slowly dancing in the wind, and even a gator crossing the road were all sights we witnessed as we made our way into the beautiful community. The Montage Palmetto Bluff is the centerpiece of a 20,000 acre historic and luxury community called Wilson Village, nestled between the May, Cooper and New rivers.

Montage has offered private villa accommodations in the Wilson village for years, but their new “Inn” is what we were invited to experience. A 152 guest room property complete with six restaurants, a kid’s club, a 5-star, 13,000 sq. ft. spa, and a Jack Nicklaus signature 18-hole golf course.

The Room

We enjoyed a beautiful room with one of the biggest balconies I’ve ever experience in a hotel anywhere, overlooking the resort’s pool as well as the one of the many lagoons that surround the property.

After an early-morning flight, Missi and I quickly pulled the balcony’s sliding door wide open and laid down on the comfortable outdoor furniture. After a few minutes of taking in the sights and sounds, we called room service, whom promptly delivered a cold bottle of Pellegrino and perfectly-cooked (rare) filet with a brandy peppercorn sauce.

After finishing our sumptuous meal we had the opportunity to enjoy the room’s amenities, which meant running hot water in the gorgeous soaking tub, which laid separate from the glass enclosed shower. Now, if it sounds like the decor is gotti-over-the-top, it isn’t. In fact, Montage sourced all subtly toned fabrics, rugs, wood floorings, and reclaimed pine furnishings from a collection of antique shops from the region.

The Grounds

While staying in the room and relaxing away on the mighty comfortable (and new) king size bed was an option, it’d be a travesty to not explore the outdoors when visiting South Carolina. But… be careful, because there are critters everywhere!

Missi and I decided to put the resort-provided cruiser bicycles to good use, so we headed down to the lobby and out to the courtyard, where a bicycle station was set up for the guests to transport themselves around the community. We embarked on a two-hour ride through the resort, amazed at the private villas, the landscaping, and the many paths that lead to charming local restaurants, churches, and of course —jaw-dropping multi-million dollar homes.

As we made our way back to the Inn to get ready for dinner, we decided to stop on one of the various wooden docks along the river. Just as Missi was making her way to the bench at the end of the dock, I happened to glance at the shadow casted by the bench and noticed a 4 foot gator laying underneath it! Needless to say, I let out a rather loud scream to warn Missi, who rapidly ran back toward me and away from the gator. It was a close call!

The Verdict

There are cities, and then there are destinations. There are hotels, and then there are properties. The Montage Palmetto Bluff is a dazzling property in one of the most beautiful destinations in the country. With prices starting at a couple hundred bucks per night, enjoying a family or couple’s getaway isn’t out of reach.

Personally, there’s nothing I despise more than, hype. And there was no hype about the Montage Palmetto bluff, just pure and simple southern charm.