The Montage Resort, Palmetto Bluff

Nestled in South Carolina’s low country alongside Hilton Head Island in the May River basin, the Montage Palmetto Bluff is far from a standard “hotel”. At nearly 1.5 times the size of Manhattan, the resort encompasses a 10,000-acre nature preserve, 20 miles of hiking trails, two villages with diverse shopping and dining options, a marina, golf course, award-winning spa, and believe it or not, a bowling alley. So, if you’re looking for a unique vacation experience where you’ll never have to leave the resort, and be fully entertained day after day, this is the spot.

An Intriguing History

Steeped in rich (and sometimes dramatic) history, Beaufort County, which encircles the property, was an 1800’s hotbed of separatist sentiment and stronghold in the Civil War. The resort runs adjacent to the historic town of Bluffton, which nearly burned to the ground during the Union’s exhibition in 1863. During this era, the Palmetto Bluff land changed hands several times, playing home to at least 18 plantations during the cotton, rice, and indigo boom. It eventually sold to charming business tycoon Richard Wilson Sr., rumored to have been Margaret Mitchell’s inspiration for Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind.

In the early 1900s, Wilson utilized 8,000 acres for cultivation and built a private power plant, water towers, refrigeration plant, laundry, sawmill, a school, a medical center, and a post office — the beginnings of the Palmetto Bluff community as can be felt today. In 1937, Palmetto Bluff came to the attention of Union Bag, a paper company headquartered in New Jersey, that bought it from the Wilson family and planned a conservation-based forestry initiative to protect the fragile 32-miles of riverfront and maritime land. In the early 2000s, Crescent Resources Inc., a real estate management and development company, bought the property and has been working since to restore historical value in harmony with its environment. The result? Montage Palmetto Bluff, as it is today.

Southern Front-Porch Culture & Charm

Dozens of cozy historic cottages and guest suites — all with modern amenities, of course — line quaint brick paths to form two traditional low country villages on the property. The rebuilt Palmetto Bluff Inn was inspired by RT Wilson Jr.’s original mansion that eclipsed the property in the early 1900s (the ruins of which lie on the Village Green in Wilson Village near the May River Chapel). Southern Traditional decor creates a formal, but relaxed, vibe with early 20th century influences that inspire you to grab a cocktail from the resort’s River House Lounge and roast marshmallows around a marina-side bonfire. Or, snag a cigar from Octagon Bar and find an oversized rocking chair to relax and bask in South Carolina’s warm, salty ocean breezes.

Outdoor Activities, All Year Long

Whether you’re a homeowner, resort guest, or visiting for the day, Palmetto Bluff has no shortage of things to do. Consider it a luxury campus where you can participate in outdoor activities year-round. These include horseback riding from Longfield Stables, tennis or lawn bocce, firing rounds at the Palmetto Shooting Club, hiking wooded trails, and playing 18 holes at its Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. If you’re a nature buff, it’s worth a separate trip to go wildlife sightseeing in the nature conservancy. Ask for Jay Walea, the conservancy director — he knows more about the fauna, flora and wildlife than anyone on the island, and his charismatic approach to storytelling brings the land to life.

The best part for parents? This resort is 100% kid friendly. Its engaging Montage Merit Badge program invites children to be the creators of their own experience at Palmetto Bluff. If they catch a fish, roast a s’more, hike a trail or spot some local wildlife, they earn a badge for each activity and return home with evidence of their adventures. Plus, children can enjoy the pools, bikeable paved trails, and tree houses around the property.

But what truly sets the Montage apart from other resorts is its proximity to the water. It’s where the dolphins swim. Friendly, clever and beautiful, dolphins roam in pods of typically two to 10, and stir up schools of fish or chase minnows to the shoreline. The unique marine environment of wetlands, marsh and deep, narrow ocean-river channels make Palmetto Bluff prime turf to spot Atlantic bottlenose dolphins — one of the world’s most abundant and well-studied dolphin species — year-round. Grab a Palmetto Bluff guide to organize a dolphin-spotting river cruise, or go stealthy, and rent kayaks to see them up close. (Note: best viewing times are dawn and dusk.)

Southern Hospitality Meets Dream Cuisine

At night, shack up in the Boundary Bowling and Game Room where you can knock pins, shoot pool, dominate foosball, or kick back with jerk wings and a beer to watch your team on the big screen. Or, for a more upscale experience, put on your southern best, and head to the Canoe Club, featuring coastal cuisine with ingredients drawn directly from the May River. Try the shrimp, oysters, and local seafood paired with fresh vegetables, beef, and poultry sourced from area farms. Many of the dishes celebrate low country flair. And don’t miss the lively local musicians who play late-night sets at Octagon Bar, where your mixologist will be happy to expound on Palmetto Bluff’s rotating specialty cocktails — all secret recipes hand crafted with seasonality in mind.

There’s nothing quite like the Montage Palmetto Bluff resort in South Carolina. Its history is evident in the gigantic moss laden oak trees — this island has served as an escape for people for centuries, and to the Montage’s credit, is intended to stay just that: an opportunity for guests to convene with nature and ditch the craze of life.