Palmetto Bluff
I discovered this hidden gem during the pandemic while spending time down south. It's a private, gated community on the picturesque May River, spanning 22,000 acres with 1,400 homes and just a 45-minute drive from Savannah. Tucked away is the Montage Hotel, a beautiful property that offers residences, cottages, and traditional hotel rooms.
Before you arrive…
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Be sure to check the forecast and pack appropriately! The Lowcountry is known for its humidity, warm water, and mosquitos—so bug spray is a must!
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I recommend booking activities in advance, especially if you are visiting during a busier time of year. This applies in particular to reserving a Moke, pickleball/tennis courts, and shooting lessons. Certain dinner reservations, such as at the Bluffton Room or Canoe Club, should also be booked in advance. The Montage's concierge is incredibly helpful with all of this, so definitely take their advice!
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Be sure to bring whatever snacks, medication, or toiletries you need to Palmetto Bluff. The closest pharmacy/grocery store is a twenty-minute drive away. Instacart, however, is available to drop off anything you need for a fee if you don't feel like making the trip.
Where to Stay
I highly recommend booking accommodations through Montage, as it provides you access to the hotel amenities that a third-party site like VRBO doesn’t have access to. For couples, the river-facing cottages with attached screened-in porches are ideal. They’re cozy and intimate, perfect for a little getaway. Groups or families may find the 2-5 bedroom residences more suitable. The single rooms and suites, while centrally located, are my least favorite of the options, as they could use a bit of a refresh. The cottages and residences allow for more breathing room and space; you get to truly enjoy the natural beauty of Palmetto Bluff without the surrounding hustle and bustle of a hotel.
The cottages and homes are done in the classic Lowcountry style, replete with fireplaces, textured linens, and screened-in porches. Gas lanterns hang throughout the property, and the neighborhoods are lined with the most beautiful live oak trees. I would describe the vibe as laid-back and casual while maintaining a degree of southern polish.
Activities
Palmetto Bluff offers a variety of fantastic activities that can be booked through the reservation specialist or concierge. The May River Golf Club boasts an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Course with Bermuda greens and gorgeous river views. There is also Crossroads, a newly opened, reversible 9-hole course—meaning golfers play nine out, nine back.
Spending time out on the May River is a must. Outside Palmetto Bluff offers paddle boards, kayaks, guided or non-guided trips, fishing, dolphin-watching, tubing, and waterskiing. These activities can be booked through the Montage’s concierge or directly with Outside Palmetto Bluff. For guided group paddleboarding or kayaking, contact Jill Moore at jillm@outsidebrands.com. Another fun activity is driving a small Duffy boat along the inland waterway in the late afternoon, maybe with a cheese platter and bottle of wine. The landscape is at its prettiest, the conditions at their most temperate, and you might even spot an alligator or two!
Exploring Palmetto Bluff by bike or foot is another highlight. The property features beautiful paths, and bikes are complimentary for hotel guests. Guests can also rent a Moke, a cross between a Jeep and a golf cart, through Carolina Rides. They are such a fun way to get around, especially in the warmer months. Golf carts are also complimentary with the Montage’s residences.
Tip – The path from South Wilson to Moreland Village is one of my favorites. It is a scenic walk and relaxing bike ride, and the backdrop of beautiful live oaks makes for perfect photos.
With six permanent courts, pickleball is quite popular at Palmetto Bluff (as it is everywhere, it seems!), so definitely book in advance. Lessons are available for both pickleball and tennis.
The Shooting Club at Palmetto Bluff is one of the country’s best. It offers clay shooting, archery, ax-throwing, and a simulated Quail Walk. Lessons are available, and the instructors are top-notch. They manage to make the experience feel very safe and enjoyable, even for novices. I definitely recommend booking lessons in advance, as they tend to book up rather quickly.
The Montage has a variety of pools that can cater to whatever you are looking for. Beside the hotel, there are two: one family pool and one for adults only. A brief walk away is the River House pool, which is smaller and quieter but could use a refresh. The Canoe Club and Moreland Village also have pools that Montage guests can use on a limited basis. To access them, you must rent one of the private residences through the Montage. Hotel guests and those renting cottages do not have access to those pools.
@montagepalmettobluff
Tip— I prefer the Moreland Village pool, built more recently than the others. There is also a beautiful adult-only pool there, but it is hidden behind the family pool—make sure to look out for it!
There are also two gym facilities available. They are both pretty bare bones, with just the essential cardio equipment and weights, and I recommend the one inside the hotel itself over the other. I recently had a manicure and pedicure at the spa, and they were both excellent. I also received positive reviews for the massages and blowouts.
If you have younger children, be sure to check the activity list for the week you are visiting; they have a great offering of family-oriented events that change weekly. I have also heard that Paintbox, the kids’ club, has half-day, full-day, and kids' night-out options.
There is very little shopping at Palmetto Bluff. While I don't play golf, the pro shop has a few nice pieces. Also, be sure to check out The Paris Market, the adorable home goods store – it is perfect for picking up gifts.
Restaurants
Octagon, the restaurant inside the Montage, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner either indoors or outdoors. I definitely prefer the outdoor seating, as the inside feels a little vanilla. Buffalos has a varied lunch and dinner menu that includes oysters, burgers, and pasta. The food is decent, but it won't wow you.
For poolside dining, check out Fore & Aft, a casual Mexican restaurant with solid tacos and cocktails.
River House, the property’s steakhouse, offers excellent food and service. They have a few private dining rooms if you're visiting with a large group, and on the lower level is a hidden speakeasy called Hush. There is a small coffee shop outside River House called Buzz. While the interior lobby decor could use a little work, the outside patio is an excellent place for a coffee or a cocktail.
The Canoe Club focuses on seafood and is reserved for Palmetto Bluff members. The Montage concierge holds a few tables for guests, so I definitely recommend speaking with them in advance about acquiring a table.
May River Grill at the golf course is only open to members unless you have a tee time. The screened-in porch at May River Grill is my favorite place to eat!
Tip— After spending some time in the Lowcountry, I've learned that the best time to eat oysters is in months ending in ‘R.’ I know there is a considerable debate over this, but for raw oysters down south, that is the rule I stick by.
If you’re looking for something quick, Canteen is a casual grab-and-go in Moreland Village that serves coffee, breakfast sandwiches, paninis, and some sweets. RT's Market, near the tennis courts, is perfect for snacks, wine, and gas. You can find pizza at FLAME, a vintage 1950s firetruck turned pizza truck parked beside the Montage entrance on Thursdays through Sundays.
Check out Melt for ice cream and candy. Each evening outside of the River House, there is an adorable little cart serving s'mores with fire pits nearby. It is my favorite evening activity in Palmetto Bluff.
Outside of Palmetto Bluff
Off-property, Bluffton's FARM is a favorite. Open for lunch and dinner, it serves classic Lowcountry cuisine. The food is fantastic; make sure to order the skillet cornbread and the oysters!
If you’re looking for good coffee and want a little escape from Palmetto Bluff, the Corner Perk is a southern coffee shop in Bluffton only fifteen minutes from the hotel.
Another restaurant worth trying in Bluffton is the Bluffton Room. It is a solid steakhouse with a great table-side Caesar salad and an in-house pastry chef making comfort-food desserts–think skillet brownie with praline ice cream on top. Definitely book a reservation in advance!
I recently went to Wine Time in Bluffton, an intimate wine bar that serves charcuterie, cheese boards, and other southern snacks. It is a choose-your-own-adventure: they offer tastings, flights, and whole bottles. The waiter asks for your preferences and provides you with a recommendation; ours nailed exactly what I liked!
If you're interested in a private chef, shoot me a note for my top recommendations.
If you're considering a day trip to Savannah, Whittaker Street is a must-do, offering a mix of southern boutiques and ‘Mom & Pop’ stores, such as Hannah E., PW Short Mercantile, Asher + Rye, and Courtland & Co.
Tip – Courtland & Co. is a tiny but well-curated store selling tabletop items. Stop in to check out their pretty napkins and glasses.
I highly recommend checking out the SCAD Museum. I have seen some fabulous exhibitions there, including one that featured a rainbow of Christian Siriano gowns worn by celebrities–it was a favorite of mine.
For dining in Savannah, I keep hearing about The Grey, an old Greyhound bus station turned restaurant. Friends in the culinary world absolutely love it! They also recommend a fun spot I want to try on my next trip called The Wyld. On a dock with a view of the water, it offers classic Lowcountry staples like local shrimp and clam rolls.
Palmetto Bluff is a true southern gem. If you were to ask me who the ‘right guest’ is, I would say it is very much a multi-generational resort—there are activities for guests of all ages, from water sports to golf and a kid’s club. It is also a hugely popular wedding destination… fun fact, the A-list singer of ‘Baby’ and his model partner got hitched there a few years ago!