Girls Getaway to Montage Palmetto Bluff

Palmetto Bluff may be found on the May River in Bluffton, South Carolina. Bluffton is frequently found on any list of the South’s Most Charming Towns. Palmetto Bluff is a quick 30-minute drive from either Savannah airport or Hilton Head Island airport, making it a very easy destination for a long weekend that won’t get eaten up by travel time. Though it’s proximity to Savannah, GA, Hilton Head Island, SC and Historic Beaufort, SC make it a destination that could easily by fun-filled for a week or two, on our girls getaway, we never left the property, because there is so much offered at “The Bluff.”

The activities offered at this gorgeous river-front resort are so numerous, it’s mind-blowing. And the scenery is so tranquil it’s hard to decide how best to take it all in. There are private charters available to take you and your crew to the local hard-pan beaches perfect for biking on, or to see dolphins, or just enjoy the local waterways. The local rivers are one of the only places in the world to witness dolphins strand feeding, and those lovely mammals are so curious and friendly they will often put on a show for you. Kayaking and paddle-boarding are also fantastic ways to enjoy the waters of Palmetto Bluff. There are fresh-water fishing options, as well as deep sea or Brackish river fishing. You’d be shocked by the number of sharks you can catch in the May River, sounds more dangerous than it is. Palmetto Bluff also offers water skiing and tubing for those looking for an adrenaline rush.

In addition to all of the water activities, Palmetto Bluff makes good use of its vast acreage with a ton of sporting options. The May River Golf Club is an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Course and it’s one of my avid golfer husband’s favorite courses and one of Golf Magazine’s favorites as well. For the racquet sports lover, there is Wilson Lawn & Racquet Club that offers Tennis, Pickle Ball, Bocce ball and basketball. Towards the back of the property you will find the Palmetto Bluff Shooting Club. This club offers axe throwing, an Archery Range, and Clay shooting for all skill levels. If you’re one of those people who absolutely have to exercise while on vacation, the Bluff has you covered there, too. State of-the-art gym facilities and a myriad of fitness classes are offered on a daily basis, from yoga and Pilates to Spinning.

We, of course, didn’t do any of these activities, because we were so happy in the spa, having wine on the veranda, dining at the Octagon Room and biking to our delightful accommodations. Our meals were amazing. We especially enjoyed dinner at the River House. Our service was phenomenal and the food matched. After dinner, we snuck through the looking glass downstairs and into the Speakeasy, Hush, for spectacular jalapeño tequila cocktails. After all of that, you may think this night couldn’t get any better, but then you go out to the lawn where there are multiple bonfires set up and a S’mores cart. I’m not kidding, it’s adorable. Just when you think you will need to be rolled back to your room, a kind gentleman shows up with a golf cart and does just that. Once you add in the boutique shopping in the incredibly quaint Wilson Village and lunch at Buffalo’s, you pretty much have a perfect girls getaway, and we never even made it to any of the beautiful pools!

Palmetto Bluff resort has it all for everyone. For families, they have kids camps, tree houses, zip lines, the Paintbox, nature hikes, lawn games and scavenger hunts. And I mean the whole family, because pets are welcome too! For couples, the spa, golf, racquet sports, shooting, fishing, etc. For girls, well, let’s face it, all us girls need is a glass of wine and a spa treatment, but there’s still plenty more. It is also a wedding venue to create the wedding of any bride's dreams. Did I mention Justin Bieber was married there? I cannot recommend this resort enough. Please reach out and let me plan an idyllic trip to Palmetto Bluff for you and whoever your travel companions of choice are.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to South Carolina. In need of further inspiration? Check out Alyssa Manning’s guide, 3-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary in Charleston, South Carolina.