Inside Palmetto Bluff, a luxury Lowcountry getaway 4 hours from Charlotte

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Distance: 244 miles | Approx. driving time: 4 hours | Location: Bluffton, SC

Palmetto Bluff, located about 25 miles north of Savannah on the May River, is a premiere luxury Lowcountry destination. The sprawling 20,000-acre compound marries residential and resort amenities with a meticulous conservation-first development strategy aimed at maintaining the integrity of the maritime forests and tidal creeks that make up the land.

While few will be able to call the exclusive property home (available real estate listings currently start at $725,000 up to nearly $6 million), the on-site award-winning Montage resort makes Palmetto Bluff accessible to visitors.

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Stay

The Montage Palmetto Bluff features a 74-room inn along with luxury cottages and full home rentals. See all options.

We stayed in an 1,183-square-foot forest view cottage with vaulted ceilings and a private screened porch, but they could’ve just rolled out a cot in this bathroom and I would have been content.

Hotel pricing is dynamic; below numbers reflect prices as of Wednesday, September 26 for a weekend stay in late October. Check specific dates for the most accurate pricing.

Inn – 385-2,500 square feet; rooms starting at $408/night

Cottages – 1,183-1,576 square feet; starting at $557/night

Homes & Residences – 2-5 bedrooms; call for pricing

As a first-time visitor, I was caught off guard by how sprawling the property is and how much distance you may need to cover from one destination to another. A trip from the inn to Moreland Village is a good 4 miles. But they’ve got you covered. Resort golf carts run nonstop to get you wherever you need to go and you can use the resort’s custom-designed cruiser bikes, which was my preferred method of transportation.

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Eat & Drink

Palmetto Bluff is home to a number of dining options from a casual grab-and-go canteen to waterfront fine dining.

Restaurants and bars in Palmetto Bluff

Buffalo’s – Casual Southern restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and an elaborate all-you-can-eat biscuit bar ($23)

Canoe Club – Fine dining coastal cuisine with views of the May River

Cole’s – Casual hangout in Moreland Village serving barbecue and fried chicken

Octagon Porch – All-day Southern restaurant inside the Montage overlooking the inn’s backyard fire pits and pools

Fore & Aft – Poolside bar at the inn with a limited offering of salads, sandwiches and children’s items; get a blended strawberry rose ($16)

The Canteen – Casual grab-and-go spot for coffee and sandwiches in Moreland Village

Looking to stock up on snacks for your cottage or home rental? RT’s Market, the neighborhood general store and fanciest gas station you’ve ever seen, has a selection of wines, gourmet provisions, meats, seafood and more. Otherwise, you’re about 30 minutes from Publix and Kroger in Bluffton.

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Explore

Palmetto Bluff has a little something for everyone. Kick back and relax at the spa and sip cocktails by the pool or hit the ground running with outdoor adventures from cycling and clay shooting to kayaking, golf and horseback riding.

Things to do in Palmetto Bluff

Play a round at May River Golf Club – The scenic, 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature course features several holes on the banks of the river. Caddy service is required and walking is encouraged. Details.

Relax at the Spa Montage – The spa offers massage therapy, facials, nail services and couples treatments. There’s also a salon and fitness center. Details.

Take a sunset river cruise on a 100-year-old yacht – Grace sets sail for regular scenic cruises, wine cruises and Saturday mimosa cruises. Private rentals are also available. Contact the concierge for details and to book. Details.

Take in the view from the Moreland treehouse – The 5-story observation deck offers a gorgeous view of the water.

Make s’mores in the fire pits – You’ll find an elaborate s’mores station with gourmet flavored marshmallows and multiple chocolates set up on the porch at the River House in the evenings. There are huge fire pits for roasting out front overlooking the water.

Rent electric bikes to cover more ground – Although the resort bikes are great, we saw so much more of the wild, undeveloped side of the property with much less effort on the Pedego electric bikes. Details.

See more things to do at Palmetto Bluff here and work with the concierge to plan your customized itinerary.

Can’t wait to hit the road? Check out the rest of our Driving Distance destinations.

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