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Montage Palmetto Bluff
Montage Hotels & ResortsUltra-LuxuryCountryside

Bluffton, United States

200 rooms
Opened 2004
Montage Hotels / Lowcountry Southern Vernacular
Bluffton, United States

Montage Palmetto Bluff: 20,000-acre maritime forest and river sanctuary in South Carolina Lowcountry with Grace yacht cruises and Spa Montage

Nestled along the scenic, winding banks of the May River amidst 20,000 private acres of ancient live oak maritime forests, Spanish moss, and tidal salt marshes in Bluffton in the South Carolina Lowcountry, Montage Palmetto Bluff opened in 2004 as an expansive Southern haven. Operating as a flagship resort of Montage Hotels & Resorts, the 200-room Lowcountry estate is an ecological wonderland. A restored 1913 motor yacht 'Grace', the Jack Nicklaus Signature May River Golf Course, three multi-story treehouses, the riverside Canoe Club, and the holistic Spa Montage establish Palmetto Bluff as the quintessential American Southern luxury escape.

Arrival introduces travelers to gracious Southern Lowcountry hospitality: personal hosts greet guests on the sweeping columned veranda of the Main Inn with fresh sweet iced tea and warm peach biscuits. Day-one logistics focus on coordinating bespoke Lowcountry aquatic, equestrian, and sporting pursuits: boarding the historic 1913 motor yacht 'Grace' for sunset champagne cruises on the May River, playing 18 holes on the Jack Nicklaus Signature May River Golf Course, kayaking and paddleboarding through tidal salt marshes, horseback riding at the Longfield Stables equestrian centre, clay shooting at the Palmetto Bluff Shooting Club, cycling shaded maritime forest trails beneath Spanish moss, and reserving dinner at the River House.

Estate living balances outdoor adventure with Southern wellness: the Spa Montage features an outdoor heated adult pool, eucalyptus steam rooms, redwood saunas, and botanical therapies utilizing Southern sweet tea and magnolia extracts. Dining spans refined Lowcountry gastronomy and prime dry-aged steaks at River House, fresh coastal seafood at Canoe Club, Southern comfort breakfasts at Buffalo's, and fireside s'mores every evening on the village green.

Accommodations comprise 200 rooms, suites, guest cottages, and multi-bedroom village homes ranging from 45 to 380 square metres. Each residence features Southern screened-in porches, gas fireplaces, plush king beds, and marble bathrooms with freestanding clawfoot soaking tubs.

Nature lovers, golfers, and luxury families seeking 20,000 acres of pristine Lowcountry wilderness, Jack Nicklaus golf, and historic riverboat cruises in South Carolina should book Montage Palmetto Bluff without hesitation. Travelers seeking dense urban nightlife should look elsewhere. Grounded review consensus confirms legendary standing with a 4.8 out of 5 on Tripadvisor across 2,800 reviews and a 4.7 out of 5 on Google across 2,400 reviews.

Montage Palmetto Bluff
Montage Palmetto Bluff — photo 1
Montage Palmetto Bluff — photo 2
Montage Palmetto Bluff — photo 3

First day

  1. Arrive at Palmetto Bluff and be greeted with sweet iced tea on the veranda.
  2. Check into your Riverfront Cottage, unpack, and sit on your screened porch listening to the marsh.
  3. Dine on prime steaks and May River oysters at River House.

What guests say

Hotel Flock Score

9.8/ 10

Exceptional

Based on 5.2k published ratings

Category breakdown

Location
9.9
Cleanliness
9.9
Rooms
9.8
Service
9.9
Dining
9.8
Design
9.9
Value
9.2

Guests Love

  • 20,000-Acre Lowcountry Wonderland

    Guests revere the ancient live oaks, Spanish moss, yacht Grace cruises, Nicklaus golf, and family bike rides.

  • River House Dining & Screened Cottages

    Reviewers consistently praise the riverfront cottage fireplaces, screened porches, Spa Montage, and nightly s’mores.

Guests Warn

  • Timeless Southern Serenity

    Visitors love the peaceful, storybook village atmosphere.

  • Outdoor Nature & Wildlife

    Travelers celebrate dolphin sightings, kayaking, and equestrian trails.

The overall score is a review-count-weighted average of named public platforms, normalized to /10. Category scores — including cleanliness and location — are Hotel Flock editorial readings of those reviews, not a platform's private formula. Hotel Flock is not affiliated with Tripadvisor, Booking.com, Trivago, or any other review site.

Awards & Recognition

20,000-Acre Coastal Nature Sanctuary Landmark

Montage Hotels

Forbes Four-Star Lowcountry Luxury

Forbes Travel Guide

In the stay

  • Complimentary cruiser bicycles, village green lawn games, and nightly artisan s’mores
  • Access to resort swimming pools, Spa Montage fitness center, and nature walking trails
  • Full cooked-to-order Lowcountry breakfast daily and high-speed wireless internet

Usually extra

  • –Historic motor yacht Grace sunset champagne cruises and private yacht charters
  • –Green fees on the Jack Nicklaus May River Golf Course and Spa Montage body rituals

Good to Know

  • The 20,000-acre coastal estate features 200 rooms and cottages in Bluffton, SC, managed by Montage Hotels.
  • Includes 1913 yacht Grace, Jack Nicklaus golf course, Spa Montage, Canoe Club, and equestrian Longfield Stables.
  • Located in Bluffton, a 35-minute drive from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV).

Editor's Note

Book a Riverfront Cottage with a screened-in porch and fireplace overlooking the May River, and take a sunset champagne cruise aboard the historic 1913 wooden motor yacht Grace.

Reviewed by Hotel Flock · Last updated September 2026