Leisure Vacation in SC Low Country

By Bonnie and Bill Neely

We received a very special Christmas gift certificate for a leisurely stay at a Montage Hotel and Spa. We had just moved to South Carolina, and someone suggested we would love the Montage Property at Palmetto Bluff in between Hilton Head, SC, and Savannah, GA. We chose a time in February between holidays and peak seasons and made our reservations. It was really a treat because we had not travelled during COVID-19 and only once since that time when the world chose to stay in place and not take germ risks. The drive was only about five hours from our home in the Upstate area. We were avoiding the summer months known for the Low Country’s extremely hot weather and swarms of flying pests like mosquitos and “no-see-umms.” We entered Palmetto Bluff on the straight road bordered with swamp land, bayous and the May River and her tributaries. We were admitted through the guarded gate by showing our reservation ID and drove just over four scenic miles with private homes and tall pines, magnolias, and Palmetto trees of all sizes, which the state chose for the tree of South Carolina. Even though I have many times seen live oaks draped with gray beards of Spanish moss, these are always awe inspiring in their unusual beauty.

As magnificent Montage Palmetto Bluff.com property came into view with buildings in style of wealthy plantation homes, we were immediately transported to the sights of the Old South and wondered if the 20,000 acres of this resort had once been fields of Sea Island cotton, indigo, or rice, during the 1700’s and 1800’s. In attempts to honor those African men and women brought as slaves during those early years, we were in awe and wonder at the work it took for them to tame these acres and work to grow the cash crops in the difficulties too extreme for us to comprehend. We had already seen signs warning of alligators and wondered how the slaves and landowners got through the hostile thick woods and swamps and ultimately made this acreage of sand and salt water habitable and profitable for which, sadly, they were never thanked or paid. It was appropriate to be here during Black History Month to show our great appreciation of the friendly, kind, thoughtful black men and women who have heritage in this magnificent Low Country area or have chosen to come here from near and far to live and work here.

The little town of Bluffton, population about 28,000, is nearby, so most resort guests venture there to investigate shops and small restaurants with typical “Low Country” fare, known as Southern Cooking. Of course, seafood and fish, pork bar-b-cue, shrimp and grits, black-eyed peas and collards compose most of the favorite recipes, handed down for generations. However, we preferred dining at the several restaurants at Montage, where the food at each meal was the BEST we have ever tasted! We even had the honor of speaking to Octagon Restaurant’s amazing Chef Ted Campbell, who is from Jamaica, and his excellent staff to compliment them on the delectable dishes.

Palmetto Bluff is an upscale gated community which owns the area property and buildings. The Montage Hotel Brand was selected to manage the exquisite year-round vacation sites.

As guests in the main hotel, we arose early to enjoy coffee awaiting us in the lovely Sunroom, which opens onto the big porch where guests gather for visiting over complimentary afternoon drinks and sweets. Just opposite this porch is a large brick fire circle, the location for a special after dinner treat of s’mores and meeting other guests from around the world between 7 and 10 PM each night. We visited with several guests from different areas of the USA and other countries. Each one commented on the extremely welcoming friendliness of South Carolinians and the unusual, breath-taking beauty of the tall trees draped in gray Spanish moss hanging low from many branches. Winter shrubs in bloom added to the beauty of the true Old South setting overlooking lakes, meticulously manicured grounds, bayous, and the May River. And every event is planned with details to enhance rest, relaxation, and fun and fellowship, and a new and different opportunities and seasonal attractions each day and month.

Two small churches with steeples are on the property in matching architecture of white clapboard design. As we arrived we unexpectedly passed a beautiful wedding crowd throwing flower blossoms at the bride and groom as they descended the church steps. Depending on the season you can select from many activities for families, couples, or singles, depending on your budget. First have a complimentary ride in a golf cart so your friendly driver can show you all over the large property and explain what each area offers. Including canoeing, fishing, bicycling, golf, hiking, swimming in beautiful outdoor heated pools, and many activities and classes or pampering in the hotel’s beautiful Spa. Kids adore climbing in the tall, sturdy tree house. I even ventured up the ramp for a photo-op! (I had never been in a treehouse before, and this new experience was fun!) The miles of manicured, paved trails are exquisite throughout the property and serve for walking, biking, and golf carts.

Guest rooms are beautifully furnished and so inviting and comfortable and include all the amenities you could want. We loved our stays at Palmetto Bluff Montage and look forward to returning there again. The thoughtful and friendly staff made us feel as if we have made many friends there.

NOTE: We hope you will also order our travel book: Real Ventures: Did We Really Do That?!! by Bonnie Burgess Neely. With five stars everywhere online (AmazonBooks; Barnes&Noble; Google;ITunes and wherever books are sold) our true travel stories will give you MANY LAUGHS and some GASPS of things that happened to us as we drove mileage equivalent to 3 trips to the moon or around the earth’s equator 25 times, taking in 9 countries including all over the USA, Canada, and Central America. Give yourself and loved ones this gift of fun leisure time reading!

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