Montage Palmetto Bluff in
Bluffton (SC)

Location is the high point. However, our cottage was quite “tired”- worn furnishings, cracking trim/grout, slow drain, scuffed surfaces, scotch taped steam shower controller to the wall and unclean shower. Old espresso machine (super clunky and loud). The shampoo/conditioner brand has changed- weaker and not the classic Montage brand. Private but more rustic than the quality we’re used to with Montage, PB. Everything felt old, patched together. Gas lamps were broken off at several locations and felt overlooked. Food was very inconsistent. Not as good as it used to be. My husband expressed his food allergy to wait staff and a dessert was brought out with caramel. A manager came and informed us AFTER we completed the dessert that it did indeed have caramel in the dessert. Mistakes happen- but it was a consistent oversight the entire food experience. We dined the whole time at the resort so we were able to see this across many restaurants. Sad to say, it just wasn’t up to the Montage experience we have had in the past. There’s a tired, overlooked feeling rather than what it used to be; intentional, attentive and on top of it.

I really wish there were more than 5 stars available for this review. My wife and I just celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary. Wow does this place really make it special. Start off with a really nice lady at the security gate welcoming you to the almost 23,000 acres. When we arrived at the Inn for check in, Ben was was gracious in welcoming us. They drove us to our cottage that was it was so perfect. Gas fireplace with 2 chairs in front of it, king bed, steam shower... it was literally perfect. We had dinner the first night at Octagon. Sam was our waitress and she did a fantastic job. Pleasant to talk with. She made sure to ask the kitchen about my wife's gluten allergy. She didn't have a breakout at all during our trip so the kitchen staff was doing their due diligence. Next day was our Anniversary. We scheduled a Wine Tour in their cellar at 1pm with their sommelier PJ. This man has forgotten more about wine than we will ever know. He picked out a wine for us from our wedding year. A delicious 2001 Borolo. We learned more about wine in that hour or so than we had in 29 years of being legal to drink. We also hired "their photographer" Lindsey from Eminent Collections for a photoshoot to capture our night of dressed to impress. Pictures turned out amazing. So much so we are ordered all of them. We had our Anniversary dinner at The River House and Benny was our waiter. We get to our table and 3 staff are there to welcome us and wish us a Happy Anniversary. They truly know how to make a special occasion special. Food was outstanding and staff were as nice as at our own 5 Diamond club we are a member of here at home. The day we left we went an did their Sportsman Experience. This was our only "issue" and it really was our fault. We were under the impression we could choose from different events to do and they were covered under the rate but it ended up being the rate per event we did. We were wondering why it was so expensive after we left and looked it up and saw where we had missed that. That was more on us but, I think a little heads up from the guides when we arrived would have been nice. I think our guides name was Matt? He was the one name I couldn't remember. We did archery, axe throwing, and shot some 22's for target practice. It was a great way to end our mini trip. Our guide had my wife hit the archery targets in no time first time really shooting. Both of us being business owners we don't have a lot of free time so when we do get to travel, we like to try to go to nice places. Montage Palmetto Bluff will be on our list for a very very long time. One last person to thank.... and that's Carmella in Concierge. She really is a gem there. She will get anything you need done and quick. Thank you Carmella for making this such a great experience and Anniversary. You are great at what you do. Thank you so much. Go here y'all.... you won't regret it. Just go when it's warmer. Lol. Late January can get a tad chilly so don't get married in January people!! Think about future Anniversary trips because we didn't!! In closing.... love this place. The staff from the drivers that pick you up in the golf carts, to the really nice lady from room service whom we used twice.... just a great run place you definitely should visit.

Just went in for the art display and we loved it. Afterwards we had a drink at the bar. Beautiful place!

As a repeat guest, I have high expectations for a five-star experience at the Montage brand. It appears Montage has neglected their brand ethos to meet private equity demands or tighten their margins at the expense of their customers' experience. We had 25+ interruptions at our door for our one-night stay. At each interruption came a montage employee who could not speak English. It was so absurd that when the manager came down to our door, he also managed to be greeted and witness one of the Montage employees who couldn't speak English and had to show him her phone translator. What is going on here is not 5 star. I travel worldwide for my career. As an American, I do not expect staff at a French hotel to speak English. But when I am staying at a 5-star resort in Palmetto Bluff South Caroline I expect proficient English. The absurdity of this is that guests are out in an impossible situation because staff cannot understand their requests and I think staff cannot understand the requests from managers creating a pool of mistakes and disruptions to the guest experience. At one point a man who had zero proficient English, came to our door for the third time and tried to wheel a large fridge into our room. We had simply asked for a bag of ice in a baggy to ice a wound. Not to mention our in room dining came to the room cold, soggy and over done all for $172–such a joke! The manager at first tried to tell us that their resort is multi cultural and that he would take notes on our experience. This was not a satisfactory resolution as our experience wasn’t changing. Isn’t it obvious to come make an in person visit when this much chaos is occurring for a repeat customer? We will not be returning. Montage share holders you have a real problem on your hands. If staff cannot speak basic English and interact with guests or their own managers, your brand has gone into the toilet. Perhaps the four seasons will get our business from now on.

This resort was amazing! The staff and accommodations were wonderful. And the little touches, like having a beautiful ice decanter waiting for you in the room or villa? That was so thoughtful! The food at the River House restaurant was wonderful and so elegant. The spa and massage were amazing. All around, it was a relaxing and great spot to unwind.

This hotel has one of the best concierge’s available. Carmela is the best helps with everything! Not to mention this place is beyond beautiful.

Fabulous Lunch at Octagon at the Inn at Palmetto Bluff We joined our friends visiting from out of town for lunch and a tour of Montage/Palmetto Bluff with its world-class accommodations, restaurants, amenities and historic ruins. The beauty of the property is magnificent especially with the elaborate Christmas decorations. We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch at Octagon which started off with craft cocktails, the Southern Tempura okra and the Chimichurri garlic hummus platter.The French onion soup with black truffles was the best I’ve ever eaten - it was just the right portion and the kale Caesar salad with white anchovies was so delicious. Our server Brenda was very friendly and professional - the outstanding service enhanced the entire experience. Already planning our next visit!

Disappointing Stay – Not Up to Montage Standards I was genuinely excited to stay at this Montage property after having great experiences at other Montage locations around the country. Unfortunately, this property completely missed the mark. Everything about the experience felt subpar and more aligned with a 4-star resort than the 5-star standard Montage is known for. I’ve stayed at dozens of luxury resorts worldwide, and this simply didn’t meet expectations. Service was wildly inconsistent - some staff were kind and helpful, while others were dismissive and unwilling to take accountability for clear service failures. I raised concerns with the front desk on our first night, but nothing was addressed. We paid extra for an upgraded room, which in hindsight wasn’t worth it. We weren’t shown what we were getting beforehand, and later I found the same room listed at a lower rate on Amex. The lack of transparency was disappointing. The cottage we stayed in was extremely outdated - it felt more like a summer camp cabin than a luxury escape. Our bed was falling apart, with slats visibly hanging down and falling apart mid stay. The mattress was uncomfortable, with coils poking through, and all the furniture felt worn and neglected. We consistently got poor sleep. To make matters worse: turndown service was missed, our TV wasn’t working, in-room dining arrived cold, and check-in was delayed by several hours. The few bright spots were the location, the pre-arrival experience team (who were communicative and helpful), and the valet manager, who truly went above and beyond to assist us. Overall, this property simply does not live up to the 5-star standards or the Montage name. I hope to see improvements, but as it stands, I wouldn’t recommend it.

We loved our family stay! Wonderful cottage, location, food. Thank you Carmella for making it extra special. Can highly recommend for anyone!

What a uniquely wonderful property in "low country". Their team was very knowledgeable and ready to be of service, their rooms were high end and higly serviced. Dining was excellent and the drinks were as well. The property itself offers a variety of amenities and nearby excursions that were just as customer centric as the Montage itself. Highly recommend for work, couples, friends or families.

Would NEVER recommend. Would have had better service at a trailer park. Went to a wedding. The bride’s rented cottage was $2500 per night. She NEVER received housekeeping (which was included!) and called daily and was told “we are so sorry we will send housekeeping today” and no one came. She ran out of toilet paper!! She checked in on Tuesday and didn’t get housekeeping until Saturday! Also, one of the guests found COCKROACHES in his room in his bed….. he did NOT RECEIVE A REFUND and had to miss HALF of the wedding because he had to pack and move rooms. The manager Faruz was horrific, condescending, unprofessional, unkind, rude to the bride the groom and the multiple guests that had issues. I will never come back here as a guest or ever recommend it. This family paid an unbelievable amount of money as did each of their guests and we would’ve all received better service at literally any other hotel. We paid a luxury price and received FAR from luxury treatments.

Montage Palmetto Bluff is built on peace, precision, and purpose. The property itself is stunning every angle feels cinematic, from the trees to the waterfront. The energy here makes you slow down and think. Didn’t get to experience the full service or rooms this time, but the atmosphere alone speaks volumes. It’s a place where reflection meets vision perfect for creative reset and clarity. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ #LouieKsUp #LegacyInMotion #PurposeOverPeople

The service was great and the resort was beautiful. I really enjoyed the complimentary fishing poles. The only negative was the biscuits and gravy for breakfast. It was sweet and I found it inedible. Overall great experience.

As much as it pains me to write this, it must be done. My partner and I stayed here just over a month ago for our 2 yr anniversary trip. We had visited Montage Palmetto Bluff for our 1 yr anniversary as well and were so excited to come back. This trip in particular was very special because we got engaged during it. However, as soon as we arrived the trip went down hill. There were many things my partner had planned in advance and worked with the resort to have done before our arrival. For example, having chocolate covered strawberries in the room. When we checked in someone else’s bags were in our room and the strawberries were not there. When my partner spoke with the resort they said they had no idea what she was talking about and had them delivered the next day. Additionally, after the engagement there were supposed to be balloons and champagne in the room that were of course not there. Now this is where it gets really good. Our experience at the spa…The Montage Spa exceeded all of my expectations during our 1 yr trip, it was amazing. I was so excited to go back for a second time. My partner and I booked a couples heart of the bluff massage. However, our massage therapist upsold us and encouraged us to do a therapeutic add on so our “journey” was more enjoyable. What they didn’t explain was this add on was deep tissue. The massage was incredibly painful and ruined the experience. We told the spa staff at the end and they gave us a minor discount. We still owed almost $1,000 for a treatment that made my partner and I sore for the rest of our trip. We did not agree to a deep tissue massage, nor would I ever get one. I booked a calming massage. When we contacted the spa upon checkout they were incredibly rude and said we could speak to a manager another time as one was not available. The next day, the manager called my partner and refused to give any additional discount and offered a free massage credit for only ONE of us. They did not offer to redo the service that we had originally booked. I ended up disputing it with my bank because I was so appalled. We never even ended up receiving the spa credit and the manager never returned my partner’s calls back. Upon checkout we explained to one of the guest receptionists that our experience was not great and did not meet our expectations, they said they would speak with their manager and try to discount our stay. They never ended up discounting it and never responded to my emails asking for an explanation on our final invoice. This was incredibly disappointing and we will not be back for our 3 yr anniversary. Also someone took our bikes :(

My first trip to Palmetto Bluff and Montage did not disappoint. Every aspect of the stay was fantastic. I stayed in a cottage and tried all of the amentities on property. The spa was excellent. The golf was excellent. Next time, I will bring my gear for the sporting clays. Will be back and higly recommend.

I cannot speak highly enough of this property! Montage considered every detail of the guest experience, ensuring guests feel pampered for the entire stay! Coupling the unique location of natural beauty at each turn with the attentiveness of each staff member, I immediately felt my stress melt away. Eating options are ample and satisfying. If you’re able, get a reservation at Canoe Club. The food and views are wonderful! For a casual setting, Fore & Aft is great too! I wasn’t wild about Buffalos but that may just be my taste. I will certainly be planning another stay at this one of a kind property!

10/10 experience - such a beautiful peaceful property with great service as well. Everything and everyone was above and beyond. My husband and I brought our toddler who loved running around, going in the golf carts, seeing all the animals, and the lagoon boat tour. They are very kid friendly giving him stuffed animals and rubber alligators etc - he came home with 4 different ones! The food in river house was outstanding. All the amenities great - s’mores nightly, golf cart transportation, free cookies and coffee/tea every day, turn down service etc. highly recommend!

5 stars for a 5 star hotel. Came here for our baby moon and were so happy! The staff friendliness here is really what sets this place apart. The front desk, valet, pool service, and guys who shuttle in golf carts really are standout in terms of service. One suggestion could be for the concierge be a bit more informed on the off resort options in the area. We were excited to go to the Bluffton room and didn’t know they were on their summer break until we arrived there and saw a sign posted after speaking with the Concierge about going to dinner there.

Beautiful resort with excellent service! Stayed at Palmetto Bluff for a bachelorette party and it was the perfect long weekend getaway for the group. The spa was beautiful and all the restaurants were delicious. Each restaurant was also attentive and accommodating of my allergies which I really appreciated. Hoping to go back for a couples getaway next year!

5 stars. Came with my parents for a quiet getaway. Property is beautiful. Many employees stood out. In particular, Chaibou with guest services and Michael S at the front desk. They were wonderful!

Fabulous establishment and stunning location. I was here for a conference. However, was fortunate to stay in a cottage on the water, which was extraordinary. Each and every staff member exuded southern hospitality. Each guest can use bicylcles to explore, which is a great given the grounds are extremely spread out. I visited the spa whilst here, the treatment was great, however was disappointed that I wasn't told I could use the facilities (or that there even was facilities) whilst waiting to check in, prior to my treatment. Highly reccomend visiting.

The Hungry Detective and Special Agent Deirdre had the the most fantastic golf getaway⛳️⛳️⛳️ I don’t even know where to start so I’ll start with the staff and how extremely kind and gracious… From the valet service to housekeeping to the golf cart taxi…Dave is top shelf and gave us a private tour of the property to ensure we were properly acclimated and five star service from Eric the bartender at The Octagon. Luxury, luxury and luxury low country style…walking or bike rides to all the places you want to explore. The pool staff was top shelf and every inch of the property is absolutely immaculate. The May River golf course on property is a challenge but incredibly enjoyable for the avid golfer?️‍♂️?️‍♂️?️‍♂️see Chis the caddy for perfect yardage and green reads, you won’t be disappointed. VERDICT: Guilty as sin for doing everything right and hospitality perfection. Can’t wait to return for new daily excursions!!!

I was, quite frankly, blown away with the absolute best service I have ever received. I have stayed at many luxury hotels and resorts across the country, but this one has the best service of any of them. The attention to detail from the staff was astounding. From the front desk attendant Eric who remembered my name and greeted me each time I approached to the cleaning staff who went above and beyond to the boutique staff who went out of their way to find me an item that was out of stock and even sent a small gift home with me for my young daughters, this resort set a new high bar for luxury service and friendly professionalism. Combine that level of service with a stunningly beautiful low country backdrop of Spanish moss covered trees, an intercoastal river and green lagoons full of incredible wildlife that can be navigated on walkways and bikeways, and you have Palmetto Bluff. The room was quiet and clean, the bed comfortable with a selection of pillows, and the restaurants were good. The beautiful architecture was fun too. I can see why people want to live here. I will be coming back and recommending this.

Wonderful stay in April, but check your credit card statement later. First they charged us for the stay despite it being on reward points that required our credit card company to call and get reversed. Then 4 weeks later another $250 charge appeared for "transportation" that we called to get reversed. And just last week nearly 2 months after the stay another charge this time for $1000 appeared, and we had to call again to get refunded. Once they have your credit card, keep checking your statements. Lovely property and great service, but this experience prevents me from recommending them.

Exceptional service and attentive staff, though extremely expensive dining and room service (tiny portion of fish and vegetables was $85). Rooms were very clean and it was great that the bikes could be used throughout the property to get around. Always staff around with golf buggies to drive you where you need to go. Great venue!

A beautiful resort with a lot of nature. We loved to stroll all around the resort. The rooms are really cozy and all the staff were really nice. We had an issue with some food allergy but the director write me as soon as he can to make sure I was alright. I really appreciate it. Next time we will book more days.

Our experience at Montage Palmetto Bluff was truly unforgettable — the kind of stay that redefines what a five-star resort should be. From the moment we arrived, we were immersed in an atmosphere of luxury, comfort, and genuine hospitality. The property itself is absolutely stunning, with beautiful oak-lined streets, charming cottages, and breathtaking waterfront views around every corner. It’s the kind of place that feels both expansive and intimate, where every detail has been thoughtfully curated to create a sense of peace and wonder. The food was exceptional — every meal was crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients and served with a level of care that made each dining experience feel special. Whether it was a casual breakfast or an elegant dinner, the flavors, presentation, and atmosphere were consistently outstanding. The service was what truly set Montage apart. Every staff member we encountered was not only professional but also incredibly personable. They took the time to learn our names, remember our preferences, and make us feel genuinely welcome — small touches that made a huge difference and created a feeling of being truly cared for. Exploring the property was an adventure in itself. We loved using the complimentary bikes to ride through the beautiful trails, discovering hidden corners of the resort, and soaking in the natural beauty of the Bluff. Whether we were riding past the river, through the village, or stopping by the charming shops and cafes, it felt like we were part of a storybook. Montage Palmetto Bluff isn’t just a place to stay — it’s an experience. It’s where luxury meets heart, where every sunset feels a little more magical, and where every moment reminds you of how beautiful life can be when it’s lived slowly and thoughtfully. Without a doubt, we’re already dreaming about our next visit.