Inn at Palmetto Bluff (South Carolina) to be managed by Montage
Apr 20, 2015, 7:43 pm
#31
Join Date: Jul 1999
Programs: AA 1MM/Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,215
Any comparison between Kiawah and Sea Island? Have never been to Sea Island, and it's a bit of a longer drive for us...have done the Kiawah/Charleston combo a few times, but not a fan of Charleston in the summer. Not quite a combo trip, but we are doing an adult trip to Blackberry Farm the weekend before Palmetto Bluff this summer. Not ideal timing, but just the way schedules worked out, and interested to compare the two. Obviously very different locations, but seems that they have some similar characteristics.
Jun 30, 2016, 10:05 am
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
wow, everything is done in september? time has flown.
https://www.montagehotels.com/palmet...uff-expansion/
https://d397toulsmarj9.cloudfront.ne...ansion-Map.pdf
lagoon guest houses and inn
river house still adult pool? with rooms now?
http://www.montageresidencespalmetto...esidences.html
http://www.montageresidencespalmetto...site-plan.html
what months are lowest season for palmetto bluff?
https://www.montagehotels.com/palmet...uff-expansion/
https://d397toulsmarj9.cloudfront.ne...ansion-Map.pdf
lagoon guest houses and inn
river house still adult pool? with rooms now?
http://www.montageresidencespalmetto...esidences.html
http://www.montageresidencespalmetto...site-plan.html
what months are lowest season for palmetto bluff?
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Jun 30, 2016 at 11:41 am
Jul 1, 2016, 6:06 am
#34
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 3,317
Per usual, the cottages are amazing...can't imagine booking anything else.
I'd hesitate to book any 'normal' rooms here.
Service and F&B is still a HUGE hit or miss.
Jul 1, 2016, 10:46 am
#35
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Mem
Programs: Delta GM, Amex Reserve, Amex Plat, JP Morgan Palladium
Posts: 984
I have never had too many gripes about the service. It has always been fine for us but we are fairly low maintenance.
Aug 22, 2016, 10:18 am
#36
Join Date: Jul 1999
Programs: AA 1MM/Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,215
Just returned from our 3rd visit to PB. This was a quick stay, to extend a beach vacation, and we were in a regular room vs a cottage, so a bit different than the rest of our stays.
That being said - PB feels different now with Montage and the expansion, and on the whole, I don't think that it is a good different. To me, PB used to feel like going to visit a rich relative's riverfront estate. It had that unique, hidden quality - almost a secret of well-to-do Southern families who returned year after year, after which their kids go back to McCallie, Woodberry Forest, etc...now, while still really nice, it just feels more corporate, and dare I say it, somewhat Disney-fied?
A few changes that I don't like
- The River House is closing - and the whole building is being turned into a banquet facility. We loved the River House porch for a casual meal, cocktails, etc....There will be a new restaurant opening called Jasmine's on Sept 1st
- There is a 2nd wedding chapel next to the new Inn
- Much larger meeting spaces are opening up. I suspect that they will draw lots of weddings and high-end corporate events.
- A ton of new staff currently being trained, in anticipation of larger guest counts. This showed in some of the service - well-intentioned, but not necessarily efficient or well-informed. English did not appear to be the first language of many of the new hires.
- We stayed in one of the new Lagoon View rooms (not a cottage) - believe they opened earlier this year. The rooms themselves are still very nice from a hard product standpoint - bathrooms don't have the steam showers of the cottages, but otherwise similar. The main different beyond the smaller space (no large dressing area like the cottages) was the lack of a screened porch. There was decent balcony, kind of like on a cruise ship, but without a screen or ceiling fan, rendered useless at this time of year due to all the bugs outside. There are some first floor suites that have screened porches, but unless traveling with a family, not sure that I'd choose them over a cottage.
- there is a huge residential development happening in the Moorlands. Last summer, it was being cleared/surveyed....now there are houses going up in what was a beautiful and secluded tract of land on the water. The bike ride down is still really nice - just kind of spoils the environment once you get there. The cut-through from the back of the cottages to get towards the Moorlands is also now blocked off...until the Inn opens, you have to go back through Wilson Village to get down there.
Bell staff is still great, and had really good service at the family pool. We had a shorter stay this time, but about the only improvement was the addition of a very reasonably priced breakfast buffet ($19) at Buffalo's that was really good.
In the end, PB will still be a great place, but just not as special, IMO. The new inn building with more rooms is opening up in a couple of weeks and will change the dynamic even further. There are 2 new pools opening there - they are currently filled in with water, but not yet open. Will be very interesting in how they deal with the increased crowds. Right now, things like tennis, bikes and kayaks are still free, but will they remain that will? Will traditions like afternoon "porching" and evening S'mores remain?
I know that change is inevitable, and I don't begrudge the Montage folks for trying to monetize what is a "hot" name right now...but it just doesn't feel like it will be as special or unique as it was in the past. The setting will always be breathtaking, but for us, not sure that PB would be an easy choice in the future over something like the Sanctuary at Kiawah, which PB is now approaching in # of rooms.
Just my $.02
That being said - PB feels different now with Montage and the expansion, and on the whole, I don't think that it is a good different. To me, PB used to feel like going to visit a rich relative's riverfront estate. It had that unique, hidden quality - almost a secret of well-to-do Southern families who returned year after year, after which their kids go back to McCallie, Woodberry Forest, etc...now, while still really nice, it just feels more corporate, and dare I say it, somewhat Disney-fied?
A few changes that I don't like
- The River House is closing - and the whole building is being turned into a banquet facility. We loved the River House porch for a casual meal, cocktails, etc....There will be a new restaurant opening called Jasmine's on Sept 1st
- There is a 2nd wedding chapel next to the new Inn
- Much larger meeting spaces are opening up. I suspect that they will draw lots of weddings and high-end corporate events.
- A ton of new staff currently being trained, in anticipation of larger guest counts. This showed in some of the service - well-intentioned, but not necessarily efficient or well-informed. English did not appear to be the first language of many of the new hires.
- We stayed in one of the new Lagoon View rooms (not a cottage) - believe they opened earlier this year. The rooms themselves are still very nice from a hard product standpoint - bathrooms don't have the steam showers of the cottages, but otherwise similar. The main different beyond the smaller space (no large dressing area like the cottages) was the lack of a screened porch. There was decent balcony, kind of like on a cruise ship, but without a screen or ceiling fan, rendered useless at this time of year due to all the bugs outside. There are some first floor suites that have screened porches, but unless traveling with a family, not sure that I'd choose them over a cottage.
- there is a huge residential development happening in the Moorlands. Last summer, it was being cleared/surveyed....now there are houses going up in what was a beautiful and secluded tract of land on the water. The bike ride down is still really nice - just kind of spoils the environment once you get there. The cut-through from the back of the cottages to get towards the Moorlands is also now blocked off...until the Inn opens, you have to go back through Wilson Village to get down there.
Bell staff is still great, and had really good service at the family pool. We had a shorter stay this time, but about the only improvement was the addition of a very reasonably priced breakfast buffet ($19) at Buffalo's that was really good.
In the end, PB will still be a great place, but just not as special, IMO. The new inn building with more rooms is opening up in a couple of weeks and will change the dynamic even further. There are 2 new pools opening there - they are currently filled in with water, but not yet open. Will be very interesting in how they deal with the increased crowds. Right now, things like tennis, bikes and kayaks are still free, but will they remain that will? Will traditions like afternoon "porching" and evening S'mores remain?
I know that change is inevitable, and I don't begrudge the Montage folks for trying to monetize what is a "hot" name right now...but it just doesn't feel like it will be as special or unique as it was in the past. The setting will always be breathtaking, but for us, not sure that PB would be an easy choice in the future over something like the Sanctuary at Kiawah, which PB is now approaching in # of rooms.
Just my $.02
Aug 22, 2016, 10:34 am
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
it's not montage, but PB's developer owner who chose to expand hotel side
wonder why montage having problems with service, vs their other properties
unfortunate when properties change (although some here like bigger hotels)
at least the cottages remain, and perhaps lowest season occupancy not bad
before expansion, reputation here (super high standards) was impeccable >
(BT Mayakoba standards dropped too, so 2 of best properties aren't now)
wonder why montage having problems with service, vs their other properties
unfortunate when properties change (although some here like bigger hotels)
at least the cottages remain, and perhaps lowest season occupancy not bad
before expansion, reputation here (super high standards) was impeccable >
(BT Mayakoba standards dropped too, so 2 of best properties aren't now)
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Aug 22, 2016 at 12:12 pm
Aug 22, 2016, 11:12 am
#38
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Mem
Programs: Delta GM, Amex Reserve, Amex Plat, JP Morgan Palladium
Posts: 984
The River House is closing?!
That is awful. Thanks for the dispiriting report on Palmetto Bluff. I agree with your assessment of what it used to be like 100%.
That is awful. Thanks for the dispiriting report on Palmetto Bluff. I agree with your assessment of what it used to be like 100%.
Aug 22, 2016, 11:17 am
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
what does following refer to (or plans changed) ?
could always turn cottages into 'hotel within hotel'
could always turn cottages into 'hotel within hotel'
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Aug 22, 2016 at 12:09 pm
Aug 22, 2016, 11:28 am
#40
Join Date: Jul 1999
Programs: AA 1MM/Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,215
it's not montage, it's the developer/owner, who chose to do the expansion
wonder why montage having problems with service, vs their other properties
unfortunate when properties change (although some here like bigger hotels)
at least the cottages remain, and perhaps lowest season occupancy not bad
before expansion, reputation here (super high standards) was impeccable >
(BT Mayakoba standards dropped too, so 2 of best properties aren't now)
wonder why montage having problems with service, vs their other properties
unfortunate when properties change (although some here like bigger hotels)
at least the cottages remain, and perhaps lowest season occupancy not bad
before expansion, reputation here (super high standards) was impeccable >
(BT Mayakoba standards dropped too, so 2 of best properties aren't now)
Aug 22, 2016, 12:04 pm
#41
Join Date: Jul 1999
Programs: AA 1MM/Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,215
River House actually closed....Sat 8/20 was the last night. I think they are keeping the wine cellar, the rest will be function space.
Apr 19, 2018, 9:44 am
#42
Join Date: Jul 1999
Programs: AA 1MM/Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,215
Had a 4 night stay last month at Palmetto Bluff. Our 4th trip, and first since the new inn has been completely finished (last trip in 2016 the Lagoon houses were done, but not the main inn building)
Stayed in a Lagoon House Suite, which is a great setup for a family. Separate bedroom and living room, and a separate bath/shower off the living room, and a screened porch. Hard product nice, but showing some wear and tear.
Really nice time biking, hiking, kayaking and generally being outdoors. Saw lots of gators, herons, egrets and a few dolphins.
Setting is still gorgeous, but the place has definitely changed.
The not so good
- bikes no longer free. I think it's $15/day up to 3 days...then no charge for the days beyond that. Believe bikes are still free for cottage guests
- Inn guests no longer have access to the River House Pool. We didn't use it, but the new Inn family pool is tiny for the amount of people. There is an adults only pool close to the river house, and the spa-pool next to the inn
- Wife said that the massage at the spa was great, but the "relaxation room" was marred by constant foot traffic in and out
- more crowded, and more corporate feel. There was some kind of meeting event there, and one night, had an outdoor band playing by the pool
- Canoe Club is the only "formal" dining option. River House closed a couple years ago, and Jessamine's in the inn didn't last
- River House lounge woe-fully understaffed and insanely slow with food/service
- Took an hour to get a shuttle back from the Moorlands at one point. Housekeeping also erratic in terms of service times and quality
Some improvements
- Nightly s'mores experience at the River House is improved. Now a cart with someone helping out
- Nightly "culinary heirloom" tasting at the Inn fire pit was really good
- Friday evening fish fry from the food truck was good and well priced
- More biking/hiking trail options
- Montage memories "badge" program for kids is great
- casual "canteen" option down at the moorlands has good sandwiches for a reasonable price
- Service overall is better than in the past, IMO. Recreation staff great, same with restaurants - and they were able to squeeze us in early at the Canoe Club for dinner, etc.
Still a great place, just not as special. Clientele has changed as well.
Stayed in a Lagoon House Suite, which is a great setup for a family. Separate bedroom and living room, and a separate bath/shower off the living room, and a screened porch. Hard product nice, but showing some wear and tear.
Really nice time biking, hiking, kayaking and generally being outdoors. Saw lots of gators, herons, egrets and a few dolphins.
Setting is still gorgeous, but the place has definitely changed.
The not so good
- bikes no longer free. I think it's $15/day up to 3 days...then no charge for the days beyond that. Believe bikes are still free for cottage guests
- Inn guests no longer have access to the River House Pool. We didn't use it, but the new Inn family pool is tiny for the amount of people. There is an adults only pool close to the river house, and the spa-pool next to the inn
- Wife said that the massage at the spa was great, but the "relaxation room" was marred by constant foot traffic in and out
- more crowded, and more corporate feel. There was some kind of meeting event there, and one night, had an outdoor band playing by the pool
- Canoe Club is the only "formal" dining option. River House closed a couple years ago, and Jessamine's in the inn didn't last
- River House lounge woe-fully understaffed and insanely slow with food/service
- Took an hour to get a shuttle back from the Moorlands at one point. Housekeeping also erratic in terms of service times and quality
Some improvements
- Nightly s'mores experience at the River House is improved. Now a cart with someone helping out
- Nightly "culinary heirloom" tasting at the Inn fire pit was really good
- Friday evening fish fry from the food truck was good and well priced
- More biking/hiking trail options
- Montage memories "badge" program for kids is great
- casual "canteen" option down at the moorlands has good sandwiches for a reasonable price
- Service overall is better than in the past, IMO. Recreation staff great, same with restaurants - and they were able to squeeze us in early at the Canoe Club for dinner, etc.
Still a great place, just not as special. Clientele has changed as well.
Apr 19, 2018, 1:47 pm
#43
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Mem
Programs: Delta GM, Amex Reserve, Amex Plat, JP Morgan Palladium
Posts: 984
Thanks again for the update. How many rooms do they have in total these days? Are they planning on adding another restaurant? Closing the River House is tragic! Is the clientele more corporate?
Apr 27, 2018, 8:03 pm
#44
Join Date: Jul 1999
Programs: AA 1MM/Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,215
There was a rumor when we were there that the River House would be opening for dinner again. It’s much needed.
The breakfast buffet at Buffalos is cheaper and muh bettet than the one at the Inn. The space is where Jessamines used to be, and there is no character to it at all. Like a bland meeting room space....