In these days filled with stresses and challenges we haven’t often seen before, it’s good to get away with your family and set your mind free for a while. If that can be achieved without endless airport delays, Homeland Security checks, and traffic congestion then that is the makings of a very good vacation. While a two-hour drive south down Hwy. 17 from Charleston gets you to Savannah or northbound up Hwy. 17 to Myrtle Beach, for those who are looking for an luxury vacation experience, Palmetto Bluff is an unforgettable destination just 90 minutes down Hwy. 17 from Charleston. This lowcountry getaway drips southern charm, hospitality and cuisine. Charlestonians, like many along the southern seaboard, have their favorite getaway places. In the heat of the summer it’s often a family vacation to the cooler locales of Cashiers or Highlands in the NC mountains, but in the fall many feel there is no better place to be than “The Bluff,” located in Bluffton SC.
Palmetto Bluff is 20,000 or so acres of old southern woodland stand, deer hunting tracks and timberland turned into a resort and a surrounding planned community. The entire place is on a physical bluff some 20 feet above the May River, almost guaranteeing a steady pleasant breeze even in mid-summer. Like many of the exclusive resort communities along the coastal Carolinas it has its mix of permanent residents, returning vacation home owners and weekly vacation renters in a similar manner to many of the well known barrier island communities. Palmetto Bluff is akin to Kiawah Island, but without the opulence or the traffic, or Defuski Island but with more polished elegance. It also has its own resort within the development, operated by Montage luxury hotels group and providing a superb range of amenities.
Our family has been coming here for a few years, always with the goal of buying a lot and building a home to raise our family in, and bought a building lot a few years back in Moreland Village, a newer neighborhood within the Palmetto Bluff development that allows us to enjoy water views and nearby access to the boat ramp and dock. We dreamed of a southern style home, with wide, deep porches, and open spaces for family gatherings plus a separate garage for our vintage car collection, styled like a barn with private living quarters above. This was to be our family home during the school year and offered as a vacation rental during the summers when we travel abroad. As owners of a construction company we would build it ourselves and include materials salvaged from historic renovation projects we have underway in Charleston. So we spent 10 months of 2019 and into 2020 building our dream home in Palmetto Bluff, completing it in March and moving into it in April.
Palmetto Bluff is special, and unlike any other kind of vacation experience we have ever had. It offers a lowcountry lifestyle that is reminiscent of days when times were simpler. We sleep late, play with the children, and bicycle everywhere. We swim, read, converse and contemplate. Roast s’mores at sunset, gaze at the stars and listen to the frogs. There are old ruins to explore, nature trails, guided tours, golf courses, shooting classes, gyms and craft lessons. You can cruise the river into Bluffton or Savannah a little further off, kayak the river with the dolphins or sail remote control boats on the lake. Fish just about everywhere or watch enormous Blue Herons fishing for themselves or Egret colonies roosting at sunset.
Now a part of our luxury rental portfolio, we are delighted to share the Palmetto Bluff lifestyle with our guests. We ensure that the May River House is available for guests to book for much of the year. With an abundance of luxury and comfort, The May River House delivers the best of vacation living. Professionally designed and exquisitely furnished, careful attention has been applied to every detail of this luxurious custom home.
The open floor plan presents a great space for family gatherings, seating that can accommodate everyone, with three expansive porches, swimming pool, outdoor grill & pizza oven, plus loads of privacy and scenic May River views.
Adjacent to Moreland Landing and Moreland boat ramp & dock, The May River House provides stunning sunrise views of the river from the 15ft wide screened back porch. You are truly in the heart of the most beautiful section of Palmetto Bluff. Have a look at The May River House for yourself, and discover the unforgettable vacation that awaits.
When choosing a vacation home in Palmetto Bluff from the luxurious portfolio offered by Luxury Simplified Retreats, you’re truly receiving a one-of-a-kind experience. With our exceptional customer service and a dedicated Retreat Concierge at your service, we can handle all of the planning. We can fully stock the fridge before your arrival, rent your family a golf cart, hire a private chef for your stay, arrange a fishing charter, and make some suggestions for activities and places to dine in the area – and even handle the reservations for you!
Browse our Guide to Luxury Simplified Exclusive Guest Experiences and let our Concierge Team help you plan a one-of-a-kind stay in Palmetto Bluff.
NOTE: During your stay, should you have an interest in exploring the possibility of your own investment property or place to call home in Palmetto Bluff, we can guide you through the process – we’re here to help when you’re ready! With our in-house construction team, Simplified Construction, you can head to their blog and follow the full story of the May River House development and design HERE.
