Bluffton, South Carolina, nestled along the banks of the May River, is a hidden gem that comes alive throughout the year with vibrant activities. Bluffton is a beacon of Southern charm, and benefits from a location that is in close proximity to Beaufort, Hilton Head and Savannah, GA. Whether you’re seeking family-friendly adventures or luxurious experiences, Bluffton has something for everyone. These popular events offer the perfect way to experience the magic of Bluffton and make it a must-visit destination all year round.
Bluffton Farmer’s Market
The Bluffton Farmer’s Market is a beloved street fair held every Thursday. This weekly community event is where both locals and tourists alike gather, not only to browse local produce, but also to enjoy delicious food, listen to entertainment, and relax with friends. Located in historic downtown Bluffton along Calhoun and Lawrence Streets, this family friendly market showcases local growers, local food vendors, local entertainment.
Taste of Gullah Festival | February
Held during the month-long Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration, February 10, 2024 is the annual Taste of Gullah festival, taking place on the grounds of the Hilton Head Arts Center. From storytelling to gospel music, dance and more, an afternoon of performances shines the spotlight on Gullah heritage. Indulge in Lowcountry specialties including original island gumbo, barbecue ribs, fried fish, shrimp and grits, and shrimp and okra gumbo. Don’t miss this quintessential lowcountry festival!
Hilton Head Island Marathon | February
For fitness enthusiasts and families looking for an active start to the year, the Hilton Head Island Marathon is a must-attend event. Held February 10th, 2024, this marathon takes participants through the scenic routes of Hilton Head, offering breathtaking views of the island. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just want to enjoy a family-friendly 5K, the event caters to all fitness levels. It’s an excellent way to stay active while taking in the natural beauty of the coastal surroundings.
Hilton Head Wine and Food Festival | March
An annual event showcasing many of the world’s premier wines while shining a light on the Lowcountry’s unique and thriving food scene. Held March 24-30, 2024, this event offers a week of wine, craft beer and culinary experiences celebrating the world’s top wineries on gorgeous Hilton Head Island!
Art and Soul: The Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival | October
Bluffton is not only about embracing the outdoors but also about celebrating the vibrant arts and cultural scene. The Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival, held October 12- 20, 2024, is a showcase of the town’s artistic soul and rich maritime heritage. Wander through the charming streets adorned with local artwork, indulge in delicious seafood delicacies, and witness live performances that capture the essence of Lowcountry culture. The festival fosters a sense of community and offers a unique opportunity to engage with local artists and craftsmen.
Bluffton Stouts & Stogies / Cigar & Bold Beer Festival | December
For those seeking a unique take on an age-old tradition, Bluffton offers the Stouts & Stogies Event, hosted in December. This popular event for beer and cigar enthusiasts is held at the Hayward House, located at 70 Boundary Street, in Old Town Bluffton with an array of barbecue, beverages and cigars.
Discover Luxurious Experiences in Palmetto Bluff
For individuals seeking unparalleled luxury, Palmetto Bluff, the picturesque community that embodies Southern charm, offers an array of exclusive experiences. There’s so much to do here, from private yacht charters along the May River to spa treatments that redefine relaxation, this upscale resort community caters to those with a taste for the finer things in life. Indulge in gourmet dining, unwind in lavish accommodations, and explore the expansive grounds that make up this one-of-a-kind private resort, where every corner exudes opulence.
Bluffton, SC, beckons visitors with a diverse array of activities catering to families and adventure-seekers alike. Whether you’re seeking a cozy winter retreat, an active getaway, or an opulent experience, Bluffton’s charm and warmth will make your visit truly unforgettable. Embrace the Southern hospitality, explore the natural beauty, and create lasting memories in this enchanting destination.
Stay in Luxury
Plan to stay in luxurious comfort within the Palmetto Bluff resort where your vacation can include a fun-filled day spent exploring historic Bluffton. A stay booked in our portfolio of luxury vacation homes offers the breathtaking lowcountry backdrop of Palmetto Bluff’s centuries-old oak trees, majestic pines and vast waterways. Palmetto Bluff is a lush, lowcountry resort community nestled within 20,000 acres of Bluffton’s stunning wildlife. With its scenic landscape and resort style amenities, Palmetto Bluff has both a quaint, small-town feel and a sense of understated luxury. Our collection of vacation rentals in Palmetto Bluff features incredible amenities and superb locations. Let our Concierge team plan a fishing charter for you and your friends, or have a private chef waiting to cook your catch-of-the-day while you sit around the fire pit with a cocktail, telling stories of the big one that got away. And, while you’re there, why not plan a southern-style happy hour on the porch, or travel by private water taxi to explore the Bluffton Farmers Market? With our Guide to Exclusive Experiences, these are just some of the ways you customize your stay for an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind vacation – and we have a team of people ready to help you plan it all.
It’s not every day in Bluffton, South Carolina that we are plunged into record-setting cold. Winter Storm Elliot showed up uninvited to the 2022 holidays at a time that left many in the lowcountry unprepared. For those of you that were celebrating at home, but away from your 2nd home investment property, or traveling and simply away during the holidays, did you have anyone who could check on your house during the unexpected deep freeze? When you own investment property, particularly located some distance from your primary residence, it’s crucial to have someone reliable and trustworthy to manage your investment and ensure that everything is being monitored. Here are some things to consider when choosing a private home care firm to manage your property.
Site-based with boots on the ground
With offices onsite and located within the Palmetto Bluff resort, our team regularly monitor the homes of our private home care clients. Regular inspections ensure that quality standards are maintained year-round and custom preventative care programs help protect your valuable home investment. Our team in Palmetto Bluff works closely with locally-based vendors and provide professional and skilled maintenance services to meet the upkeep needs of your property. Our staff are hand-picked for their skills, reliability, trust, and integrity.
At the core of what we do, we take care of your home like it was our own
According to the National Real Estate Insurance Group the three leading causes of property damage are fire, theft/vandalism, and water damage. That’s why, at the height of the freezing weather in Bluffton, we mobilized our team to visit every property in our care and ensure that faucets were left at a drip, both inside and outside spigots too. We continued to visit our private home care portfolio throughout the days when the nighttime temperatures were in the teens and 20s to ensure that no pipes had burst, check outside landscaping sprinklers, and assure the HVAC systems were functioning correctly.
Building codes in the lowcountry aren’t always required to protect for sub-freezing temperatures. Particularly in coastal communities, where homes are often elevated to meet FEMA flood standards, pipes can be exposed to the elements or located in areas that are unprotected from windy and cold temperatures. Compounded by the fact that many of these homes are unattended or unoccupied when pipes freeze and burst, water can be leaking for days or weeks before anyone would know.
Continuous Home Oversight
Because we know there is a lot going on in the outside world and your time is valuable, the care and oversight of your second home asset can’t always be top of mind. When you’re not there to watch out for your home, you need to make sure someone else is.
Things that a home care management firm should specifically be checking for:
- Frozen pipes
- Water or other damage to the home
- General disrepair or other problems
- Temperature control and home security
- Vandalism/Evidence of trespassers
- Systems and appliance checks
- Wi-Fi and AV checks
- Leaks and smells
- Repairs and maintenance items
- Pest control
- Trash removal
Your property is an important asset – so is managing it
It’s important to realize that property is a major asset within a portfolio – and property management helps protect the value of this asset. For example, you wouldn’t invest $10 million into a fund and then just leave it without any observation or without someone reporting on its progress. Luxury property management should be treated in much the same way. We understand the values that are the most important to high-net-worth individuals – time and convenience. With every detail being handled by our team plus unlimited access to our extensive network of vetted partners, clients don’t need to be concerned about looking for service providers or dealing with external contractors.
We know you have high standards – that’s why we do too
With Luxury Simplified Home Services, each property gets its own dedicated property team available everyday. Our reputation for integrity and trust is built upon attending to the details and our staff are locals with deep roots in the community who care about getting it right. Our focus is on quality not quantity, ensuring that we consistently meet the highest standards. Our proactive approach and focus on planned management ensure that preventative maintenance, where required, will reduce breakdowns and consequential disruption to a client’s home. We work with trusted partners who are experts in their field so clients are never exploited by supplier networks when services are in peak demand.
What Should you Expect from Private Home Care Management
Private home management services should include an array of service offerings, including but not limited to:
- Cleaning and Housekeeping Management – Arrange and manage cleaning services and supplies to service your home according to your individual needs. Regular and seasonal housekeeping to a high standard ensures the best experience for you and your guests.
- Maintenance Management – Inspections are fully documented ensuring reliability and accountability. When any problems arise in our clients’ properties, such as leaks or cracks, we are there to deploy our vendors immediately. Any problems are promptly reported to you so that repairs are conducted to fix the problem with minimal disruption of your property.
- Contractor Service Management – With your property management contract, you have access to our network of proven suppliers and vendors ensuring that you will receive the best care and value for services provided to your home. We will help secure bids for contract services including interior and exterior painting, carpet cleaning, drapes and upholstery maintenance, audio-visual, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, appliance repair, roofing, pool maintenance, and landscaping.
- Express, Freight Shipment & Package Handling Management
- Accounting Services & Bill Pay – Upon request, receive invoices and statements and schedule payment of local utilities and expenses associated with your home.
High Touch Concierge Service
Luxury Simplified Retreats has built a reputation for excellence in vacation rental management and concierge guest services for nearly 10 years. With the introduction of Luxury Simplified Home Services we now offer the opportunity for owners of select homes and residences in Palmetto Bluff, and the Charleston SC area, to receive our comprehensive property management services without being part of our rental portfolio. This means that second home owners seeking five-star property management can enjoy all the management advantages and white glove hospitality service that comes from being a part of the Luxury Simplified portfolio.
With our experience as luxury vacation specialists you will also have access to the best Concierge team in the area to help you plan the perfect stay in your home. They will assist in making dinner reservations, arranging private instruction, ground transportation, booking tee times, spa appointments, fishing, horseback riding and any other activities that might make your stay more enjoyable.
At Luxury Simplified Home Services our goal is to ensure that your experience of owning a home in the lowcountry is about the moments shared with loved ones and the memories created, not the challenges of maintaining an investment property that may not incur year round use. Professional home care ensures that your Palmetto Bluff home is protected from day-to-day risks and unexpected maintenance problems. To do this takes a diligent and skilled team of property management specialists with the resources and experience to handle it all with ease.
Bluffton, South Carolina, has always been a charming destination for those seeking a taste of Southern hospitality and exquisite cuisine. With each passing year, the culinary scene in this Lowcountry gem continues to evolve and surprise. Set alongside the banks of the May River, and with its close proximity to Palmetto Bluff, Hilton Head and Savannah, this up and coming small town is quietly becoming a culinary destination of its own. We’re excited to introduce you to some of the the top restaurants that have opened their doors in Bluffton, including the remarkable Okàn, fast becoming Bluffton’s most coveted dinner reservation in 2023.
Okàn
Introducing Okàn, the restaurant that’s been the talk of the town since it opened in spring 2023. Okàn brings a unique cuisine to Bluffton that follows the culinary journey of West African-rooted cooking and a blend of Southern flavors, creating an unforgettable dining experience. Okàn’s Executive Chef, Bernard Bennett has been recognized as a “2023 Semifinalist for Emerging Chef” by the James Beard Foundation.
Located on Calhoun Street, Okan’s interior is a fusion of modern design with traditional elements, creating a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. The menu at Okàn takes you on a taste journey that focuses on the foods and flavors that came to the Lowcountry through the enslavement of African Americans and the dishes that are a nod to their West Africa heritage. Okàn knows how to surprise and delight your taste buds. Don’t forget to try their craft cocktails, expertly paired with the dishes, to complete your dining adventure.
Farm
Located on May River Road in Bluffton, Farm offers a locally-sourced menu and a distinctive dining experience at this rustic-yet-modern, Lowcountry eatery. The seasonally inspired, ever-evolving dishes created by Chef Brandon Carter pay homage to the small local farmers, fishermen and artisan producers who provide the restaurant with its fresh produce, seafood and food products.
The Bluffton Room
Named in the “Top 10 Places to Dine in Bluffton” by The Culture Trip this contemporary American cuisine will not disappoint! They’ve ditched the idea of classic dining by providing table-side preparations in an intimate setting, both indoor and outdoor, paired with service beyond anything you’ve experienced before. The intimate and vibrant atmosphere of the dining room and open-air bar has earned this restaurant rave reviews from diners and critics alike. Enjoy classic American cuisine, tableside preparations and crafted cocktails for dinner. Gracious service, well crafted cocktails, and table-side preparations evoke the feeling of a lively dinner party.
The Pearl Kitchen & Bar
Located at 55 Calhoun Street in the heart of the historic art district of Bluffton, The Pearl Kitchen and Bar brings a refreshing new approach to the dining experience focused on a complete sensory experienceWith an outstanding wine list, handcrafted drinks, fresh locally sourced produce, and certified steaks, it’s no surprise that this is one of Bluffton’s most popular spots to dine at. Enjoy drinks by the outside fire pit before or after dinner.the freshest of ingredients prepared in a manner that will excite, entice, and keep you coming back for more.
May River Grill
Located on May River Road, the menu at this local favorite is heavy on fresh seafood from the local waters. Throughout its 15 year history, the May River Grill has earned the accolades of Wall Street Journal, South Carolina Living, Taste Magazine, and Bluffton Today. Top picks include Daufuskie-style crab cakes, scallops meunière, seafood pasta pomodoro, stuffed shrimp and bone-in scored flounder.
Stay in Luxury
Plan to stay in luxurious comfort within the Palmetto Bluff resort where your vacation can include a fun-filled day spent exploring historic Bluffton. A stay booked in our portfolio of luxury vacation homes offers the breathtaking lowcountry backdrop of Palmetto Bluff’s centuries-old oak trees, majestic pines and vast waterways. Palmetto Bluff is a lush, lowcountry resort community nestled within 20,000 acres of Bluffton’s stunning wildlife. With its scenic landscape and resort style amenities, Palmetto Bluff has both a quaint, small-town feel and a sense of understated luxury. Our collection of vacation rentals in Palmetto Bluff features incredible amenities and superb locations. Let our Concierge team plan a fishing charter for you and your friends, or have a private chef waiting to cook your catch-of-the-day while you sit around the fire pit with a cocktail, telling stories of the big one that got away. And, while you’re there, why not plan a southern-style happy hour on the porch, or travel by private water taxi to explore the Bluffton Farmers Market? With our Guide to Exclusive Experiences, these are just some of the ways you customize your stay for an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind vacation – and we have a team of people ready to help you plan it all.
It’s time to pop the champagne, watch the ball drop, and say hello to 2024. In the Holy City, there are plenty of celebrations to go around. Don’t know where to spend New Year’s in Charleson? No worries! With an array of festive options to choose from, it is no secret that Charleston is one of the top cities to spend your New Year’s Eve. Whether you’re looking for a low key beachfront party or yearning to break out your black tie, the lowcountry offers every type of New Year’s celebration. Here are our picks for the top 5 New Year’s Eve parties in Charleston:
New Years Eve at the Aquarium Aglow
The countdown is on for this family-friendly, annual NYE event held at the South Carolina Aquarium designed for the early bird that doesn’t what to wait until midnight to ring in the new year. In addition to the full Aquarium Aglow experience, there will be a DJ keeping the party vibe hyped, plus stilt walker, face painting and fun for the entire family.
5:50-9:30pm
South Carolina Aquarium
100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston
Folly Beach Flip Flop Drop and Fireworks
Watching a ball drop to ring in the new year is so 1990’s, why not enjoy a flip flop drop instead? The town of Folly Beach rings in the new year with a street party on Center Street and the annual Flip-flop Drop. Center Street will be close to traffic as revelers enjoy local restaurants and family-friendly festivities. The fun culminates when the huge, sparkly flip-flops descend to mark the stroke of midnight and the beginning of the new year.
The Duney Drop Celebration
This New Year’s Eve family event at Wild Dunes Resort on Isle of Palms offers a magical experience for the entire family. Tickets for adults include a 3-hour bar, non-alcoholic beverages, appetizers, desserts, and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Children and teens will have their own celebratory experience that includes appetizers, desserts and a complimentary sparkling cider toast. Purchase your tickets early and don’t miss this
No matter what time of the year, Charleston is always suited for a rooftop party. If you’re looking for a low key, yet lively New Year’s Eve celebration, ring in the new year at Revelry Rooftop, one of Charleston’s spotlight local breweries. Enjoy great company, live music and a fabulous selection of homemade brews all day and all night.
8 pm – Midnight
Palms Ballroom at The Sweetgrass Inn
5757 Palm Blvd., Isle of Palms
New Years Eve at The Watch
Enjoy a night of celebrating under the stars and ring in the New Year at one of Charleston’s most scenic rooftops, complete with a live DJ and champagne toast at the stroke of midnight. Located on Wentworth Street atop the Restoration Hotel, The Watch delivers views overlooking Charleston’s famed historic district. Grab your friends and spend an evening raising a toast to the new year!
9 pm – Midnight
The Watch at The Restoration Hotel
75 Wentworth Street
New Year’s Eve Dinner Cruise
Looking for a New Year’s eve experience that will have you saying “Ahoy” to the New Year? Why not ring in the new year in style with an incredible dinner and sweeping views of the historic Charleston skyline. Cruise the Charleston Harbor aboard the elegantly decorated Spirit of the Carolina while enjoying live entertainment provided by Jay Miley.
6:30pm – Midnight
The Spirit of the Carolina
Patriots Point
40 Patriots Point Road, Mt. Pleasant
Stay in Luxury
Book a stay at any of our luxury vacation homes in the heart of Downtown Charleston or on Folly Beach, Isle of Palms or Sullivan’s Island and you’ll be close to the festivities no matter where you plan to ring in the New Year. The team at Luxury Simplified Retreats goes above and beyond to offer guests an outstanding experience with beautiful beach rentals and unparalleled concierge services. Browse our Experience Packages to consider making your trip especially unique, then sit back, relax, and leave all of the planning to us. Plus, if you’re staying in one of our luxury vacation homes, New Year’s Eve can be just as fun spent at home. Whichever way you want to spend your last night of 2023, Charleston has the celebration. Pick your party and book your weekend at one of our available vacation homes now, before it’s too late!