This city girl had the best time transforming into a Southern Belle at The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, a Montage Resort. In just the right amount of time to watch “Cinderella” twice on the iPad while soaring through the air, we arrived in the beautiful South Carolina Lowcountry. I was on vacation at last!
Upon arrival at the entry gate, I knew I wasn’t in New York City anymore. The very long drive (Mommy said it was four miles!) into the property was like a page out of my fairytale books complete with winding roads with twisty trees, rivers rambling, flowers blooming, and the sun smiling down on you. It just made this city kid relax the moment the drive began. Mommy called it a detox drive…whatever that means! But it must mean something good since it was truly picture perfect—beautiful and scenic every which way you looked. And I was taking it all in. My eyes opened wide and just starting glowing. I knew this was going to be a special place.
When we arrived at the Inn, I was personally welcomed by many smiling and friendly faces. The place was oozing Southern hospitality and charm. Everyone rushed over to eagerly help us and greeted us all with big, genuine smiles and they already knew our names—even baby and doggie, too. I was offered snacks and stuffed animals (one for each of the conservation animals on the property. How cool!) I chose a fishy for me, a deer for baby, and even a turkey for doggie. Then it was a personal escort (by my soon-to-be new best friend) to my very own cottage. I already felt like I was part of the family.
The cottage was my home away from home. It had a front yard and back yard with a river running through it. I loved my screened in back porch and river view, perfect for Mommy and Daddy to enjoy the Southern sweet tea and pecans supplied for them as they watched me and doggie run around through the grass. And that was just the outside. There was an incredibly luxurious inside, too. We opened the door to find an immense sofa bed with fancy Italian linens facing a fire place all just for me. There was a pretty crib for baby, posh bed for doggie and grown up bed for Mommy and Daddy, too. But the icing on the cake was the giant bathroom complete with an enormous, soaking tub with custom blended bath soaps. I was suddenly ready for a bath. And let me tell you that it changed bath time forever!
Waiting for us outside of the house was a tricycle just for me and bikes for mommy and daddy, too. And my friends at the Inn must have heard I am going to be an LPGA golfer since they gave me my very own golf cart to tour the expansive 20,000 acres of the property. And every which way I looked there was something more beautiful to see and exciting to do. I think I nearly covered it all. Well almost. Since Daddy wouldn’t let me drive the golf cart, I sped around on my trike. I almost went 5mph. Zoom zoom!
From tree houses with zip-lines to Canoe Clubs with kiddie pools and from a serene spa to championship golf course, the experiences were endless for kiddos and grownups alike. For us kiddos, we could do anything the grownups could do. First, I had to hit all the playgrounds…and these people know how to build playgrounds. It was a dream come true since there were two giant tree houses! The mac daddy of tree houses is on the property: A five-story tree house custom built around a centuries old live oak tree. It was outfitted with slides, nets, ladders, and more to explore. I could not have designed it better myself. And there was a zip-line. This little dare devil went on her first zip-line all by herself and loved every millisecond of it! Plus there were lots and lots of swings! It was all mind-blowing.
Also, by land I visited
the barn. I was able to get a pony ride and riding lessons every day. The only thing better would be if I could take a pony home. That was until I had the unique experience of painting the pony! There were brushes and sponges in all sorts of shapes and paints in every color. Plus, we could even use our hands. Horse Herbie said he loved it as much as I did! He also said the painting tickled and he was tickled pink…literally!
On the water, we could canoe and kayak or fly fish and cruise. But being more of a city mouse than a nature girl, I simply loved the variety of pools. There was a tiny one just for me (I could even stand in it with my toes touching the bottom) and a big one that was heated and a lap pool, too. And a really hot one with bubbles. How funny! I ran between them all, testing them to make sure I didn’t miss the best one. And Mommy chased after me. My parents almost had more fun than me. And that’s a lot of fun!
All this excitement sure worked up my appetite and I ate like a queen. The Southern food was delectably delicious. We had leisurely lunches with incredible eats and there was always an amazing kiddie menu. But my favorite was the elegant River House, cleverly named since it has stunning views of the river. It was fancy with fancy food, fancy ambiance and basically fancy just like me. The featured food was Southern specialties with a modern flair. Yum! But the most fun of all came after dinner.
Every night we headed over to the fire pits for s’mores. That became a quick tradition. There were jars full of marshmallows, chocolate and endless stacks of graham crackers. It was decadent. I could do that every night forever, if only I could live there. And for everything else RT’s Market, a one-of-a-kind general store, had local treats and trinkets plus specialty items to bring and treasure at home. I loved shopping!
Now I wish we could bring the whole Inn home with us. I didn’t want to leave. I loved everything about it from the warmth and hospitality to fun adventures to the elegance and natural beauty. It was a perfect family retreat. It just means we will have to come back! See y’all next time!
To learn more about The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, a Montage Resort, visit montagehotels.com/palmettobluff!
Elle Belle is an adorable toddler who lives in the Upper East Side of Manhattan with her magnificent mommy, dapper dad., and new baby sister. She can be reached at ellebellenyc@gmail.com.
