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The Difference Between Montage Palmetto Bluff and The Cloister at Sea Island

The Difference Between Montage Palmetto Bluff and The Cloister at Sea Island

MARIA DIEGO

A Diego Travel agency and Virtuoso client favorite domestic destination has always been both Montage Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina and The Cloister and The Lodge of Sea Island, Georgia – two luxury resorts that parallel in both style, size, and type of clientele that visit both resorts.  If you are undecided between which of these Virtuoso vacation properties might be right for you, we are here to point you in the right direction.  In addition to helping our clients navigate the differences between these two luxury resorts, as a proud affiliate of Departure Lounge, we also offer our clients many benefits in booking with Diego Travel at both hotels.

  • Resort Credit added to your stay
  • Daily complimentary breakfast (for 2 people per room)
  • Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
  • Priority room upgrade when available
  • Personalized trip planning to make the most out of your vacation (when utilizing our trip planning service)
  • Custom Diego Travel welcome box with goodies for new clients who opt to utilize our trip planning service

Both Montage Palmetto Bluff and Sea Island are the perfect destinations for a family vacation, a multi-generational vacation that includes grandparents, parents, kids, aunts, uncles, etc, a girlfriends spa getaway, a domestic honeymoon, or even to host your large corporate group or event.  So how do you know which property is right for you?  Well, that is what we are here for, to break down the two.

Getting There

Montage Palmetto Bluffs closest airport is Savannah, Georgia, but you can also fly into Hilton Head, which are about a 35 minute drive to the property (airport codes HHH or HXD).  To get to Sea Island, Georgia, you would fly into either Jacksonville, Florida or Savannah, Georgia, and will be about 45-55 minutes from Sea Island.  If you plan to fly private, there are FBOs very close to either property, BQK for Sea Island, which will put you at about a 5-10 minute drive.

How to Get to Montage Palmetto Bluff and Sea Island

  • 32.208,-80.8843

    Montage Palmetto Bluff

  • 31.2002,-81.3332

    Sea Island, Georgia

    Sea Island, Georgia

Why you should plan a trip to:

Montage Palmetto Bluff Waterways

Montage Palmetto Bluff

  • There are 200 guest accommodations/rooms at Montage Palmetto Bluff, along with residences that are part of the resorts rental program (they are privately owned, but fully serviced).
  • Rooms range from a Forest View King without Balcony (which you will never be in if you book your stay with Diego Travel, as you get upgrade at time of booking) in the Main Inn to 5-bedroom residences.
  • Montage Palmetto Bluff offers tennis, golf, biking, and boating, among other activities.
  • There are 8 dining experiences and 3 different pools.
  • Activities include cycling, horseback riding, hiking, boating, water and paddle sports, fly-fishing, bird-watching, sporting clays, carriage rides and archery.

Sunset The Lodge at Sea Island

Sea Island

  • Sea Island also has 200 guest room accommodations, plus many vacation home rentals.
  • Rooms range from River View King rooms in the Cloister to 4-5 Bedroom residences at The Lodge.  Privately-owned residences can be rented through the Sea Island Cottage Rental program, which you can find more information on my blog here.
  • Sea Island has something for everyone, with exclusive adults-only areas if you want to experience a romantic honeymoon, to accommodations for multi-generational families
  • The 65,000-square-foot Forbes Five Star Spa at Sea Island is far superior to the spa experience at Montage Palmetto Bluff, so if this is important to you, then opt for Sea Island.
  • Activities include diverse activities like tennis and squash, destination picnics, fitness classes, five miles of private beach, bike riding, 3 world-class golf courses and home to the PGA Tours RSM Classic, sporting clays, and sport shooting at the nearby Broadfield property, fishing, boating, water and paddle sports, along with many culinary experiences.

What Is The Highlight at:

Palmetto Bluff vs Sea Island

Palmetto Bluff

Montage Palmetto Bluff is situated along a winding wetlands in the picturesque town of Palmetto Bluff, a one-stop-shop for convenience for the whole family.  You dont need to leave the community throughout your entire stay, as they offer a variety of restaurants, biking, horseback riding, shooting, golfing, fishing and boating.  Though if you want to, youre a short drive to Savannah and Hilton Head.  The best part of our time at Montage Palmetto Bluff was getting out on the water by boat, and exploring the different islands.

Palmetto Bluff vs Sea Island

Sea Island

Sea Island is an oceanfront front private island, unlike Palmetto Bluff which is located along a delta. To access Sea Island you must be a guest or home owner, which makes it a slightly more exclusive experience. Sea Island has a beautiful long beach and offers a broad range of activities including biking, golfing, shooting, paddleboarding, horseback riding, fishing and boating. In addition to several on property restaurants, there are many dining and shopping options at nearby St Simons island.

Who Should Visit?

Montage Palmetto Bluff Pool

Palmetto Bluff

Palmetto Bluff is a great destination for those wanting to immerse themselves in southern charm and enjoy winding waterways that frame this picturesque destination. Outdoor enthusiast can explore miles of bike and walking trails, go horseback riding, play tennis or explore miles of waterways by boat.

 Palmetto Bluff is ideal for large, traditional family gatherings, or a romantic escape for couples who are just looking to disconnect to reconnect.  We saw a bit of everything from couples, to bachelorette/girlfriends gatherings, to families with young children and grandparents.  Because they have accommodations for everyone, it makes it very easy.

Sea Island

Sea Island

Sea Island offers miles of uncrowded beaches at the Beach Club, secluded hunting at Broadfield, world class golfing at the Lodge and old world charm and elegance at the Cloister.

While youll find everyone from families with small children, to couples celebrating their anniversary, to newlyweds on their honeymoon, Sea Island has an accommodation that will work best for you.  If you choose to celebrate your honeymoon here, youll be joining 40,000 other couples who have done so (including my grandparents!).  I would never place honeymooners in the Beach Club, just like I would not likely place a family with small children in the rooms at the Lodge.  Its best to consult with me in order to select the right fit for you.

Need Help Deciding Which One Is Right For You?

We are always here to walk our clients through questions, itineraries, and custom trip planning. If you really cant decide which property youll enjoy more, then we say why not enjoy both?! We have planned trips for families to enjoy one property for 3-4 nights and then drive to the other property for 3-4 nights to experience the best of both worlds. You can easily spend a few days at each, but keep in mind that during peak seasons, youll want to book well in advance for getting your top choice of accommodations at both Sea Island and Montage Palmetto Bluff. You can schedule a call to answer any questions and start planning your next escape to Montage Palmetto Bluff or Sea Island. We cant wait to make your stay extra special!


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Blackberry Farm Vs. Blackberry Mountain

The Difference Between Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain

A Diego Travel agency and Virtuoso client favorite domestic destination has always been Blackberry Farm and more recently, Blackberry Mountain – two luxury resorts in the Great Smoky Mountains of Walland, Tennessee.  If you are undecided between which of these Virtuoso and Relais & Chateaux properties might be right for you, we are here to point you in the right direction.  In addition to helping our clients navigate the differences between these two luxury resorts, as a proud affiliate of McCabe World Travel, we also offer our clients the following benefits:

  • 5% off published rates
  • $50 spa credit
  • Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
  • Priority room upgrade when available
  • Personalized trip planning to make the most out of your vacation
  • Custom Diego Travel welcome box with goodies for new clients

Both Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain are the perfect destinations for a wellness and spa weekend, a girlfriends getaway (see our blog on our moms’ trip to Blackberry Farm), a domestic honeymoon, or even a large family vacation, so how do you make the choice of which one is best for you?  Well, just keep reading…

Getting There

The pastoral Tennessee farm is situated on a 4,200-acre estate in the Great Smoky Mountains, just 25 minutes from the Knoxville airport, also known as McGhee Tyson Airport or TYS, or you can drive 2.5 hours from Asheville, 3 hours from Nashville, or 3.5 hours from Atlanta.  The two sister properties are located just 30 minutes apart, with Blackberry Mountain sitting at an elevation of 2,800 feet.

How to Get to Blackberry Farm & Blackberry Mountain

  • 35.6864,-83.8656

    Blackberry Farm

  • 35.7431,-83.7659

    Blackberry Mountain

Why you should plan a trip to:

Blackberry Farm

  • There are 68 accommodations/rooms at Blackberry Farm
  • Rooms range from a queen Historic room in the Main House to multi-bedroom homes
  • Blackberry Farm includes breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Home to The Wellhouse at Blackberry Farm (spa) for re-centering
  • Activities include cycling, horseback riding, hiking, boating, water and paddle sports, fly-fishing, bird-watching, sporting clays, carriage rides and archery

Blackberry Mountain

  • There are 18 large cabins and 6 traditional cabins and multi-bedroom homes at Blackberry Mountain
  • Rooms range from a watchman queen cabin to a 5-bedroom private home
  • Blackberry Mountain includes breakfast and dinner, but lunch is not included in the rates
  • Home to Nest, the naturopathic spa focused on self-discovery
  • Activities include diverse hiking options, destination picnics, fitness classes, rock climbing, camping, mountain biking, sporting clays, tree climbing, fly-fishing, boating, water and paddle sports

What Is The Highlight at:

Blackberry Farm

The renowned Relais & Chateaux Foothills Cuisine at Blackberry Farm is literally farm to table and every meal is a savory and indulgent feast for the senses. If you are looking to relax with not much more activity than say, an epicurean adventure, then Blackberry Farm is the right place for you. They have James Beard award winning dining at The Barn, in addition to The Dogwood and The Main House. Summer opens up more opportunities for al fresco dining options and tasting the 30 plus varieties of tomatoes on offer from the gardens.

Blackberry Mountain

The elevated property on the mountaintop is the prime spot to disconnect from your devices and reconnect with your loved ones. In fact, the Watchman Cabins don’t even have televisions. The resort offers a peaceful retreat or an epic opportunity for adventure. Its wellness focus translates to its meals, its activities, its service and its spa treatments. You’ll find everything from aerial yoga, rock climbing, Raku pottery classes, and nature retreats (a la forest bathing).

Who Should Visit?

Blackberry Farm

It’s ideal for large, traditional family gatherings, with special events and concerts scattered throughout the calendar each year. Guests of the farm, or as they like to refer to them, friends of the Farm, tend to return year-after-year, with the draw of seeing their favorite performing artist, or taking a special course, or partaking in a special hobby. It’s not just the unparalleled hospitality that is the hallmark of the Blackberry brand, it is the experience that makes the vacation. Finally, you can’t miss the farmstead tour and a visit to see the Lagotto Romagnolo puppies, or better known as truffle puppies. These cuddly and delicious little teddy bears have a 6-year wait list to purchase one. And while I haven’t gotten myself on the list, I’m seriously considering it. The puppy visit makes the visit to the farm completely worth it!

Aside from large families, Blackberry Farm is really ideal for intimate weddings and honeymooners alike. The property is so expansive and the accommodations offer so much privacy, that even at full capacity, the resort never feels crowded. We have planned small and large celebrations, and work collaboratively between you and the Blackberry team to make your event unique to you. If you feel overwhelmed about putting together your destination wedding, don’t hesitate to reach out to see how we can transform your vision into reality.

Blackberry Mountain

While you’ll find everyone from families with small children, to couples celebrating their anniversary, to newlyweds on their honeymoon, what sets the Mountain apart is that you won’t see much of anyone else if you don’t want to. The point is to disconnect from the everyday grind and dive into your health and wellness to truly emerge more centered, more in tune with nature, and hence, more relaxed. All while challenging yourself as much, or as little, as you’d like with the plentitude of mountain adventure activities

Need Help Deciding Which One Is Right For You?

We are always here to walk our clients through questions, itineraries, and custom trip planning. If you really can’t decide which property you’ll enjoy more, then we say why not enjoy both?! You can easily spend a few days at each, but keep in mind that during peak seasons, there may be minimum stays at each. We also recommend booking at least six months in advance to get your preferred date, and more if you are planning a large group vacation or a wedding. You can Contact Us us to start planning your next escape to Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain. We can’t wait to make your stay extra special!


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