Y’all are gonna love this visit to the South! With beautifully drawn out twangs, combined with a dash of tradition steeped in sweet tea, old-fashioned charm, coastal cuisine, a bit of bourbon mixed with unhurried conversations, and you’ve discovered the true meaning of Southern Hospitality. Knowing this, will come in handy as WIT takes you on your next luxury vacation getaway to explore all the low country has to offer. As your favorite Luxury Travel Consultants with the inside scoop on five-star travel, we are taking you along to Savannah, GA, Sea Island, GA and Palmetto Bluff, SC!
Perry Lane Hotel
We start our Southern comfort tour right in the middle of the three. Consistently named one of the “world’s friendliest cities” by Condé Nast Traveler readers, Savannah, GA, has a world-class reputation for hospitality and kindness. With more than 30 domestic direct flights into Savannah, you can be in the center of town in no time, or take the scenic route by car, as Savannah is easily accessible from all points along the east coast. Stand on just about any street corner and you will live and breathe the soul of the city. Savannah’s mild climate, most of the year, lends itself to hours of outdoor exploring, from paddle boarding to biking along historic city paths, to beach time on Tybee Island. Nestled in the Historic Landmark District is Forsyth Park, a 30-acre park known for its Spanish moss draped trees, pedestrian and jogger-friendly sidewalks, and the park's great fountain, is one of Savannah's most recognizable landmarks. Steps away from the iconic fountain you will arrive at your home away from home- Perry Lane Hotel, A Luxury Collection Hotel. The hotel boasts 167 elegant guest rooms, including 12 luxury suites, all with a contemporary vibe that honors Savannah’s warm and inviting culture. The hotel has curated a remarkable and eclectic collection that features pieces by some of the area’s best young talent, which blends funky cool with traditional charm, and it all just works! WIT guests receive $100 resort credit, complimentary a la carte breakfast daily at the Emporium Kitchen & Wine Market for two guests per bedroom, and early check-in/late check-out, if available. We love the Perry’s Rooftop pool urban oasis feel, with 360-degree views of the Historic District, an amazing spot to refresh and unwind at the end of the day. Also try one of the group Yoga classes on the rooftop or check out Ōtium Studio, a boutique yoga, fitness and wellness studio located just steps from the hotel.
Montage Palmetto Bluff
Head North about 40 miles, cross into South Carolina, and follow the May River to Montage Palmetto Bluff. Set on 20,000 acres, encompassing a nature preserve, two picturesque villages featuring nine Southern-inspired dining options, shopping and kids club activities. For the outdoor aficionados, this is a sporting paradise with Jack Nicklaus Signature May River Golf Course, tennis, boating, water skiing, tubing, biking, kayaking, fishing, sporting clays, equestrian activities and more. We love to start the day off looking for shells on the beach or crabbing with the local guide. Afternoons can be spent exploring 15 miles of trails on cruiser bikes or sipping julips playing croquet or bocce. Evenings are meant for sunset cruises on Grace, the resort’s 60-foot antique motor yacht or hanging by the campfire making s’mores. The 200 key resort offers a combination of rooms, suites, cottages and private residences- all beautifully appointed to reflect the low country heritage with the utmost attention to detail and style. With WIT’s partnership at Montage Palmetto Bluff, we are delighted to add in a few special perks like, $60 daily breakfast credit per bedroom, served in restaurant or in-room dining, $100 spa credit, upgrades and early check-in/late checkout, if available. The Bluff is family friendly with lots of kids activities to entertain and engage (they won’t even remember they have phones!) Explore one of the three hand-crafted treehouses designed and built by the father-son duo of Wayne and Heath Edwards. The structures wrap around live oaks without touching any part of the tree….and it’s not just the kids that love them! The little ones might want to hang out at Paint Box with a great mix of activities for ages 5 to 12 to include games, crafts, movies and engaging activities.
Outside play includes active choices like bike riding, nature hikes, lawn games, sports and scavenger hunts. For the adults, Palmetto Bluff has an abundance of ways to relax and reconnect. Whether it’s “porching” at the Inn (yes, that’s a thing), relaxing at one of the poolside cabanas for some afternoon “us time” with lively libations, or booking a couples treatment at the Spa Montage, The Bluff will work its magic. Use your spa credit at the Spa Montage and Salon. The Masterpiece, is the ultimate in anti-aging and cellular rejuvenation. Designed exclusively for Spa Montage, this amazing treatment incorporates six different masks including a collagen treatment. You will leave glowing like a true piece of artwork! Spa Montage includes 13 treatment rooms, a plunge pool, whirlpool, steam sauna, fitness room, salon and boutique. We love that there are eight inspired dining options that feature the best local and seasonal ingredients. For a more upscale experience, we recommend Octagon for a contemporary take on traditional southern flavors. If you are looking for a grab and go panini, a few local beers, or a breakfast sandwich and a cup of coffee, The Canteen will be your go to. After a day exploring the resort, browsing the on-property shops or swimming in the outdoor pool, stop in at Fore & Aft overlooking the lagoon and enjoy some tasty Tex-Mex.
Sea Island Resort
Now we head back to Georgia, to visit one of our family’s favorite annual vacation spots! For the past 6 years, once the kids are out of school, we have celebrated with a trip here. Sea Island has been a vacation destination since 1928, with four Forbes Five-Star experiences: The Cloister at Sea Island, The Lodge at Sea Island, The Spa at Sea Island, and the Georgian Room restaurant. It is the only resort in the world to have received these prestigious awards for 12 consecutive years. We love the five miles of private beach, tennis center, TRX training, paddle boarding, multiple wellness options, Camp Cloister for the kids, kayaking, shopping, dining and three championship golf courses, including Seaside and Plantation, home of the PGA Tour’s RSM Classic. Guests may also enjoy nearby Broadfield, a Sea Island Sporting Club and Lodge, offering a variety of seasonal hunting, fishing, sporting and organic culinary opportunities. Located on the southeastern coast of Georgia, there is literally something for everyone and it’s so easy to get here whether by car from Savannah (about 90 miles) or flying private into Glynco Jetport (BQK), about 8 miles away.
Perfect for a special getaway or golf vacation, The Lodge at Sea Island has been a Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond resort since its opening in 2001. The antebellum feel and stunning ocean views from the 57 guest rooms, suites, and Lodge Golf Cottages, will spoil the most discriminating traveler, while some of the special amenities include personal butler service, with complimentary rose petal baths, along with milk and cookies before bedtime. The Cloister, is ideal for groups and families, as it offers an abundance of activities amid Five-Star accommodations. With over 200 room or suite types, the Cloister is elegant and fun, luxurious and friendly. Choose a room or a suite in the Cloister Main Building near the Sea Island Yacht Club, Spa, Fitness and Tennis Center. The Cloister Beach Club is a stone’s throw from the private beach, swimming pools, water sports and activities. For more privacy and space, The Cloister Ocean Residences are stunning and fully equipped. Guests of The Lodge and The Cloister have equal access to all the Sea Island facilities with full signing privileges. WIT also has special access to both lodging options, and offers our guests breakfast daily in restaurant for two guests per bedroom, $100 resort credit that can be used at any of the Sea Island venues, a special bubbly welcome amenity, as well as, early check-in/late check-out and a room type upgrade, if available. For a limited time, Virtuoso guests, are being offered an additional daily $100 resort credit to use while on property, valid at The Cloister, The Lodge, or the Cottage Rentals properties.
The Spa at Sea Island is a destination onto itself. Make sure you schedule some time in this incredible Forbes Five-Star sanctuary with over 65,000 square feet of space with innovative and traditional spa techniques, fitness programs, state of the art equipment and extensive specialized and signature therapies. The Spa menu is one of the most unique we have seen, with items like Southern Comfort Massage (tailored swedish massage), Bio Energy Lift Facial (regenerating & oxygenating facial), Mamma Mia Facial (for pregnant or nursing mothers), plus options for kids and teens, couples and athletes. The fitness area has a plethora of group and private classes in cardio, mind/body and strength training. We can’t get enough of the nutrition menu, which offers classes like Digestive Wellness and Holistic Happy Hour.
With over 13 different outlets for dining options, Sea Island experiences range from a romantic evening of elegant, full-course dining, to a casual outdoor lunch overlooking the ocean. Almost all the food and beverage outlets offer healthy options like beautiful fresh salads, artfully prepared vegetables and of course, freshly caught seafood. When it’s just the grown-ups, we recommend a table at the Forbes Five-Star kitchen, The Georgian. This utterly gorgeous dining room is set to reflect the Chef’s vision of reinventing classic dishes using French techniques. Either a la carte or multi-course prix fixe, menus are designed daily with what is market fresh each day. For a more casual, kid-centric meal, our family loves pizza at Tavola’s or gourmet burgers and fries from Wonderland (save room for the amazing ice cream!). With a group, we always try to celebrate together with a real southern low country seafood boil, featuring gulf shrimp, lobster and local corn, all cooked and served together. It is the most fun way to dive into the area’s heritage cuisine while gathered around the family table. We hope you enjoyed your jaunt down South….y’all come back!
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