HOTEL SPOTLIGHT: MONTAGE PALMETTO BLUFF
In our first edition of Hotel Spotlight, we wanted to include a domestic destination where social distancing is quite easy. Down in South Carolina, the Montage Palmetto Bluff is near Savannah, Georgia and offers luxurious accommodations and an endless list of activities throughout the property. Kerri Lisa, one of our Directors of Travel, had the privilege of interviewing Heather Williams, Director of Leisure Sales at Montage Palmetto Bluff. Please find the interview below!
A Little About Heather
Born into the hotel industry with her father as an executive for multiple Ritz Carltons in California, Heather always had an eye for the hospitality industry. She moved to South Carolina as a pre-teen and her first job was a pool-girl at the Westin Hilton Head Island at 15 years old. After graduating with a hospitality minor and business communication major at the College of Charleston, she moved to Miami and started her career in the luxury Hotel Sales segment. After 10 years of representing multiple luxury hotels such as The Setai South Beach, Grace Bay Resorts in Turks and Caicos, and SBE/SLS Hotels, she returned to her hometown of Hilton Head Island to open the hidden secret of the South, Montage Palmetto Bluff, which she has now been with for 5 years. She is a people person and enjoys making people happy. She is proud to say she has worked with her father in three different luxury hotels including Montage Palmetto Bluff where he currently drives the golf carts for her VIP guests.
A Quick Q&A
Kerri - How have you and the Montage Palmetto Bluff team ensured that social distancing will be possible upon your re-opening on June 4th?
Heather - Montage Palmetto Bluff was social distancing before it was a thing. Due to the sheer size of the property, there is plenty of space for all guests to enjoy their time while being safe. There are four different accommodation styles, with the residences being the most popular during this time because of the isolation of each individual home.
Kerri - As cleanliness and sanitation is on the forefront of everyone’s mind these days, how is the hotel ensuring the safety and cleanliness of the hotel areas as well as the guests?
Heather - Usually, all of the cleaning goes on behind-the-scenes at all hotels, especially on the luxury level. It’s not so much changing the daily routine, just ensuring the cleaning and sanitation is more visible to guests to ease their minds during these uncertain times.
Kerri - What is the “new normal” for the hotel?
Heather - Along with the social distancing and obvious cleaning, all guests will have their temperatures taken and all staff will be wearing masks and gloves at all times.
Kerri - What are some summer activities that you would like to highlight?
Heather - All of our activities are almost made to be private experiences. We have now gotten rid of any shared experiences. Boating, kayaking, paddle boarding, horseback riding, and even the shooting club are offered as a private experience (you or your family with the instructor / guide). The activities really are endless and you will never run out of things to do on-property.
Kerri - Are you running any special promotions during this time?
Heather - From now until June 4th, the residences are being offered under a Fourth Night Free Promotion, offered when booked through Four Hundred. We also have a “Spirit of Now” promotion specifically made for these uncertain times. In this promotion, room bookings receive a daily hotel credit of $100, suites receive a daily hotel credit of $200, and homes or residences receive a daily hotel credit of $300. The cancellation is 48 hours prior to arrival with no deposit taken at time of booking. This is especially great for the residences as they usually have a 30 day cancellation policy.
Kerri - Last question, what do you love most about Montage Palmetto Bluff?
Heather - The quiet solitude you can’t find anywhere else in this busy world. The connection to nature that can only be found by going back in time. And the ability to be as active as you want with biking, kayaking, golfing, shooting, horseback riding etc – or you can simply go “porchin’ with a glass of sweet tea and your book and practice the talent of doing nothing at all. Such paradise <3
