Montage Hotels & Resorts to Manage The Inn at Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, South Carolina
PALMETTO BLUFF, SC - December 24, 2013 - Montage Hotels & Resorts announced today its first East Coast resort, as it takes over management of The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, to be renamed The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, a Montage Resort, on February 1, 2014. Crescent Communities ("Crescent") - a diversified real estate investment, development and operating company - is investing more than $100 million to expand the resort located in Bluffton, South Carolina. This announcement is the second new hotel announcement for Montage, a hotel, resort and residential management company, having previously announced in August 2013 the addition of Montage Kapalua Bay in Maui (to open in early 2014).
Recently named the #1 Resort in the United States by Conde Nast Traveler magazine, The Inn at Palmetto Bluff will join Montage's current award-winning hotel and residential collection: Montage Laguna Beach, celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2013, Montage Beverly Hills and Montage Deer Valley, and the recently announced Montage Kapalua Bay.
The planned expansion will add 150 luxury rooms to the Inn's 50 individual cottages - in a collection of buildings - as well as a premium Spa Montage and fitness center, meeting facilities and expanded dining facilities for guests and Palmetto Bluff property owners. In addition, Montage-branded residences will be on offer. While significantly enlarging the array of amenities, facilities and services of the property, the planned expansion will respect and articulate the well-renowned and beloved architectural style of the existing Inn.
Crescent has assembled a world-class team to lead the expansion project. The Athens Group - a hospitality industry leader known for its highly sustainable luxury resort developments - will serve as development partner, managing the expansion and leading a design team including world-renowned Hart Howerton, HKS Hill Glazier Studio and Wilson Associates.
"The Inn at Palmetto Bluff has a rich history of being the premier Lowcountry destination, with its unique beauty and highly acclaimed hospitality heritage of the South," said Alan Fuerstman, Montage Hotels & Resorts Founder and CEO. "We are delighted to add Palmetto Bluff to our portfolio and to be a part of making truly memorable experiences for our guests at this enchanting destination."
Surrounded by rivers and abundant wildlife, Palmetto Bluff embodies the essence of Southern living, with screened porches and rustic fireplaces. Guests can experience all that the stunning area has to offer, including kayaking, fishing, horseback riding and relaxing river cruises, as well as the 18-hole May River Golf Course, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course.
"Crescent is thrilled to announce this significant investment to reinforce Palmetto Bluff as the quintessential southern experience," said Todd Mansfield, Chief Executive Officer of Crescent Communities. "This expansion, along with Montage's strong record of delivering extraordinary guest service, will enable Palmetto Bluff to continue providing award-winning hospitality while maintaining the original vision of this special place."
About Montage Hotels & Resorts
Montage Hotels & Resorts is a hotel and resort management company founded by Alan J. Fuerstman. Designed to serve the luxury traveler and homeowner, the company features an artistic collection of distinctive hotels, resorts and residences in stunning settings that offer comfortable elegance, a unique sense of place and spirit, impeccable hospitality and memorable culinary, spa and lifestyle experiences. Montage Laguna Beach, the company's flagship oceanfront resort, opened in the vibrant arts community of Laguna Beach, California, in 2003. Montage Beverly Hills, the company's second hotel, opened in Beverly Hills in 2008 and was the first Gold LEED certified hotel and residences in Southern California. Montage Deer Valley, located in Park City, Utah, is the company's third property which opened in December 2010 and was awarded Top Family Program in the World by the Virtuoso travel network. In August 2013, Montage announced Montage Kapalua Bay, set to open in 2014. The expansive resort, set atop the picturesque Kapalua Bay in Maui, Hawaii will undergo a multi-million dollar improvement program, with plans including 56 Montage branded residences offered for sale and the introduction of a 50 room all-suite Montage hotel. For more information, please visit www.montagehotels.com.About Palmetto Bluff
About Palmetto Bluff
Situated in the Lowcountry of South Carolina between Charleston and Savannah, Georgia, Palmetto Bluff is the largest remaining waterfront property on the East Coast and part of the Crescent Communities residential real estate portfolio. Currently evolving as a residential community and conservation preserve, the 20,000-acre development encompasses an extensive nature preserve; walking trails; a vibrant Village center complete with river access, boat storage and canoe club; restaurants; the AAA Five Diamond Inn at Palmetto Bluff; and a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. An array of southern-style residential neighborhoods ranging from multi-million dollar legacy family compounds to more traditionally sized, single-family lots are currently available. For more about Palmetto Bluff, please visit www.palmettobluff.com.
About Crescent Communities
Founded in 1969 in Charlotte, Crescent Communities is a diversified real estate investment, development and operating company dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for people through sustainable multifamily, residential and commercial communities and responsible land management. Crescent's portfolio today includes 27 master-planned communities, including its signature Palmetto Bluff, as well as 19 multifamily projects with 5,420 units under construction or in pre-development. The company owns and manages approximately 45,000 acres, including 800 acres zoned for commercial use. For more information, please visit: www.crescentcommunities.com.
About The Athens Group
The Athens Group, headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona is a full-service real estate development company specializing in the development of upscale resort communities, luxury resort hotels, golf courses and redevelopment projects. A hallmark of The Athens Group is its dedication to environmental and cultural sensitivity with each development project it pursues. The Athens Group has developed three properties with Montage Hotels & Resorts. The first, Montage Laguna Beach, opened in 2003 and received the prestigious Urban Land Institute (ULI) Award for Excellence: The Americas. Montage Beverly Hills opened in 2008 and Montage Deer Valley opened in 2010. Other acclaimed The Athens Group projects include Four Season Hualalai Resort, Big Island, Hawaii; Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, Colorado; Ritz-Carlton Resort in Half Moon Bay, California; and Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, Tucson, Arizona. For more information, visit www.athensdevco.com.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
