They say everything changes when you have a baby—and they’re not wrong. Your body, your career, your capacity to love (and to multi-task), your friendships—and if you’re in a partnership, your relationship, too. After welcoming our daughter in 2022, my husband and I have continued to prioritize our marriage with regular date nights and the occasional weekend trip for a wedding or a romantic escape. We’re lucky to have family nearby to help us with our amazing (and energetic) toddler, giving us the time and space we need to disconnect from the monotony and exhaustion of daily life and reconnect to one another.
When we discovered we were expecting a second child (another girl!) we wanted our third wedding anniversary to be extra special. After all—if everything changes with one kid, we know once the second arrives, it’ll be pure chaos for a while until we settle into a routine.
Since we currently call Asheville, North Carolina home, we were thrilled when I was invited to visit Montage Palmetto Bluff for a romantic getaway. Only four-and-a-half hours from door-to-door, it was an easy long weekend trip to celebrate three years together. And since I was 15 weeks at the time, I was also able to explore their babymoon offerings.
Here’s our experience—from the cutest cottage and fun bike trails to alligators and more.
A Romantic Cottage for Our Stay
For our anniversary, we were booked in one of the resort’s private cottages. We pulled up in a golf cart after an easy-breezy check-in—complete with a beer for my husband and an Arnold Palmer for me. When we opened the door, the space felt intimate yet luxurious, with a cozy fireplace, a deep soaking tub and a steam shower. While I’m not the biggest fan of baths, my husband thoroughly enjoyed his afternoon soaks while reading a book—sans interruption from a toddler.
As a Southern myself, my favorite part of our cottage was sitting on the porch, surrounded by the tranquility of the Lowcountry. I watched dolphins swim by, birds circle the sky and squirrels on a quest for a snack.
Our cottage also had a swing, creating a peaceful ambiance that oozed the distinct South Carolina hospitality. In the mornings, we would sit out there with a cup of coffee, just soaking in the peace and quiet—an experience that was extra special given how loud our house always is, and how busy the months ahead undoubtedly will be. A sweet touch was a pregnancy pillow placed in my room to ensure I could get cozy at bedtime.
The bed itself was incredibly comfortable, along with the window seat big enough for two. Our only drawback from the room itself was the lack of blackout curtains. We were looking forward to sleeping past 7 a.m.
Anniversary Pampering with a Babymoon Twist
As part of our anniversary celebration, we opted for massages at the resort’s Spa Montage. Thankfully, I was past the first trimester of pregnancy and given the greenlight by my OB/GYN to have a prenatal treatment. The massage was tailored perfectly for my pregnant body, easing the aches and pains that have become my constant companions. The therapist was helpful, using techniques that were both soothing and safe for pregnancy. While I couldn’t enjoy heated amenities, my husband was a fan—and we both relaxed post-massage by the pool.
There are two pools at Montage—one for kids and one that is adults-only. Since we were kid-free for a few days (minus the bean in my belly), we stayed in the adults-only pool. It was smaller, had shade and wasn’t quite as loud as the other. That said, they are right next to one another, so you could still hear the party happening and wasn’t quite as relaxing as we would have hoped. There are technically pool attendants to set up chairs and towels and waiters for their poolside catina, Fore & Aft. We sat by the pool for hours each day, and the service was hit-or-miss. Sometimes we would receive our food and drinks quickly, other times, it took a while. Eventually, we opted to walk over to Fore & Aft by the kid-friendly pool to put in our orders ourselves. Even though we would have expected more hands-on service for a luxury property like Montage, the food itself and the margarita (and margarita mocktail!) were excellent.
Dining Highlights: Cravings and Celebrations
Throughout the trip, I loved the variety of fresh, delicious meals. Whether it was a casual lunch by the water or a romantic dinner, every bite was flavorful and pregnancy-friendly. The attention to detail and care the staff took with my dietary needs made dining such a pleasant part of the trip.
Montage has two signature restaurants Octagon and River House. Octagon is the main hub for daily breakfast, lunch and dinner. We had dinner our first night on the property, and while the food and service were impressive, a hiccup in the kitchen turned our dinner into an extended three-hour experience, with lots of waiting between appetizers, mains and dessert. Of course, in the South, a little patience is needed and our waiter apologized, you would expect speedier service from a luxury property of this caliber. We sadly had a similar experience for breakfast the next morning.
In a stark contrast to Octagon, River House was impeccable. Anniversary dinners are meant to be special, and our meal at River House did not disappoint. Each course was unique, flavorful and robust, and small touches, like a peach basket for peach rolls, were appreciated. The chef prepared a beautiful meal highlighting local ingredients, and the menu had plenty of options for my pregnancy cravings. For dessert, they even surprised us with a beautifully plated treat to mark our anniversary—it was such a thoughtful touch.
After dinner, we couldn’t skip a visit to Hush, the property’s speakeasy located underneath River House. We were on the earlier side but the bar was still full of patrons, including another couple celebrating their anniversary. I was impressed to find a selection of mocktails and the skilled bartender even offered to create something entirely different for me if nothing tickled my tastebuds. As a big rum fan, my husband chatted with the bartender who graciously let him try a few different varieties. With live music, it was definitely a romantic hotspot, even if my pregnancy symptoms prevented us from staying out too late.
We also enjoyed stopping by Buzz for a morning coffee where I was a personal fan of their iced honey lattes!
Anniversary Adventures and Quiet Moments
One of the best parts of our trip was the balance between adventure and relaxation. We spent the early mornings biking along the resort’s shaded trails, with the Spanish moss hanging overhead, giving us a chance to connect and enjoy each other’s company without distractions. In the evening, we sat outside with a Phony Negroni for me and a beer for my husband to watch dolphins and the sun begin to set over the May River.
As a nod to the babymoon side of things, we kept things low-key with gentle activities, taking our time to explore, even seeing a handful of crocodiles along the way. These moments gave us time to reflect on our three years together and talk about what the next chapter would look like with as our family grows with another baby.
The resort staff knew we were there to celebrate our anniversary, but they were also wonderful about weaving in some babymoon magic. They helped us create the perfect itinerary, from spa treatments designed for expecting moms to romantic dinners for two. The thoughtful touches, like prenatal pillows in the room and pregnancy-safe snacks, made me feel completely at ease, while the anniversary surprises—like champagne for my husband and a mocktail for me—made the trip feel extra special.
Celebrating our third wedding anniversary at Montage Palmetto Bluff was the sweet, Southern way to honor our love while also indulging in a bit of babymoon pampering. The balance of romance, relaxation, and those thoughtful pregnancy-friendly touches made it an unforgettable trip. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone anniversary, planning a babymoon, or both, this resort offers everything you need for a luxurious and peaceful escape. It was the perfect way for us to mark both the past three years and the exciting journey ahead.
