Latest news with #MontagePalmettoBluff
Forbes
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
I Might Never Age Backwards, But I Still Love Fatma Shaheen's Facials
A view of the entrance to Montage Palmetto Bluff, a resort located in South Carolina's lowcountry. When I arrived at Montage Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina for a facial with Fatma Shaheen, the founder of Skin Design London, I expected to have a luxury experience. The hotel, where Justin and Hailey Bieber were married, is renowned for its luxury and exclusivity. It's so exclusive, in fact, that security almost didn't let me through the front gate because they couldn't find a pass with my name on it. What I didn't expect was the deeply empowering conversation I had with Shaheen about being a woman. In the hour we had together, during which I was mostly on my back with my eyes closed, we talked about everything from divorce to motherhood to wanting to achieve financial independence as middle aged women. Some of Skin Design London's products. Occasionally, Shaheen would puncture our conversation with information about the products she was using on my face, all of which she designed personally. The Face Bath, for example, which smells like vintage rose, evokes Victorian manors and stained glass, and sits on your skin like hot wax from a candle you drip on your hand at a dinner party. And the Cherry Gloss Peel, which treats hyperpigmentation and smells exactly like Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream tastes. I've had many facials in my 42 years, and I've sampled many products that purport to treat my fine wrinkles and aging skin. My genetics are almost 100% Irish. I'm white as a ghost and deeply freckled since toddlerhood. As a result, there's almost nothing I can do to prevent myself from aging more rapidly than my peers. I knew from smell alone, however, that I'd use my Skin Design London samples until I was scraping them out of the packaging with my pinky finger, even while so many other products sit in my medicine cabinet unused. Shaheen is known as a facialist to the stars, and counts Naomi Campbell, Suki Waterhouse, Naomi Watts and Irina Shayek, among many other beautiful people, as clients. She was at Montage Palmetto Bluff to train the staff in the Montage Spa on two of her signature treatments, which include the FaceTight Facial I was receiving. After Palmetto Bluff, which is located in the low country of South Carolina, she was off to Deer Valley, and then Los Cabos, to train staff at other Montage Hotels & Resorts locations. From her biography — CEO, founder, celebrity beautician — you might assume that Shaheen is used to jet setting. But during our time together, Shaheen expressed guilt for leaving her family — a husband, three children, aging parents — in London. It's hard to be a woman and have faith that the time you're spending on yourself is worth the time taken away from those who depend on you, even when you're on the path to become a beauty tycoon. I left the facial feeling transformed. In the mirror in the changing room, my face looked flushed and youthful. It could have been the HydraFacial machine, which Shaheen used like a tiny vacuum cleaner on my skin, pulling up impurities the way I suck crumbs from the couch my children use with the crevice attachment on my Dyson. Or it could have just been that Shaheen told me that I should travel around the world giving lectures on feminism after I mumbled a few anodyne observations about how hard it is to be a working mother. After an hour in her presence, I looked in the mirror, and for the first time in a long time, felt confident in myself. It wasn't until I got back to my bathroom in Savannah that I realized that I still had remnants from the Cherry Gloss Peel, which uses real pieces of cherries, all over my face. After the facial, I had lunch by myself at the Octagon, a restaurant overlooking the pool, and then chatted up the valet, all while sporting pieces of dried cherries like gigantic spots of hyperpigmentation. No one told me. Maybe it was that the FaceTight Facial took me back to my early twenties, when I couldn't walk out of my apartment in New York without getting asked out on a date. Or maybe it was that those poor waiters and valet guys could see that I had to fight for a pass in the first place, and felt kind of bad for me. Unfortunately, you probably have to be a celebrity, or a very important person, to book an hour with Shaheen. But her signature treatments, and her products, are now available at six Montage Hotels & Resorts locations. By experiencing them, you can feel the care she has for women. Every night, while my kids go wild in my bedroom, I take a minute to myself, and wash my face with the FaceBath. I inhale the scent of roses; I feel the luxe thickness of the product on my cheeks. Sometimes, it's the only minute I have in my day when I consciously slow down. I know Shaheen would be delighted to hear that she designed the product that I use to care for myself every evening.
Forbes
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Best Resorts On Hilton Head Island 2025
The best resorts on Hilton Head Island make it easy to enjoy the destination's peaceful coastline and pristine golf courses. The area offers a variety of activities for both first-time travelers and repeat vacationers. 'It's a prime location for golf, tennis, pickleball, biking and walking, year-round,' says Caroline Bernthal, a travel advisor at Fora. Our top overall recommendation is Montage Palmetto Bluff, which offers high-end amenities, an adults-only pool and elegant bathrooms with deep soaking tubs. Families will appreciate the kids' activity center at Ocean Oak Resort, A Hilton Grand Vacations Club, while those seeking a private home with a pool should consider 11 Grey Widgeon. Ahead, the best resorts on Hilton Head Island in 2025. Cottage suite interior at Montage Palmetto Bluff. Guests seeking a five-star stay will be enchanted by this luxurious resort situated along the May River on a 20,000–acre community in South Carolina's Lowcountry. With 20 miles of biking and walking trails, guests can enjoy the well-manicured, tree-lined grounds; the 200 guest rooms, suites, and cottages feature hardwood floors, high ceilings, walk-in closets and sumptuous marble bathrooms. Beyond strolling the lush property, guests can play a round of golf at the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, take a private guided Duffy Boat EcoTour through the Lowcountry, embark on a family fishing expedition or book a private 1-hour tasting and tour with the head sommelier. There are seemingly unlimited activities available on-site, and the four distinctive restaurants offer a variety of dining options as well. The Sea Pines Resort's beach club places guests of the Inn and Club at Harbour Town within steps of the sand. This boutique resort, recommended by Bernthal, features elegant yet comfortable furnishings and a vast array of activities and dining options, making it a great choice for any type of traveler. 'It's a charming property located within Sea Pines, which has over 500 acres of land with forest, beaches, golf, biking and so much more,' says Bernthal. There are 60 well-appointed rooms decorated in a soft color palette and a clean, airy aesthetic. Frette Italian linens adorn the beds, and large windows provide a view of the golf course or expansive resort. While the main attraction at this property is undoubtedly the three championship golf courses, there are also bicycle rentals, horseback riding, beach yoga, sailing lessons, numerous walking trails and a 120-foot pool—including a kiddie pool for the little ones. Exterior of Ocean Oak By Hilton Grand Vacations This family-friendly beachfront property is an ideal destination for families traveling with children. The spacious two-bedroom, two-bathroom suites can fit up to six guests and offer modern bathrooms with walk-in showers and double vanities. The separate living and dining areas also allow families to spread out and prepare meals and snacks in their rooms. There's plenty of activities to keep travelers of all ages occupied, including two pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a kids' activity center and outdoor dining. At the end of the day, kick back and relax with a glass of wine by the outdoor fireplace, taking in the calming sounds of the nearby beach. Exterior of Old Town Bluffton Inn Traveling on your honeymoon or celebrating an anniversary? The Old Town Bluffton Inn has an intimate atmosphere that will appeal to couples seeking to escape and immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of Bluffton's historic Old Town district. The 14 rooms and furnishings throughout the inn instantly make you feel at ease, from the plush beds to the gilded mirrors to the hand-sewn draperies and matching bed skirts. After exploring the nearby restaurants and shops, don't miss out on the plethora of outdoor excursions, which range from paddleboarding to a luxury yacht charter. Enjoy complimentary parking, freshly baked goods, a full pantry of snacks, an exclusive guest bar and a traditional Southern breakfast during your stay. The views from the Omni's adult pool are most beautiful at dusk. With multi-bed studio suites, larger one-bedroom suites and guaranteed connecting rooms, the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort is a great option for groups traveling together. Guests can enjoy three pools, including a shallow pool ideal for children, as well as access to 11 miles of lagoon trails that can be explored on foot or by bike. There are also tennis and pickleball courts, private beach access (where guests can rent beach chairs and umbrellas), a fitness center and a wellness area offering massages and body treatments. A major advantage of staying here is the access to the property's three championship golf courses; novice players can also join in the fun by taking advantage of lessons by professional instructors. This Lowcountry oasis is located less than 50 steps to the beach. If you're traveling with a large group and want a more private refuge, consider 11 Grey Widgeon, an Airbnb nestled in the gated Sea Pines Resort community. The property features five bedrooms and five and a half bathrooms, providing ample space for large family dinners, game nights and other gatherings. There are also two living rooms, with the upstairs one featuring beautiful cathedral ceilings. The kitchen is outfitted with modern appliances that will appeal to even the most discerning home chef, and there's plenty of seating when it's time to enjoy a home-cooked meal. The expansive deck is a wonderful spot for sipping coffee or a glass of wine at the end of the day while the kiddos splash around in the pool. Take note that pets are not permitted at this Airbnb. The Forbes Vetted travel team has researched, written and published dozens of hotel guides featuring cities across the globe. We selected the top contenders based on personal experience and extensive research. I am a commerce editor for Forbes Vetted covering topics in beauty, fashion, travel and home. Prior to joining Forbes, I held positions at BuzzFeed and Dotdash Meredith, where I was responsible for curating lifestyle content and testing products for real-world insights. My work has appeared in Women's Health, Men's Health, BuzzFeed, Brit + Co, Everyday Health and more. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in English/Creative Writing from Marist College and currently reside in Brooklyn, New York.
