As a romance creator, it has by no means occurred to me to set a love story in New Jersey.
To be honest, as a local New Yorker, my snobbery concerning the Backyard State is a birthright. Bruce Springsteen’s Thunder Street however, the commercial panorama of locations like Newark—these belching sulfurous smokestacks—doesn’t precisely evoke emotions of lust or enduring affection.
However I used to be flawed.
As an grownup, the extra I’ve explored the state, the extra I have to concede that New Jersey has actually lovely corners and is, dare I say, underrated? There are candy stretches of shore, quaint cities, freshwater lake districts the place folks journey between trip houses by boat, lavish mansions—some house to film stars and moguls.
And now there’s Pendry Natirar, which—to play on the immortal phrases of Jersey native Jon Bon Jovi—is giving love a good title.
This romantic resort, which opened its doorways in October 2024, is each model new and historic. Set on 90 acres surrounded by lush parkland, the property was initially constructed by philanthropist Kate Macy Ladd in 1912. In 1983, the King of Morocco took possession for twenty years. Then, in 2009, the onetime carriage home was transformed into Ninety-Acres, an elevated locavore eatery that sources its components from the adjoining ten-acre farm.
The brand new lodge blends authentic parts of this hilltop mansion—with its intricate millwork and limestone—with new additions in the identical romantic spirit of the place. On the prime of a protracted drive lined with deco lamps, company move by way of an ivy-covered brick entryway right into a foyer that each evokes a bygone period and right now with excessive ceilings, ornate rugs and huge palm vegetation. “Every Pendry property deeply embodies its surrounding vacation spot,” says Maurtel Day, director of spa and recreation right here. “At Pendry Natirar, you are feeling this much more due to the historical past of the property, centered round a restored Tudor-style mansion and located on a sprawling…property.”
Although pretty for mates and singles too, the vacation spot feels designed for amorous {couples}. Duos cozy up round fireplaces in the primary frequent areas earlier than tall home windows overlooking bucolic grounds the place a trio of climbing trails await.
The 66 visitor rooms—21 of that are spacious suites—can boast giant terraces and large bogs with twin sinks, MiN merchandise and egg-shaped tubs (the modern reply to a clawfoot). The bedding is plush, so lovers could get up within the embrace of crisp white pillows and bliss. The grand ballroom is a dreamy marriage ceremony venue, with uncovered brick and a dwelling plant wall.
However it’s the spa the place romance most clearly abounds. A grand staircase leads right down to the relief space, a real escape from the stressors of the world. Friends loll on loungers within the Himalayan salt room or by the co-ed plunge pool—with champagne upon request. Rather than commonplace almonds and apples, snack choices embrace indulgent, however wholesome darkish chocolate, addictive dried strawberries and tea served with honey from onsite beehives.
That’s not the one ingredient sourced onsite. Steam rooms are hung with recent rosemary plucked from the resort’s gardens. And the spa’s signature Harvest Ritual incorporates farm bounty with Purple Flower clay. “Our self-guided thermal mud rooms…typically rework right into a romantic {couples}’ expertise,” explains Day. “They function fragrant essences from vegetation and herbs grown on our personal Natirar farm.”
Pendry Natirar is clearly a spot to retreat for the sort of all-encompassing wellness derived from taking a well-earned break with some you like.
So, whereas in my final e book, I despatched my primary characters all the way in which to the Caribbean to fall for one another, possibly subsequent time, they don’t have to journey to this point. As a substitute, it’s straight to Jersey for a love affair. In spite of everything, child, we had been born to run.
