WHILE IT’S CERTAINLY not the most popular time of year to venture to the Jersey Shore, autumn is, in my opinion, one of the best times to visit the area. Sun-seekers won’t enjoy the beach as much from late September through November, but there’s something about the way the air feels in fall at the beach — it’s cleaner, clearer, crisper somehow, and the ocean breeze offers just the right chill. A mid-October weekend proved the perfect time for my fiancé and me to escape some of the busyness at home with a relaxing weekend in Stone Harbor, New Jersey.
And relax I did, as part of my weekend itinerary included a visit to The Salt Spa at The Reeds, the recently opened spa at the well-known luxury Reeds at Shelter Haven hotel, which enjoys an enviable location right in the heart of Stone Harbor’s shops and restaurants and within walking distance of the beach.

The Salt Spa reception
PHOTO: © THE REEDS AT SHELTER HAVEN
Opened this spring, The Salt Spa at The Reeds debuted alongside 21 new guestrooms in a separate building across the street from the bay-front The Reeds main building. Our guestroom was located in the new building, and immediately upon entering both the spa and the guestroom, we could sense the freshness of the space. There’s not a scuff mark in sight, no tiny hints of disrepair or age. At the same time, it’s not sterile or uninviting. I found the spaces welcoming and exclusive, secluded some from the hubbub of the main, larger building, away from the buzz of the on-site restaurant and bar, but the pair of buildings complement each other in look and feel, both from the exterior and interior. For those of you familiar with Stone Harbor, the new tower stands where Henny’s Restaurant formerly sat.
The full-service spa is certainly a draw; I was stopped on the sidewalk just outside the entrance to take a picture of a couple who selected the spa to celebrate their milestone anniversary. It features a full menu of treatments alongside a Turkish bath, a brine room, a fitness center, a blow-out bar and a nail salon.
After a scrumptious breakfast at the quaint Fishin’ Pier Grille, located across the street from the property, I made my way to The Salt Spa solo to indulge in an 80-minute hot salt stone massage. Given the spa’s moniker and its highly touted brine lounge, it seemed only fitting to select a treatment that incorporated the signature salt. However, deciding on a treatment is difficult, given the spa’s tempting menu of decadent offerings. While I didn’t see the Turkish bath, the photos are truly stunning, and I’m sure the treatments match. Other massages, facials and flotation therapies are also available.
I awaited my therapist in the Brine Light Inhalation Lounge, complimentary with multiple treatments or available for 45 minutes for $50. I relaxed on a cushioned lounger while taking in the benefits of the Himalayan salt cascading over a waterfall. The light therapy and tranquil music also at play in the lounge add to the serenity. It was my second time in as many weeks in a salt cave, and now, looking back and fighting off congested sinuses as colder temperatures creep in, I realize the true benefits of Himalayan salt therapy. For the first time, it felt like my therapist came to call me back for my massage all too quickly.

Spa treatment room
PHOTO: © THE REEDS AT SHELTER HAVEN
However, the serenity continued in my treatment room as the masseuse gently kneaded the perfectly warmed hot salt stones into my muscles. Just as she rhythmically worked the stones across my back, I was lulled into a blissful state of semi- consciousness. As she replaced cooling stones with warmer ones, the temperature shock was, in its own way, therapeutic.
I emerged 80 minutes later ready for a perfect autumn afternoon exploring Stone Harbor and nearby Cape May. Other amenities at The Reeds at Shelter Haven include event spaces, five dining outlets and a boutique.
Our fall adventures that weekend took us all over, from a long walk on the Stone Harbor beach and Cape May County Zoo to Quahog’s Seafood Shack and a screening of Joker at a local theater. We sipped wine and watched the sun dip below the horizon from our guestroom deck and stopped at a nearby New Jersey farm stand boasting a bounty of beautiful, colorful autumnal produce that rivaled the colors of the sunset. The Reeds at Shelter Haven proved the perfect base for all of this exploration, relaxation and more. I can’t wait to return, as even in the busier summer months full of the frenzy of beach-going families, The Salt Spa is sure to be an oasis of calm.
Read This Next
Yil Surehan
December 2019
Dec 18, 2019
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Apr 30, 2025Get a Sneak Peek at New TEMPO Hotel in Brazil’s Santa Catarina
London-based architectural firm Foster + Partners revealed the design for TEMPO Hotel and Residences, scheduled to open in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. The hotel project is designed to capture the best views of Praia Brava, a spectacular beach with mountain views frequented by surfers. The project is being developed by MUZE real estate development group, committed to creating timeless and artistic spaces that transform everyday life.
Sponsored Content
Royal Air Maroc Introduces Groundbreaking Safety Video: A Captivating Invitation to Discover Moroccan Heritage
Royal Air Maroc continues to elevate the passenger experience with the launch of its new in-flight safety video — a cinematic journey that seamlessly blends essential safety instructions with a celebration of Moroccan cultural heritage.
eFlyer Reviews
Apr 30, 2025Relais Villa Porta Review
Tucked into a Lake Maggiore enclave overlooking the Gulf of Colmegna, Relais Villa Porta is an idyllic place to take in a side of the Italian Lakes region that’s different from buzzy Lake Como during high season. In 1820, it was built as a hunting lodge, and by the end of the century, was transformed into an inn by Leopoldo Casnedi. Over time, the surrounding parkland was further enhanced with rare plants collected by Pietro Porta, its second owner and botanist, as well as regular guests wanting to support his efforts. This ensured the inn would ultimately sit pretty within a 10,000-square-meter park surrounding the main villa, a 19th-century Liberty-style greenhouse and original Villa Porta mosaic.
eFlyer News
Apr 30, 2025Fairmont Hotels Debuts in Mumbai, Tokyo This Summer
This year, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts welcomes two new hotels to its expanding portfolio: Fairmont Mumbai and Fairmont Tokyo. Fairmont Mumbai opened this spring, blending New York’s Art Décor heritage with modern luxury across 446 guestrooms and suites.
Sponsored Content
A Summer Sojourn Along Europe’s Rivers with AmaWaterways
This summer, elevate your vacation experience with award-winning AmaWaterways. Offering a seamless blend of unparalleled luxury, authentic cultural experiences and unrivaled service, AmaWaterways cruises are the perfect way to uncover the heart of Europe during the sunniest season with itineraries that glide along the continent’s most iconic rivers, including the Danube, the Rhine, the Seine and the Douro.
eFlyer News
Apr 30, 2025SAS Reintroduces European Business Class This Fall
Scandinavian Airlines reintroduces its European business class Oct. 1, delivering elevated comfort, greater connectivity and personalized service for regional and international travelers across Europe. With tickets for the enhanced business class going live May 6, passengers can expect:
Spain, Portugal Suffer Widespread Blackout
eFlyer Lead
Apr 30, 2025Guesthouse Lake Tahoe Debuts This Spring
Daily
Apr 30, 2025Daily
Apr 29, 2025Château de Berne Reopens in Provence, France
Located deep within the lovely landscape of Provence, 5-star Château de Berne provides a stunning setting for a leisurely destination getaway or unforgettable corporate event.
Sponsored Content
Royal Air Maroc Marks Five Years with oneworld: Strengthening Connectivity Between USA and Africa and Expanding Global Reach
Royal Air Maroc proudly enters its fifth year as a member of the prestigious oneworld alliance. Since joining in April 2020, RAM has demonstrated resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging as a dynamic airline that enhanced its digital services and expanded its network. The airline plans to grow its fleet to 200 aircraft by 2037, reinforcing its global presence.
Daily
Apr 29, 2025Four Seasons Hotel Boston Unveils Driving Experience with Lucid
Four Seasons Hotel Boston recently announced a partnership with Lucid Group, an electric vehicle maker. The initiative is part of a larger partnership between Four Seasons and Lucid to blend history, culture and sustainability.
ShareThis