A New Jersey Getaway: A Night at Natirar

Trip overview

I had the pleasure of staying overnight at the Pendry at Natirar with my husband on a beautiful October day. Perfect weather, perfect views, and an absolutely perfect stay. As a New Jersey native, I was excited to see what Pendry had developed and what everyone was raving about.

The entire property is gorgeous and almost has a Napa vibe to it, with the emphasis on farm-to-table and farm-to-spa. (Will get into that a bit later when I review the spa!) Set on an expansive area of land, above the Raritan Park, the Pendry sits on about 90 acres of land featuring a farm, the hotel, and the elegant dining option of the restaurant, Ninety Acres.

Hotel entrance: Original mansion from 1912

During our stay, I was able to incorporate a site visit to learn more about the property. There is a ton of history related to the property and the mansion. A lot of the original details on the mansion remain from the original build in 1912. Think beautiful woodwork, limestone fireplaces throughout, and even the original safe was left untouched. The mansion is used as the hotel’s main lobby with various sitting rooms and a banquet room where weddings are booked out 2-plus years.

Being a new hotel, just opening up in October 2024, Pendry has really done a great job with marrying the classic feel of the mansion and pulling in modern amenities and luxuries with the hotel.

Sitting room in the Mansion

Accommodation

Our room was a nice size and felt very comfortable. Modern, marble bathroom with muted brass finishes and large doors bringing in lots of light, along with a balcony overlooking the views of Somerset County. The aesthetic can be described as refined countryside meets modern luxury, with the most beautiful green painted paneled walls. There are 68 rooms, many connecting options for groups traveling with children, and great options for a girls’ weekend away.

The spa

The Spa Pendry consists of 19,000 square feet, including various treatment rooms, sauna, steam room, mud-bath room, and even a Himalayan salt retreat room. My treatment room had floor-to-ceiling windows, bringing in tons of natural light. The room was decorated in earthy tones and a simple design, making it very inviting and relaxing from the start. They have a farm-to-spa concept where many of the treatment lotions and oils are made from plants and herbs grown on the property, along with the mud used in the mud bath room comes from the property.

Outdoor patio at the spa

Both my husband and I heavily enjoyed the signature Pendry 90-minute massage with two very skilled therapists. The co-ed relaxation room, featuring an indoor pool, heated lounge chairs, and healthy snacks, is the perfect spot to unwind and yet another chance to take in the natural light and stunning views.

Pool feature at Spa Pendry

Dining

We can’t talk about the Pendry at Natirar without focusing on the dining options, especially Ninety Acres. Set a short walk away from the hotel in a separate building, which was originally the carriage house on the property. Our dining experience was top-notch. Strong focus on farm-to-table with tasty salads, braised greens, and a menu that changes every season. Great service, great wine, and a meal that felt so clean and fresh.

Ninety Acres farm-to-table restaurant

If you aren’t up for an elegant dinner, Ladd’s Tavern, named after the couple that originally built the mansion in 1912, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner most nights. We had the pleasure of enjoying breakfast and lunch there. Lunch was enjoyed on their gorgeous outdoor patio, where we enjoyed the most delicious cheeseburgers and French fries! My husband described it as one of the best burgers he’s ever had!

Another angle of the restaurant

Activities

The property offers a good amount of activities offered throughout the week: farm tours and animal greetings, archery and axe-throwing, guided nature hikes, and bicycles. In the summer months, the property features an expansive outdoor pool with a jacuzzi and a separate shallow pool for children. The pool is open seasonally from Memorial Day through mid-September. If you are traveling with young kids, there is an adorable kids’ club called “The Paintbox,” geared for children ages 5–12.

Since our time was limited, we decided to do our own hike. The front desk will supply its guests with a map of the various hiking trails. The trails are mostly down in the Raritan Park, which is open to the public and where the Raritan River flows through.

Fun fact that I learned on my tour: Natirar got its name from the original architect who built the mansion by spelling Raritan backwards. A naming trend he incorporated into all of his properties.

In sum

Overall, I highly recommend this destination. It’s the perfect getaway for someone looking to recharge, enjoy amazing food, and just soak in the beauty of nature. Whether it’s a couple’s getaway, a family retreat, girls’ weekend, or even a multi-generation trip, the group is bound to love it. We are thrilled to discover this property and plan to make it an annual tradition!

Views of Somerset County

The property offers four Cadillac SUVs available to their guests to take off property.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our New Jersey page.