A staycation for the soul at The Shoals
By Kristen Oliveri
There’s nothing quite like a staycation. There’s the ease of travel, the comfort of familiar surroundings, and the rare chance to truly unplug in a place where you’re usually plugged in.
This summer, I pulled into the familiar lot at The Shoals Suites & Slips, a spot where I’ve savored oysters from my friends at Little Ram and dined at the on-site food truck. But this time was different. I came to unplug, to write, and to carve out quiet moments for myself, a working mom in need of a reset.
Check-in was a breeze, and before I knew it, I was inside my beautiful suite, complete with an efficiency kitchen and one of my favorite travel luxuries: a proper coffee maker. Small touches like that go a long way. I was instantly drawn to a cozy little breakfast nook, which became my creative corner and inspiration zone during the stay.
While I was at The Shoals, I wanted to try something new, something I hadn’t yet experienced in a place that already felt like home. The property partners with Ride Shore, a service that whisks guests from The Shoals’ dock on a private Chris-Craft to various East End destinations like Orient, Montauk, Sag Harbor, or Shelter Island.
I quickly booked a ride to Shelter Island’s iconic Pridwin Hotel and called my husband. It was time for a long-overdue date night. Within minutes, our adventure began.
The experience was everything I’d hoped for. As we cruised along with a chilled bottle of Ev&Em rosé, I could’ve sworn we were island hopping somewhere in the Mediterranean. But no, we were simply exploring another stunning corner of the East End. Within 15 minutes, we arrived dockside and were warmly greeted by the Pridwin staff.
We were seated on the outdoor veranda, where we quickly agreed it was a seafood tower kind of night. (We have a tradition: seafood towers to mark a special occasion. This time, we celebrated us.) The dinner was refined, flavorful, and perfectly matched by the setting.
When we returned to the dock, our Ride Shore captain was waiting to take us home. We finished that same bottle of rosé, chatting about our meal and soaking in the golden hues of the sunset on the ride back to The Shoals.
The next morning, I awoke refreshed and ready to write. After a calming in-room yoga video, I grabbed a coffee and a quick bite in the lobby, feeling more energized than I had in weeks. By lunchtime, I was in full flow with what I now affectionately dubbed my “writer’s retreat.”
To reward my productivity, I treated myself to a delicious chicken paillard salad at Waypoint next door. That evening, I took a bottle of wine and settled into an Adirondack chair by the dock. As I watched boats pull in, guests arrive, and seagulls soar overhead, I realized something profound: this staycation wasn’t just a luxury. It was a necessity.
Next time I need a moment to breathe, to create, to simply be, I’ll know exactly where to go.
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