The Shelter Haven Hotel was situated at the intersection of 96th Street and Third Avenue and overlooking the Shelter Haven Basin. This was a prime location as the hotel was on the main thoroughfare (entryway linking Stone Harbor and the mainland) in what was becoming the very center of the town’s main business district.
The 5-story Shelter Haven was said to be Stone Harbor’s largest and finest hotel with “32 bedrooms, large light dining room, wide porches, grotto, private pier (for regularly scheduled shuttle boats service to Anglesea and the mainland) electric lights, steam heat, all conveniences. Moderate rates. Open all year”. In addition, the Shelter Haven had a lovely roof garden for entertaining in good weather along with an excellent grill and evening dancing with live bands providing the music.
The Shelter Haven offered two plans including: (1) the popular all-inclusive American Plan including food, drink and activities with 3 meals a day at the rate of $2.50 and up; and (2) the less costly, most basic and budget-friendly option called the European Plan that consisted of a room-only rate and did not include any meals or amenities. While the first plan was associated with the so-called “big spender”, the second plan was more likely to be associated with the more thrifty guest. However, in reality, sometimes European Plan guests could think that they were being prudent and benefiting by being “penny wise” or overly concerned with saving small amounts of money (the pennies), but instead overlook or neglect the larger more significant expenses (the pounds) and end up being as the expression continues, “pound foolish”. Seemingly this latter plan would be more ideally suited for guests who prefer to dine out or have other meal arrangements made. Obviously, each hospitality plan had something to offer depending on the size of one’s pocketbook or wallet.
The Shelter Haven would survive several strong storms including the great storm of September 1944 only to eventually succumb to the wrecker’s ball after 49 years in October of 1961. We might say the hotel had become outdated for the times. However, and without question, the Shelter Haven Hotel had not only became an iconic town feature but certainly was one of the most recognizable buildings to grace and serve the Borough of Stone Harbor.