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You will have a great selection of hotels, Victorian Inns, cottages and summer homes in Cape May, New Jersey. This is because Cape May is America’s oldest resort town located in the southern most point of the Jersey Shores. It’s nothing like you imagined, (named a top beach town by Travel & Leisure), you will be pleasantly surprised by this quaint Victorian and by your choice of where to stay in Cape May, New Jersey.
What to do in Cape May
This Jersey Shore town dates to 1620, when Captain Cornelius Jacobsen Mey, surveyed the area and named it. Enjoyed by many from Philadelphia as a summer retreat. Wondering what to do in Cape May?Consider walks on the main boardwalk by the beach, shopping local on Washington Street Mall or taking in a play at Cape May Stage. All are a short walk from my hotel of choice in Cape May, NJ.
Where to Stay in Cape May, NJ
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There is one property l highly recommend because it is open year-round given accommodations in Cape May may be limited once the busy summer season ends. Located in downtown Cape May, Elaine’s Cape May Boutique Hotel provided the full package: great food, beautifully appointed rooms and excellent entertainment.
Reclaimed materials create a chic dining room
Owner, Shirley Phinney saw opportunity where other saw challenges: “We took the time during the pandemic to tackle some jobs that needed upgrading” said Phinney. “It kept us busy and our staff employed.” This family-owned business reclaimed building materials from a defunct Cape May fishing business. The dining room was renovated with tin siding and barnwood planks for a stunning look.
Great location to catch a game
If you are a sports fan, Elaine’s is a great place for a cold beer and a slider to watch a Philadelphia Phillies, Eagles or Flyers game. With a large projector screen and other TVs scattered around, it was great fun watching the Phillies make a run for the National League pennant this fall.
Space, luxury and a fireplace – the ultimate hideaway
This brand-new addition includes ample space to spread out and offers a luxurious en-suite bathroom and gas fireplace. It includes a coffee bar and mini-fridge. This well-appointed room provides privacy and seclusion for a romantic getaway with tons of storage space to enjoy the expansive room. Perfect for couples looking for luxury.
Victorian Detail with Modern Bathroom
Nest 6 on the second floor is highlighted by a one-of-a-kind bedroom ensemble replete with a stunning hand-hammered copper armoire. A newly renovated bathroom and direct access to the veranda.
A Large Rocking Chair Veranda
The large second-floor veranda is the perfect place to rock and relax in these traditional Amish rocking chairs.
Private sitting area
There are shared public sitting areas on the second floor. Some are enclosed and others open veranda style. Each room vary slightly and it’s best to ask if the room you are interested in has a private, semi-private or balcony /veranda access. A few rooms had no outdoor access.
Newly renovated Bathrooms
During the Pandemic, the owner of Elaine’s took the opportunity to upgrade both the dining room and upgrade some of the ‘nests’. This included beautiful bathrooms in some of the rooms (like the one above) with large round mirrors and stone vanities. It was very luxurious.
Romantic Getaway Retreat
This brand-new room includes ample space to spread out and offers a luxurious en-suite bathroom and curbless shower (see previousimage). Perfectly secluded for a romantic getaway with tons of storage space and convenient amenities. The newly renovated porch overlooks the welcoming courtyard. Beautiful for any time or season in Cape May!
Free beach towels and Chairs
Whether you take a 7 minute walk to the main beach and boardwalk or drive to Cape May Point or nearby State Park, beach chairs and towels are available free upon request at this property.
Two Bedrooms with an Ornate Queen Bed & bonus Twin Bed
Located on the third floor, the proprietor’s vision for this room was so lofty that they had to remove the ceiling to accommodate the towering queen-size Renaissance bed. Not for the faint of heart, you will need a stepstool to get into bed but you’ll feel like a fairy princess on a luxurious perch. An adjacent room has a twin bed, ideal for a family. With a fridge and coffee maker at the ready in the second room. The bathroom was compact but suited to the two of us.
Individual sitting Area on the Grand Veranda
The veranda overlooking the outdoor bar (The Porch) was a great place to watch the sun go down or to watch Washington Street Mall light up for the evening. Accessible from your room, it has intimate group seating for you to enjoy an evening cocktail or listen to the entertainment below. for Dancing
Live Entertainment
A highlight of staying at Elaine’s is the entertainment. Whether it is a DJ or a band, there are two different patios where you can sit and relax and enjoy live entertainment. It was more quiet during the week as we were visiting off-season but there was music throughout the weekend. Check the website for the week’s events.
Breakfast of Champions
As part of your stay, if you book directly with the hotel, you will receive a $15 credit towards your breakfast. We took full advantage and filled up on a hearty breakfast each morning. The Breakfast Burrito was large and full of goodness. I’d recommend Elaine’s Eggs Benedict with crab and extra Hollindaise sauce.
Brunch at it’s best
The perfect location for a working brunch we appreciated the excellent service and enjoyed the bottomless coffee. With a selection of omelettes, eggs benedict, pancakes and French toast, there was plenty to choose from. They also also a large selection of fruit smoothies, healthy protein or detox beverages for breakfast.
Shrimp Tacos for Lunch or Dinner
These shrimp tacos are so popular that Elaine’s offers them both on the lunch and dinner menu. With jumbo shrimp and a side of Santa Fe Salada (black bean and corn), my husband loved them! Perfect if you don’t have a huge appetite. I ordered the Wedge Salad and loved it. Fresh with the dressing on the side!
Elaine’s Boutique Hotel in Cape May
Elaine’s in Cape May, NJ is open year-round and provides a great location, excellent service and a variety of options for the weary traveler. It also provides a lively bar scene during holiday weekends (in the winter) and live entertainment throughout the summer. The dining room serves breakfast through dinner leaving time to visit Washington Street Mall just a block away for other culinary delights. Check for off-season dining options when making room reservations.
Things to do in Cape May, NJ
This is not what you would expect of the Jersey Shore. You won’t get tacky souvenir shops and amusement park rides. This area is for the romantic getaway, history enthusiast or dedicated birder. Here’s What to do in Cape May, NJ that you will LOVE. NOTE: Please DO NOT reuse or post these images without permission.
🥾 Explore: Tours & Experiences
🏡 Where to Stay: Top Accommodations
🚙 Hit the Road: Car Rental Deals
🛫 Get Away: Find Flight Deals
🎒 Shop: Travel Essentials
Margarita Ibbott is a travel and lifestyle blogger. She blogs about travel in Canada, the United States and Europe giving practical advice through restaurant, hotel and attraction reviews. She writes for DownshiftingPRO.com and other online media outlets.