Cape May, New Jersey
 

I will be in Cape May in July and would like to stay in one of the historical hotels there. Is there any one hotel that stands out amongst the selection? I looked at the Virginia, Congress Hall, and Chalfonte but cannot decide. I will be traveling alone and would like to relax but would also like to socialize. Thanks for any suggestions.

Congress Hall is the swankiest, it's also the only one directly across the street from the beach (the other hotels are just slightly off the beach - not a far walk at all) if that is important to you.

Congress Hall also as a decent outdoor pool, a spa, some nice restaurants, cocktail lounge off lobby and a lively bar downstairs with music (bands or DJ) in season.

Definitely Congress Hall:

www.congresshall.com

The Virginia, The Chalfonte and Congress Hall are all good choices. Alexander's is another good one.

Congress Hall is by far the biggest of the four. I stayed there last December and it was great. Like the others said, it has the most to offer in terms of location and amenities.

All of these hotels and more can be found on MyJerseyShore.com.

They have Congress Hall and Alexander's rated as two of the top three in Cape May.

I've stayed in a great many of the B & B's in Cape May, as well as hotels over the years. You mentioned socializing...I always found more of that in the smaller places?

The kind of place where everyone gathers on the front porch for afternoon ice tea. Where you really talk with the people you eat breakfast with. Can't see that happening at Congress Hall???

It is a big fancy place, if that's what you want. But I'd go smaller and friendly if it was me. By "historic" do you mean famous? Or Victorian and full of antiques? Most of the houses down there qualify. Have you checked out The Mainstay?

I bought their cookbook when I was there ~17 years ago and still use it for our holiday cheese strata! ;)

The Queen Victoria is a wonderful B&B about a block and a half from the beach, and one to the mall. It is lovely and has a large dining table for breakfast, and tea and cookies in the afternoon on the porch- perfect for meeting and talking to other guests. I think you would enjoy it.