Cape May, New JerseyDowntown Cape May
Congress Hall
Colonnaded seaside resort
Downtown Cape May   Cape May, New Jersey
Renovated
2002
Price
$$$
Rated for
Heritage Resort ClassicOutside the door
The house
Cape ResortsColonnaded seaside resort
Life here centers on the oceanfront lawn, where rocking chairs line the sweeping yellow colonnade.
“This spot claims to be America’s oldest seaside resort, first welcoming guests for the season in 1816.”
What it’s good at
Remarkable
Rebuilt in brick in 1879 after fire, hosting multiple nineteenth-century American presidents.
Listed
Summer vacationers gather on the grand lawn overlooking the historic Victorian beachfront.
What they say
Also in Condé Nast Traveler and AFAR.
The hotel has great, 19th-century bones (just look at that colonnade!) and sits across the street from one of the nicest beaches in the state.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
The grounds sit directly across from the beach, and the pedestrian Washington Street Mall is steps away.
1 of 6
The rooms
Rooms keep their Victorian moldings, and selected bathrooms have oversized claw-foot soaking tubs.
The pools
Bring a swimsuit.
The 60-foot pool is heated to 80 degrees, and a separate adult pool is kept at 84 degrees.
The spa
Cabana-style treatment rooms are lined in yellow and white stripes, and massages use seaweed formulations from OSEA Malibu.
At the table
The Blue Pig Tavern serves produce from nearby Beach Plum Farm, and The Brown Room pours cocktails by the fireplace.
How it began
Locals nicknamed the original 1816 hotel Tommy's Folly, long before four American presidents spent their summers here.
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.