Cape May Great Values

Perfect for families spending a week at the shore, The Star Inn has something for groups of every size: a carriage house with two 2-bedroom, 2-bath apartments with large, ocean-view decks; a 9-room inn with a Starbucks on the first floor; and an upgrade on the classic roadside motel, in which all 10 fully-equipped efficiencies have backyard space or a deck. The whimsical accommodations have unexpected touches (note the leopard carpets in the motel) and offer the full beach and spa services of Congress Hall, across the street.

One of the most affordable lodgings with ocean views, the Palace Hotel may be overshadowed by its more stylish Victorian neighbors, but every room has a balcony and many rooms are pet-friendly. So what if the furnishings are Spartan? The location across from the beach, the free WiFi, and the kitchenettes (in most rooms) are all you really need for a successful sun-and-surf vacation anyway.

The 113-room Congress Hall, with its Victorian Christmases and prime location across the road from the beach, is one of America’s oldest seaside grand hotels, first opened in 1816 as a “simple boarding house for summer visitors,” and many families make a tradition of staying here year after year. Many of the sunny rooms face the water; thick old walls ensure a quiet night. Your old-timey room key ensures you a cushioned lounge chair and umbrella on the beach, or a comfy poolside chair.

In a town that prides itself on its Victorian architecture, the Mission Inn, an example of California Spanish Mission style from 1912, is a unique. Erroll Flynn and Gloria Swanson put the place on the map when they vacationed here in Hollywood’s heyday; today guests come for thoughtful extras like two-person spa tubs (not available in every room), fireplaces, king-size beds, and afternoon hors d’oeuvres. A block from the ocean, the property’s eight spacious, sunny rooms and personalized hospitality have helped make it one of the top inns in the United States.

Down home American food is served on the patio or inside a cozy, wooden-floored dining room at...more

The Lobster House, a local favorite, offers fresh seafood at reasonable prices. While...more