SJM_PROFILE_Inn at Cape May_1123_profile 11 / 16 / 23 4 : 12 PM Page 2 PROMOTION B U S I N E S S S P O T L I G H T a few years ago and underwent a $ 3.5 million renovation that included new furnishings in the guest rooms , refurbished common areas and refinishing of the original floors throughout the building . “ It’s nice to see it go from one family to the ’ Tis the Season nextand for the new owners to put a lot of love and care into the building , because it definitely There’s nothing quite like spending the holidays at the needed a little updating , ” says Gerace , a Shore , and The Inn of Cape May is eager to welcome WildwoodCrest native who has long known about The Inn’s history . “ They kept the struc - guests to a historic hotel that blends classic charm with ture the same , they just brought it back to life . modern design . by MATT COSENTINO Theymodernized it in ways that don’t affect the integrity of the building . ” The Inn features two outstanding dining options : Ocean 7 , where chef Sam Walters cre - ates unique takes on American classic dishes using locally sourced ingredients ; and The Porch Coffee and Cocktails , popular for both early mornings and happy hours with its range of breakfast items and specialty drinks , to be enjoyed in comfortable bistro seating inside or out . Both restaurants offer stunning views of the ocean and beach right across the street . Guests also love to unwind on the lawn , which includes lounge seats and fire pits some residents of South Jersey , duringthe cooler months . A popular feature Memorial Day , the Fourth of July insidethe hotel , meanwhile , is the oldest ele - Forand Labor Day come to mind vatorin the state , an Otis Birdcage model built first when thinking about celebrating in1900 that is staff operated . the holidays down the Shore . But those TheInn also hosts spectacular weddings who limit their visits to the summer they do a tree lighting around the gazebo . allyear round , with ceremonies and cocktail months — and who do not realize the When you walk around , you can see that it hoursheld outside on the lawn with the beach enchantment associated with Cape May really is a Norman Rockwell - type holiday as a backdrop before moving inside for the at Christmastime — are missing out . destination.Everyone has leaned into making reception in the ballroom , which can be One trip is all it takes to understand that it a magical place for the holidays . ” decoratedin any style . the Victorian setting , the abundance of The Inn does its part to contribute by Ontop of all of these offerings is the top - family - friendly activities and the beautifully hosting one of the area’s signature events : notchservice The Inn is known for , right down decorated homes and businesses throughout Breakfast with Santa . Held every Saturday toan old - fashioned bellhop who carries guests ’ the seaside town combine to make Cape May startingthe weekend after Thanksgiving — this luggageand operates the elevator while wel - an ideal destination at this time of year . And yearit runs from Nov . 25 - Dec . 16 — it takes place comingthem onto the property . For all of those a historic hotel that blends classic charm with in the hotel’s magnificent ballroom and reasons , it’s easy to see why it has catered to so modern amenities is the perfect place to rest includes a delicious buffet with plenty of manyCape May visitors over the years . your head while taking advantage of every - popularitems for the most important meal of “ Our staff are very conversational , thing the area has to offer . theday . extremelypolite and they all can talk about Founded in 1894 as The Colonial Boarding Similarto the character breakfasts that are the hotel , ” Ridgaway says . “ Other than the House , The Inn of Cape May has evolved into sucha hit at Disney , Santa will walk around foodand the amenities , we get a lot of com - a wonderful beachfront escape that wel - andinteract with the excited kids . plimentson our staff . We try to keep it an ‘ inn ’ comes guests for a memorable vacation on “ Wealso have a photo station so families environment , and we all interact with our any occasion . That is especially true during cango up and take photos with Santa , ” says guestsas much as possible . the holiday season , when they can attend the JeriAnne Gerace , director of catering and spe - “ Wecan’t go a day without three people famous Cape May Christmas Parade , partic - cialevents at The Inn . “ Our ballroom is dec - saying , ‘ I’ve been coming here for 25 years ; my ipate in a number of walking or trolley tours , oratedwith a lot of wreaths and we do candy kidsgrew up here . ’ We love this time of year find the right gift for loved ones while shop - canefabric on the pillars . It’s very festive . andwe love seeing our guests come back for n pingin and around Washington Street Mall , “ We start getting phone calls in Sep - theholidays . ” and work up an appetite for one of the temberabout Breakfast with Santa and we’ve region’s renowned restaurants . alreadysold quite a few tickets . It’s a family tra - “ The holiday season has grown expo - dition:Some families come every year and do The Inn of Cape May nentiallyyear over year , ” says Dwayne Ridg - theirChristmas card photo with Santa . ” 7Ocean St . , Cape May away , general manager at The Inn of Cape May . Aside from the holiday themes , there ( 609 ) 884 - 5555 “ Businessesare staying open or reopening for aremany appealing aspects to a stay at The InnOfCapeMay.com theseason , more houses are decorating and Inn , which was taken over by new ownership SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 20 issue 8 SouthJerseyMagazine.com | 25