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Wonderful Ways to Unwind at the Jersey Shore

Picture yourself on a luxurious queen-size satin bed with soothing decor, and the sounds of the ocean with the smell of the sea and a warm summer breeze gently blowing across your face. Smile to yourself and stretch your legs as you walk into the dining room for an old-fashioned, home-cooked breakfast, with all of the trimmings, pampering and table-settings fit for a king and queen. That’s what you’ll find at some of the Jersey Shore’s finest Inns written about below. 

Historic Inns of Spring Lake

16 years ago, Mari Kennelly was looking to buy a house in Spring Lake. “My house came with 24 boarders. I did a total renovation.” Today, she has a lovely Bed and Breakfast with 9 unique, romantic, historic, and newly updated rooms, called the White Lilac Inn. Mari describes her 129-year-old bed & breakfast as one that looks like it belongs in New Orleans. The White Lilac Inn is one in a group of 13 official Historic Inns of Spring Lake. “Because we’re a small group, we refer back and forth, and we know what facilities the others have; if they take children, for example. I agree with the saying ‘your competitors are your best friends.’” Mari says all of the historic inns in the group are trying to “go green” as much as possible. “All of our inns are recycling.”

To further the relaxation and revitalization of guests, they provide bicycles, movies, and a full breakfast. As would be expected, weekend rates in summer are higher, with winter offering the lowest rate for a great getaway. At the White Lilac Inn, you can get a room with a double whirlpool tub, private porch and a view of the pond. It’s just 4 1/2 blocks to the ocean, and across the street from Wreck Pond, it’s quiet, and close to NJ transit. Beach badges are provided in summer. Go to www.whitelilac.com for views and details.

Built in 1886, The Villa Park House, with 11 rooms, is also among the 13 official Historic Inns of Spring Lake. Inn-keeper Matt Schmidt says they are one of the few B&Bs that are child friendly, taking all ages. “We’ve taken rooms beside each other, and put a door in to the children’s room, to offer parents their privacy. My wife and I also have two little ones.” Matt says they sometimes offer to babysit.New solar panels were presented, including solar integrated into roof tiles, flexible thin film that can be rolled up and used on tents and other fabric applications, and large 300 watt solar panels which are 50% bigger than the conventional panel size of 32 inches by 60 inches.

The breakfast you’ll get at the Villa Park House won’t just be any breakfast. Matt, a former director of banquets and hotels at the Waldorf and the Rainbow Room, is a Culinary Institute of America (CIA) graduate. “I cook the breakfast myself. The menu changes day to day, omelets, wraps, special yogurt parfaits. We have a menu with options of different foods.” Matt explained that both he and his wife enjoy entertaining. His wife has appeared on Broadway, and is an anchor for MSNBC.

New online monitoring systems are also available so you can access information about your solar system online.

“We’ve just completed our fifth year here,” said Matt. “Our pampering helps parents de-stress, we take the burden away, we have the open lawn space, the beach, the food, and we’re open year round.” Visit www.villaparkhouse.com. 

North Wildwood for Happy Days.Sheila Brown and her husband Rick always wanted to have their own Bed & Breakfast. In May 2003 they bought an old rooming house in North Wildwood and converted to “a very different, not typical, bed & breakfast with a 50s theme,” Sheila told us. “Summer Nites has eight great rooms, each with a different theme.” Sheila’s favorite is the black and gold decorated Elvis suite. There’s the pink and red Marilyn Monroe room, Life’s a Beach suite, the 70s room, and more. Their web site features virtual 360 tours of each of the specialty rooms. You’ll have breakfast in a 50s style diner, served with a rootbeer float! “I serve breakfast in one of 12 outfits, and my mother makes breakfast every morning,” Sheila boasts. “You’ll get a full breakfast, with a choice of two sides. There’s an authentic juke box that plays 45s. Everyone is provided with quarters so you can play your old favorites.”

Summer Nites has a game room with a pinball machine, pool table, and an old Coke vending machine with the glass bottles. There are 21st century amenities also, including hot tubs. They are open all year round, with an Elvis impersonator appearing on March 20 to 22, and another weekend in August. Mother’s Day weekend guests receive roses, wine, and chocolate strawberries. Sheila points out that North Wildwood is the Doo-Wop capital of the world. So if you’re looking to get away from it all, a blast to the past might be just the ticket. Visit www.summernites.com.

The lovely Candlelight, a Queen Ann Victorian B&B in North Wildwood, was a guest house built in 1905, with only two owners before Nancy Moncrief and her husband Bill became the innkeepers. “This helped to retain and maintain the original charm and character of the place,” explained Nancy. “There is a carriage house in the back that we turned into two luxurious and romantic Carriage suites.” The Candlelight is in a prime location, near water sports, boating and fishing, and not too far from Cold Spring Village. Nancy says one of the most relaxing things about the Candlelight is the huge wrap around veranda with a double hammock, and a double swing. “There’s something very calming about that. The porch is so relaxing, guests tell us they want to take it home!” Other relaxing amenities in the neighborhood include back bay paddling, bird watching areas, a beautiful new sea wall, beautiful gardens, nature trails and biking trails. A full breakfast includes fruit, muffins, scones, choices of entrée. “My husband and I do the cooking!”

Nancy strongly recommends anyone considering running a bed and breakfast attend seminars on the subject. “We help our guests achieve their vacation goals, and treat them like family.” Visit www.candlelight-inn.com.

Ocean City For Luxury and Recreation

Kristina Doliszny, with husband Robert, run and own the Atlantis Inn located in Ocean City, NJ. “We purchased it from my parents, who owned it for 25 years, gutted everything, it went from a guest house with 32 rooms to 10 luxury suites.” This is a true luxury Inn with themed destination rooms like the Bordeaux, the Versailles, the Barcelona and the Biarritz with its Charlemagne collection that instills romance and relaxation. The Atlantis provides Kohler spa showers, Jacuzzis for two, spa service, massages and a full line of treatments. Full gourmet breakfasts, with freshly baked items and afternoon teas, are served daily.

Featured on the Travel Channel and rated number one romantic getaway in South Jersey by Philadelphia Magazine and Best Dream Weekend Splurge by the Washingtonian, Kristina said, “Our roof-top deck is a major attraction, people will sun bathe in the day, hang out with a bottle of wine or champagne in the evening.” She added that people always comment on the softness and suppleness of the sheets and mattresses, and want to know where they get them. Other highlights to the Atlantis Luxury, says Kristina, are the grand fireplaces and covered veranda with rocking chairs. Right across the street are tennis courts, track and field, golf, gift shops, and the beach and boardwalk of course! Visit www.atlantisinn.com

Another place to relax in Ocean City, is the Scarborough Inn, an 1895 Bed and Breakfast just steps to the beach and boardwalk, dining, shopping, recreation, and minutes to Atlantic City. Gus Bruno, inn-keeper, tells us its 24 individually decorated rooms offer a place with vintage charm and modern amenities such as Wireless access. “There are many ‘green’ features as well,” says Gus. “The fragrance of fresh brewed coffee entices you to breakfast every morning during your stay. Delectable seasonal fruits, fresh baked goods, and a buffet of breakfast standards may be enjoyed in the sunny dining room or, weather permitting, at tables on the porch or in our courtyard garden.” Afternoon refreshments are provided every day in the Butler's Pantry. “We offer reasonable rates, and we’re open May through October,” says Gus. Visit www.scarboroughinn.com

Victorian Cape May

The Queen Victoria “is a renowned bed and breakfast open all year, in the heart of historic Cape May, one block from the beaches, antique shopping, gourmet dining, and historic tours,” says Innkeeper Doug McMain. 32 inviting and romantic rooms and suites are decorated with period antiques. “Breakfast and afternoon tea at The Queen Victoria offer a choice for you to share company with your fellow guests around a large table in one of two dining rooms, enjoying a bountiful buffet. Or, if you're looking for a more private or romantic meal, dine in the House of Royals parlor with its charming bistro tables set amid ornate Victorian décor, in the prettiest dining room in Cape May,” says Doug. In the warmer months, outside dining is available on the porches of both the Prince Albert Hall and House of Royals buildings. In the fall, spring, and winter, a walk along the beach is especially refreshing and peaceful, and the Queen Victoria is just one block away. See www.queenvictoria.com.

Built in 1892, The Fairthorne Cottage Bed & Breakfast of Cape May was once an old whaling captain’s home. “It is decorated in period style without being too frilly,”says Ed Hutchinson, inn-keeper. “Rooms include a blend of fine antiques and contemporary comforts, including central air, luxury linens, mini-fridge, and TV. Some of our rooms come with two-person tubs, a fireplace, and a view of our garden.” A full breakfast is served every day, which includes homemade muffins or coffeecake. “We alternate our menu to sweet one day and savory the next. A French Toast Strata with lemon and raspberries with raspberry sauce is a much requested sweet breakfast.” Open year round, with off-season specials, beach chairs and beach towels are also provided. Visit www.fairthorne.com

Atlantic Highlands Getaway: Easy to get to

Robert Hilton, Blue Bay Inn’s General Manager, describes it as beautiful and affordable. “The Inn is a favorite destination for many New Yorkers, being only 1 1/2 blocks from the SeaStreak Ferry. It offers a great service for corporate executives, and with easy access to NY, you don’t have to drive,” says Robert. Its 27 rooms are high-end deluxe romantic suites in a hotel built just five years ago. Inn Proprietor Dido Krikorian worked with local designer, Thomas Hauser, to create modern, yet cozy, cosmopolitan rooms, each one done in a different color scheme and decor. You’ll find king-sized beds draped in silk down-filled duvets, some with a balcony with a view of the water, others viewing the quaint downtown Atlantic Highlands.

“The Blue Bay Inn offers elegant European style. It is a ‘green’ hotel, utilizing the latest in insulation along with a laundry service that uses ‘green detergents,’” says Robert. Within the Blue Bay Inn is the Tequila Bar, featuring lovely decor, soothing piano music, and comfortable seating. “A guy comes here every month to get away from business. Parents that don’t want to be too far from home come for a week-end get-away. People come from far away or just a half an hour away to relax, unwind and enjoy themselves.” Discounts for teachers and professionals are available. Visit www.bluebayinn.com

Ocean Grove: Historic Solar Inn

Taking in the sun has a double meaning at The Manchester Inn in Ocean Grove, with its Secret Garden Restaurant, just one block from the white sandy beach. Solar panels line the 35-room Victorian inn's roof, harvesting the sun to offset electricity usage. "We were the first B&B in NJ to go solar. We did it to save money, but also because if enough people do this, we can make a difference," co-owner Clark Cate says.

One of the ways to get a break from your usual routine could be participating in Manchester Inn’s famous Murder Mystery event, held monthly. Coming up is "We Killed Em' On American Ideal, March 20th. For those of you who have been rejected at the mass auditions or have always wanted to be in the audience, here is your opportunity! Murder Mystery Weekend specials include gourmet dinner, B.Y.O.B. The warmth and hospitality of Margaret and Clark Cate, your innkeepers, are reflected throughout the Inn. In this setting of old world charm and gourmet dining, you will be relaxed and elegantly pampered. Visit www.themanchesterinn.com.

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