| Newsletter | September 2019 |
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The Beauty of September & October |
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With Labor Day behind us, some might be tempted to proclaim the end of Summer and set their sights on Fall. While this is understandable on one level, I have to say that it is entirely premature. The photo to the right is one of my all time favorite views of the Cape May beach. From about 4:00 p.m. until sunset, this vista of the glowing waves as they come crashing into our big, sparsely populated beaches is so incredibly captivating. Each passing minute brings a brighter smile to my face. It is honestly magical, as far as I'm concerned. Over the years, September has become one of our busiest months, as |
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evidenced by our no vacancy sign hanging up on our sign. While it is true that we have had very little availability in the last week or so, we still have some very nice rooms available in the latter part of the month. There is a reason that so many of our long time guests have chosen September and October as their favorite time to return to The Queen Victoria. Actually, there are several reasons, including: wonderful weather, no crowds, no beach tags, easy parking, and lower room rates. We're always happy to assist you find the best possible room for the dates you want to visit, or the best dates for the room you want to stay in. Call us at (609) 884-8702 to get started, or click the link below to reserve your room. |
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Room of The Month Mayfair |
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Mayfair is near and dear to Anna Marie's and my heart, as it is the first room that we ever stayed in at The Queen Victoria. We liked it so much that we bought the place! Mayfair is a large, bright and cheery room located on the second floor of the Prince Albert Hall building. As you can see, it has a queen sized, 4 poster canopy bed, a beautiful Victorian full length sofa, a dramatic marble top dresser, and even a writing desk. The bathroom, while not huge, is very efficiently laid out, with a large step in shower and a generous two-tiered marble vanity counter. Mayfair is on the western side of the house, so it is brilliantly lit during the afternoon as the sun makes its way across the sky. |
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12 Straight Years ... The Best B&B in Cape May Thank You! |
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The results of the "Best of Cape May" survey were released last week, and we were THRILLED to have been awarded the Best B&B in Cape May for the 12 consecutive year! Anna Marie and I are so thankful to all of you who took the time to participate in the survey and vote for The Queen Victoria. We can't thank you enough. |
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Upcoming Events & Activities |
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Sherlock Holmes Mystery Weekend(s) October 25-27 & November 1-3 |
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They say the wedding day is all about the bride, but when John Watson attends the wedding of an old army compatriot, it quickly becomes all about the body in the garden. Every Fall Watson, Sherlock and their gang revisit Cape May to solve another of the seemingly endless stream of interesting mysteries that seem to befall our fair city. Last year Cape May MAC, the hosts of said Sherlock & Watson, decided to invite them twice, and they're doing so again. If you love a fun weekend-long event, with just enough participation to keep it fun, but not take up your whole day, then I'm guessing you'll love the Sherlock Holmes Mystery Weekend. In fact, the fun starts Friday night and wraps up with a Sunday afternoon luncheon, where Holmes reveals the solution of the mystery. It is definitely time to start planning for your visit to The Queen Victoria to enjoy the upcoming 2019 Sherlock Holmes Mystery Weekends, as tickets are limited and usually sell out. |
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Restaurant Weekend October 31 through November 3 |
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Cape May Restaurant Weekend is returning this fall and Anna Marie and I are really looking forward to it. A shortened version of the famous Restaurant Week that is held every June, this wonderful event is a "must do" for anybody who loves Cape May dining. The list of restaurants is not yet complete, but here are the ones that we know are participating so far: - 410 Bank Street
- Alethea's
- The Ebbitt Room
- Lobster House
- Mayer's Tavern
- Merion Inn
- Peter Shields
- The Pier House
For those of you who haven't experienced either the June or Fall event before, each of the participating restaurants will be offering a 3 course dinner, including an appetizer, entree and dessert for a fixed $35 price, all night long. It is truly a phenomenal deal and a great way to sample Cape May's finest restaurants. I'm guessing that there will be a few more restaurants added to this list in the next few days, so Click Here to see the latest additions. You might have noticed that the dates coincide with the 2nd Sherlock Weekend, which is a powerful incentive for a trip to Cape May. |
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More New Stuff! A new collection at The Queen Victoria |
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Last week two women returned to The Queen Victoria for a "Sister's Weekend" visit. As we were welcoming them back, they presented us with quite a surprise. It turns out that their deceased step-father was a serious collector of British Coronation & Jubilee commemorative china, from Queen Victoria's reign all the way through that of Queen Elizabeth. They felt that The Queen Victoria would be the best possible home for this collection. This collection now resides on the top shelf of our Queen Victoria building dining room china cabinet. It is a fascinating and beautiful collection, which truly does fit in perfectly at The Queen Victoria. Be sure to check it out on your next visit! |
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The Discount Season Is Approaching 234 & Winter Escape Discounts |
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Many of you already know about the deeply discounted packages that we offer during our non-peak seasons. As those seasons are fast approaching, I thought I would mention them here. 234 Discount The 234 is a Sunday thru Thursday (mid-week) package offered from November 1 through April 30. It includes 2 nights in any standard room for $234+tax ($117/night). Similar savings are available for other room classes. The 234 is our best, and most popular, discount value. There are some "excluded" times, including Thanksgiving Day and the end of December (12/24-31 in 2019), and Sunday Feb 16, 2020. Winter Escape The Winter Escape is our only "weekend" discount package. Starting January 1 and running through April 2, you can rent a "large standard" room for any 2 nights for $350 ($175 a night). Like the 234, similar savings are available for other classes of rooms. This package also includes a complimentary cheese platter and free wine tasting at Natali Vineyards. The only dates that this discount package is not available in 2020 is President's Day Weekend, Feb 14-16. No matter which discount package you choose to take advantage of, you'll be saving lots of money and having a great time in Cape May. |
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Favorite Photo
Stepping back in time |
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This photo, which I believe was sent to me by our guest and friend Ben Miller, is of our Queen's Cottage, when it was simply 107 Ocean Street, before becoming part of The Queen Victoria. The building was added to The Queen Victoria in 1985, so it pre-dates that. As you can see, it was almost entirely white, with non of the rich colors that it wears today. Your discerning eye has probably already noticed that the side yard looks markedly different from the lovely yard and garden we enjoy today. I've also just noticed that the sycamore tree that now stands very near to the street lamp is not to be found in this photo. Cape May has certainly changed dramatically over the years, and the transformation of this building, which houses our Osborne, Balmoral, Whitehall and Brighton rooms, is an excellent example of those amazing changes. View Photo Gallery >> |
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Featured Gift Shop Item
The Queen Victoria Cookbook |
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With sales of about 250 cookbooks a year, I think I can safely say that The Queen Victoria Cookbook is our most popular gift shop item. If you've had breakfast in The Queen Victoria, which I'm guessing you have since you're reading this, there is a pretty good chance that you've seen this cookbook sitting next to the toaster, usually displaying the recipe for that morning's breakfast. Our handsome cookbook contains virtually every recipe that we serve at breakfast and afternoon tea. It is divided into sections for easy access of each specific type of recipe (breakfast entrees, breakfast breads, afternoon sweets & treats and teatime savories). Each recipe is clearly laid out, and easy to follow. All of our recipes are simple to prepare, using ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. It is also filled with photos of the inn and grounds on every single page. The Queen Victoria Cookbook makes a wonderful memento of a visit to our inn. It also makes a wonderful gift for a loved one, or perhaps somebody watching your house and/or pet while you're enjoying time at The Queen Victoria. Only $16.95 |
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Fun Things to Do in Cape May
Visit Nauti Spirits Distillery |
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Nauti Spirits Distillery, a "Farm to Glass" operation, is one of Cape May's most interesting new businesses to come to Cape May in the last couple of years. It is a fun destination with a wonderful atmosphere, great drinks and a cool story. Nauti Spirits is situated on a 60 acre farm on Shunpike road, just off of Ferry Rd, on the north side of the canal. If you've ever driven to the Ferry before, you passed very near by it. As you can see from this photo, the tasting room has a fun vibe, with lots of nautical architectural salvage elements visible throughout. Being a "Farm to Glass" distillery, they make every effort to source everything that they serve as close to Cape May as possible. For instance, the vodka that they produce is made from sweet potatoes grown on their farm. Similarly, many of the mixed drinks they serve are made with ingredients grown on the farm. All of the ingredients in every drink they make are also made in house in a kitchen behind the bar (tonic for Gin & Tonic, or ginger syrup for a Moscow Mule, for instance). If you're looking for a fun, relaxing, and interesting thing to do in the coming months, Nauti Spirits is high on our list of suggestions. |
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Restaurant Pick of the Month
Cape May Fish Market (BYOB) |
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Cape May Fish Market is one of Anna Marie's and my go to places for a quick spontaneous dinner out. We love the quality of the fresh seafood that they serve and the fact that we can almost always get a table within moments of stepping up to the reception desk. Cape May Fish Market is located on the Washington Street Mall, about half way between the Ugly Mug and Delaney's Irish Pub. It is a very casual dining establishment with a comfortable decor. Most of the tables consist of high backed booths, so it is also a nice private place to have a meal. Anna Marie and I have a few favorites at the Fish Market, which is a good thing, as the menu is huge. We both love the broiled seafood platter, which we order when we really have an appetite. Lately we've taken to ordering one serving of scallops and an order of crab cakes, and sharing them to create our own mini combination. In addition to the close proximity, ease of getting a table, and great food, the Cape May Fish Market is also a BYOB restaurant, which we really love. If you haven't tried the Cape May Fish Market, your next visit to The Queen Victoria would be the perfect opportunity to try it out. You'll be happy you did. See their Menu |
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Great Reasons to Visit The Queen Victoria
Upcoming Queen Victoria & Cape May Events |
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Cape May Food & Wine Celebration September 13-22, 2019 Designer House Tour September 21, 2019 Victorian Weekend October 10-14, 2019 Taste of Cape May Kitchen Tour October 12, 2019 Lessons of History (Distinguished Lecture Series) October 13, 2019 Halloween Happenings October 18-31, 2019 |
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| Lighthouse Challenge of NJ October 19-20, 2019 Sherlock Holmes Mystery Weekends October 25-27 & Nov 1-3 Restaurant Weekend October 31 through November 3, 2019 Exit 0 Jazz Festival November 7-10, 2019 Queen Victoria Chocolate Lover's Weekend November 15-16, 2019 Christmas in Cape May November 22 through January 1, 2020 Dickens Extravaganza December 8-10, 2019 |
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Make your reservations today for a fun, romantic getaway at The Queen Victoria Bed and Breakfast. We are looking forward to helping you plan your next visit! Sincerely,
Doug & Anna Marie McMain, Owners/Innkeepers
The Queen Victoria Bed & Breakfast
www.queenvictoria.com
(609) 884-8702 |
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