My girlfriend Charlee and I love going to Cape May. There's a certain small-town warmth and charm that you simply won't find anywhere else in the state. We typically stay at one of two bed and breakfast establishments that we really enjoy but we decided to try something new on our latest trip - The Virginia Hotel on Jackson Street. For the TLDR crowd, I'll tell you right now that after experiencing The Virginia Hotel, we have a new favorite place to stay.

 

From the moment we walked through the big red front doors we could tell The Virginia was something special. The critically-acclaimed Ebbitt Room was to our left and the cozy Virginia Lounge was to our right. We would end up spending time and enjoying ourselves in both. The Virginia has been around since 1879 and while we could feel the history, the hotel has been impeccably-restored and updated in all the right places. We met the General Manager, Josh, when we checked in and he offered to park our car, help us with our bags and to get us anything we needed. Clearly he sets the tone for the entire staff at The Virginia because from the folks working the front desk to the servers at The Ebbitt Room (more on that in a moment) everyone greeted us with a smile and was ready to do anything they could to make sure we felt catered to.

 

 

The room we stayed in was surprisingly spacious which isn't always the case at other properties, especially ones that have been around as long as The Virginia. On a side note, I'm a sucker for a great shower and I can tell you that the two-headed shower in our bathroom had me not wanting to get out and dry off.

 

We ate dinner at the elegant Ebbitt Room just downstairs from our room and we couldn't have been happier with the entire experience. I got the ribeye special which was served with broccolini and a potato puree. The ribeye was absolutely mouth-watering and I'd put it up against any of the high-end steakhouses in Atlantic City. That's not hyperbole. I have been to all of them and the ribeye I had at The Ebbitt Room was every bit as good as any of them. Maybe even more importantly, it was grilled perfectly to my specifications. Charlee and I have a running joke that whenever I order a steak it seems to come out either overcooked or undercooked. Not at the Ebbitt Room. It was exactly the way I like it. From the charcuterie board we started with to the Valrhona Cacao Pie we ended with, we both thoroughly enjoyed every bite of our meals. We can’t wait to come back and sample more items.

 

The Ebbitt Room just unveiled a new café menu, available now through February 17 that gives guests a choice of entrée paired with a soup or salad, making for a perfect meal to satisfy any winter craving. Entrée options feature seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and include dishes like Pork Milanese, Lobster Mac & Cheese, and Roasted Heirloom Chicken. To complement the mouthwatering meals from Executive Chef Jason Hanin, guests can also enjoy a carefully curated value-driven wine list, with selections available by both the glass and bottle. Guests can indulge in an elevated dining experience in the elegant dining room, the intimate lounge, or the cozy bar and enjoy a delightful evening that is sure to become a new weekly tradition. The café menu is available starting at 5pm Sunday through Friday and costs $35 per person

 

Every stay at The Virginia includes a complimentary continental breakfast. This isn't your typical continental breakfast. No day-old pastries or stale cereal here. The Virginia offers numerous coffees and juices and items like whipped feta avocado toast, Mediterranean veggie quiche and overnight oats with fruit. We enjoyed our breakfast in The Virginia Lounge in front of a warm crackling fire.

 

We were very impressed from start to finish with the accommodations, the service, the food and the decor and ambience of the entire property. Cape Resorts has done a wonderful job with The Virginia Hotel and The Ebbitt Room and we can’t wait to return.

 

If you’re looking for a romantic getaway, book a room at The Virginia Hotel! Now through the end of February is Cape Resorts’ Month of Love celebration with lots of things for couples to do.

 

Winter Reflection – A weekend of relaxation is an intimate way to celebrate love, and Beach Plum Farm is giving guests the opportunity to experience a quiet retreat on its sprawling, picturesque property. From Thursday, February 6 to Sunday, February 9, guests can embrace a gentler pace of life and unwind with the Winter Reflection retreat, featuring an expertly led yoga session, a massage in the privacy of each guest’s cottage, intimate farm-to-table meals, and plenty of special moments with loved ones. To book a stay, visit https://www.caperesorts.com/month-of-love/packages-events/reflection. Black Truffle Dinner in the Richmond Room – Celebrate Valentine’s Day a day early with the Ebbitt Room’s Black Truffle Dinner on Thursday, February 13. This 5-course dinner prepared by Executive Chef Jason Hanin features dishes in which black truffles take center stage, and each course is complemented by a thoughtfully paired wine from the restaurant’s award-winning wine list.  The exclusive dinner is limited to 18 guests and reservations are required. Tickets cost $395 per person. To make a reservation, visit https://www.caperesorts.com/cape-may-activities/black-truffle-dinner. Valentine’s Farm-to-Table Dinners at Beach Plum Farm – On Friday, February 14 and Saturday, February 15, Beach Plum Farm will treat guests to a communal farm-to-table dinner set in the serene, secluded beauty of the 62-acre property. Perfect for an evening of enjoying lively community with friends, these dinners feature a carefully curated, seasonally inspired menu crafted from the freshest ingredients grown onsite. The evening amps up the romance of the season in the ambient Hoop House, where soft candlelight highlights exquisite decorative touches like handpicked flowers. Dinners are BYOB and best suited for guests 21+. To make a reservation, visit https://www.caperesorts.com/cape-may-activities/valentines-farm-to-table-dinners-at-beach-plum-farm. Dueling Pianos in The Boiler Room – On Sunday, February 16, the Boiler Room at Congress Hall will host an unforgettable night out as two highly talented musicians from New York City’s Shake, Rattle & Roll Dueling Pianos go head-to-head on the keys. This high-energy piano show allows the audience to get in on the fun and offer up requests for songs from all genres. The playful competition heats up as each pianist tries to outdo the other with their performance, giving guests a good laugh and a great time. Guests can turn the evening into an overnight stay with the Dueling Pianos package, which includes deluxe overnight accommodations and two tickets to the show. To make a reservation, visit https://www.caperesorts.com/month-of-love/packages-events/dueling-pianos-in-the-boiler-room. On Thin Ice: A Winter Wedding Gone Wrong – Guests can head to Congress Hall on Saturday, February 22, for the property’s first ever interactive wedding-themed dinner theater. On Thin Ice: A Winter Wedding Gone Wrong invites guests to an evening of hilarity and hijinks as they attend a wedding reception where a family feud causes complete chaos and drama ensues. The evening takes place in the Grand Ballroom and will feature a three-course dinner, champagne toast, and plenty of interactive entertainment—black tie attire is highly encouraged but not required. The wedding weekend package includes deluxe overnight accommodations and attendance to the interactive dinner. To make a reservation, visit https://www.caperesorts.com/month-of-love/packages-events/on-thin-ice-a-winter-wedding-gone-wrong. “Who Do You Love” Wine Dinner at Congress Hall – Nothing says romance quite like an elegant wine dinner. On Friday, February 28, Congress Hall will host an innovative wine dinner event in the Grand Ballroom. Featuring “Old World” wines of France and Italy and “New World” wines from the United States and Canada, this dinner allows guests to indulge in delicious cuisine and experience the refined craftsmanship of Old World wines and the exuberant character of their New World counterparts. The wine dinner package includes deluxe overnight accommodations and two seats for the dinner. To make a reservation, visit https://www.caperesorts.com/month-of-love/packages-events/who-do-you-love-wine-dinner-at-congress-hall. For more information on Month of Love, visit https://www.caperesorts.com/month-of-love.