Stories/ The Art of Seaside Living

The Art of Seaside Living

How A Photographer’s Eye Transformed the Sandpiper Suites

From the very first steps into a guest suite at the Sandpiper Beach Club, the sense of place is immediate. Walking into the bedrooms, a framed Cape May scene hangs above the bed. The image does more than complete the space; it introduces Cape May before guests even step outside, establishing a connection to the shoreline just beyond the property.

At the Sandpiper Beach Club, connection to Cape May has been brought into sharper focus through a series of thoughtful updates designed to balance refreshment with familiarity. Over the past few years, the property has undergone a full refresh of its rooms, including new furnishings, updated wall colors, upgraded televisions, and renovated bathrooms. The goal throughout the process has been to keep the hotel current while preserving the charm, family-friendly atmosphere, and sense of comfort that have long defined it.

The goal throughout the process has been to keep the hotel current while preserving the charm, family-friendly atmosphere, and sense of comfort that have long defined it.

Maintaining continuity has been central to that effort. The Sandpiper boasts one of the highest returning-guest percentages among comparable properties, a loyalty rooted in the way the hotel feels like a second home. That feeling extends beyond the rooms themselves, as many staff members return season after season, creating a familiar and personal experience for guests who look forward to seeing the same faces each year. While the building continues to evolve, the experience remains grounded in comfort, recognition, and a strong sense of belonging.

As plans for the refresh took shape, one element quickly emerged as a priority: artwork that felt authentic to Cape May and directly connected to the place guests had come to experience.

That search led the Sandpiper team to the photography of Joe Evangelista, discovered at the West End Garage. His images offered a natural fit, capturing recognizable local scenes with a simplicity that aligned with the property’s aesthetic.

Photographer Joe Evangelista’s booth at West End Garage.

Joe in action.

Once sample pieces were placed in the rooms, the decision was immediate. Each main bedroom now features one of eight Cape May scenes selected from Joe’s work, with owners choosing their preferred image to allow subtle variation while maintaining a consistent look. The artwork has resonated with both owners and guests, many of whom have sought out the photographer after their stay or purchased additional pieces for their own homes.Once sample pieces were placed in the rooms, the decision was immediate. Each main bedroom now features one of eight Cape May scenes selected from Joe’s work, with owners choosing their preferred image to allow subtle variation while maintaining a consistent look.

Each main bedroom now features one of eight Cape May scenes selected from Joe’s work.

The artwork has resonated with both owners and guests, many of whom have sought out the photographer after their stay or purchased additional pieces for their own homes.

For Joe, that familiarity is intentional. His work centers on returning to the same Cape May locations again and again, allowing changes in light, season, and atmosphere to shape each photograph. He relies on the environment itself rather than heavy editing, believing the natural beauty of the shoreline—especially moments like a Cape May sunset—needs little enhancement. Guests bring their own memories and interpretations to the images, recognizing places, recalling experiences, and forming personal connections that extend beyond the frame.

Guests bring their own memories and interpretations to the images, recognizing places, recalling experiences, and forming personal connections that extend beyond the frame.

That connection to place has become one of the defining elements of the renovation effort. Alongside other updates—such as a redesigned pool area and expanded amenities including breakfast and lunch delivery from The Rusty Nail—the artwork helps define the coastal atmosphere the property continues to cultivate. Looking ahead, the Sandpiper plans to build on this approach, focusing on improvements that enhance the stay while preserving the familiarity that has drawn guests back for two decades. At the Sandpiper, Cape May is not simply a view—it is an integral part of the experience.