Continental Breakfast
Enjoy a delicious Continental Breakfast each morning of your stay, served to you either in the privacy of your Guest Room or on the Front Porch.
Daily Continental Breakfast is included in your stay as a Virginia Hotel guest.
A 24-room boutique hotel
Our updated COVID-19 policies: click here
The History
Seaside Sophistication since 1879
It began with a blaze. Like many Cape May hotels, The Virginia was built following the catastrophic Cape May fire of 1878, which destroyed nearly 40 acres of property in its wake.
Originally named 'The Ebbitt House' after its first owners, Alfred and Ellen Ebbitt, the hotel was renamed 'The Virginia Hotel' during its heyday in the early 1890s when it was a popular destination for visitors from Washington, D.C and Philadelphia. It was frequently mentioned in the society pages of The Philadelphia Inquirer, since many of the city’s fashionable set would decamp to the shore during the torrid summer season.
When Cape May began to decline as a resort destination during the twentieth century, the fortunes of The Virginia also suffered and the once upscale hotel eventually became a rooming house before being entirely condemned in the 1980s. The derelict hotel was purchased by Curtis Bashaw and his family in 1986 and after an extensive renovation was reopened in 1989.
Today, the Virginia stands as a historic icon of hospitality, proudly offering seaside welcome to discerning travelers near and far. The Virginia is a recipient of numerous awards and accolades for its impeccable service and standards from notable publications like Conde Nast Traveler's Reader’s Choice Awards, the Trip Advisor Award of Excellence, and the Conde Nast Gold List.
While You're Here
The Virginia provides a truly intimate environment that perfectly balances the modern with the timeless. A haven of relaxed elegance and thoughtful design, it's a contemporary interpretation of seaside sophistication that never fails to delight. You'll love waking up each morning to made-to-order continental breakfast, sipping coffee on the front porch, and strolling to the beach just down Jackson Street. As the sun sets, try a new cocktail—Leo's been busy behind the bar creating a new list of classics—and take your seat for a candlelit dinner in the Ebbitt Room.
in the heart of
Historic Cape May
As our guest, you'll be right in the middle of Cape May's historic downtown. Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1976, the Cape May Historic District comprises one of the country's largest collections of free-standing 19th century architecture. The 600 buildings that form the District feature stunning examples of Late Victorian, Eclectic, Queen Anne, Italianate, Gothic Revival, Colonial and French Second Empire style.
Cape May celebrates its living history through the preservation— and the clever adaptive reuse—of these grand old buildings. Today, you'll find cutting-edge restaurants in the parlors and terraces of former summer homes, as well as trendy boutiques and shops lining the wooden storefronts of Washington Street.
Come get to know our beautiful town by the sea. Plan your trip with our online guides of restaurant recommendations and local points of interest. Once you're here, our Concierge is a great resource on all things Cape May.
Virginia Amenities
Congress Hall
Bike Shop
SEASONAL
The Congress Hall Bike Shop offers singles, doubles, children’s bikes, surreys and helmets.
View Bike Shop Hours
Beach Service
SEASONAL
Our Beach Attendants guarantee the perfect beach day by setting you up with chairs, towels and umbrellas when you arrive. Order a refreshment off of our Beach Menu and settle in to the sounds of the surf. Learn More
Beach Service is included in your stay as a Cape Resorts guest.
Pool Service
SEASONAL
Enjoy complimentary chairs and towels at Congress Hall's Pool, as well as food and drink service from our Pool Bar and Grill. Learn More
Pool Service at Congress Hall is included in your stay as a Virginia guest.
Daily Housekeeping Services
Our Housekeeping Team will refresh your room daily and provide nightly turndown service, using enhanced cleaning protocols to ensure your space is spotless.
Housekeeping Service is included in your stay as a Virginia Hotel guest.
Complimentary Wifi
Stay connected with complimentary high-speed WiFi, available in your guest room or anywhere on our beautiful grounds.
Complimentary WiFi is included in your stay as a Cape Resorts guest.
Fitness Room
As our guest, you'll have access to Congress Hall's Fitness Room that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Fitness Room access is included in your stay as a Cape Resorts guest. The Fitness Room is reserved for one guest at a time and is sanitized between sessions. Sessions are first-come, first-serve. Please visit the Congress Hall Front Desk for access.
The Sea Spa
The Sea Spa at Congress Hall is a full-service spa that offers unique ocean-inspired treatments in a bright, uplifting atmosphere.
Sandpiper Fitness Center
As our guest, you'll have access to the fully-equipped Fitness Center and Sauna at the nearby Sandpiper Beach Club.
Fitness Center access is included in your stay as a Cape Resorts guest. Fitness Center reservations can be made for 45 minutes at a time by calling the Sandpiper Front Desk at (609) 884-6620.
Virginia Weddings
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Meetings
& Retreats
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Since 2012, The Virginia Hotel has been honored by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the top 10 US hotels in the Mid-Atlantic and New York. The Virginia Hotel is also an annual winner of Tripadvisor's Certificate of Excellence.
The Virginia
25 Jackson Street
Cape May, New Jersey 08204
(609) 884-5700
it’s easy to find us
Cape May is easily accessible from the Garden State Parkway and the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. The hotel is located on Jackson Street, just a half block from the beach and the Washington Street Mall - in the heart of the Historic District.
Valet Parking is provided. Please utilize the 15 minute parking space directly across from the hotel as well as the loading zone (a few yards down the street), as parking on the left side of Jackson Street is prohibited.
View Google Map & Enter Your Starting PointFrom Specific Points
From The Garden State Parkway | From The Cape May Lewes Ferry | From New York | From Washington/Baltimore | From Philadelphia