You’ve seen the photos. The perfectly manicured Jackson Street, the white-picket fences, and those iconic Victorian facades that make Cape May look like a movie set. But when people book a stay at the Virginia Hotel cottages Cape May, they often walk in expecting a standard hotel room experience. They couldn’t be more wrong. Honestly, these cottages aren't just "rooms next door"—they are a total departure from the main hotel’s vibe, and if you don't know the difference between the Red, Gray, and White cottages before you click "book," you might end up with a very different vacation than you planned.
Let's be real: Cape May is crowded. In the height of July, Jackson Street is a sea of tourists and horse-drawn carriages. The main Virginia Hotel building is an 1879 masterpiece, but it’s an adults-only sanctuary. It’s intimate. It’s quiet. But what if you have a family? Or what if you want a full kitchen because you’re tired of $50 sea bass every night? That’s where the cottages come in. They basically act as private residences with the "panic button" of hotel service if you need a fresh towel or a valet to hide your car.
The Secret Hierarchy of the Cottages
Not all cottages are created equal. Most people think they're just different colors. Wrong. The Red Cottage at 22 Jackson Street is arguably the most famous. It was originally built for Harry and Dorothy Parker back in 1899. If you stay here, you’re getting that classic Queen Anne Victorian feel. You can rent the whole house or just a suite. The Southern Suite on the first floor is a beast—two bedrooms, a full kitchen, and a porch where you can sit and judge the outfits of people walking to the Washington Street Mall. It’s great.
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Then there’s the Gray Cottage. This one is a bit of a weirdo in the best way possible. It has an "upside-down" floor plan. Why? Because the builders realized the ocean views were better from the second floor. So, the living room and kitchen are upstairs, and the master bedroom is on the main floor. If you stay here, you don't get the complimentary continental breakfast delivered to your door. People complain about this. But the trade-off is a full-sized kitchen and an ocean-facing deck. You trade a croissant for a view. Seems fair.
The White Cottage and the "Seven Sisters" Legend
The White Cottage is located at 2 Atlantic Terrace. This is one of the legendary "Seven Sisters"—a row of identical Italian-Renaissance-style houses built by a wealthy developer for his seven daughters. It’s a bit further from the main hotel hub, which makes it way quieter. It’s also huge. We’re talking a seven-bedroom rental if you take the whole thing. The spiral staircase inside is hand-carved and absolutely stunning, though it’s a nightmare if you have a lot of luggage and hate cardio.
- Red Cottage: Best for porch-sitting and "being seen" on Jackson Street.
- Gray Cottage: Best for groups who want to cook and see the Atlantic while drinking coffee.
- White Cottage: Best for large families or people who want to pretend they live in 1891.
- Pink Cottage: The boutique option for those who want that "Instagrammable" Victorian aesthetic.
What Nobody Tells You About the Service
The Virginia Hotel cottages Cape May offer a weird, hybrid service model. You check in at the main hotel front desk at 25 Jackson Street. From that moment on, you’re basically a ghost. You get the valet parking (which is a godsend because Cape May parking is a circle of hell), and you get access to the "beach service."
This is the real value. You don't have to carry a chair. You don't have to carry an umbrella. You just walk to the beach, find the Virginia Hotel flag, and a college kid in a polo shirt sets everything up for you. They even have waiter service on the sand. Honestly, once you’ve had someone bring you a cold bottle of San Pellegrino while you’re sitting in a cabana, it’s hard to go back to dragging a rusty Tommy Bahama chair across the hot sand.
But here’s the catch: the main hotel is adults-only (ages 13+). The cottages, however, are where the kids go. If you’re a couple looking for total silence, stay in the main building. If you’re a family, the cottages are your only move. Just don't expect the main hotel's "whisper-quiet" atmosphere to follow you across the street.
Dining and the Ebbitt Room Connection
You can’t talk about the Virginia without mentioning the Ebbitt Room. It’s right there in the main building. The food is sourced from Beach Plum Farm, which is about two miles away. If you’re staying in a cottage, you have a kitchen, but you’d be a fool not to eat at the Ebbitt Room at least once.
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The cocktails are legendary. The house pianist, Kenneth Richardson, plays Thursday through Sunday. He’s been there forever. He plays everything from Billy Joel to Motown. It gives the place this "old-school class" vibe that doesn't feel forced.
Why the Price Tag Scares People
Look, it’s expensive. Some people on Reddit will tell you it’s "overpriced" compared to Congress Hall. And yeah, for the same price, you could get a much larger room at a Marriott. But you aren't paying for square footage. You’re paying for the fact that when you walk out of your cottage, you are exactly 550 feet from the Washington Street Mall and 200 yards from the ocean. You’re paying for the Beach Plum Farm soap that smells like lemon verbena and mint. You're paying for the history.
Practical Steps for Your Stay
If you’re actually planning to book the Virginia Hotel cottages Cape May, there are a few things you need to do to avoid a headache.
- Request the Turret Suite if you’re staying in the Red Cottage. It’s on the top floor. It’s quirky, has weird angles, and feels like a secret hideout.
- Check the stairs. None of these cottages have elevators. If you have bad knees or a 50-pound suitcase, the third-floor suites will be a problem.
- Use the Congress Hall perks. Since the Virginia is part of the Cape Resorts group, you can use the massive pool and fitness center at Congress Hall. It’s a 3-minute walk. Do it. The Virginia doesn't have its own pool, so this is your only option for a dip that isn't salt water.
- Book dinner at the Ebbitt Room the same day you book your room. In the summer, getting a table is like winning the lottery.
- Borrow the bikes. The hotel has free cruiser bikes. Cape May is flat. It is the best way to see the Emlen Physick Estate or ride out to the lighthouse without fighting for a parking spot.
The reality is that these cottages provide a level of privacy you just can't get in a 100-room hotel. You have your own front door. You have your own porch. You can hear the clip-clop of the horses at 10:00 PM and feel like you’ve actually traveled back to 1879, even if you’re just checking your email on the high-speed Wi-Fi. It’s a specific kind of luxury—not the gold-faucet kind, but the "everything is taken care of" kind.
Before you leave, make sure to walk over to the Washington Street Mall for a coffee at Magic Brain or a souvenir. Then, head back to your porch. That's the whole point of Cape May. Just sitting there, watching the world slow down, and realizing that for a few days, you own a piece of a Victorian dream.
To make the most of your trip, call the concierge 48 hours before arrival to arrange for any "special touches" like Beach Plum Farm gift baskets or bicycle rentals to be ready the moment you step out of your car. Check the seasonal calendar for the Richmond Room Dinner Series if you're visiting in the shoulder season, as these themed wine dinners are often the highlight of a Cape May winter stay.