The Mainstay Inn
635 Columbia Ave.,
Cape May, NJ 08204,
tel. 609/884—8690
In addition to being active in Cape May historic preservation and the city’s Victorian Week festivities, the Carrolls are enthusiastic fans ofVictorian culture and games, the more whimsical the better. They socialize activelywith guests, some of whom have been inspired to open B&Bs of their own, and turn breakfast and tea into friendly occasions. “We like guests to feel as ifthey’re not just staying with us, but that they’re part of the Mainstay’s atmosphere,” says Tom.
For more privacy than the main-house drawing room and its inviting gas fireplace, gaming table, and 1886 piano afford, you can steal up to the cupola, which has a distant ocean view. Or you may choose to stay in the Officers’ Quarters, the “new” building across the street. Built to house military person-nel during World War I, it contains four one- or two-bedroom suites that offer the modern amenities lacking in the carefully preserved Mainstay and adjacent Cottage. Each suite here has its own cable TV with VCR, phone, whirl-pool bath, gas fireplace, private porch, and snack bar; breakfast is delivered to each unit. Despite the modern comforts, however, there are enough old touches, such as antique mantels in the sitting areas and back-lit stained glass in the bathrooms, to provide vintage Mainstay charm.
9 double rooms with baths, 7 suites. Air-conditioning in 2 buildings, microwaves and minirefrigerators in 4 suites, on-site parkingfor 14 rooms. $150—$275; Continental-plus breakfast June—Sept., full breakfast Oct.—May, afternoon tea. No credit cards. Smoking on veranda only, no pets, 2-night minimum on weekends Oct.—May, 3-night minimum on weekends June—Sept.
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