Common Questions
Where is The Longfellow Guest House located?
We're on Hughes Street right in the heart of town, three blocks from the beach and two & a half blocks from the Washington Street mall with it’s coffee shops, restaurants and stores. We're walking distance from just about everywhere! Still need more info? Check out our new Longfellow Guest House google map.
What kind of groups stay at the Longfellow Guest House?
Generally it's families who with their children, relatives and friends want to vacation in Cape May but also want the relaxing convenience of a big ol' comfortable house. Guests tell us that the Longfellow House feels like vacationing in a cozy, familiar home. They're right!
You're a Guest House, how is that different from a Bed & Breakfast?
A Bed & Breakfast is typically a boarding house that rents rooms or suites to parties of 2 to 3 people. Usually they provide a simple breakfast as part of the stay. Because you share the common areas of the B&B with other vacationers, children are generally not permitted. With a Guest House (or vacation house as some refer to it) you rent out the entire house and have access to everything in the house (i.e. a full kitchen to host family meals, a living room/family room to relax and watch DVDs, a yard where the children can play, a private driveway for parking etc.). Basically a Guest House gives you the feelings and comfort of being at home while on vacation.
How many bedrooms do you have, and how are they configured?
There are 7 Bedrooms accommodating 14 people. On the 2nd floor there are 3 Queen size beds (note: one of the beds on the 2nd floor, an old canapoy style bed, is slightly smaller than a queen). On the 3rd floor there are 4 bedrooms with the following configurations -- two rooms with trundle sets, one room with a twin set and one room with bunk beds. So to sum up, there's the equivalent of 3 Queen size beds on the 2nd floor and 8 twin size beds on the third floor. Check out our Longfellow Guest House Photo Galleries page and click on the inside photos gallery for more bedroom information.As a sidenote, we recently added a queen size pull-out sofa bed in the living room for family guests that require a first floor bed for an elderly family member (who might have difficulty walking up the stairs).
Bathrooms: There's a full bathroom on the first floor. On the second floor there's the en suite private bathroom for the Master Bedroom, and a main/ larger bathroom for the other rooms. On the second floor there's also a full Washer/Dryer laundry room that also has a toilet and sink. We also have a convenient outside apres beach shower with hot & cold water.
What is the best time to vacation in Cape May?
Cape May is a popular year 'round destination so it just depends on what you're looking for. Summer is the peak tourist time but the off-season presents a great opportunity to enjoy Cape May’s charm. The Spring Festival, Jazz Festival(s), Sherlock Holmes Weekend & Victorian Week are just a few of the events offered. Thanksgiving, Christmas & the New Year's Holiday are particularly special where many home owners go to town decorating their properties with holiday lights; an experience made even more amazing when viewed on a nighttime horse and buggy ride offered by the Carriage Co. Truly wonderful!
Most locals will tell you that the “shoulder” seasons are a wonderful time to visit as you really get a sense of all Cape May has to offer and understand why so many people choose to live here year ‘round! The Longfellow Guest House changes from weekly to weekend rentals, at lower rates, making it easier to pop into town for a quick getaway with family and friends. It can really be special.
Do you have Air Conditioning?
We have four air conditioning units on the third floor (one in each room) and ceiling fans throughout the first and second floor. Our house was built during the era where ceilings were really high on the first floor. Those high ceilings provide a comfortable cooling effect throughout the house. And since we're a few blocks from the beach, cooling ocean breezes help keep things comfortable.
Do you offer any special weekend packages?
We do! We have a specials section on this website, plus we send out a simple email newsletter a few times a year announcing great deals. You can sign up at the bottom of this page.
Is there a way to get online from your vacation home?
Absolutely! A tenant suggested this great idea so we installed high speed, wireless internet access. Our tenants have really enjoyed being able to easily connect to their email or office while on vacation. Just bring your wireless enabled laptop, and you're all set to surf.
How can we learn what to do in Cape May and surrounding areas?
We provide some great guides in the house. And of course, www.capemayX.com.
More Questions?
Still have questions? Just send us an email and we'll help you out any way we can.Do you have a mailing list?
Sorry, trick question — people don't usually ask this. But we do have a mailing list. We send out informative, no hassle mailings a few times a year that hi-light special weekend packages and interesting Cape May news. We will never abuse the privilege so go ahead and sign up below.
