Cape May, NJ isn't the cheapest beach town.  By Far.  And a hotel like  Congress Hall, with all it has going for it (gorgeous, historic, good food, great service*, poolside service, beach umbrella setup service, and turndown service, to name a few), is not the wisest move when there's a bazillion dollar college bill coming due in a decade or so.

And yet?  We lived the life for a long weekend, thanks to her brilliant dad.  Because he discovered that hiding behind the formidable Congress Hall is its country-mouse cousin, the Star Motel.  (Well, more like modern-glam country cousin.  And yes, race fans, the rooms have kitchens.)   The Star was generously sized, well renovated, and had at least 6 pillows on the bed.  Being cousins, The Star and Congress Hall like to share. The main hotel's amenities, including the pool and the beach umbrellas, were available to us.

We weren't the only family who had found the secret route to the high life.  Joining us in the daily hop to the beach (1 block), and then the pool (1/2 block), were two other families with kids of varying ages.  We all agreed that it rocked. 

Oh, and think that service is only for the hoi and the polloi?  Not so, not so.  When we came back from the beach, the bed was made, the room  clean, and the dishes were done.  Oh lordy.  We could get used to that.

More posts coming soon about Cape May.

(*except for 1 hungover waiter the only time we went out to breakfast.  Seriously - Coffee.  We really needed coffee.)