Hey Everybody - I am in the midst of designing up invitations, but I realized the clock is ticking on the hotel rooms and I wanted to get all the info up here as in one convenient place, so those of you who haven't made plans yet can make them.
HOTELS:
This is the hotel where most people are staying. This is where the reception will be, and the ceremony is about a 15-20min walk or 5min drive away. We picked it because we wanted it to be affordable for everyone to stay. We have rooms blocked and the 10% discount will apply UNTIL AUGUST 3rd. There's a wedding in the hotel friday night and a big meeting going on that weekend, so rooms are going to start to go quickly after theyre released 8/3 - they have a sliding scale, the more rooms there are available, the cheaper they are. The hotel has a lot of different rooms so if you want the cheapest one, tell them you're with our wedding and ask for the cheapest room. That's running about $125ish currently, and we have a bunch of those rooms blocked until 8/3. But you can pick any kind of room and get the wedding discount, if you want a sleeper couch or efficiency, etc. Check out the many different sizes/types of rooms here but call them, don't make your reservation online, you won't get the discount. The reservation girl at the desk with talk you through it. There is a 2-nite minimum, since it's still a beach weekend.
Some people are planning to come into town for a while longer and have asked for other options. That weekend is Oktoberfest in Cape May and some events going on in Wildwood too. For those of you who don't know, Wildwood is the town next to Cape May, about a 15 min drive...so for other hotel options:
Only two blocks away from the Grand, and due to the Grand now starting to book up, a little cheaper. The Grand has another wedding friday night, so people who have been trying to come earlier in the week are having a hard time booking all the nights at the Grand so some are switching from the Montreal to the Grand later, or just staying the whole time. You definitely wont miss out on anything if you're staying so close, don't worry.
Congress Hall is my favorite hotel down here - its a gorgeous restored hotel from the 1800s that was almost knocked down, then redone and saved. (It's where the rehearsal dinner is going to be, and I'm sure many of us will end up in The Boiler Room bar some time over the weekend). It's definitely an upgrade if you want to spend a few pampered days. It's right in the heart of Cape May, maybe a 5 min walk to the church, and a 20 min walk to the Grand.
Just a 2-3 blocks further down the beach than the Grand. Small no-frills motel. They have multi-night discounts so call and talk to the receptionist.
Officially the "Southernmost hotel in NJ" - it's a cute little no-frills motel, but it is a serious walk down the beach to the Grand. Bring your flip-flops or its just a 5min drive. Definitely not a walk you want to do in heels.
PIER 6600 (609) 729-6600
This hotel is in Wildwood, directly across the street from the Panepinto summer condo. It is about a 15min drive (and $1.50 toll) to Cape May. So no drunk driving after the wedding! It's got a cheesy 60s vibe, but was redone inside last year and has new interiors, a new coffeeshop and an outdoor pool & hot tub. And a air hockey table that I totally schooled Ryan on.
TRANSPORTATION:
AIRPORTS:
PHILADELPHIA (PHL) approx. 1.5-2hr drive depending on traffic - all the major airlines fly here pretty regularly & ive seen some really great deals lately. All the rental car agencies are here. You can also take a NJ Transit bus (see below).
ATLANTIC CITY (ACY) airport is approx. 30-45 min drive, and has just opened up to more flights as of June. Only AirTran and Spirit fly into Atlantic city, and only to selected airports. Spirit flies to ACY from Boston & a few airports in Florida, while AirTran flies from Atlanta & Orlando. There are car rental companies here, but definitely call in advance, because they dont seem to keep a lot of stock on hand for walk-ups. You can also take a NJ Transit bus (see below).
NEWARK (EWR) airport is approximately 2.5-3hrs away, same as the drive from NYC. But taking the NJ Transit bus means you have to take the train back into the city then pick up the bus, I don't think it's worth it if you're coming straight to Cape May. If you're meeting people in NYC or staying for a while, then totally an option.
LAGUARDIA (LGA) and JFK are on the other side of NY so you'll have to get past the city before you get on your way, so I'd say it'll ad another hour onto the trip if you're going to Cape May straight from the airport. But if you are planning to meet up with New York friends, or planning on extending the trip, then these airports are definitely an option.
BUSES:
There are NJ Transit buses from NYC, Philadelphia, and Atlantic City, and they vary greatly in trip time depending on how many stops you're making. The local takes about 5 hours from NYC to Cape May, but hey it's only $35. Use the Itinerary Planner, b/c the PDF schedules they have up right now are only good until labor day. You can also take a NJ Transit Train to a bus (like the new Aces Train to Atlantic City), then take a bus, it's all on the NJ Transit Site
CAR:
FROM NYC: 2.5-3hrs depending on traffic. Best route is to get to the NJ Turnpike (either via Lincoln Tunnel or Holland Tunnel, or George Washington Brodge if you're way uptown) down to Exit 11 (Garden State Parkway) then literally drive right off the end of the Garden State. You will keep driving straight, over a bridge (there's lots of signs to Cape May) and follow the signs to "Beaches" rather than Downtown (the road you were on turns into Lafayette, and you'll be making a left onto Madison when you follow the sign towards "beaches"). Follow that road until you hit dunes, then make a right. You're now on Beach. The Grand is one of the first few hotels. It's big, you can't miss it.
(Same directions as above from Newark, as Newark is ON the Turnpike, about Exit 14. Just head South.)
FROM PHILLY: 1.5-2hrs. Get on I-95 (there should be signs as you exit the airport). Take Exit 19 for I-76 (turns into 42 south when you get over the bridge into NJ) which becomes the Atlantic City Expressway East. Take Exit 7S onto the Garden State Parkway South. Then literally drive right off the end of the Garden State. You will keep driving straight, over a bridge (there's lots of signs to Cape May) and follow the signs to "Beaches" rather than Downtown (the road you were on turns into Lafayette, and you'll be making a left onto Madison when you follow the sign towards "beaches"). Follow that road until you hit dunes, then make a right. You're now on Beach. The Grand is one of the first few hotels. It's big, you can't miss it.
Here's an interactive map below, with all the hotels marked, and directions mapped. If you click on this link it will open in Google and you can print out directions, etc.:
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