The Chalfonte
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Cape May's oldest original hotel featuring the Magnolia Room Restaurant and The King Edward Bar.

Plan your visit

This year will be The Chalfonte’s 144th year of operation and we are planning to move forward with the 2020 season. We look forward to welcoming guests starting June 1st. Please note: The Magnolia Room & King Edward Bar will open at a date to be determined.

The Chalfonte Hotel is establishing protocol to follow all Federal, State, and Local mandates including guidelines established by the CDC and American Hotel & Lodging Association to keep our guests and staff healthy and safe.

The Chalfonte Experience

A traditional seashore hotel unlike any other.


A double bed in a pale blue room with flowers on the nightstand and an antique dresser

Distraction-free rooms

Unwind in our simplistic guest rooms that are free of modern electronics (unless you choose to bring your own—and yes, we have wi-fi!).

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Cherished family recipes

The Magnolia Room has been serving our famous fried Chicken for more than 60 years—“soul food with its Sunday clothes on.”

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The King Edward Bar at the Chalfonte

Call us old fashioned...

Savor your favorite spirits from The King Edward Bar on a perfect porch evening while enjoying Cape May's finest live music.

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Established in 1876, the historic Chalfonte Hotel is recognized as the oldest original hotel in Cape May, America's first seaside resort. Located just two blocks from the beach and steps from the heart of town, The Chalfonte offers a unique seashore experience defined by warm, Southern-style hospitality.

We offer cottage rentals, spacious suites, guest rooms with premium and European style baths, and traditional rooms with shared baths down the hall. Guest rooms feature crisp linens and cool seaside colors, and are free of televisions, telephones, and clock radios.

Our nationally acclaimed Magnolia Room Restaurant serves Southern-style fare with lovingly prepared family recipes by the third generation of Dickerson women, whose matriarch Clementine came with the Satterfield family every summer from their Virginia home. Clementine's daughter Helen followed, and later Helen's daughters Dot and Lucille. Today, Lucille continues to honor the family legacy of culinary excellence.

The King Edward Bar is famous for its classic cocktails, casual ambiance and live music.

For generations, guests have returned for the Chalfonte's unique charm & warm hospitality.