Seaside Hospitality Since 1816
Congress Hall was established in 1816 by founder Thomas H. Hughes, a prominent Cape May businessman. Originally called "The Big House", the hotel was renamed in honor of Hughes' election to Congress in 1828. Now in its third century, this grand resort features the simple pleasures of the past with the modern luxuries we enjoy today.
A stay at Congress Hall is designed around the simple pleasures of a classic American seaside vacation. Here, we believe that hospitality means more than just a room for the night. It means complimentary chairs, towels and umbrellas waiting for you down on the beach; delicious on-property dining for you to treat yourself to; health and wellness classes like yoga every morning; and family activities from sunup to sundown—all to create new memories and traditions with the ones you love.
Located in the heart of Victorian Cape May, it's the perfect place to spend your New Jersey beach vacation. Whatever the season, you will be delighted by the array of choices that make it easy to fill your days and nights. Relax in a private beach tent, lounge by the pool, or sit on a rocking chair overlooking the Grand Lawn.
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Congress Hall Events
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Winter Wonderland
Beginning Friday, November 29 at Congress Hall
There's nothing quite like Christmastime in Cape May. Head over to Congress Hall and watch as our Grand Lawn transforms into a Winter Wonderland spectacular complete with a 30-foot Tannenbaum, a Carousel, Train Rides around the Veranda, and an enchanted Vendor Village with filled with local and specialty vendors.
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Dining & Cocktails
From the Blue Pig Tavern, to the Boiler Room, to the Brown Room—Congress Hall is home to some of the most celebrated restaurants and lounges in Cape May, New Jersey.
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The Sea Spa
The Sea Spa at Congress Hall is a full-service day spa. This guest favorite is a haven of simple pleasures, featuring treatments inspired by the rhythms of the ocean.
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Tommy's Folly
What's vacation without a little shopping? Check out Tommy's Folly, a charming Café, Logo Shop and Boutique filled with Cape May finds and chic treasures for men, women and children.
View Tommy's FollyResort Amenities
The Sea Spa
The Sea Spa at Congress Hall is a full-service spa that offers unique ocean-inspired treatments in a bright, uplifting atmosphere.
Pool Service
SEASONAL
Enjoy complimentary chairs and towels at Congress Hall's Pool, as well as food and drink service from our Pool Bar and Grill. Learn More
Pool Service is included in your stay as a Congress Hall guest.
Beach Service
SEASONAL
We'll set you up with complimentary chairs, towels and umbrellas on the beach in front of Congress Hall. Enjoy food and drink service from our Beach Menu. Learn More
Beach Service is included in your stay as a Congress Hall guest.
EV Charging Stations
We're proud to feature on-property EV Charging Stations. Complimentary for hotel guest use, our Charging Stations are suitable for all electric vehicles.
Tennis Lessons
Tennis, anyone? We're proud to partner with tennis pro Zee Vlahovic and the Cape May Tennis Club to offer Private Lessons for our guests. Click here to learn more.
Private Tennis Sessions can be reserved for a fee.
Congress Hall
Bike Shop
SEASONAL
The Congress Hall Bike Shop offers singles, doubles, children’s bikes, surreys and helmets.
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Daily Housekeeping Services
Our Housekeeping Team will refresh your room daily and provide nightly turndown service, using enhanced cleaning protocols to ensure your space is spotless.
Housekeeping Service is included in your stay as a Congress Hall guest.
Complimentary Wifi
Stay connected with complimentary high-speed WiFi, available in your guest room or anywhere on our beautiful grounds.
Complimentary WiFi is included in your stay as a Cape Resorts guest.
On-Property Dining
Enjoy a varied selection of cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner—all without having to leave the grounds of our hotel.
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Sandpiper Fitness Center
As our guest, you'll have access to the fully-equipped Fitness Center and Sauna at the nearby Sandpiper Beach Club.
Fitness Center access is included in your stay as a Cape Resorts guest.
Family Activities
SEASONAL
Our seasonal Activities & Events will keep the whole family smiling all vacation long. View Activities Calendar
Amenities are subject to change based on state and local guidelines.
Packages & Special Offers
Sea Spa Retreat
Available for Midweek Stays this Spring and Fall
Indulge and unwind with our Sea Spa Retreat, featuring deluxe overnight accommodations and a credit to the Congress Hall Sea Spa.
Sea Spa relaxation at rates to feel great about
For a limited time, receive a $100 Sea Spa Credit included with your midweek stay at Congress Hall, the Star, and the Congress Place Suites.
Book Now
Book Congress Hall Book The Star Inn Book Congress Place SuitesFor Personalized Service Please Call (609) 884-6543
This offer is available for midweek stays on select dates through November 21, 2023
A Cape May Christmas
Available Tuesday, December 24 through Sunday, December 29, 2024
Experience the charm of a Cape May Christmas, and enjoy a delicious buffet dinner in the Grand Ballroom of Congress Hall.
Cape May is a magical destination throughout the holiday season, and it all culminates with a traditional Christmas in the Congress Hall Ballroom, with festive dining and merry music.
Included in this package:
- Deluxe Overnight Accommodations in Cape May
- Welcome Cocktails for Two in the Brown Room, to get in the spirit
- Christmas Day Buffet Dinner for Two in the Ballroom at Congress Hall
Promo Code: CHRISTMAS
For personalized reservation service, please call a Reservations Specialist toll-free at (855) 290-8467.
Terms and conditions apply. See the Reservations Website for complete details.
Christmas Day Buffet in the Ballroom
Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25, 2024
Seatings Available from 1:00pm to 6:00pm
Let the Congress Hall Chefs prepare a Christmas feast for you and your loved ones this year and join us for a beautiful dining experience in the Ballroom. We've prepared a delicious buffet menu featuring Christmas ham, buttery mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables and more.
Reserve Your Table
Reserve OnlineBook an Overnight Stay
Book Congress Hall Book Sandpiper Book the Star Book Beach Plum Farm CottagesGlitter Ball New Year's Eve Celebration
Available Monday, December 30, 2024
through Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Ring in 2024 in the elegance and style of Congress Hall's Glitter Ball! From the Lobby to the Ballroom, our grand seaside hotel will be decorated exquisitely—the perfect setting in which to spend a night in your finery, with a glass of champagne in your hand.
The Glitter Ball at Congress Hall is the ultimate New Year's Eve party, and you're invited! Black Tie is optional (but encouraged and celebrated) at this marvelous soirée. Dance the night away with your sweetheart and, after the clock strikes midnight and the last drink is poured, take the elevator home to a deluxe guest room or suite at Congress Hall. Or, enjoy a few minutes of fresh seaside air as you walk back to one of our neighboring Cape May hotels.
Reserve Tickets
Click Here to ReserveOvernight Package
Included in our Glitter Ball package:
- Deluxe Overnight Accommodations in Cape May
- Welcome Party Favors in your Guest Room
- New Year's Eve Glitter Ball Tickets for Two
- Breakfast in the Blue Pig Tavern on New Year's Day
- A Recovery Kit for Two with everything you need to bounce back on New Year's Day: energy juice, bottled water and aspirin
Promo Code: GLITTER
For personalized reservation service, please call a Reservations Specialist toll-free at (855) 290-8467.
Terms and conditions apply. See the Reservations Website for complete details.
Hibernate at Congress Hall
Available Thursday, February 13 through Monday, March 31, 2025
Congress Hall in Cape May is the ultimate wintertime hibernation getaway, blending historic charm with cozy elegance. Unwind with a delicious dinner for two fireside at the Blue Pig Tavern, 20% Off all Facials and Massages at Congress Hall's Sea Spa, and a late check-out.
Unwind by wood-burning fireplaces that warm the heart of this grand seaside resort. The inviting atmosphere extends to your room, where plush furnishings create a serene retreat. For a delightful culinary experience, enjoy fireside dining at the Blue Pig Tavern, savoring farm-to-table dishes in a warm, rustic setting. Treat yourself to a rejuvenating wintertime spa treatment at the Sea Spa, where heated cabana-style rooms provide a luxurious escape from the cold. Congress Hall offers the perfect cozy retreat for recharging during the colder months.
Included in this package:
- A Delicious Dinner for Two fireside at the Blue Pig Tavern
- 20% Off all Facials and Massages at Congress Hall's Sea Spa
- 1:00pm late check-out (not available on Friday or Saturday departures)
- Complimentary Valet Parking, with in-and-out privileges, for the entirety of your stay
Enhance your Congress Hall Hibernate getaway with:
- A Sommelier Wine and Cheese Selection, featuring your choice of wine variety, an artisanal cheese board, and a Congress Hall keepsake wine key
- A Congress Hall Signature Bath Kit, complete your choice of Beach Plum Farm Lavender, Rosemary Mint, or Lemon Verbena gift set, a signature CBD bath bomb, and a Seda France Malaysian Bamboo Pagoda
- Breakfast in Bed, delivered to your guest room from the Blue Pig Tavern
- A Book Selection from the New York Times Bestseller list, ordered in advance of your arrival and waiting for you in your guest room
Reservations for this package will be available in the coming weeks. To learn more, we invite you to join our e-newsletter.
Rise, Shine & Relax with Daily Breakfast
Available Year Round
Rise, Shine & Relax and leave the rest to us. Enjoy deluxe overnight accommodations and a farm-to-table breakfast in the Blue Pig Tavern each morning of your stay.
There's nothing like waking up in picturesque Cape May, especially when you have a delicious breakfast waiting for you! You'll love our Chef's selections this season like fluffy buttermilk pancakes, fresh omelets and breakfast sandwiches, all made using fresh ingredients from Beach Plum Farm.
Your package includes:
- Deluxe Accommodations
- Breakfast in the Blue Pig Tavern*
BOOK NOW
Congress Hall The Star The SandpiperFor Personalized Service Please Call 855-290-8467
An Evening To Remember
Available Year Round
Escape with your special someone to the Virginia Hotel & Cottages or Congress Hall. Book our Evening to Remember package to enjoy an intimate evening of dining by candlelight in the Ebbitt Room.
Plan a grand romantic weekend, or a cozy midweek escape—whatever the milestone, we will provide the gracious touch and exceptional service that ensure indelible memories.
Your romantic getaway includes:
Virginia Hotel & Cottages
- Deluxe Accommodations
- Dinner for two in the Ebbitt Room*
- Continental Breakfast for two each morning
- Complimentary Valet Parking
Book now
the Virginia Hotel The Red CottageCongress Hall
- Deluxe Accommodations
- Dinner for two in the Ebbitt Room*
- Complimentary Valet Parking
Book now
Congress HallPromo Code: EBBITT
After booking your overnight stay, please make your dinner reservation by calling the Ebbitt Room at (609) 884-5700.
*Terms and conditions apply. See the Reservations Website for full details.
Dinner in the Tavern
Available Year Round
Enjoy a classic and comfortable evening of American dining in the convivial ambiance of The Blue Pig Tavern at Congress Hall!
Known for hearty all-American favorites, The Blue Pig Tavern's name derives from a gambling parlor sited in Congress Hall in the mid-1800s. Earlier still, in the 1700s, Elias Hughes operated a tavern for whalers on this site. It was the first tavern in Cape May. Today, we offer timeless classics and new seasonal delights with ingredients that are always farm-fresh.
Included in this package:- Deluxe Accommodations in Cape May
- An Evening of Dining in The Blue Pig Tavern at Congress Hall
For Personalized Service Please Call (855) 290-8467
On Thin Ice
A Winter Wedding Gone Wrong
Saturday, February 22, 2025
This February, be our guest for On Thin Ice—an interactive Congress Hall wedding experience that’s as chaotic as it is hilariously captivating!
The linens are pressed, the tables are set, the candles are lit, and the guests have arrived. All may appear well at Congress Hall for the winter wedding of Marlow Wellington and Maizie Moore—but just below the surface, a family squabble is about to freeze over!
Get ready to dive headfirst into a wedding experience that’s as chaotic as it is hilariously captivating. For the first time ever, historic Congress Hall in Cape May, New Jersey will host an evening of interactive, wedding-themed dinner theater—and you’re cordially invited! Be our guest for the wedding reception of Marlow Wellington and Maizie Moore—a union that pits the elite against the common in a family feud for the ages. Will you toast to the highbrow Wellington clan or cheer for the lovable, down-to-earth Moores? The choice is yours, but the laughter and drama are guaranteed!
Included in your "wedding weekend" package:
- Deluxe Overnight Accommodations at your favorite Cape Resorts property
- An Evening of Wedding-Themed Dinner Theater in Congress Hall's Grand Ballroom, including:
- A three-course dinner
- A champagne toast
- Uproarious interactive entertainment, including toasts, speeches, music, dancing, and plenty of delicious drama
Dress your best! The bride and groom request formal attire for their big day (to your comfort level, of course).
Black Tie is encouraged, but not required.
Stay Overnight
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Book Congress Hall Book The Star Book The Sandpiper Book The Beach Plum Farm CottagesCall to Book
Call: (855) 290-8467This weekend of wedding fun is brought to you in partnership with Murder Café. Since 2023, Murder Café has delighted guests of Congress Hall with dinner theater fun, and we're excited to partner with them again to for this exciting wedding-themed event. To learn more about Murder Café, click here.
The Benjamin
Available Year Round
The Benjamin
As a Founding Father of the United States and face of the one hundred dollar bill even Ben would light up with a $100 resort credit!
With The Benjamin package you will enjoy wonderful accommodations, and $100 resort credit with the freedom to choose how to spend it. From a delicious farm-to-table dinner in the Ebbitt Room to classic comfort food at The Blue Pig Tavern, cocktails in the Brown Room, relaxation in the Sea Spa, coffee and lite-bites from Tommy’s Folly or Happy Hour at the Rusty Nail. Now, it’s easier than ever with signing privileges throughout all of the Cape Resorts Group Properties in Cape May. How will you spend your Benjamin?
Book Now
Book Congress Hall Book The Star Inn Book Congress Place SuitesFor Personalized Service Please Call (855) 290-8467
Murder Mystery Weekend at Congress Hall
Available Spring and Fall 2025
Join us for a fall Murder Mystery getaway at Congress Hall! Spend a two-night stay with us and watch the mystery unfold as you experience three days filled with riddles, clues and a whodunit that will keep you guessing until the very end.
From costumes and storylines to humor and problem solving, our partners at Murder Café will be sure to entertain and surprise guests. The performance is broken up over 4 acts and three days, and it is up to you to solve the crime!
Included in this package:- Deluxe Overnight Accommodations at Congress Hall
Stay at Congress Hall
Spring package:
Friday, March 7 through Sunday, March 9, 2025
Fall package:
Friday, October 31 through Sunday, November 2, 2025
Book Online
Book Spring Package Book Fall PackageCall to Book
Call: (855) 290-8467
Congress Hall
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Since 2012, Congress Hall has been honored by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the top US hotels in the Northeast and was recently awarded a spot on Condé Nast Traveler's Reader’s Choice Awards Top 20 Hotels in the Mid-Atlantic and New York. Congress Hall is also awarded with Tripadvisor's Certificate of Excellence. Most recently, Congress Hall was named to the 2021 Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards.
200 CONGRESS PLACE
CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY 08204
(609) 884-8421
it’s easy to find us
Cape May is easily accessible from the Garden State Parkway and the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. The hotel is located in the heart of the Historic District, right across the street from the beach and the Washington Street Mall.
Valet Parking is provided. Please pull up in front of the hotel and an attendant will assist you with your luggage and car.
From Google Maps:
View Google Map & Enter Your Starting PointFrom Specific Points
From The Garden State Parkway | From The Cape May Lewes Ferry | From New York | From Washington/Baltimore | From Philadelphia