A heads up if you're thinking of the NJ shore...

[JerseyJanice]

I'm now getting brochures from various Wildwood hotels. I'm on a lot of mailing lists since we've vacationed in Wildwood for at least a long weekend annually for the past 15 years or so.

Got one today from this place:

www.elcoronado.com

Just want to tell you guys that this is one of the nicest properties in Wildwood Crest. It's gorgeous and clean, and has a lot of anemities.

The Manager's Midweek Specials and the weekend package deals are a great value at this place. Wanted to put this out there since they sell out of these deals quickly. If you're thinking of spending some time in Wildwood this summer, you may want to consider this.

Happy 2006 vacation planning guys! (It's one of my favorite things to do.)

 

[luv2nascar]

wow that brings back so many good memories of Wildwood.

I haven't been in 20 years. But I had Douglas' fudge two years ago when my MIL went. We always went down the shore when I was a kid either Seaside Heights or Wildwood crest.

Looks like a nice hotel by the way.

 

[jenks0718]

Oh yes! We will be staying at our usual spot The Diplomat Hotel. We love it there

 

[MamaLema]

We drive to Wildwood every summer from Canada. The kids have a blast

 

[summerrluvv]

I just ordered a brochure. Does the brochure show pics of the rooms?

 

[sweet angel]

I've stayed there. It's a gorgeous motel.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I just ordered a brochure. Does the brochure show pics of the rooms?

Yes, summerrluvv, there are lots of pics in the brochure of the various room types.

Sweetangel, have you stayed there since after the recent renovation? We haven't, but we were there in 2000, and it was plenty nice then.

The room we stayed in, which was pictured in the old brochure, was in mauve tones with turquoise accents. It was lovely though; we were happy in them.

Now the rooms are pictured with dark green carpeting and pink/yellow/green floral bedding. The furniture looks like it's a washed pine. I seem to think that it was oak with brass trim when we were there in 2000, but I won't swear to that. We've stayed in a lot of different places down there.

The rooms look nicer and more up-to-date. Let's face it--mauve carpeting is very '80's. The outside of the building has had a major facelift too.

I wish I could remember the year of the renovation. I want to say 2003 or 2004, so everything is very new in hotel terms in this resort. It's not open during the winter and is filled to capacity only in July and August.

The pool area is very nice there, and we especially enjoyed the poolside hot tub. Also, the hotel is directly on a very nice stretch of beach.

I give this place thumb's up.

 

[LisaNJ25]

I am on the only Jersey girl who will not go to the Jersey Shore for vacation?

The closest I get is AC and I dont go for the shore.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Looks like a nice place. We always stay at my Grandmas house and drive into Wildwood. My aunt used to own an italian bakery on spencer st, oh I miss that place! Looks like we'll be down that way for April vacation this year instead of summer. A little to cold for the beach but we'll just hit Cape May instead.

 

[HayGan]

Thanks for the info! DH and I are considering booking one of the mid-week packages as a getaway for our anniversary. We will take the kids along as well and probably head up to AC for an extra night. Anyone have any recommendations on the restaurants in Wildwood? Their choices for the package are:

The Boathouse Restuarant
The Ravioli House
Neil's Steak and Chowder House
Urie's Restaurant
Duffy's on the Lake
Bandana's Mexican Grille
Two Mile Landing
Beach Creek Oyster Bar and Grill

 

[CookieGVB]

I already live "down the Shore" - so no Wildwood for me...maybe...

I've never actually been there, but the traffic down here is bad enough for me.

 

[BWVDenise]

I am on the only Jersey girl who will not go to the Jersey Shore for vacation?

The closest I get is AC and I dont go for the shore.

You're not alone! I don't do Jersey beaches either. It's HHI for me!

 

[sweet angel]

I already live "down the Shore" - so no Wildwood for me...maybe...

I've never actually been there, but the traffic down here is bad enough for me.

Where I live now was always the "halfway stopping point" to Wildwood for me when I used to live "up north".

Janice, I probably stayed at the ElCoronado in the early 90s...long time ago. Everytime I go down there though, it looks well-kept and well-maintained...unlike some of the other places.

 

[princesspumpkin]

I am on the only Jersey girl who will not go to the Jersey Shore for vacation?

The closest I get is AC and I dont go for the shore.

Ditto! And I'm right off the AC expressway. I just don't see the appeal, especially after vacationing in the Caribbean.

And JerseyJanice, are you sure you're not one of the owner's?

 

[JerseyJanice]

HayGan, of the restaurants listed I would most recommend Neil's Steak & Chowder House, The Ravioli House, or Bandana's. Those three all serve excellent food whereas the others are kind of touristy (if you know what I mean ).

Neil's serves excellent prime rib and awesome twice-baked potatoes. They make a good Bloody Mary too. I'm sure they have a website; try searching the name.

The Ravioli House is very good Italian. They make their own pasta right on the premises and have a pastry shop adjacent to the restaurant. (BTW, if anybody is looking for another great Italian eatery, Little Italy in the Crest is also exceptionally good.)

Bandana's is good Mexican. Their daily specials are gourmet Mexican, while their regular menu is good Tex Mex. You get all the wonderful chips and pico de gallo you want, and they offer a huge assortment of hot sauces, as condiments at your table as well as for sale in their gift shop. Their ice cream desserts are awesome too.

Don't know if this matters to you, but Neil's has a full bar. The Ravioli House serves beer and wine and offers cordials for your espresso or cappucchino. It does not have a full bar and accordingly, does not offer cocktails. Bandana's is in the dry part of Wildwood Crest and does not serve any alcohol, but you can bring a bottle of wine or a 6 pack of Corona if you'd like.

LOL PrincessPunkin! How I wish I were an owner of any property in the Wildwoods! It's an up and coming area with all the condo development that's happened in the past couple of years.

Sweetangel, you would barely recognize the Island from the last time you were there for that reason.

Gail, if I were 15 minutes from Seaside, I probably wouldn't go to Wildwood either. I do love both places though, very much in fact. Many of the happiest memories of my life happened in either spot.

This is a travel site, guys, and people do post to ask about where to stay in the Wildwoods. I'm just looking ahead for those fellow DISers by talking about it now.

 

[HayGan]

This is a travel site, guys, and people do post to ask about where to stay in the Wildwoods. I'm just looking ahead for those fellow DISers by talking about it now.

Thank you very much for the info! DH and I are very excited about it! We tried calling tonight but there was no answer! We didn't think we were going to the beach this summer but with those deals - NJ here we come!!!

Thanks again!

 

[JerseyJanice]

If the weather cooperates (crossing my fingers AND toes), I promise you'll love it, HayGan.

If you guys are into rollercoasters, you're going to love the amusement piers. And that boat ride (Silver Bullet) they are throwing in is very much worth your time. It's a delight, in fact.

 

[HayGan]

If the weather cooperates (crossing my fingers AND toes), I promise you'll love it, HayGan.

If you guys are into rollercoasters, you're going to love the amusement piers. And that boat ride (Silver Bullet) they are throwing in is very much worth your time. It's a delight, in fact.

When do the amusement piers open up? My kids LOVE amusements parks! We are thinking of going in mid-May.

Thanks again for all the info! We are going on 2 vacations this year thanks to you

 

[Blondie]

I have many fond memories of Wildwood. It's where all us Philadelphians went for summer vacations!

I haven't been back since 1996 and I stayed with my SIL whose MIL has a house there. When we stayed in hotels, I preferred the north end of the boardwalk. Good times!

 

[JerseyJanice]

HayGan, honey, you're flattering me! I just enjoy posting about my favorite travel spots is all. And I have a particular fondness for my home state. I didn't name myself "JerseyJanice" for no reason, LOL!

The amusement piers are run by the Morey family. Try searching on Morey's Piers to find their website. I am certain that in May they are open on the weekends, at least.

I think you know this, but I'll say it as a word of caution anyway--the ocean will still be pretty chilly in May. You'll be able to sit on the sand and get your toes wet, but it's likely you won't be swimming in the sea. (Unless you guys have a high tolerance for cold water temps.)

That said, the pool at the El Coronado is well heated, and you'll have the hot tub too. Did I mention yet that most of the rooms have balconies?

We love the Lobster House in Cape May also. It's an attraction unto itself. It's a complex situated on a fishing wharf that contains a restaurant, raw bar and oceanside bar. The views from the bar, which is actually a docked schooner, are spectacular. The place even has a take-out shop. Again, check around for the website; it's another place down there I gladly recommend.