We have stayed at Suzanne’s Stone Harbor waterfront home three times, most recently in Oct./Nov. 2017. As always, her house is clean, cozy, welcoming, functional, easy; and at this season, all is quiet, everywhere.
Inside: All beds are superbly comfy, as is furniture. The well-equipped kitchen pleases those preferring their own meals. The large den TV screen makes for fun sports watching, the living rooms screen is big enough for movies, and there’s a Roku device with plenty of free content and a fine sound system, too. At breakfast or lunch, one can watch snowy egrets plumb the shallows for eats, and observe the wind vs. tide upon the back bay waters. A modern laundry station fills any need.
Outside: Nature’s secret – ocean water cools off slowly and is not yet cold in Oct./Nov., so you can still paddle/swim safely if you know what you’re doing. If it’s not too windy, the intrepid can still kayak off the back deck. (Hint: Call ahead to get the “Jersey Island Blueway” map for two bucks from Harbor Outfitters on the main drag.) Near high tide, one can swim at one’s own risk. In either case, just dress for the 63° water. Landlubbers can enjoy the deck chairs at water’s edge or table and chairs on the outdoor patio. We don’t outdoor grill, but it’s there for the sizzling.
The area: Walking and hiking possibilities are unlimited -- from the door, walk through town to the ocean and endless beach in 20 minutes or explore back streets; short drives take you to paved boardwalks, national wildlife refuges, the Delaware Bay, and more. There is excellent, reasonably-priced seafood nearby for sit-down, take-out or cook-at-home (New-age-y Matthew’s in Cape May Court House, or longshoreman’s style Rick’s Seafood, take-out only in N. Wildwood). For family-styled/huge-portioned Italian, Nino’s in Cape May Court House is champion (among best eggplant parmiagiana we’ve had). A multi-screen theater is now open in town, 10 minutes’ walk from your door, the new library is open (renters can borrow videos/books/music). And in addition to, or as a break from, the seven Cape May wineries (Natali Vinyards is our fave), craft beer brew-pubs are proliferating (we got to four, of which we preferred Cold Spring’s lighter, traditional brews over the hop-heavy IPAS and porters we sampled at Cape May, Slacktide and Seven Mile breweries).
The owner: Suzanne, though usually not local, is a thoroughly professional and responsible owner who palpably enjoys sharing her home.