Bored With Winter? Visit a New Jersey Shore Bed
and Breakfast
By
Steve Sears
Are you ready for winter? Looking forward to inches
upon inches of snowfall, lip chapping, plummeting wind chill
temperatures? Enticed to head to our state's northwest corner or
another state of higher elevation to hit the slopes via skis?
I've got another suggestion. How about visiting a
cozy, Jersey shore Bed and Breakfast?
No, I've not "lost the marbles" Santa
delivered to me as a young child. I'm merely inviting you to enjoy a
"best kept secret" here in our state during the winter
months. Most inns are vacant (I know the slopes aren't), and with
the holiday season just around the corner, well…savoring a Bed and
Breakfast stay is not just for summer anymore.
"It's a quieter kind of thing…a quieter
time," says Glenn Kithcart, who, along with his wife Janet and
wee Yorkshire Terrier Rosie, are Innkeepers at The Bentley Inn in
Bay Head, where a warm and friendly atmosphere reigns.
Kithcart makes sure "Christmas" is written
all over Bentley's 117-year-old walls. A tiny Christmas tree is
placed in each of the nineteen guestrooms, a traditional one is set
up in the living room, and a Jewelry tree, made up of strands of old
jewelry accumulated through the years, is on display in the cozy
dining area.
"And we get overflow guests, " Kithcart
says with a smile. "Visiting family members who find there
isn't room at their relative's homes will stay with us and go and
visit during their stay here. It's very laid back and relaxed."
And the best of both worlds.
The Bentley is the last stop of Bay Head's
"Christmas Tour Of The Inns" scheduled for Sunday,
December 7th. The weekend of December 5-7 is billed as 22nd Annual
Christmas Walk sponsored by the town's Business Association, and the
celebrating continues until 7PM the final evening as Kithcart offers
treats and drinks for festive strollers.
In Avon-by-the-Sea, the 7th Annual
Christmas-by-the-Sea Tour and Boutique will enthuse residents and
visitors on December 8th from Noon till 4PM. The tiny seashore town
promises happy times and warmth on this brisk day and the entire
season.
One of the inns lavishly decorated will be Greg
Dietrich's Avon Manor Inn. The ornamented tree nestled next to the
fireplace is just one highlight. Others include a large model
Victorian Christmas scene in the dining room, holiday snacks set out
by the fire and, for the brave, golf lessons by the putting green.
"Couples who are at a loss as to where to go for the
holidays often come here for a romantic stay. I've even had whole
families celebrate their Christmas at the inn, as well as some small
Christmas weddings in past years."
And when it comes to the Avon Manor, visitors can actually
snuggle up to a cozy fire both inside and outside.
"We are the only inn I know of with an outside fire
place," Dietrich says with a smile. "Guests love sitting
under the stars with a glass of wine or hot cocoa outside and relax
by the fire, especially during the holidays."
Further south of the Garden State Parkway, take exit 30 to Route
52 and drive over the Howard Stainton Causeway Bridge. It's
Christmas time in Ocean City, and "America's favorite family
Resort" is prepared. Santa arrives on December 5th for the big
Christmas Parade, and the whole month features events that will
encourage a return or delayed departure, especially the First Night
Ocean City 2004 Bed and Breakfast Tour.
"This is the place for a weekend away," said Beth
Martin. She and her husband Rick are the innkeepers at the Inn of
All Seasons, a grand twentieth century home and member of the Ocean
City Bed & Breakfast Guild. "You can also come down here
off of Route 9 just minutes away, visit one of the several tree
farms, select one, and have it fresh cut.. There's no reason to
leave the state or go anywhere else when you can get your tree, do
your shopping in our old fashioned downtown shopping district, and
enjoy a stay here in town."
"Enjoy" is the key word. With welcoming candles in
their windows and the inn filled with the sights and sounds of the
season, new guests become returnees, especially when holiday joy is
circulated among all.
And when you exit the front doors and head to the various
December events like the Train Show at the Music Pier, Carolfest, or
a New Year's Eve Celebration of the Arts as part of the jubilant,
alcohol-free, First Night extravaganza, home for you and your family
will be "where you are."
The New Jersey shore is often automatically associated with
summer time and all its activities.
It's time to spread the word. Wintertime, especially Christmas,
is a great time to visit a Bed and Breakfast and the towns they call
home.
Shout this secret from the rooftops!
