Montreal Beach Resort — Hotel in Cape May

There is truly no other place I’d rather stay. I take my Mom here every year. It’s beautiful, clean, close to the ocean, a restaurant attached. It’s perfect. It’s nice coming back every year to see the same friendly staff. They are always ready to help with a smile. Diane, Alice , Marcella, Stacy at the front desk are always ready to help and accommodate any needs you may have. There are a few other kind ladies there, I didn’t have the pleasure to work with them, but confident they are just as amazing. We always book the patio suite and get to see the Pool Guy every morning making sure everything is in perfect running order. Chris was hard working making sure the towels at the pool were stocked and garbages were cleaned and everything was lovely.

The beach is literally across the street which I love that we don’t have far to walk. I also love your golf cart service that takes us to and from our destination Super convenient. Don was our driver and so helpful and gentle when it came to helping my Mom getting her on and off the cart and securing her wheelchair. He was patient, kind and fun to talk to. The rooms are beautiful and very clean. Paulette is amazing, she’s been there for years and makes sure we have everything we need. I just love it here and recommend the Montreal/ Madison to anyone looking for a beautiful and convenient place to stay in The lovely Cape May. Harry’s is awesome, I always start my stay with a CRUSH, but it would be great if they changed up the menu a bit. Including daily specials or more options. Sometimes we order 2 or 3 times in a week and it gets boring. However, it is good and the staff is great. My only concern and problem I had this year was their newest policy. We appreciate they allow us to sit outside our room on the patio floor as the room is being cleaned. We sometimes arrive earlier than expected so it’s nice to just get to rest and enjoy as much as we can. They would give us our beach passes and parking sticker. However, in the past, once the room was clean regardless of the time we would get notified and receive our keys. This year they changed the policy to where you would have to pay $50 if you wish to check in earlier to which you will then receive your beach passes as well. Our room is usually ready by 1 and to wait till check in at 4 just seemed to be a little rediculous. The rooms are not cheap, so to nickle and dime for an extra $50 to get into your room and unpack your car etc seemed insane. I completely understand that we arrived early and standard check in is at 4, but that was one of the reasons we loved coming back was those little conveniences that make vacations fun and your experience even better. I have an elderly mother and that’s why I loved the convenience of having her lay down if she desired. I understand there are new owners and new rules, but sometimes the old way kinda just works and it’s those little touches that show how much you value your customers. Especially us that come back year after year. It’s kinda like a little “thank you.” During our stay I’ve had many conversations about it with the other vacationers and they all felt the same. Just because other hotels do it, doesn’t mean they have to as well. It’s simple and nice courtesy. That’s what makes you stand out. If the room is available give us the opportunity to enjoy your hotel a few hours more. All in all it is the staff, the heart and soul that makes this a great place to stay. Thank...

DONT STAY IN “ROOFTOP” ROOMS IF YOU HAVE KIDS

I’m happy to see the hotel has updated the listing for the partial view “Two Queen Suite Kitchenette” to include that it opens to Harry’s Rooftop, because when we booked our stay it only said it had “access to” the rooftop which seemed fine enough.

SPOILER ALERT: IT WAS NOT FINE

What we didn’t realize is room 218’s “partial ocean view” actually means your view is staring down the server station/bartenders working, a packed bar and people coming in and out all day and night and loud live music for most of the day/evening. (Pic from our rooms view attached) Not to mention most of the restaurant can clearly see into your room if you dare to keep your blackout curtains open.

I’m sure it wouldn’t be problematic if you’re a group of adults (even though this was the worst room I’ve ever stayed in) but if you have a baby or a sensory sensitive kid like we do, throw the idea of being able to sit on your balcony or enjoy a quiet night at the beach out the window. Instead, plan on a kid who is scared to go outside because of the loud noise, and an adult sleeping on the pullout couch being woken up continuously even after the band has stopped from bar noise.

The manager informed us our room was not an “accessible room” so while the website was clearly misleading and sketchy about what to expect, the room was what we booked. They did try to find us a different room but there wasn’t anything available, so their hands were tied but we wouldn’t have been in this position if the room description online was clear about what to expect. We did get an extra chair at the beach tho ($15 value!) so that’s cool.

Speaking of windows, since we couldn’t keep our balcony curtains open (the bar opens at noon) I was hoping to use the window in our bedroom for some natural light, but nope! That opens to a concrete wall, so no natural light could be had.

We would never have booked the room if the online description was clear and we would have known it opened right into the ACTUAL BAR. While the hotel itself was fine enough, this room should be deeply discounted (it’s not). If a rooftop room is the only thing available I would suggest booking elsewhere.

LET THIS BE...

Not Worth the Money! I don't often write reviews, but in this case, I felt it was warranted. Having stayed at the Montreal Beach Resort in past years, I can tell you that the experience has gone from a solid "5" to a solid "2". Although you're paying 4- or 5-star hotel prices... you're getting a 2-star hotel/motel experience.

While the room renovations are okay, the attention to detail re: property maintenance has definitely gone down. Where you enter your hotel rooms (from the back of the building) is not kept as clean as it once was, making the hotel look like a 2-star hotel vs. a 4- or 5-star hotel. All night long you here the staff pushing carts and yelling to one another outside your door. There were dirty towels in where the ice machines and "empty" vending machines sit... dirty, foul-smelling water in the parking lot where you park your cars.

The restaurant, which was one of our favorite in Cape May is more expensive and the food is less than average. In addition, while there were 8 empty tables throughout the day, we were told that we couldn't be seated because there was a "wait." We watched to see if the tables ever filled up... and they didn't. We came to find out that we couldn't be seated, because they're short-staffed. While the restaurant is a selling point and part of the brand promise... they didn't discount the room when they couldn't deliver on this promise. So... we paid for a "service" we didn't receive.

The front-office staff is amazing, and I believe it's because they are the same staff that served under the previous owner. It's truly ashame that we are saying "goodbye" to our "go-to" place in Cape May... opting for the "Beach Club" next door... that delivers an experience worth paying for. You definitely do not get your money's worth at this so-call "beach resort" called...