The 132-year-old Chalfonte Hotel, just three blocks from the beach in Cape May, has stood the test of time, but it's not without its weather-beaten creaks and moans. But that's part of the appeal of this 70-room hotel that has no air conditioning, phones, televisions, and sometimes, even no bathrooms in the rooms.
While most travelers avoid a hotel that is being refurbished, at the beloved Chalfonte, guests are lining up in droves. For several weekends in both the pre and post seasons, volunteers help lend a hand, either getting the Victorian lady ready for the season or helping to batten down the hatches for the winter.
How far would you go to get a cheap hotel at the beach? For thousands of volunteers in Cape May, New Jersey, getting a great deal has become a labor of love. Valarie D’Elia has more.
The work weekends are so popular it has its very own grouting groupies, coming from 27 states across the country, who provide ten hours of labor and pay $35 in exchange for two overnights with meals, as well as the satisfaction that comes from helping to restore a National Historic Landmark.
The work weekends for the pre-season start in late April and end in early June, but fill up very quickly. Check the website to see which weekends, if any, are still open for the spring. Post-season dates will be released in August. Check www.chalfonte.com.
If you would rather simply stay at the Chalfonte without lifting a finger, it offers three, five and seven-night packages starting at $882 for two, including full buffet breakfast and a four-course dinner each day. Call (888) 411-1998 to book the stay.