Spacious Historic Farmhouse booking now for 2024! Sunday to Sunday

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Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

5 bedrooms3+ bathroomsSleeps 10232 sq m

Popular amenities

Hot tub

Fireplace

Kitchen

Barbecue grill

Air conditioning

Free WiFi

Explore the area

Cape May, NJ

Washington Street Mall3 min drive
Poverty Beach3 min drive
Sunset Beach6 min drive
Atlantic City, NJ (ACY-Atlantic City Intl.)50 min drive

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Captain's Quarters

1 Single Bed and 1 King Bed

Helm Room

1 Queen Bed and 1 Crib

Pirate Room

2 Single Beds

Port Bedroom

1 Queen Bed and 1 Crib

Starboard Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

3 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Captain's Quarters Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Farmhouse bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Helm Room Bathroom

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Outdoor

Soap · Towels provided · Shower only · Shampoo

Powder Room

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shampoo

Spaces

Deck or patio

Porch or lanai

Kitchen

Office

Separate dining area

Outdoor play area

Garden

Dining Area

About this property

The Mermaid and the Whale welcomes you to stay in a charming historic farmhouse 1.5 miles from the beach. We offer Sunday to Sunday rentals throughout the summer and are available for rental off-season (June and September are the best seasons).

In 2018, we added an enclosed outdoor shower - with a double-headed fixture - to much enjoyment of our guests. In 2019 we updated the kitchen with new quartz counters, backsplash, and farmhouse sink. Our favorite detail is the new built in water filtration system! For 2020, the powder room, back porch furniture and Fire Pit got an update! 2021 gave us a brand new bathroom in the Helm Room - aptly named the Rain Locker - and added the Music Room and renovated the TV Room. 2022 brought a renovated Captain Quarters and 2023 brings us a renovated Starboard bedroom! More projects coming...find us on Instagram to see what we are up to!

The Mermaid and the Whale is located on an acre of property with plenty of parking and space to run for the kids. The property is beautifully landscaped and a great place to relax. Hammocks hanging under the trees are one of our favorite places to catch a nap or watch the many birds flying around the property.

We are located on Seashore Road, north of the beach. We are located near the Cape Island Preserve, where there are long well-marked trails through the wetlands. Want to do some exploring? Vineyards, Beach Plum Farm, Cape May Brewery, and even a distillery are all within easy biking distance. So, we provide the bikes too! We have 4 bicycles available for your use. And don't worry, we didn't forget the beach gear! We provide 8 "Tommy Bahama" bag-pack style beach chairs and 3 beach umbrellas.

Our home is a relaxing place to spend your vacation. With two separate living rooms, a sun room that functions as the TV room/office, a large dining room attached to the kitchen; there is plenty of space to congregate with family or sneak away to read a good book. The handcrafted dining table can accommodate 10 people comfortably and is also perfect for puzzles on a rainy day. Our home is equipped with Central Air and has been beautifully appointed for all your comfort needs.

The house has four main bedrooms as follows:

Starboard Bedroom: Fireplace, Queen Bed, Two Closets with in-room access to the farmhouse style bathroom.

Port Bedroom: Queen Bed and full-size baby crib, One Closet. Close by to the farmhouse style bathroom.

The Helm Room: Queen Bed, En-suite bathroom, one hanging closet and two closets for folded clothing.

The Captain's Quarters: Located off of the kitchen, this large addition has an en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet. This room has a king bed and a daybed (full size twin mattress). Also has a full-size baby crib!

The Pirate Room (Bonus 5th room): Our finished attic has been converted to a room perfect for kids. Central air conditioning, windows, and a door are all features of this 3rd floor bedroom. Two standard twin beds are located in this bonus room.

We are all about the amenities at The Mermaid and the Whale. We repeatedly hear from our guests how well stocked the kitchen is (we love to cook too!), how nice the bathrooms are with their stock of basic needs from cotton swabs to soap, how comfortable the living rooms are, and how much fun all the games, beach accessories, and bicycles are for their family to enjoy.

We provide a full size crib, pack n' play with a mattress insert, safety gate, high chair, and toddler safety bar for a twin bed. The driveway is a great place for kids to ride bicycles in a loop safely off street.

The backyard is illuminated with overhead lights and the propane grill is stocked with two gas canisters, in case you love grilling as much as we do. Most people are surprised by how big the backyard is - as we are located on 1 acre of pristine property- perfect for running around with the kids or playing backyard games.

Summary: There are 7 total beds. 1 King, 3 Queens and 3 twins. We have listed our home for 8 people maximum as we would like to maintain this historic home for generations to come. We request that your respect this limit.

Property manager

Sara Irick

Languages

English

Amenities

Hot tub

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Free WiFi

Air conditioning

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Pet-friendly

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 25

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

4 maximum

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited

This property uses a grey water recycling system

Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property

Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Cape May

Located in Cape May, this holiday home is near the beach. Washington Street Mall and Wildwood Boardwalk are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's popular attractions can visit Morey's Piers and Splash Zone Water Park. Travelling with kids? Consider Raging Waters Water Park and Cape May Model Trains. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Cape May, NJ

What's nearby

Washington Street Mall - 3 min drive
Poverty Beach - 3 min drive
Cape May Beach - 3 min drive
Cape May Convention Hall - 3 min drive
Sunset Beach - 6 min drive

Getting around

Cape May, NJ (WWD-Cape May County) - 8 min drive

Restaurants

‪The Lobster House - ‬5 min drive
‪Lucky Bones Backwater Grille - ‬5 min drive
‪Out There Coffee - ‬3 min drive
‪C-View Inn - ‬4 min drive
‪Willow Creek Winery - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Spacious Historic Farmhouse booking now for 2024! Sunday to Sunday pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Spacious Historic Farmhouse booking now for 2024! Sunday to Sunday?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Spacious Historic Farmhouse booking now for 2024! Sunday to Sunday?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Spacious Historic Farmhouse booking now for 2024! Sunday to Sunday located?

This family-friendly Cape May holiday home is located by the sea, within 1 mi (2 km) of Cape May Market, Cape May Model Trains and Cape May Artists’ Cooperative. Cape May Beach and Poverty Beach are also within 2 miles (3 km).

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

31 July 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family vacation week

We stayed at the house for one week visiting Cape May and I can’t recommend this house and host enough. It was a great stay and a perfect location, we would definitely recommend to anyone coming to area!

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bridget B.

26 July 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful/Comfortable/Accommodating Farmhouse!

We had a great week @ The Mermaid and the Whale. The house was SO well stocked from the kitchen (appliances, gadgets, glassware, etc.) to the garage (bikes, chairs, boards, etc.) They had a personalized booklet w/ rental instructions, history of the house & Cape May recommendations that we referenced the whole week. The bedrooms were all very spacious and well stocked and the backyard is huge & perfect for hosting. You can tell the owners put a lot of effort into creating a unique & comfortable experience for their renters.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Maria W.

29 Aug 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A slice of heaven

This was the first time that I rented a vacation home for my family. The house was exquisite in every way! It was away from the hustle and bustle of downtown. Our hostess Sara and her husband went to great lengths to make this a true home away from home. There were so many amenities provided that made us comfortable and allowed us to cook together as a family and share many meals. We’re hoping that we can return again next year since Cape May is truly a family favorite!

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michael B.

8 Aug 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great historic charming home!

Fantastic historic home with all the amenities needed to have a great family vacation! Highly recommend the property to anyone.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Pat S., United States

19 June 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cape May Hisoric

Wonderful house! Excellent, attentive and truly caring Owner! This 1800s house is thoroughly modernized but maintains the charm and dignity of its pedigree. We were three adult couples plus two children. House was wonderfully big with bathrooms and spaces for all; great public space (kitchen, dining area, music room, fire pit, deck and huge lawn) plus ample private spaces for quiet time and conversation. Host is very attentive and concerned with the total experience from booking, arrival, stay and checkout. Her attention to providing regional/local information to meet the interests of my Family were unique. No host has ever been so attentive before. If you are a family/group and want a large, modern, clean location for your gathering, The Whale and The Mermaid is a perfect choice!!

Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Reka S.

29 Aug 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing stay!

Sara literally thought of everything with this beautiful property. It was well stocked with anything you could need, beautiful, clean, and great proximity. The outdoor area was lit up and created an awesome atmosphere . This house was amazing with wonderful hosts. Thank you for everything!

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Danielle L.

26 Aug 2020

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay!

We had a wonderful time in Cape May! The house was exactly as pictured, was fully stocked, and very clean! Sara was very responsive to any issues that arose over the week. We wish our vacation didn't need to end.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Kameelah G.

13 Sept 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cape May Gem!

My family had an a amazing time in your beautiful home! They really appreciated all the small little touches. We take this trip each year and after staying at your home it will be impossible to stay anywhere else! Thanks again for everything!

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Larcia P.

26 Aug 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Everything you need

The house is charming, spacious and comfortable. The yard is well kept and lovely. It was an easy trip to get to the beach so being a bit away from the center of town was great. It was quiet, with our own driveway and easy parking. They had umbrellas, chairs, even 4 sturdy bikes. Bring your clothes, toothbrush and toothpaste and you are good to go! It is a pristine, well equipped house and it made our first time to Cape May a wonderful experience. We definitely recommend cape May and the Mermaid and the Whale.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer R.

30 July 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely, well appointed home

We had a great week staying at the mermaid & the whale. The house is charming with a nice deck & yard, and kitchen has everything you could want. The owners were nice & gave us a lot of good suggestions of what to do!

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Randi S.

2 June 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Expectations far surpassed

We've been renting in Cape May every summer for many years, and felt this house was one of the cleanest, best decorated, and with the best yard of our many stays. There's plenty of room for cornhole, frisbee, swinging in the hammocks under the shade of large trees, and general tomfoolery- a rarity in Cape May. The amenities were top-notch, as the hosts stocked the house with all the items that are usually annoyingly missing, like paper towels, toilet paper, soap, and toiletries. The kitchen was also well-outfitted and welcoming. The hosts really went above and beyond with making sure their home was vacation-ready from the moment we arrived. Although farther from the beach, that was never any problem- 5 minutes by car, and also easily rideable by bike. The best surprises were the chicness and comfort of the home, the usable yard, and the the proximity to the Garrett Preserve- right around the corner and absolutely fascinating. Check-out was the easiest ever, and communication with the owners was a breeze. It's easy to recommend this spot as a great vacation find. Our group of adults and college-age kids had a fabulous stay :)

Stayed 7 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl B.

4 Jan 2019

The house is beautiful and well maintained.

Well stocked with everything you may need for your stay and more!

Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2018

10/10 Excellent

John J.

3 Sept 2018

Fabulous property with wonderful hosts!

Our family rented this property in the week leading up to labor day. We had a blast! Several things went into making this a great trip: * The entire process of booking the property was very quick as we got a response immediately from Sara. * After the booking we received a welcome package advising us on directions, what we could do along the way, the things we could do once we got here, the best places to eat depending on what one is looking for, how to work the air-conditioning, how to set-up the wifi and entertainment system, etc. It was very thorough covering everything one needed to know. * We were met at the house by Justin who gave us a tour and answered any questions we had about the house and the area. * We found the house to be well stocked with everything that we needed for the stay right down to the smallest detail. We had bikes, beach equipment, beach tags, games, children's toys, books for all ages etc. It was pretty obvious that a lot of thought and care had been taken to ensure that our needs were covered. * Sara and Justin were wonderful hosts, managing the balance of being non-intrusive while checking to ensure that we were doing fine and answering any questions that arose. * The house is more than 200 years old and has the charm to reflect it. The large back yard was great for our toddler to run around in. * The area is lovely and we enjoyed cycling to the beaches and viewing the many old victorian houses that line them. All in all, we count the trip among the best we have had!

Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

David C.

27 July 2018

Beautiful and spacious house. Very comfortable and completely equipped for a vacation at the Cape.

The house is tastefully decorated and furnished with everything needed for a family vacation. The yard is large and well kept with lots of room for croquet, horse shoes and the other games that the hosts thoughtfully provide. The location allows easy access to the beach and state parks, as well as cycling routes and excursions to farms, marinas, restaurants, wineries and breweries. A great place to relax and unwind and enjoy everything the Cape has to offer. We’re very happy we chose to spend our family time at The Mermaid and the Whale!

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

kurt j.

2 June 2018

Great house!

We needed a place for our family to converge with six adults, a 3 1/2 year old and a one year old. This house was perfect. Plenty of room inside and outside for the kids to roam, lots of historic wonderfulness. Well appointed kitchen with all-clad pans in marked contrast to most vrbo/airb&b, and in a first, there were good quality, very sharp knives! This house is conveniently located on the main road into town and is just a little over a mile from the beach. easy bicycle ride or quick car trip. Everything you need for the beach is there including one of those Tony Bahama beach carts to load everything on. It feels like home -- well stocked kitchen with olive oil, flour, sugar, etc. and even readywhip in the cooler, and plenty of amenities in bathrooms .... your choice of shampoo! We cooked in so appreciated the great local butcher shop a few blocks into town, and a good fish shop in town where they had fillets of fresh caught local tuna, oysters, and flounder. Great farm store a couple of blocks in as well with locally grown veggies. Sara is wonderful -- very responsive, We all loved it and would happily return

Stayed 4 nights in May 2018

10/10 Excellent

Desiree S.

4 May 2018

Beautiful home perfect for families.

Every thing you could possible want or need in a vacation home. Only downside is the stairs may be a challenge for some elderly folks.

Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2018

10/10 Excellent

Marjorie S.

20 Apr 2018

Fantastic

This was one of the best houses I have ever rented. It was perfect for 7 of us who used it as a base for biking and birding. Sara has thought of everything you could need so we didn't have to worry about bringing stuff - just our clothing. She was quickly available for any questions. The house itself is also very interesting and it was fun to read about its history. We all want to come back when the weather is a little warmer to enjoy the outside area. Thank you Sara for helping us to have a great time!

Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2018

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kathy R.

6 Oct 2017

Comfortable and Nostalgic

We enjoyed our stay in this comfortable and nostalgic farmhouse. This home will instantly connect with whomever enters it, with its inviting atmosphere. The sunsets were beautiful and visible from every room in the front of the house. It was obvious that the owners put a lot of thought and consideration when preparing all the amenities for this rental. Even the kitchen had everything stocked. As you enter each room every detail and convenience is met. Our family will never forget the memories we created there. It was one of our favorite vacations and we would definitely rent it again.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Terri S.

8 Sept 2017

Lovely home close to beach and Cape May downtown area. Great for families!

The home was great for our multi-generational family. Great dining area and very well equipped kitchen. Coming furnished with bed linens and towels made the visit so much easier. From 4 to 84 years old, we recommend this home!

Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Alexa B.

4 Aug 2017

Unbelievable Hosts for an Unbelievable House

The Iricks were the most amazing hosts. I cannot say enough how thoughtful they were. The house is so precise with all the amenities you need - from the HUGE washer/dryer to the provided beach tags. Every detail was perfect. The house has a great backyard for cooking out and relaxing. The three separate living rooms were helpful for our larger group because people could work in one while others were playing games or relaxing in the others. So many wonderful amenities in Cape May that were great for adults and kids alike. The distance to the beach was entirely manageable and wasn't too long for a bike ride or jog. The birding was also amazing; there's a beautiful bird sanctuary right near by. I will be returning without a doubt. Thanks Iricks!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Laura D.

30 June 2017

Lovely historic Cape May retreat

I had a very enjoyable stay at this lovely historic Cape May home. The many rooms were charming, comfortable, uncluttered, and clean. It had every comfort of home right down to the crock pot! I was happily surprised to see the beautiful sunsets each night from the front lawn. The birds are plentiful as are the flowering gardens. This will be an annual retreat for me.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan P.

2 June 2017

Beautiful historic home with lots of amenities

My wife and I had a wonderful stay at the mermaid and the whale house last month. The house is super charming and is very nicely decorated. For the price we weren't expecting such a great amenities such as modern kitchen, washer/dryer, huge yard with hammocks and free use of bikes. The distance to the beach wasn't a big problem bc cape may isn't one of those towns where parking is impossible. We ended up mostly touring around on the bikes. Really enjoyed the Beach Plum farm and recommend riding over there for meals or showing your kids the animals. Also recommend Panicos restaurant which is walking distance. Owners were very nice folks and seemed really interested in making our stay special. Will definitely be back if it's available.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Darcy N.

1 June 2017

Idyllic Cape May Retreat

This house is perfect for the idyllic Cape May vacation! I was aware that this was a new property to rent, and was expecting a few kinks--but it was outstanding--no issues at all. The thought and personal touches that the homeowners have put into the Mermaid and the Whale (love the name!) is incredible and very cozy. This is one of the first beach vacations where I didn't need to pack everything, including the kitchen sink. The sheets, beach chairs, towels, cooking supplies, bikes and other needed items were all provided (and perhaps even nicer than what I have at home!). With a one year old and three year old in tow, this house made what could have been stressful, an absolute dream vacation. Plus, there is so much to do in Cape May itself, and the location of this house is perfect! I can not rate the Mermaid and the Whale high enough! The owners--Justin and Sara--were amazing as well. They ensured that we had everything we needed and were great to communicate with when renting this house. My family has now found its go-to vacation home for any-time of year! Highly recommend that all take advantage of staying at the Mermaid and the Whale!

About the host

Hosted by Sara Irick

Sara is an avid traveler. Thanks to HomeAway she has traveled to Portgual, Spain, France and Italy with her husband. Vacation should be a vacation. Learning from her experiences traveling with HomeAway rentals, she knows renters don't want to show up to a dirty house without enough beds for people. We've taken care of all the thinking so you can focus on the relaxing.

Sara will be available to you from your first inquiry through your stay to answer all of your questions about Cape May and the house. We take pride in our home and ability to make our guest's vacation a happy memory.

Why they chose this property

Cape May has long been a special place to Sara & Justin. Sara's large Italian family has been vacationing in Cape May since the 50's. A long-time dream of her Grandfather's was to buy a home in Cape May. Sara & Justin were married in Cape May in 2010 and were finally able to to purchase a place of their own in 2017. The moment they laid eyes on this beautiful farmhouse they felt the history and the many future memories their families would have in Cape May. They have been working to update the property since then. Historic homes are a labor of love and require constant upkeep that Sara & Justin love to do!

What makes this property unique

Large property, living in history (c.1775), close to the beach and the farms, privacy, and quiet!

The Mermaid and the Whale strikes a balance between an updated home set up to fit our modern needs and a blast to the past in this beautiful historic house built in colonial times. Feel the history, take in the beauty of the landscape, and enjoy our very many nesting birds on the property as you relax with your family and enjoy Cape May - a place that offers way more than just the beach.