SPRING LAKE: HOME OF ROMANTIC HIDEAWAY

Spring Lake, which got its name from a bubbly spring fed lake in the center of town, is like no other Jersey shore seashore resort. It has some of the tony characteristics of Palm Beach -- palatial, multi-million-dollar homes with flower-adorned manicured lawns where croquet is a summer sport of choice.

It has a pristine, powdery sand beach and two mile long boardwalk, the longest commercial free boardwalk in New Jersey; there are no parking meters anywhere in town, and stringent zoning laws have kept out new hotels and condominiums and discouraged the likes of Starbucks and McDonalds from establishing beachheads.

Dogs and cyclists are barred from the boardwalk, and eating on the beach is verboten. Even during the more populated summer months, the central Jersey town of 3,600 permanent residents manages to retain its sedate, low trafficked, small town atmosphere.

There are gourmet restaurants (Whispers and Black Trumpet), a community theater, wide boulevard streets and a three block main street of quaint, independently-owned shops with names like Tinkerbell, Pink Pony, Whimsicality and Sweet Pea.

A 90-minute drive from New York and Philadelphia, it’s where new money and old money converge and where modern, oversized, single-family homes, many with expansive porches, coexist with Victorian residences in an architectural civil union.

It’s where New York, Philadelphia and North Jersey professional, political and society types go to unwind and take in the sea air at one of the resort’s eight antique-filled bed and breakfast inns. Spring Lake’s only oceanfront hotel, a tired, 100-plus-year-old, 73-room frame structure called The Breakers is a far cry from its unrelated, five-star Palm Beach namesake.

For Melvin and Myra Meskin, a North Jersey couple in their early 60s who winter in West Palm Beach,, a recent stay at the resort’s most expensive B&B, the Sea Crest by the Sea, was a winner both literally and figuratively. Meskin, a Verizon company executive, won the brief vacation at the B&B in last year’s Hospice of the Palm Beaches Jay Robert Lauer Golf Tournament at the five star Palm Beach Breakers Hotel. The tourney is hosted annually by NBC-TV personality Matt Lauer, honoring the memory of his father. The Sea Crest whose rates go from $310 to $440 a night even during off-season months was one of the prize donors..

“It was very relaxing . . . terrific,” said Mrs. Meskin. “We enjoyed the ambiance, gourmet breakfast, afternoon tea and the owners were very hospitable.”

Hoboken residents Rose Perry and her husband, James, 57, office manager of a large Manhatten realty company, are frequent guests at the inn. “We go for long weekends, and take day trips,” Rose said.. “We just love Spring Lake. Such a beautiful town. The owners are so friendly. Once on a rainy day they gave us passes to the movies.” 

Sea Crest guests are welcomed with a bottle of wine and box of Godiva chocolates. Last year the eight-room, three-story inn a half-block from the ocean was selected as one of the 12 “Most Romantic Hideaways” on the East coast by The Discerning Traveler, a bed and breakfast periodical. And this year it was designated one of America’s Top 10 Romantic Inns by the American Historic Inns organization.

What criteria were used?

The periodical and American Historic Inns didn’t say, and the Sea Crest’s owners, Fred and Barbara Vogel, conceded they didn’t know for sure. But Fred Vogel, breaking into a smile, rationalized, “Well, we have one couple, frequent guests, and they always mention that their two children were conceived here.

“We accommodate only adults, no children,” he added. “All our rooms have a whirlpool for two, gas-fired fireplace, quality antiques, private bath, a queen featherbed or king Dux bed, TV/VCR and a refrigerator stocked with goodies.”

Vogel, 59, is a retired U.S. Navy captain whose 34-year career included a 10-year stint as co-manager of a Defense Intelligence Agency Office of Counterterrorism Analysis reserve program. Other assignments shortly before retiring in 2003 were with the FBI’s National Infrastructure Protection Center and the Department of Homeland Security.  Barbara, also 59 and his wife of 37 years, was a service manager for a North Jersey computer company.

The Vogels acquired the inn in 1999. Fred estimates their investment so far exceeds $2 million. “Learned quite a bit by attending a two-day seminar about bed and breakfast operations,” he said. “Also, the people we bought the place from were a tremendous help in getting us started.”

The new owners put their own stamp on the 121-year Victorian building by tearing down walls to enlarge some rooms and convert others into suites, installed whirlpools in each room and a large jacuzzi in what they call the Captain’s Suite. “We try to find out what a guest’s interest is, Fred explained. Each day we provide guests with a list of area events and things to do and see. Also the best specialty restaurants. For active types, we have a stable of bicycles available, passes for the beach and a nearby health club and spa. Say if it’s a no admission day at the Freehold Raceway, I’ll tell them.

“A half-hour’s drive will take you to any number of interesting places. There’s Ocean Grove, a community of Victorian homes and tent colony, Asbury Park, which is undergoing massive redevelopment, Long Branch’s new oceanfront Seaview Village, Red Bank’s huge antique center, flea markets in Howell and Englishtown, golf courses. I could go on and on. “One day, though, no matter what I suggested just didn’t register with this seemingly bored elderly couple until I mentioned stock car racing in the town next door. They got all excited, energized and took off for Wall Stadium. You never know.”

Pending the season, the retired Navy captain helps oversee a working crew of three to nine members. “Truth be told, pending the admiral’s OK,” he winked, “I’d go back to active duty in a heartbeat as long as the admiral on this ship is Barb, my wife.”

IF YOU GO . . . . .
Sea Crest by the Sea, 19 Tuttle Ave., Spring Lake, N.J. 07761.( 800) 803-9031. FAX 732-974-0403. www.seacrestby thesea.com.
Spring Lake Chamber of Commerce, 302 Washington Ave., Spring Lake, NJ 07761. 732- 449-0577. www.springlake.org.