Our Commitment Summer 2020

As it has always been, the health & safety of our guests and our family remains our highest priority. The following policies have been established based on AHLA and CDC guidelines. This is our commitment to you, our guests, as we navigate through coronavirus.

Most significantly, we are committed to renting less than 80% of our rooms for the duration of the season.  Since all our policies and facilities were originally designed to create a quiet, safe stay, we believe reducing our occupancy rate aligns with our founding philosophy.  This frees up space on our front porch and back deck and will also allow for a little more room to move in general.  Our commitment to continue reduced occupancy started on June 22 as other businesses moved to unrestricted occupancy.    

With this in mind, we ask our guest to review our policies before arrival to ensure an enjoyable experience for you and our other guests.  Our Inn and property are not a public space and can not be used for entertainment of unregistered individuals.   As has always been our policy, only registered guests are permitted use of our rooms and facilities. During this time especially, we will be strictly enforcing this House Rule. If you need recommendations of suitable public places to spend time with your family or friends, please do not hesitate to ask us.  

We have always taken great care in maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene.  As we have always done, we will continue to launder all of our linens onsite including our 100% cotton comforters after every stay.  We thoroughly clean all surfaces with anti-bacterial cleaning products, and during this time we pay special attention to the “high-touch” areas – particularly doorknobs, remotes, handles, etc. We also have hand sanitizer in high traffic areas through out the property for the use of all guests.   We have plenty of windows and doors open to allow as much fresh air in as possible and encourage everyone, when not in their rooms, to turn A/C off and keep windows open.

We will continue to update with the latest information regarding, safety guidelines and travel safety.  Be well.  Our beach house is your beach house.

Jeff & Hillary

Summer 2020

Hello, We hope this message finds everyone safe and well. The Cape May County Board of Freeholders has given the all clear for Ocean City Hotels to resume short term rentals beginning June 1st. This means the Zen will be alive and kicking for her 70th summer welcoming guests to OCNJ. Hotels/Motels/Inns may be booked to 60% capacity until June 22, full capacity thereafter. We have decided, due to the unique nature of our property to limit occupancy to no more than 50% until further notice. Our hope is this will allow our guests to feel safe knowing there will be ample space to move and utilize all of our amenities without concern of over-crowding. Our opening weekend will be June 5th. Think summer, and as always, do not hesitate to contact us with any questions. Hope to see many familiar faces again this summer season, as well as plenty of new ones.

Sincerely,

Jeff and Hillary

Up to date information on OC’s beach and boardwalk opening can be found here

Looking Back and Gearing Up.

Occasionally, a few of our restoration/innkeeper highlights (and lowlights) will pop up on our personal FB memories, and we thought we might share one of our favorite DIY moments from along the way.  One of our earliest and most comprehensive makeovers was back in 2014 and involved 7 lovely chest of drawers featured in the photo below.  Getting to our current "after" involved operating on a half dozen very large and heavy TV armoires straight out of the 1980's.  One saw-zaw, a trip to urgent care (incidentally, a very valuable lesson was learned to always wear safety glasses), chalk paint and lots of love gave some old out-dated furniture new life. 

Our current restoration and projects lists are beginning to wind down as we start gearing up for our 2018 season.  This year's off-season included ripping up carpets and refinishing the magnificent original oak hardwood floors upstairs.  This was done in our Corner King rooms and hallway.  We replaced old carpeting in the other 2nd floor guest rooms, as well as having custom rugs and runners made. 

The vestibule of the Garret Loft received some much needed TLC.  Practically speaking, the existing flat painted drywall had certainly taken a beating.   If we were going to fix it, why not mix a little fun with durability.  The Loft's light quality is so soft, it offered the perfect spot to interject a shot of color.  In this case; jadite green, robin's egg blue, cream and grey. Cedar planks and one fun February day of painting and staining resulted in a finished product that is both pretty and practical.  

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Going Greener

Given our location in one of New Jersey's most beautiful places, it's only natural The Zenneth Manor Inn has a strong commitment to understanding and preserving our environment. This is more than a mission statement or slogan; it's a core principle that pervades much of what we do. 

The Zenneth recently joined the renewable energy movement with over 40 solar panels installed on her roof.  This particular system will allow us to generate up to 97% of our electrical needs through clean solar energy.  The most allowable under New Jersey Law.  

We are also actively participating to reduce our environmental impact without sacrificing our guest experience.  From recycling refuse to using non-toxic cleaning supplies, eco-sensitive laundry detergent and toiletry products, we strive to be environmentally conscious.  As an investment to making a difference, each of our guest washrooms have all been improved to include water saving faucets, shower heads and toilets that do not sacrifice comfort for water conservation.  We also employ a voluntary towel re-use program that allows our guests to take part in our water saving efforts.  

Our practice doesn't simply stop inside either.  Zenneth Manor Inn's exterior landscape style eliminates the need for supplemental irrigation and chemical fertilization as is common with a traditional grass lawn.  Known as xeriscaping, we use natural elements and plants that are appropriate to our local climate.  This extends our conservation commitment to both inside and outside our property.  

Going "green" fits our philosophy at the Zenneth- preservation, restoration and conservation. We believe in preserving and enhancing the life of our historic property and the unique island we call home.  Our green goals and the utilization of green technologies, allow our guests to actively contribute to keeping Ocean City beautiful for future generations to enjoy.

Spring 2017 Events

The shortest days of the year are behind us.  It's never too early to make plans for your OCNJ Spring 2017 getaway.  Come visit OCNJ and the Zenneth Manor Inn for our fun and unique events.    

• April 1-2: Two events that debuted last year - GIRLS WEEKEND and the OC-CON COMIC CONVENTION - return bigger and better.

• April 8: Humor and nostalgia join forces as the MR. MATURE PAGEANT moves to DOO DAH PARADE WEEKEND. All pageant contestants will be part of the parade.

• April 16: The EASTER Fashion Promonade welcomes the Philly Keys, a dueling piano show, in front of the Ocean City Music Pier.

• May 6: The SPRING BLOCK PARTY takes place the first Saturday of May.  Remeber to check our Block Party Special too.     

• May 10: Tickets are on sale now for Chris Perondi's STUNT DOG EXPERIENCE.

Visit Ocean City Chamber of Commerce for more event information.  Any questions, just give us a call.  Our Beach House is Your Beach House.

Reclaimed Wood + Retro Legs = Beach Casual

Full disclosure:  I am an awful blogger, but a pretty decent DIYer.  Sometimes you see the potential immediately, and you know.  Which is exactly what happened with one particularly filthy piece of wood; I just knew it was a bench.   A simple wooden and metal bench.  

The patina (ie dirt + wear and tear) of the salvaged wood is the star, so we didn't want to lose any.  Just a very light sanding and a wire brush was all the prep needed.  Instead of washing or even wiping down the wood with a wet cloth, I opted for a dry flat paintbrush to remove loose dirt and debris.  To help preserve the wood and provide a smooth sitting surface I chose to use Howard brand wax.  The wood was so dry it took three heavy applications, instead of the usual one or two.  Once the final coat was applied and buffed with a clean cloth we were ready for our legs.  Hairpin legs, to be exact.  

Originally designed and introduced in the early 40's, hairpin legs became an iconic part of 1950's modern design when they were used on many of the Eames chair designs.    Mid-century modern matches the Zenneth Manor Inn's age and style so perfectly it almost didn't matter that Hairpin legs are quite expensive right now.   The lovely retro revivals can go as much as $30 dollars per leg depending on height.  

As a re-claimed DIY,  it would have felt out of character not to DIY the legs too. Luckily, during our recent vintage skim board to coffee table conversion, I stumbled onto an entire bench (complete with hairpin legs but a less than stellar laminate top) for less than $40.  

Our first set of bargain Hairpin legs ordered in teal to match our vintage skimboard. 

Looking past the strange laminate top, this bench was half the cost of ordering individual loose legs.

Essentially half price, we ordered an entire table for the legs alone.   This time around, simple black legs suited the reclaimed wooden top.   Another stool was ordered in, black hairpin legs, along with their strange 1980's throwback red and black laminate top.   Circling back to being the less than awesome blogger that I am, I totally forgot to photograph attaching the legs.  It took one quick bike ride to the hardware store to pick up screws and washers.  One note, we did pre-drill a small pilot hole to not stress the wood and make our lives easier.  Then it was as simple as screwing the legs on.  

Eclectic and unique are not necessarliy complicated or overdesigned.  Our little reclaimed bench is so simple, but does not lack in the character and personality department.    Which makes it a happy DIY sucess that now lives in our Garret Loft.  A modern + rustic bench fits perfectly with our casual beach style.

Springtime means DIY

Part of the charm of beach life at the Zenneth Manor Inn is the fun and relaxed atmosphere we cultivate through mixing unique and vintage pieces.  That often involves a bit of DIYing.  Here is one of our newest spring projects.  

With a little chalk paint we now have a "new" bright and fresh vintage piece.

Chalk paint is all about layers and allowing some of the original patina to show through. Usually the first two coats are relatively unattractive (code for ugly).  Experience has taught me not to panic,  perserverence and a third coat blends the layers all together.   

This was our third coat, which sounds labor intensive, but it's not really.   Chalk paint dries quickly.   Since blending is part of the whole technique, perfection is not.    Even sanding isn't necessary between coats or at the beginning with chalk paint.  

Our before:  a vintage maple sideboard had good bones in its favor.   But the dark stain, was simply too formal and clashed with our oak hardwood floors.  

The original federal style drawer pulls also added to the traditional and dated feel.  Vintage is good, dated isn't.  Adding modern hardware, that matched up with the original drill holes, was a quick and easy update.   

One of my best little "helpers"

Follow us on Instagram for more of our DIY's, finds and daily OCNJ beach life

Our July 2016 Special & Martin Z. Mollusk Day

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Or are ready for summer now?  Don't wait.  Join us at the Music Pier on Saturday May 7th for Martin Z. Mollusk Day.  Just who is Martin Z. Mollusk you ask?  He's our relatively famous weather prognosticator.  

Martin Z. Mollusk Day on the Horizon

by Mark Soifer

Weather prognosticators and vacationers alike experience a tinge of excitement as Martin Z. Mollusk Day on May 7 nears.  Will the city's relatively famous hermit crab see his shadow, thus assuring the populace that summer will arrive one week early?

 Born along the Great Zambezi River in Africa, Martin was deserted at an early age. Forced to fend for himself, Martin adopted the surname "Mollusk" from a sign he noticed on a passing commercial boat that read "Mollusks for Sale, $1.99." The"Z" stands for Zambezi, the river that coddled him. He selected the name Martin because it goes well with Mollusk.

 In his teens, he stowed away on a "red eye flight" to Tepid Swamp, Louisiana where he attended Tepid Tech, a school noted for environmental studies. There he majored in "Weather Prognostication."  Upon graduating Magna Cum Summer, he answered Ocean City's classified ad for a weather prognosticator, and the rest is history.

 Martin will creep onto the Ocean City Beach at Ninth Street, beside the Music Pier at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 7. There will be lots of hoopla, including music by the world's only Wind Chimes Band and "Some Enchanted Morning" sung by Suzanne Muldowney aka Shelley the Mermaid. Martin is 102 years old in hermit crab age, so his vital signs will be checked by Dr. Frankenstein and Nurse Perfect before he is permitted to look for his shadow in the "Circle of Truth" in the sand.  Youngsters who attend will be given a miniature shell replica of Martin. This year's event will honor the memory of Daniel Bready, a long time supporter of Martin Z. Mollusk Day.

A new year, a few new projects

When the weather is cold and the days are still short, adding a pop of sunny color almost makes summer feel closer.  We're taking these quiet months to make a few updates to both our main house and to the Garret Loft.  This is our current tale of two staircase makeovers.  The agony and beauty of having two seperate stairs;  twice the work, but two different opportunities to have fun with color and pattern.

Garret Loft Project:  Painted Runner

With our recent changes to the Garret Loft we're adding bright and sunny color in a fun new way:  a painted stair runner.  Keeping the patina of the original wood mixed in with our new wooden treads called for paint to unify the old and new.

Working out the width of the center runner 

our new pine treads were aged with a gray wash to better match the existing wood that we reused 

Warm Yellows and bright citrus hues were the inspiration for the painted stairs.  

Adding the center "runner" in a buttery yellow added color, but we aren't quite through.  Tangerine as an accent is such a slice of bright, we can't wait to get our "racing stripes" completed.

The cranberry striped runner complements the Main House's existing  color scheme of burgundy, turquoise and creams

Main House Project:  a new take on the traditional runner

Dash and Albert runner for our stairs

Updating our main house stairs has just begun.  We will keep the staircase carpeted  for the noise control and anti-slip benefits, but with a "new" take.  The tradition of patterned  runners dates from Victorian homes, so adding a striped pattern is grounded in the same tradition as our Haint Blue ceilings.  Placing the stripe down the length of the stairs creates a visual interest and still injects some color into our entry.  Stay tuned for the the finished products.    

The Zenneth Manor Inn: Where vintage charm meets Beach Casual

"Our Beach House is Your Beach House"  isn't just our catch phrase.  We live here and the Zenneth is truly our beach house.  We wanted every guest room and all common areas to reflect not only the BEACH but a fun and laidback vibe.  So you will often find beat-up barnwood signs, and vinyl records right next to my southern grandmother's china.  Once you meet our family and stay a few days with us, hopefully we'll get you into a Zenneth Manor state of mind.   Come experience the vintage charm that is a throwback to Classic Ocean City during any season.  We are now a full year inn.  

August Family/Group Special

If August in OCNJ is as great as July has been, then our latest SPECIAL will make one family or group very happy indeed.  Stay any 3 nights midweek August 17th - August 20th for $650.00.  You can also add-on the final weeknight for just $200.     

Tucked under the eaves, our Garret Loft is loaded with charm and just one block to the beach and boardwalk.   The bright and open space sleeps up to six, features 400 square feet of space, a seperate entry & vestibule for all your beach gear and has a cute little mini-kitchen stocked with Java Factory coffee.  Want a longer stay, call us for rates and availablity.

Who knew the Zenneth was so good for your health

Our front porch is now offering free negative ions courtesy of the Atlantic Ocean's crashing waves. 

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Countdown to Summer 2015

a post card from the 1950's 

When the Zenneth Manor was originally constructed in 1950, Turquoise was the main accent color.  Now it is once again in the color scheme.  From our back sun deck's screen door to our new front signs, Turquoise is back.  

Memorial Day 2015 and our Season opening is just around the corner.  I know we are ready for summer, how about you?  Call us to book your stay.  

There is just something about an old screen door