We stayed here because my 79yo mother in law speaks so fondly and highly of the Chalfonte. We can see how she was taken by this place. There were lots of signs of a bygone era when it was in its heyday from the Magnolia dining room (which was closed during our stay), the period appropriate decorations and furnishings. However, much of it was showing its age such as paintings were old and faded and wicker furniture was broken and needed fresh coat of paint. Yet, we still appreciated the historical context reminiscent of that time. The staff were mostly young (probably summer college crowd home for the summer), all friendly and eager to help, some more experienced and helpful than others. The only food option at the hotel was the bar with limited menu and live music. The wrap around porch with rocking chairs and tables with linens to socialize were charming. Location was awesome since there was plenty of free street parking and not more than 10 minute walk to the beach and shops and restaurants. The hotel offered beach passes which allowed you on the beach with chairs and umbrella for free, a huge bonus. Another hidden surprise was the cupula, which offered a gret view of the beautiful view of the homes in the neighborhood and the ocean. Overall, it was a good value for what we got. Although it's not the same place that my MIL talks about, we still enjoyed our visit and would consider returning.
