Testimonials

 

Personal Testimonials

We had a most relaxing time despite the weather (sunny – but very windy – power challenging at times to our anticipated beach walk.) . We loved room #20 - - the privacy and - welcomed opened porch to share with passer-bys. We will return again and to enjoy breakfast and service at the tasty Mad Batter - - but anticipate dinner too when you are in season. Appreciate your intelligent service approach. We loved our short stay.

Vincent S.

Just want everyone to know that we had a great time this past weekend. We could not have asked for a nicer weekend. Even though the weather was not great your employees hospitality made it worth while. From the time we checked in until check out couldn't have asked for a better group of people. Be proud of your employees and your villa. The villa was very cozy and comfy. We enjoyed the cake decorating and ice cream as well as the wine and cheese tasting. The breakfast as well as the dinner was yummy. You always hear about the bad and I feel as if someone or everyone deserves a pat on the back tell them and that is what we are doing.

Again thanks for a great weekend,

Gloria and Ron Dawson

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay, especially after your friendly and accommodating staff were able to move us to a more suitable room for our second night. In fact, friendliness of your staff seemed to be a hallmark of our visit -- we were greeted everywhere we went with smiles and pleasant conversation, by waitstaff, managers and housekeepers (and the owner, too). We were delighted with the breakfast offerings (see my appearance on the Channel 40 video!), and took advantage of the dinner discount for our only full-fledged dinner in Cape May, which was excellent. Would recommend it to anyone, with the caveat that they need to fully investigate the room-size issue and make sure it will work for them.

PS Although she doesn't seem to need it, perhaps you could suggest that the daughter-manager give herself a day off once in a while!

Jim Read

Had a Blast in Cape May! We attended one of the Looking Glass Mystery Series weekends at the Carroll Villa/Bedford Inn the weekend of April 23-25. If you like murder mysteries - you must attend a murder mystery weekend! I had never stayed in Cape May so I will start by saying the Carroll Villa was a pleasure. From the minute we walked in we were greeted with a smile. And the friendly and courteous service lasted all weekend long! Mark and Pam went out of their way to ensure the stay was the best it could be. The festivities surrounding the murder mystery were fabulous as well. The mystery was spread out over the 2 Inns and although we stayed at the Carroll Villa, we needed to follow clues to the Bedford. Archie went out of his way to make us feel comfortable and help us with our adventure. So the ultimate "who done it" was played out "hands on" - as you investigated clues; decoded cyphers and followed the leads to identify the killer. It was a blast!!! The Mad Batter Restaurant had great food and wonderful service. I highly recommend the Carroll Villa, The Bedford, The Mad Batter and a Murder Mystery Weekend for a wonderful get a away to Cape May...and beyond!

Gina and Brian Althouse, Bethlehem PA

In response to our Murder Mystery Weekends...

My husband and I had the best time!!! We found that sleeping wasn't an option - there was too much to do and too many clues to find. We also want to add that the food at the Mad Batter was really great and the staff pleasant. We would definitely do this again.

Erin C.

Just wanted to say how much we enjoyed our stay this past weekend. The room was beautifully appointed with just the right Cape May touches, even to the flat screen. I don't think the Victorians ever thought we would be watching a moving picture box on the wall! We drank happy hour cocktails in the new bar. The dinner was fantastic and breakfast in the garden room on Sunday morning was a treat! We have often breakfasted on the Mad Batter porch in the summer months and I have dreamed of staying at the villa. Finally, for our 19th anniversary, my husband got the hint! Thanks again! We shall return!

Susan Farrell DelVecchio

Good morning,

I'd like to say what a wonderful experience I had at Carroll Villa. I'm not sure you'll connect this but my wedding was at Mad Batter on Saturday, July 7th. It was an exciting and extremely nervous time for me.

I can't tell you how wonderful it was to work with Kay and all the staff at the Mad Batter and Carroll Villa. Kay made the experience as stress free as humanly possible. She helped me with so many of the details and whatever I asked of her so told me no problem. All of the waiting staff was perfect. They were very polite and right there when anyone needed anything.

My Dad and Step Mother reserved a room for my husband and I. The room was a delight. I'd never stayed at a Bed and Breakfast before. I can't wait now to do it again.

The room was heaven and the food bliss. I've eaten breakfast at the Mad Batter on many occasions and loved it. The wedding reception luncheon was heaven on a plate. I can't say enough wonderful things about everyone who helped make my wedding the joyful day I had hoped for when planning it in my mind.

Mark and Pam are terrific hosts. I've been telling everyone who asks what a great place to enjoy a day or a weeks vacation. It's the perfect getaway destination in Cape May. A place to stay half a block from the beach and downtown and great food and drinks.

Please make sure that everyone knows I appreciate all they did for all of my family and guests,
Donna G.

Dear Mr. Kulkowitz and Ms. Huber,

I am writing directly to you both because your questionnaire simply does not do your Bed and Breakfast, and Restaurant justice. There is too much to say to try and confine it to your courtesy card.

Last weekend my wife and I spent a delightful two days at your facility. We arrived Friday evening in the pouring rain, but when we entered your door we felt as if we were family. I have to tell you my wife has now converted me to Cape May, and it has to be because of the hospitality, friendly manner, courtesy, and service we experienced at the Carroll Villa and Mad Batter. My wife has many fond memories of Cape May from her childhood, while I simply never knew much about the city.

I have to be more specific in my praise. From the moment we came in the door, we were greeted by a very pleasant receptionist who explained not only about your facility, but also gave us a full brochure of Cape May activities. Our room was spotlessly clean each day, coupled by the entire house staff being most pleasant. My comments would be grossly understated ifI were to overlook the incredible breakfast we had both days of our weekend. Your Victorian Breakfast and Fruit Bowl are absolutely outstanding. I felt as if we were eating the healthiest food, and it was so fresh. I also have to give you a recommendation, and that is that you should independently sell you breads because they are wonderful, and certainly are more tasty and healthy than most store brands, as well as specialty shops.

One other comment about the Mad Batter and that is to specifically compliment our waitress, "Patience" who coincidentally served us both times. She was exceptionally courteous, prompt, thorough, without being intrusive, and generally made our dining experience a very enjoyable time. She, as well as all of your dining room workers are a credit to your restaurant, and I am certain the training you provide them.

This was not the first time we came to the Carroll Villa and Mad Batter, and it will definitely not be the last. As a Vice President of a national company I would recommend your facility to anyone who wants to experience the finest in Cape May's service, hospitality, accommodations, and great food!!!!

Sincerely
John G. Holstein

Pam,

THANK YOU so much for making this [our wedding planning] so easy for us. We checked out about three restaurants this weekend and while your food is outstanding (the best of the three we tried), the personal service you give means just as much - if not more. Kathy and Alexis were so helpful on Saturday and the time you gave us Sunday after your long Saturday in DC was greatly appreciated!

I will be talking with you soon,

Wende Gannon

April 18, 2003

Dear Mark and Pam,

We want to tell you how much we enjoy the "Mad Batter" restaurant and the "Carrol Villa Bed and Breakfast. For the past 25 years we ate at your restaurant with our children, friends and grandchildren. The food is wonderful and your staff is professional, energetic and experienced.

Now in our retirement years we spend more time in Cape May and at the "Mad Batter" including occasional wine dinners and best breakfasts in town. You have raised the standard of excellence at your restaurant to new heights! The Carrol Villa is quaint and attractive. Pam's decor and objet d'art are perfect examples of the "Victorian Experience".

We sincerely hope that you and Pam continue to provide your guests with wonderful cuisine and sophisticated coziness. Cape May would not be as charming without you and the "Mad Batter" and we hope to see you both for the next 25 years.

Ellen and Tony Chioffi

June 29th 2004

We wanted to thank the chefs for being kind enough to accommodate our daughter's dairy allergy when we stayed in Cape May last week. Over four days we ate five meals at the restaurant--two breakfasts, two lunches and a dinner--and the chefs knowledgeably accommodated our dairy-free requests and provided delicious and safe meals for our daughter.

We are looking forward to dining at the Mad Batter again the next time we are in Cape May.

Sincerely,
Mark Donaghy and Nancy Lasher

Mark/Pam,

Last night's dinner for my friend Bonnie Higgins was just perfect—from the great hors d'oeuvres to dinner and dessert all with a view of the gardens. We all had a great time, a fabulous meal and a memorable evening - our server Ann and the bartender Russ (? I think that's his name) were friendly and so pleasant.

Thanks for putting this all together - and hopefully we've introduced a few people from the northern part of the county to the Mad Batter!

Barb

This is the 13th B&B I've visited in Cape May, though the Carroll Villa is more along the lines of a historic 'boutique' hotel. In all my visits to local inns, I've met some wonderful people and the owner of the Carroll Villa, Mark Kulkowitz, is high on that list.

He and his family, both relatives and adopted relatives (he considers his staff to be family) run a hotel/restaurant that is among the finest I've ever visited. They attended to every detail during my stay and were as friendly as could be.

The hotel itself boasts impeccably clean and comfortable rooms, wonderful views, high-end amenities like huge flat-screen TVs in the rooms, i-pod adaptors and a 5-star restaurant on the premises, plus the location is fantastic- one block to the outdoor mall and less than a block to the beach. Even so, the best thing The Carroll Villa/Mad Batter has to offer is the warm, friendly atmosphere and the feeling it provides of a home away from home.

From the moment I walked through the door, Mark treated me like I was an old friend he hadn't seen in years and he even took a few hours out of his busy schedule to sit with me at the bar of his restaurant and share stories of his experiences in Cape May. He's a solid guy who genuinely cares about his guests and loves what he does, which might be why the Carroll Villa remains the top hotel in the city over 30 years after his family purchased it.

No stay in Cape May is complete without a trip to the Mad Batter for one of their award-winning breakfasts or a dinner that will guarantee you lingering memories of the best meal you've had in a long time. I highly recommend this place!

Ben Miller

Hi All,

My wife and I just spent time posting the following review...

A step back in time with the ambiance of an earlier era.

One step out of our car we smelled the most delightful aroma from someone’s fireplace; the entire neighborhood embraced you with this fragrance, just incredible. There is VERY limited parking, but a convenient loading / unloading spot right out front and a free parking pass to ditch the car with. No need for a car here, this place is located between the ocean and the shops, surrounded by all the restaurants you would ever need.

Dinner here was great! Clean, and the wait staff was top notch. Cocktails after roaming the neighborhood were served in generous “beverage vessels”, very tasty too. The room (#9) was beautiful, quiet, nice size, flat screen TV, fridge, and a bathroom though small, efficiently used every square inch to the max, it was comfortable, clean, and ……. EFFICIENT.

- John & Mary

Dear Pam,

I would like to thank you for the special treatment we received at your restaurant on Thursday, June 11. If you recall, I mentioned that the Mad Batter is my favorite restaurant & that I brought a friend there to celebrate her birthday. Needless to say, it was truly special. The cake, balloon & singing were just great & meant very much to the both of us. It is the special touches like these that continue to make your restaurant one of the best, if not THE BEST! in Cape May.

Since the Mad Batter is a destination for us, needless to say we'll (my husband, friends & I) be back!

Thanks so very much.

Sincerely,
Joan B.

Corporate Testimonials

THE HARTFORD
June 14, 1999

Dear Mark:

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

My company had a tremendous time at your Inn on June 9th & l0th. Your staff provided us with excellent service from the minute we arrived at the Inn. Mark, I look forward to hosting many more business meetings at your facilities in the future.

Sincerely,
Paul Anderson
Pennsylvania Marketing Director

Dear Pam & Crew:

It is with great pleasure that I provide you with this recommendation for the Carroll Villa Hotel and Mad Batter Restaurant in Cape May, New Jersey. It absolutely makes a perfect corporate retreat facility.

ISAAC'S Restaurant & Deli enlisted the lodging and food services for our General Managers' Retreat in January 2001. Our group consisted of 45 people which included spouses. The accommodations were extremely clean and comfortable. The staff went out of their way to add the personal touches throughout our stay to make ISAAC'S feel very welcome. The food was superior and the wait staff was attentive and excellent. They were happy to work with the different culinary requests of our group as well as serving snacks the evening before the retreat officially started.

Being in charge of organizing this weekend event, I found your management staff to be very obliging and detail-oriented. Your willingness to plan and schedule meals around our work sessions, and allowing us to rearrange the meeting and dining rooms to make it conducive to discussion groups, added to the effectiveness of our retreat weekend. Providing each guest with a welcome pack for "downtime" activities was extremely helpful for those who have never been to Cape May.

We have already received approval from our executive team to enlist the services of the Carroll Villa Hotel and Mad Batter Restaurant next year. It is without hesitation that I recommend your facility to any group planning a retreat. Without a doubt, you exceeded our expectations.

Sincerely,
David J. Leaman, CPA
ISAAC'S Restaurant & Deli

Dear Mark:

I’d like to take a moment to thank you and your staff for helping our team building session a success.

I chose to bring my team off-site for this two-day team building meeting so that we would be able to work without interruption. The Mad Batter & The Carroll Villa facilities proved to be ideal for this purpose. The Terrace Room provided plenty of space for the entire team to meet, and the use of the parlor and dining rooms allowed us to break out into smaller discussion groups whenever necessary. Having the restaurant, meeting rooms and accommodations in one building enabled us to utilize our time most effectively.

The food was delicious and all special diet needs were met without exception. The rooms were spacious and very comfortable.

Most importantly, the staff did a wonderful job. Your flexibility and willingness to work with us concerning meals, special diets, and room accommodations, to name just a few, clearly showed your commitment to make our visit a success.

I commend you and your entire staff and look forward to future stays, both business and pleasure, at the Mad Batter & The Carroll Villa.

Very truly yours,
Julia A. Amo
Executive Director, Business Operations
COVANCE, THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMPANY

September 15, 1998

Dear Mark:

On behalf of the American Dairy Association/Dairy Council Middle Atlantic, I want to thank you for contributing to the success of our recent staff retreat. As you know, our meeting in Cape May was one of the first steps in merging three organizations together into a cohesive group. Finding an environment where staff could relax and get to know one another was an important part of the process. The gracious atmosphere, including the delicious breakfasts, the sunny conference space and the overall service we received, helped us achieve our goal. Your staff is to be commended for their cheerful attitude and willingness to meet all of our needs.

In the future, please feel free to use our organization as a reference for any other groups considering The Mad Batter & Carroll Villa for their conference needs. We would be happy to share our positive experience with them.

Sincerely,
Bret H. Rigby
Chief Executive Officer
American Dairy Association / Dairy Council Middle Atlantic

PHILADELPHIA NAVAL CENTER

Dear Carroll Villa Staff:

On behalf of our Naval Surface Warfare Center Management Team in
Philadelphia, I wanted to thank you for the down home old fashioned
hospitality and wonderful arrangements made on our behalf for this weeks
visit and stay. From the rooms, to the meals, to the great staff, it all
went without one single hitch which is really unusual when dealing with an
unreuly mob like ourselves. You have sold a lot of people on a return visit
to the Carroll Villa Hotel in the future. Again, thanks so much for the
attention to detail.

Russell J. Griffith
Amphibious/Auxiliary/Command Ship Platform
Navsea Phila, Code 9125
 

February 12, 2005

Dear Mark:

I can' thank you enough for the wonderful luncheon and great time we had as your guests last Wednesday.

Harry is a prince and he must be proud of the fine tribute you paid him.

Thanks for all of us to you and your wife and your fine staff who served us so graciously.

Sincerely,
Gus Epple
Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge
President, South Jersey Chapter

December 9, 2005

Dear Kay,

Thank you so much for setting up our dinner meeting for the Cape May County Municipal Clerk's Association. We had a wonderful dinner, and everyone enjoyed the hors d' oeuvres. The restaurant was so warm and cozy.

Your staff was very efficient and gracious and everything was served in a timely manner. Many of our members commented they would be back in the Spring.
Thank you again for setting this dinner meeting up for our group, it was very much appreciated.

Yours truly,
Jean Davis
City Clerk's office
City of Cape May

Mark, Pam and Staff,

Thank you so much for including us in your open house. We were so happy that we were able to make it and see the renovations to the dining room and bar. It looks absolutely fantastic. What a nice change, a winter well spent.

As always, we will continue to send our guests to the Mad Batter. We have enjoyed our meals there often and love to recommend your restaurant.

Have a great summer. Once again, thanks for including us in your open house.

Sincerely,
Patricia Schmucker
Terese Thompson
Capri Motor Lodge

VFW Post 386 Home Association
419 Congress Street, Cape May, NJ 08204

October 2008

Dear Friend of the VFW Post 386,

On behalf of the VFW Home Association I would like to thank you for your contribution to our Annual Calm Bake Auction. Your support in helping our organization is sincerely appreciated.

Each year the Clam Bake generates revenue for the Veterans Scholarship Fund, to maintain our facility and provide any assistance that our Veterans and their families may need.

We had a particularly successful event this year due to significant community participation.

Thanks again for your generous donation to the Clam Bake Auction.

Best Wishes,
John P. Smith
President, VFW Home Association

The Mad Batter
19 Jackson St.
Cape May, NJ 08204

The Cape May Fire Department sincerely extends its thanks to you for hosting the photo exhibit of the fire hydrants as a fund raiser for our department.

It is people like you that make our work safer by allowing us to further our training programs for the members.

Again we thank you and if we can be of any service please feel free to call us.

Herbert Anger, secretary
Cape May Vol. Fire Co.

What could the Cape May County Chapter of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge and the Dennis Township Middle School Peer Leaders possibly have in common?

Well, for starters both active groups were honored at The Mad Batter in Cape May. This past December was the fourth time owner Mark Kulkowitz opened the doors of The Mad Batter on Jackson Street to honor the Dennis Township Peer Leaders for their community service.

The Peer Leaders were treated to a tour of the building, including the widow’s walk and the kitchen where they met the chef and placed their breakfast order. Pancakes with a side of bacon and home fries were the popular choice. Fresh squeezed orange juice washed it all down.

The Mad Batter started this tradition a few years back and our Peer Leaders look forward to the characteristic hospitality and personal service offered at the Mad Batter. So where do the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge come in?

Well, right after the Peer Leaders finished up their breakfast, the staff started preparing for the annual luncheon honoring these American heroes. Although World War II veteran numbers are declining each year, this group of Battle of the Bulge Veterans remains active in our county. Recognizing their sacrifice and patriotism, The Mad Batter hosts this luncheon as a way of saying thank you, and gives these soldiers a venue to meet with each other in a relaxed setting.

The Peer Leaders would like to extend their gratitude to the Mad Batter. Our annual visit to the restaurant is something we look forward to each year. Thank you for recognizing this hard working group of Dennis Township Middle School students.

LISA SALIMBENE
LISA ROSELLI
Dennis Township Middle School
Peer Leadership Advisors
Dennisville

Dear Mark, Pam & Kay-

Just wanted to thank you for setting up the Tomasello wine dinner Friday night. It was a great opportunity for the winery to show some of our wines and I think it went over well.

You have an excellent chef and the food and wine pairings were perfect. Love to do it again. Keep me in mind and wishing you all the best for a slam dunk season!

-Charlie
Tomasello Winery

Carroll Villa Bed & Breakfast and the Mad Batter Restaurant
19 Jackson Street - Cape May, NJ 08204 | Hotel 1-877-275-8452 | Restaurant 609-884-5970

Member Cape May County Chamber Professional Association for Keepers of the Inn US Coast Guard Auxiliary

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