Rehoboth Beach hotels

I love staying at hotels that are historic and family-owned, and The Avenue Inn and Spa is both. Opened in 1937 as a tearoom, the family has spent the last four generations transforming it into one of the best hotels in Rehoboth Beach.

The nightly wine, cheese, and cookies are enough to lure my wife and I in for a stay, and if you need extra convincing, allow us to draw your attention to the award-winning Blue Hen restaurant. The fantastic East Coast oysters are not to be missed. As the name suggests, there’s also a lavish spa.

If you want to stay at the best boutique hotels in Rehoboth Beach, Hotel Rehoboth should be top of your list. Sure, you could walk or drive to the beach, but I much prefer hopping on the open-air beach shuttle.

Like many of the top hotels in Rehoboth Beach, Hotel Rehoboth has its own swimming pool, laundry facilities, and a welcoming lobby. However, a big reason I love Hotel Rehoboth is because it has one perk the others don’t: Lupo Italian Kitchen.

I can’t think of a better way to unwind after a day in the sun than with a full-bodied Umbrian wine and a plate of old-school meatballs in red sauce, just like my grandparents used to make.

Residence Inn by Marriott may seem a little far from the beach. But trust me, that’s a benefit for road warriors like myself.

Picture it: you arrive at Rehoboth Beach, enjoy time in the ocean, then check in to your suite at Residence Inn by Marriott and spend the night splashing in the outdoor pool or playing at the nearby Midway Center amusement park. You wake up, enjoy a complimentary full American breakfast, then hit the road already 20 minutes closer to your destination because you chose to stay away from the ocean.

And that 20-minute drive to the beach from Residence Inn by Marriott does nothing to diminish its status as one of the top-rated hotels in Rehoboth Beach. It still offers a great opportunity to see all the attractions, shopping, and restaurants that you’ll want to visit.

Wow is the first word that comes to mind when I see the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel. I didn’t expect a Victorian-style hotel at the north end of the boardwalk, but its architecture alone makes it one of the most unique hotels in Rehoboth Beach.

Victorian antiques fill the thoughtfully designed rooms – some feature whirlpool bathtubs, while others have noon check-out service.

Another reason I think the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel is one of the best hotels in Rehoboth Beach is that it has unique amenities like an English-style pub, a child-free concierge level with a spa and a rooftop sun deck, and a heated soaking pool.

Don’t assume that the oceanfront is the only place where you’ll find the best hotels in Rehoboth Beach. Brighton Suites Hotel proves that staying a short walk from the shoreline is perfect – and I believe that’s doubly true for multi-generational travellers.

As both a father and a son, I understand how much an accessible room offers the space and convenience needed for those with mobility issues. The year-round indoor pool means grandparents and grandchildren can have fun without venturing far from the hotel. Plus, the laundry facilities on-site make it easy to keep everything clean and tidy.

Same-aged travellers, like couples and friends, aren’t an afterthought here either. I adore the views from the outdoor rooftop deck (a perk I wish more hotels in the area had). Meanwhile, the dedicated parking garage makes it so much easier to get settled and get your holiday started on the right foot.

I’m a kid at heart, so knowing that Beach View Hotel is just one block away from the Funland amusement park makes this one of the best hotels in Rehoboth Beach, in my opinion. It helps that Beach View Hotel also has a playful side.

Cookies fresh out of the oven are served every night around bedtime, a perfect way to close out your day. For a more adult treat, arrive a little earlier for complimentary wine and cheese after dinner.

When you’re not having a blast at Funland, you can splash about in the seasonal outdoor pool or grab a beach chair and relax on the shoreline. Personally, I prefer to waltz around the boardwalk in search of fish tacos, but you might prefer the handcrafted cocktails and awesome Thai chilli chicken wings next door at Shorebreak Lodge Restaurant.

If you want to hang ten, Surf Club Oceanfront Hotel is the place to book for fun in the sun. This hotel is right on the sand, which means you’re only a sprint away from sending your surfboard or boogie board into the waves.

Surf Club has certain features that lean into the old-school vibes of the bygone days of surfing. Instead of a lift, a dumb waiter transports your luggage; instead of balconies, you’re encouraged to spend nights counting the stars on a sand dune.

The patio, guest lounge, and barbecue area are equally good hangout spots – though you might find me by the pool while I wait for my clothes to dry in the guest laundry facilities. With kitchenettes, fold-out sofa beds, walk-in showers, and instant beach access, Surf Club Oceanfront Hotel is one of the best hotels in Rehoboth Beach for groups of friends.

Among the luxury hotels of Rehoboth Beach, the Bellmoor Inn & Spa offers an upscale getaway set slightly away from the beachfront. You’ll still smell the sea breeze and hear the gulls call here, but with a two-block walk separating you from the sand, it’s a good spot for a calmer stay.

I dream of a night in the adults-only Club Suites (sorry, no kids or guests under 25 allowed), with a private library study stocked with free drinks and snacks. But don’t feel too bad if you’re bringing a little one into the Bellmoore. The all-ages suites are still charming with their fireplaces, tiny libraries, lovely balconies, and relaxing hydrotherapy tubs.

Attention on deck: one of the best hotels in Rehoboth Beach wants to come aboard your holiday. There are many reasons why the Admiral on Baltimore is a great place to stay: it has an indoor swimming pool, free parking, and free Wi-Fi. But I personally believe that the Admiral on Baltimore’s top amenity is its central location.

You’ll hardly have your bikini tied before you step from your room onto the beach. The Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk is a few flip-flop steps away, putting you within walking distance of a wide range of top bars, restaurants, and attractions. Another reason it’s one of the best hotels to stay in Rehoboth Beach: you can watch the 4th of July fireworks show straight from the Admiral’s pool deck.

What I love about Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham is the concept of simplicity, which makes it one of the top hotels in Rehoboth Beach for budget travellers. Instead of just the 'bare minimum', it delivers exactly what you need in a stay.

The hotel keeps you cool with an outdoor heated pool and warm with a fire pit (which I could spend hours relaxing beside). The free breakfast provides the perfect balance of on-the-go snack and filling up before a day on the beach.

But as I see it, Microtel Inn & Suites is a sleepover camp for shopaholics. Outlet stores line both sides of the street, which is convenient because I can start breaking in a new pair of shoes on the walk from the store to my suite. If you’re looking for some retail therapy, Microtel Inn & Suites is the place to come for a spending spree.