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The Surf Shanty Motel

2.5 star property
Motel with 20 beach bars, near Dewey Beach

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Photo gallery for The Surf Shanty Motel

Exterior - The Surf Shanty Motel (Dewey Beach)
Designer toiletries, hair dryer, towels - The Surf Shanty Motel (Dewey Beach)
Front of property - The Surf Shanty Motel (Dewey Beach)
Ground Floor - Tub | Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, free WiFi, bed sheets - The Surf Shanty Motel (Dewey Beach)
Exterior - The Surf Shanty Motel (Dewey Beach)
Just steps from Dewey Beach, The Surf Shanty Motel offers a laid-back beach vibe with 20 beach bars nearby. Connect to WiFi, grab a bike and ride along the coast or unwind in the motel's smoke-free premises.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Bar
  • Non-smoking

Main amenities (3)

  • Near the beach
  • 20 beach bars
  • Free use of bicycles

Feel at home (6)

  • Private bathroom
  • Television
  • In-room climate control (air conditioning)
  • Premium bedding
  • Free self parking
  • Mini-fridge

Room options

View all photos for Ground Floor - Tub

Ground Floor - Tub | Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, free WiFi, bed sheets

Ground Floor - Tub

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(28 reviews)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Mini-fridge
Flat-screen TV
Pillowtop bed
Premium bedding
Hair dryer
Shower/tub combination
Designer toiletries
  • 26 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Second Floor - Shower

Second Floor - Shower | Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, free WiFi, bed sheets

Second Floor - Shower

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(30 reviews)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Mini-fridge
Flat-screen TV
Pillowtop bed
Premium bedding
Private bathroom
Designer toiletries
Hair dryer
  • 26 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Third Floor - Shower

Third Floor - Shower | Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, free WiFi, bed sheets

Third Floor - Shower

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(37 reviews)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Mini-fridge
Flat-screen TV
Pillowtop bed
Premium bedding
Private bathroom
Designer toiletries
Hair dryer
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

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About the neighborhood

Map
21 Van Dyke Ave, Dewey Beach, DE, 19971

What's nearby

  • Dewey Beach Parasail - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Dewey Beach - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Indian Beach - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Bottle & Cork - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Delaware Seashore State Park - 11 min walk - 0.9 km

Getting around

  • Georgetown, DE (GED-Sussex County) - 35 min drive
  • Ocean City, MD (OCE-Ocean City Municipal) - 46 min drive
  • Cape May, NJ (WWD-Cape May County) - 104 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Rusty Rudder - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Grotto Pizza - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪The Dewey Post - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Nalu Surf Bar - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Bottle & Cork - ‬7 min walk

About this property

The Surf Shanty Motel

When you stay at The Surf Shanty Motel, you'll be within a 15-minute drive of Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk and Lewes Beach. Freebies like WiFi and self parking are added perks, and guests looking to stay active can check out the nearby hiking/biking trails. Fellow travelers love the helpful staff and beach location.

At a glance

DONE

Hotel size

    • 15 rooms
DONE

Arriving/Leaving

    • Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 6:00 PM
    • Express check-out available
    • Minimum check-in age: 21
    • Check-out time is 11:00 AM
DONE

Special check-in instructions

    • There is no front desk at this property
    • Guests will receive an email within 24 hours before arrival with check-in instructions and an access code; access will be through a private entrance
    • This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in
    • Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
DONE

Required at check-in

    • Credit card required for incidental charges
    • Government-issued photo ID may be required
    • Minimum check-in age is 21
DONE

Pets

    • Pets not allowed
WIFI

Internet

    • Free WiFi in rooms (speed: 50+ Mbps)
LOCAL_PARKING

Parking

    • Free uncovered onsite self parking
    • Limited onsite parking (max 1 space per unit)
DONE

Other information

    • Smoke-free property

Property amenities

Food and drink

  • 20 beach bars

What to do

  • Beach nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Scooter/moped rentals nearby

Services

  • Free bicycle rentals

Accessibility

  • Visual alarms in hallways
  • Handrails in stairways
  • Lever door handles
  • Well-lit path to entrance

Room amenities

Be entertained

  • 55-inch flat-screen TV
  • Cable TV channels

Home comfort

  • Climate-controlled air conditioning and heating

Sleep well

  • Premium bedding
  • Pillowtop mattress

Freshen up

  • Private bathroom
  • Designer toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels

Stay connected

  • Free WiFi (speed of 50+ Mbps)

Food and drink

  • Mini-fridge
  • Free bottled water

More

  • Access via exterior corridors

Fees & policies

Policies

This property does not have elevators.
Guests can rest easy knowing there's a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit on site.
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards. Cash is not accepted.
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover

Also known as

The Surf Shanty Motel Motel
The Surf Shanty Motel Dewey Beach
The Surf Shanty Motel Motel Dewey Beach

Frequently asked questions

Are pets allowed at The Surf Shanty Motel?

Sorry, pets aren't allowed.

Is parking offered on site at The Surf Shanty Motel?

Yes, there's free self parking. Parking spots may be limited.

What are the check-in and check-out times at The Surf Shanty Motel?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 6:00 PM. Check-out time is 11:00 AM. Express check-out is available.

What is there to do at The Surf Shanty Motel and nearby?

Have fun during the warmer months with activities such as cycling. Additional recreation nearby includes ecotours. The Surf Shanty Motel also has 20 beach bars.

What's the area around The Surf Shanty Motel like?

The Surf Shanty Motel is located near Dewey Beach, just a short 12-minute walk from Delaware Seashore State Park and 20 minutes' walk from Silver Lake. The local area is walkable and popular for its beaches.

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Reviews

The Surf Shanty Motel Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

10

Cleanliness

9.2

Amenities

9.8

Staff & service

9.4

Eco-friendliness

9.8

Property conditions & facilities

Guest review summary

What guests liked

  • The property offers a prime beach location with easy access to the beach and nearby restaurants. (56 reviews)
  • The property is close to good restaurants and offers an excellent dining experience. (4 reviews)
  • The property offers convenient and accommodating parking, with free parking spots and flexible check-in and check-out arrangements. (4 reviews)
AI Sparkle IconFrom real guest reviews summarized by AI.

Popular mentions

Beach
Location
Room
Service staff
Restaurant
Bed
Biking
Amenities
Bar
Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Exceptional

Fun motel near beach, always clean and friendly staff!
Susan, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Very clean, great location and staff super friendly.
Steven, 3-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Always love staying here!
Christopher, 3-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

amazing place to stay- the staff was so friendly
Shendi, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Yes yes & Yes , the wife and I enjoyed our stay, we were able to walk to everything , We used the free bikes to ride around , we enjoyed watching the sunrise just steps away on beach , relaxed looking at sunset over the bay around bay beach fire pit access the street . The room was super clean , great decor, we will be back next season, Great bands were playing around the corner at The bar on the bay ,
michael, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

The staff is always super nice. Hotel is quiet, clean, and in a good location. Stayed here 3 times now and always had a good experience l.
Mihalis, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Property was amazing, clean, right near the beach and everything you need for your stay !
victoria, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Loved the beachy vibes, and friendlines. Hoping to go back again!,
Loretta, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Great location!

Great location. Cute decor. Convenient check in and out.
Kelly, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Hotel was clean. Very close to the beach and close to restaurants. Would stay again
Teresa, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Very nice and clean property. Staff was very friendly and helpful.
Michael, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

This place was extremely clean.Close to the beach.I loved the bikes on site.Great parking.Would definitely stay again
Amy, 3-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Room is clean , bed is comfortable , location is good, close to beach and shops, will come back
Catherine, 4-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Great location and friendly staff
Agnieszka, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Surf Shanty Love

The staff is always the best. Perfect location. Friendly and we love staying here. Will be back again!
Thomas, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Very clean , quiet and convenient to the beach. Would highly recommend and repeat
Julie, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

A really cute place for a reasonable price. We walked most places we went to and we were right near the beach
Andrew, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Excellent place to stay, the rooms are very clean and modern. The location of this motel was perfect. The staff was extremely friendly. I really enjoyed my stay.
Erika, 4-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Effecient

Easy check in. Great location. Safe and welcoming
Jodie, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Great stay; second time. Quiet spot with friendly staff. Super clean and less than a 2 min walk onto the beach. Plenty to eat and drink within walking distance. Will be back.
Lawrence, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

This is the perfect hotel for a weekend getaway.
Scott, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Such a great stay at the Surf Shanty! This was my first time staying here and I will definitely be back. Everything was perfect; quiet area, walkable, safe, bikes available, clean, easy access to the ice machine. I have come to Dewey every year for the past 20 years and this has become a new favorite motel. Highly recommend.
Katelyn, 3-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

The Surf Shanty was a great small hotel, close to everything Dewey Beach has to offer, but still tucked away that it wasn’t as noisy as some other hotels we’ve stayed at. Staff was very friendly. Beds and pillows were super comfortable.
Lani, 4-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Room was clean and location is great. Easy access to beach and several restaurants with live music in the evening. On site manager is super friendly and can provide recommendations to new visitors.
Steven, 3-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Cute and tucked away from the hubbub!

Just got back from our beautiful 2 night stay at the Surf Shanty. Whoever owns this hotel put a lot of love and creativity into refurbishing it. The rooms are beautifully done and there are many thoughtful little touches including Aveda products for the shower. Well lit inside and out and a compact little parking lot in front exclusively for quests. We found the beds to be comfortable, the shower hot, the AC cool, the TV big, and the hotel itself, quiet. Thank you for a great stay!
William, 2-night trip