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The Surf Shanty Motel

2.5 star property

Photo gallery for The Surf Shanty Motel

Exterior
Exterior
Ground Floor - Tub
Front of property
Designer toiletries, hair dryer, towels

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Bar

Explore the area

View map
21 Van Dyke Ave, Dewey Beach, DE, 19971
  • Place, Dewey Beach
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Bottle & Cork
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Place, Delaware Seashore State Park
    ‪14 min walk‬
  • Airport, Ocean City, MD (OCE-Ocean City Municipal)
    ‪58 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Ground Floor - Tub

Ground Floor - Tub

Ground Floor - Tub

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(29 reviews)
  • 26 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Second Floor - Shower

Second Floor - Shower

Second Floor - Shower

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(31 reviews)
  • 26 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Third Floor - Shower

Third Floor - Shower

Third Floor - Shower

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(38 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

About the area

Dewey Beach

At The Surf Shanty Motel you'll be within just a 5-minute stroll of Dewey Beach and within 15 minutes of Delaware Seashore State Park. Highlights at this motel include 20 beach bars and in-room free WiFi. .With a stay at this Dewey Beach motel, you'll be 2.9 km (1.8 mi) from Rehoboth Beach and 4 km (2.5 mi) from Rehoboth Beach Convention Center.
View more Motels in Dewey BeachOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Dewey Beach - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Dewey Beach Parasail - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Indian Beach - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Bottle & Cork - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Delaware Seashore State Park - 14 min walk - 1.2 km

Getting around

  • Georgetown, DE (GED-Sussex County) - 40 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Starboard - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Woody's Dewey Beach - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Dewey Beer Co. - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Dewey Beach Country Club - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪The Dewey Post - ‬2 min walk

About this property

The Surf Shanty Motel

The Surf Shanty Motel offers its guests express check-out. You can unwind with a drink at one of the 20 beach bars. The front desk is open around the clock. Limited free parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

This Dewey Beach motel is smoke free.

  • 15 guestrooms or units
  • 20 bars on the beach
  • Express check-out
  • No smoking on site
The Surf Shanty Motel offers 15 accommodations, which are accessible via exterior corridors and feature complimentary bottles of water and designer toiletries. Pillowtop beds feature premium bedding. 55-inch flat-screen televisions come with cable channels.

Bathrooms include complimentary toiletries and hairdryers. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access (speed: 50+ Mbps).

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 50+ Mbps

Parking and transport

  • Free uncovered self parking on site
  • Limited number of on-site self parking spaces per unit

Food and drink

  • 20 beach bars

Things to do

  • Free bicycle rentals

Family friendly

  • Mini-fridge

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Handrails in stairways
  • Lever door handles
  • No lift
  • Visual alarms in hallways
  • Well-lit path to entrance

More

  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Pillowtop mattress
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Designer toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 55-inch flat-screen TV with cable channels

Food and drink

  • Free bottled water
  • Mini-fridge

More

  • Access via exterior corridors
  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Heating (climate-controlled)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: 6:00 PM

Minimum check-in age - 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Express check-out available

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

Access methods

Access code, private entrance

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Payment types

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector and a first aid kit
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A credit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover and debit cards. Cash is not accepted. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector and a first aid kit in all accommodation.

Property is also known as

The Surf Shanty Motel Motel

The Surf Shanty Motel Dewey Beach

The Surf Shanty Motel Motel Dewey Beach

Frequently asked questions

Is parking available at The Surf Shanty Motel?

Yep, The Surf Shanty Motel has a free self car park. Onsite parking is limited (max 1 space per unit).

Are there any beaches close to The Surf Shanty Motel?

Yep, The Surf Shanty Motel is a short 2-minute walk from Dewey Beach.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at The Surf Shanty Motel?

No, The Surf Shanty Motel does not offer an airport shuttle service.

What time are check-in & check-out at The Surf Shanty Motel?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM. Check-out time is 11:00 AM.

Are pets allowed at The Surf Shanty Motel?

No, pets are not allowed.

The Surf Shanty Motel Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 269 out of 317 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 45 out of 317 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 317 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 317 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 317 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Staff & service

9.2/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

8/10 Good

kimberly

Travelled with family, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The hotel was clean and the staff were very helpful. The only negative was there was no closet to hang our dresses. We came for a wedding and it would have been nice to have somewhere to hang out gowns. Other than than that we enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
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 ,
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

6/10 Okay

Nakeiha

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
This was my second time at the Surf Shanty and although the rain sort of impeded going to the beach, my stay was just okay. I was there to get work done, but AC leaked throughout rainstorm.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Edward

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Rooms were clean, staff was great, close to the beach.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

shannon

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Such a beautifully designed and maintained Boutique Motel!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Kimberly

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Patricia

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Willow

Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Norma

Very accommodating manager. Extremely well kept property! Excellent mattresses!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Shayla

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jodi

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved the added little touches to the room…color variation in decor! Loved the sound machine too! Very comfortable & clean! Would absolutely recommend this property! Could walk to various restaurants & beach! Easy drive to Rehoboth boardwalk.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

William

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

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!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Susan

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
Fun motel near beach, always clean and friendly staff!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Steven, Whitestone

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very clean, great location and staff super friendly.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cara

Travelled with group
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amy

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This place was extremely clean.Close to the beach.I loved the bikes on site.Great parking.Would definitely stay again
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kelly

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great location!

Great location. Cute decor. Convenient check in and out.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

LORI

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Loretta

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Loved the beachy vibes, and friendlines. Hoping to go back again!,
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mihalis

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jessica

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Katelyn

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Brett

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Thomas

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Surf Shanty Love

The staff is always the best. Perfect location. Friendly and we love staying here. Will be back again!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025