The Surf Shanty Motel

2.5 star property

Photo gallery for The Surf Shanty Motel

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

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

Ground Floor - Tub

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

Second Floor - Shower

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

Third Floor - Shower

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(40 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.

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
  • ‪Rusty Rudder - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Dewey Beach Country Club - ‬7 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).

Similar properties

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. 277 out of 328 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 48 out of 328 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 328 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 328 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 328 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Staff & service

9.2/10

Amenities

9.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Edward

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

10/10 Excellent

Christopher

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Always love staying here!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Shendi

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
amazing place to stay- the staff was so friendly
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Susan

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

10/10 Excellent

shannon

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

10/10 Excellent

Steven

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

10/10 Excellent

victoria

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Property was amazing, clean, right near the beach and everything you need for your stay !
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Agnieszka

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Great location and friendly staff
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mihalis

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Teresa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Hotel was clean. Very close to the beach and close to restaurants. Would stay again
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Scott

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
This is the perfect hotel for a weekend getaway.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Catherine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room is clean , bed is comfortable , location is good, close to beach and shops, will come back
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

James

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean and convenient with close access to beach and restaurants.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kelly

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tara

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved our stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Erika

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very nice and clean property. Staff was very friendly and helpful.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Josselyn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
loved staying here.. great location, can’t wait to be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

kimberly

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Julie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very clean , quiet and convenient to the beach. Would highly recommend and repeat
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amy

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A really cute place for a reasonable price. We walked most places we went to and we were right near the beach
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Libby

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

Great place to stay.

We had a great experience staying at Surf Shanty Motel! Our room was very nice and super clean. The manager was super friendly and helpful. Great location and we’ll definitely stay here again!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022