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The Surf Shanty Motel

2.5 star property
Motel near Dewey Beach in Dewey Beach

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Photo gallery for The Surf Shanty Motel

Second Floor - Shower | Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, free WiFi, bed sheets
Exterior
Exterior
Designer toiletries, hair dryer, towels
Front of property

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

View in a map
21 Van Dyke Ave, Dewey Beach, DE, 19971
  • Place, Dewey Beach
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Indian Beach
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Delaware Seashore State Park
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • Airport, Ocean City, MD (OCE-Ocean City Municipal)
    ‪47 min drive‬

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)
  • 275 sq ft
  • 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)
  • 275 sq ft
  • 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)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

About the neighborhood

Dewey Beach

Close to the beach.Within a 15-minute walk of the motel, you'll find Dewey Beach and Delaware Seashore State Park. Rehoboth Beach and Funland are also within 3 miles (5 km).
View more Motels in Dewey BeachOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Dewey Beach Parasail - 2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Dewey Beach - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Indian Beach - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Bottle & Cork - 8 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Delaware Seashore State Park - 11 min walk - 0.6 miles

Getting around

  • Georgetown, DE (GED-Sussex County) - 35 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

Motel near Dewey Beach in Dewey Beach
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 bottled water and designer toiletries. Pillowtop beds feature premium bedding. 55-inch flat-screen televisions come with cable channels.

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

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Property amenities

Family friendly

  • Mini-fridge

Internet

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

Parking and transportation

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

Food and drink

  • 20 beach bars

Things to do

  • Free bicycle rentals

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 elevator
  • Visual alarms in hallways
  • Well-lit path to entrance

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • 55-inch flat-screen TV with cable channels

Bedroom

  • Pillowtop mattress
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

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

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.

Property 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 each 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

How close is The Surf Shanty Motel to the airport?

The Surf Shanty Motel is 19.2 mi (35-min drive) away from the Georgetown, DE (GED-Sussex County) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does The Surf Shanty Motel have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at The Surf Shanty Motel.

How close is The Surf Shanty Motel to the beach?

This motel is a short 3-minute walk from Dewey Beach and 5-minute walk from Indian Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does The Surf Shanty Motel offer free breakfast?

The Surf Shanty Motel does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at The Surf Shanty Motel?

No, there is no casino at this motel.

What time is check-in at The Surf Shanty Motel?

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

Is there free parking at The Surf Shanty Motel?

This motel offers free self parking.

Does The Surf Shanty Motel have a pool?

The Surf Shanty Motel does not have a pool.

Does The Surf Shanty Motel have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this motel.

How close is The Surf Shanty Motel to downtown Dewey Beach?

The Surf Shanty Motel is 0.3 mi away from Dewey Beach.

The Surf Shanty Motel Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 263 out of 309 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 43 out of 309 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 309 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 309 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 309 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Staff & service

9.2/10

Amenities

9.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.4/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Amy

Traveled 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

Traveled 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 traveler
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 traveler
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

Traveled 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

Traveled 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

10/10 Excellent

Paul

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jodie

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

Effecient

Easy check in. Great location. Safe and welcoming
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

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

8/10 Good

Janet

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Jason

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A great location for this beachy vibe motel. A couple things I would suggest to the property manager would be to offer a coffee cart each morning, add an additional chair and bedside table to the room and finally, I would suggest that the room be serviced automatically if you’re there for 4 nights…we didn’t get our room serviced our entire time. Beyond those minor things, it was a quirky, clean, convenient motel that has 95% of the components needed for a top-notch beach motel.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

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

10/10 Excellent

Lawrence

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

10/10 Excellent

Julie

Traveled with family
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

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

10/10 Excellent

Christopher

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

10/10 Excellent

Colleen

Traveled with partner
Liked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful!! Adorable, love the branding and bikes....!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tina

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
na
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Shendi

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

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

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

Cute motel, great location

Location can’t be beat. Friendly staff. Nice to have access to bikes. We stayed there a couple of nights. The room doesn’t have many drawer space or a closet so that might have annoyed me as I like to put my clothes in drawers or hang them up on longer stays. There was a coat rack that was handy to have to hang clothing on. Only complaint is that the walls are thin. I had to keep the TV on at night to drown out the footsteps/noise from the room directly above or next door. Would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Masooma

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