Hotel Rehoboth
247 Rehoboth Ave.
Rehoboth Beach, Del.
302-227-4300
hotelrehoboth.com

After getting caught in bay bridge traffic, my husband and I rushed into the lobby of the Hotel Rehoboth, late for a friend’s wedding in Lewes. “May we please check in so we can change clothes for the wedding?” I blurted to the woman behind the desk. Retaining every modicum of calm, she checked us in quickly, reassured that we had plenty of time to get there, and even complimented our quick change as we made our return rush through the lobby.

It was only when we returned to the hotel that we noticed the lobby’s little details: the buttery gold chairs and sofa arranged around the marble fireplace as if it were someone’s living room; the faux grand piano that doubles as a sound system; the sweeping staircase leading to the second floor; the fresh flowers, and the Oriental rugs (even in the elevator!). With its striking bright yellow facade and attached restaurant and upscale boutiques, it almost looks like something out of Naples, Fla. It’s definitely a different sort of accommodation for Rehoboth Beach, polished and predictable, but still family run. Best of all is the hotel’s location, right on the main drag, five blocks from the beach.

THE INNKEEPERS The hotel, which opened in March 2008, is a collaboration between former restaurateurs Bill and Peggy Martin (who owned Rehoboth’s The Homestead and Café on the Green, among others), their son, Keith Martin, and his wife, Sherri. “Our aim was to create more of a [full-service] hotel feel, not just a front desk,” says Keith. Hotel staff will schedule spa appointments or make dinner reservations for guests, services typically found at hotels with concierges. In addition, the hotel hosts a nightly wine and cheese reception for guests in the lobby.

THE ROOMS Although each of the Hotel Rehoboth’s 52 rooms (and five suites) is slightly different in size and shape, all have a standard, corporate hotel layout, but are decorated in the colors of sand, sky, and surf, a color scheme that runs throughout the hotel. Our king-size pillow top bed is dressed in shades of pewter blue, the walls are a creamy yellow, and the overstuffed couches and chairs in the sitting area are upholstered in muted nubby tweeds. Some rooms boast gas-powered fireplaces; 11 have private balconies, several with primo views overlooking the hullabaloo on Rehoboth Avenue.

SPECIAL TOUCHES/DIVERSIONS The hotel offers many extras including free parking, an open-air free shuttle back and forth to the beach, beach chairs and towels, an outdoor heated pool, and a lobby lending library known as the Book Nook. The hotel shares space with the charming Italian restaurant, Lupo di Mare (which provides limited hotel room service), as well as two swanky shops, Mod Cottage and Cleo’s Boutique.

WHAT’S FOR BREAKFAST The ample compli-mentary breakfast buffet isn’t going to improve your swimsuit figure. We grazed among plates of hardboiled eggs, bagels, oatmeal with dried cranberries and raisins, pastries, and an obviously homemade quiche.

ROMANCE FACTOR You’re at the beach. Live it up!

COST Rates in-season range from $179 to $399 per night.