Name: Surf Club Oceanfront Hotel
Address: 1 Read Avenue, Dewey Beach, Dewey Beach, Dewey Beach, DE 19971, United States of America
Rating: 8

Air conditioning

Smoke-free property

Heating

Garden

Outdoor furniture

No elevators

Reception desk

General

Room service

Rooms

Laundry

Concierge services

Services and amenities

Vending machine

Meals

Free Wi-Fi

Internet access

Internet

Barbecue grill(s)

Hiking

Picnic area

Barbeque

Recreation

Offsite parking reservations required

Parking

Swimming pool

Seasonal outdoor swimming pool

Beach/pool towels

Next to the beach

Pool and beach

Fax and copy machine

Business

Pets Not Allowed

Pets

Personal protection equipment for staff

Extra decontamination measures

Personal protection equipment for guests

Contactless check-in and/or check-out

Additional measures against COVID-19

Health and Safety Measures

Location

At the hotel

Dewey Beach Parasail

John Waples Memorial Playground

Baycenter for the Performing Arts

Indian Beach

East of Maui

Fifer Orchards Local-Fresh Market - Dewey Beach

Silver Lake

Thompson Island Nature Preserve

Wicomico Regional Airport

Surf Club Oceanfront Hotel

Dewey Beach

child-bed

child-bed-fee

external-private-bathroom

private-bathroom

shared-bathroom

10-beds

11-beds

12-beds

13-beds

14-beds

15-beds

16-beds

17-beds

18-beds

19-beds

2-beds

20-beds

21-beds

22-beds

23-beds

24-beds

25-beds

26-beds

27-beds

28-beds

29-beds

3-beds

30-beds

31-beds

32-beds

33-beds

34-beds

35-beds

36-beds

37-beds

38-beds

39-beds

4-beds

40-beds

5-beds

6-beds

7-beds

8-beds

9-beds

king-bed

queen-bed

limited-time

lounge

treatment

no-window

bay-view

bosphorus-view

canal-view

city-view

courtyard-view

garden-view

golf-view

harbour-view

inland-view

lake-view

land-view

mountain-view

ocean-front

ocean-view

oceanside

panoramic-view

park-view

partial-ocean-view

partial-sea-view

partial-view

pool-view

river-view

sea-front

sea-view

street-view

sunrise-view

sunset-view

water-view

with-view

annex

basement

main-building

1-bedroom

2-bedrooms

3-bedrooms

4-bedrooms

5-bedrooms

6-bedrooms

not-guaranteed

wired-internet-access

smoking

sauna

duplex

safe

mini-bar

breakfast-for-1

breakfast-for-2

pets-allowed

wi-fi

kitchen

We’ve been going here for a long time, and it was really nice for our family. The ocean front windows are beautiful and we love having a pool there. However, there are 2 major safety concerns that are going to stop us from staying there again. 
One is parking, and the other are the white metal stairs at the far end. This place does not have parking big enough for what it needs. People come in a minivan, and need a spot meant to hold one. But the spots under the hotel are really more for a compact car to maneuver into, or there are two parallel parking spots next to the pool leaving me feeling someone is going to sideswipe me at any moment. The other option is across the street at their beach house and you need to angle in park. That’s fine, but getting out means you need to back out after angling in for maybe 10-12 spots deep. 
The other concern, which seems much more fixable, is the rusted out staircase at the end of the hotel. I understand that it is a beach and there will be some wear and tear, but many steps are rusty and kids are barefoot on them. It’s a recipe for disaster. Even worse is the number of stairs that have rusted through so much that you can see straight through them. They aren’t safe and they need to be replaced. This isn’t a new problem this season- we saw it last season as well. It really has beautiful views here, I just wish the upkeep of the place and modernizing parking were priorities.

Pretty views but safety concerns

We have been coming to this hotel every summer for almost 30 years! Recommend it highly. When we had smail children, it was particularly good place to stay since we had an Ocean Front room, and could walk out our door, down some steps and over the dunes to the beach. No major roads to cross, and that was a huge benefit for our children. Easy walking distance to many restaurants including Woody's, Starboard, Grottos Pizza and the Lighthouse. The hotel staff is always helpful and friendly!

Great hotel!  Highly recommend!

We went with 5 families. Rooms were very spacious and updated. Excellent location and very clean. Recommendations would be to update bathrooms - some of the doors are old and also in the stairways outside rugs are old- Maybe rip them up and paint. Also pool closes at 8 - should be open a bit later. Beautiful deck we bbqd one night. Walking distance to restaurants and mini golf. Trolley also available. We had a fantastic time. Front desk very friendly and accommodating. We would come back next year.

Lovely family vacay

I really wanted to give 4 1/2 stars but that’s not possible and I felt 4 stars was too harsh. 
This place is very close to being perfect. Great location steps from beach. Rooms are big, spacious and modern. King bed and pull out couch. Comfortable. Kitchenette perfect. 
However - They gave us only 2 bath towels each day. Had to ask for more. They do not clean while you are there and when you ask for more supplies they’re stingy about it. There is no balcony to sit on and enjoy the ocean view. No chairs outside the rooms like typical motels have. The floors in the room are dirty - Vinyl wood floors - Very nice. But I think they’re vacuuming them but not washing them. All of our feet were black on the bottoms - we had to wash our feet before getting into bed. Overall I would still recommend this place just some minor things they could improve on. 

Almost perfect 

This is a great ocean front place with a kitchen that has induction stove top, microwave, fridge, pots, pans, dishes etc. At the pool area there’s also a washer/dryer and a grill too! Just what you need for your stay. It’s great for families on a budget and for those who travel in group sizes and fret about making a dinner reservation for a big party. 
We hung out at the pool and grilled. They also offer free coffee in the lobby and beach towels. Save that space in your car or suitcase and no need to  bring, hang or dry your own beach towels! There’s no other place on the beach that offers these things for the value. 

It’s walking distance to the main Street with all the bars and restaurants.

The staff is wonderful and friendly too!

Great view and value

It’s honestly taken me a few days to write this review because I was so shaken by the events that occurred last Thursday, February 23, 2023. I have never been treated with such little humanity. 

I have visited the Surf Club Oceanfront Hotel many, many times in the last few years (I literally still have their guest parking pass on my dash from my last visit just a few months ago), but after the inexplicably hostile treatment I received from Ralph, I will not come back, and I suggest you don’t either. 

TLDR: I asked a hotel employee to use the beach bathroom before I booked my room (I’m a regular, I stay here ALL the time, and I was told my room wasn’t going to be ready for 1-2 hours anyway), and Ralph (another employee) yelled at the hotel employee who let me in and called the cops on me. He then changed the “vacancy” sign to “no vacancies” making sure I wouldn’t be able to get that room I’d inquired after after all. 

February 23rd was an uncharacteristically warm day, so I did what I do anytime that happens. I packed a bag and drove the 2.5 hours to spend the day (and usually night) at my favorite beachfront hotel. I arrived just in time to catch the sunrise and spent an hour or so walking the beach, reading my book, and taking in the beach breeze. 

Shortly after Surf Club opened around 8 am, I saw the green “vacancies” sign was lit up, so walked in to inquire about a room for the night. I spoke with Ralph about the different rooms/rates available and asked how early I could check in. He told me 1 to 2 hours tops since they weren’t busy, and it’s not like they were waiting on people to check-out (this is important later). I told him I was going to think it over for a few minutes (I also wanted to check online rates, which are sometimes cheaper than booking at the front desk) and check in with a friend who might be joining me, but that I’d be back to book a room. I then asked if I could use the side beach bathroom in the meantime. As a regular, I’m aware of a little restroom attached to the parking area that you can use instead of returning to your hotel room every time you have to use the bathroom. I’ve used it many times, especially while waiting for a room to be ready as check-in is usually around 3 pm, and I always arrive early in the morning. Ralph told me no such bathroom existed. Thinking he was new (this was my first time seeing him), I reminded him of the beach bathroom next to the parking area. He told me I couldn’t use it because I wasn’t a guest yet. I pleaded with him, explaining that I’m a frequent guest (easily verifiable), would likely be a guest again that day, had a long drive, and would just be a minute or 2 tops. Ralph refused. 

Okay. A little odd, but at this point I was still interested in a room because, again, this is my favorie spot, and I could just find somewhere else to use the bathroom. I walked outside to call my friend and let her know I was probably going to book a room for the night. I started checking online rates (yep, less expensive than the price Ralph gave me), and then I saw another hotel employee near the beach bathroom. I asked if he would mind letting me use the restroom, and he very courteously said yes and opened the door for me. I went inside, used the bathroom, and walked out in less than 2 minutes. I didn’t linger or make any phone calls. I didn’t sit down on the furniture. I didn’t leave a mess. I didn’t even use the vending machine. I just used the bathroom and left. 

When I walked out of the bathroom, I ran into the same friendly employee who had just let me in. He issued me a chilling warning: “You better get out of here, he’s about to call the cops on you.” The COPS!!? For what offense I asked? “I don’t know” he said. “I’m sorry, but I just got yelled at for letting you use the bathroom and now he’s calling the cops, so you better leave.” Leave where I’m thinking? I’m already outside, parked in a public spot, heading to a public beach. Holding back tears, I told the employee I was very sorry he got yelled at, and I quickly walked towards my car near the hotel entrance, where I saw Ralph stand up from his desk and follow me with his eyes as I approached my car.

I was so shaken and confused at this point, that instead of driving away immediately, I got my jacket and walked a few steps to the beach to calm down and gather my thoughts. I wondered if I should wait for the police, assuming they might be looking for me at this point anyway, and explain to them that I was not a threat. A part of me wanted to have a conversation with Ralph, to try to appeal to his humanity, and let him know this escalation was nonsensical, unnecessary, and frankly, unkind. It costs nothing to be kind to each other. I’d been driving for hours. I was alone. I frequent this hotel and have always had pleasant interactions with staff. Nothing I did that morning warranted yelling at an employee much less calling the police! Even if Ralph was upset that I’d asked someone to use the bathroom after he said no, escalating my bathroom break to a criminal offense is ridiculous. I can’t imagine what he even told the cops. I asked a hotel employee to use the bathroom, he said yes, so I used the bathroom, left no damage or mess, and then I left? 

But wait, it gets worse! While I was on the beach trying to collect myself, my friend who had been considering joining me called the hotel to see if she could book a room, as a gesture, since I always beat her to it. She called me right after to tell me about her off-putting encounter with (you guessed it) Ralph! Apparently, she called and as soon as she asked about room availability instead of answering her question Ralph said, “aren’t you the woman who just walked in here??” It was an accusation, not a question. She told him no, she hadn’t just walked into anywhere, she was at home. He put her on hold for approximately 5 minutes before another man got on the phone to tell her there were ZERO vacancies at the hotel. Keep in mind I’d just been in there not 10 min earlier, seen the large vacancy sign, and been told by Ralph that there were numerous rooms, so many in fact that I’d be able to check in much earlier than the hotel’s usual check-in time. At this point I decided it was time for me to leave. I walked back to my car and again saw Ralph stand up from his desk and watch me from the window. As I approached my car, which was parked in public parking in front of the hotel, I saw the sign an the hotel entrance now read “No Vacancies”. 

This was such an unhinged reaction to a 2-minute bathroom break. I decided I did not want to talk to Ralph or wait for the police. I didn’t even want to stay in the area. I came to the hotel to enjoy a relaxing day at the beach on a rare warm weather day. I had no interest in encountering police or being watched by hotel employees. 

Like everyone, the last few years have been filled with a lot of loss for me, especially the loss of community, but I thought I’d found that at this hotel. It had become part of my ritual during warm off-season days. I pack up my car, put on my favorite playlist, drive down to meet the sunrise, and I go to the beach. I stay at the same hotel, go to the same restaurant, and order the same meal. This experience with Ralph has ruined that for me. I will never come back. 

Corporate, be mindful of the people you hire. I did nothing wrong. I didn’t break into the bathroom; I was let in by your employee. I was quick, I was clean, and I promptly left. Even if Ralph felt I shouldn’t have asked to use the bathroom after he denied me, calling the cops on a regular guest is a WILD escalation, and frankly, a waste of police resources. 

Travelers, especially women traveling alone, DO NOT VISIT THIS HOTEL. This type of overly aggressive stance from staff is a red flag, and I would never feel safe staying in a hotel where staff treat people, guests or not, with such hostility.

I used to be a regular here until aggressive, hostile hotel employee called the cops on me and yelled at an employee.

Amazing staff and property!!!!
Room was clean, comfortable and perfect.
This property is a gold mine, walking distance to Woody's, the best crabcake you will ever have.
Super nice and friendly staff, we will be back!

Weekend Stay

Staff is awesome. Megan, America and Sara were all wonderful any time I had a question even before the stay. The location is great. Literally, footsteps from the beach. Down the road from everything you need: stores, restaurants, Rehoboth boardwalk, etc. Parking is a challenge. Especially if you have a large SUV or a truck; very tight narrow spaces directly under the hotel but there is another lot across the street where you can park if needed. The walls are thin so you will hear the people above you walking, showering, and even flushing the toilet so if you can handle the stairs, stay on the 3rd floor. Nice to have the mini kitchen to cook snacks, reheat dinner take out, and the fridge is almost full sized. Next trip here: we will stay again if ocean front room is available.

Great place, great price!

Stayed 3 days last week in room 309. Check in was seamless thanks to Megan at front desk. Big room with great side view of beach. As stated in previous reviews parking was tight/stairs were no joke. If you had to retrieve anything from car. Fuhgettabout it. Did not use very small pool due to rampaging screaming children every day. Families hung their towels blankets etc on railings despite signage on room door. Tacky. Not the fault of SCO but wish I had known a few things abt Dewey: firstly dogs are allowed on the beach in the morning and evening and they used it as their toilet. One morning I looked out the window and saw a huge rottweiler drop a giant deuce right on my regular path to the beach. Disgusting and unhealthy. Later that night heard on local news that beach at Dagsworthy, only 2blocks from Read Ave, was closed due to bacteria. One of the likely culprits? Dog waste runoff. No warning from anyone, including DBP. Anything I guess to keep the tourist $ coming. Shoreline was rocky with shells;tore up my feet.Water quality average with STEEP dropoff steps in. Lots of jellyfish. Using the parking app was a pain in the arse. Got in town early and had to pay $8.25 for 3 hours! Can't wait for my yearly week in OCMD in 3 weeks where the beach is perfect at 24th st with plenty of FREE parking! One and done with Dewey.

Good short stay but not couple friendly

We stayed here for a few days at the end of May. The location is perfect. Sure there is no elevator but you know that prior to booking.
The king room with Oceanview was perfect. It had a fridge, microwave, coffee maker and cook top. We stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few things.
We had breakfast with a beautiful view and could hear the ocean. We were steps away from the beach; which we enjoyed even though it was a little cool.
We drove into town to have dinner at Cilantro's. (Amazing!)

We would definitely stay here again!

Surf Club Oceanfront Hotel

Main amenities of the hotel

Location

Available rooms

Location

Description of the hotel

What other amenities are there?

Policies

Check-in terms and conditions

Paid on the spot

Payment