Best Hotels in Delaware: A Complete Guide 2026

Delaware's highest-rated hotels split into three regions: Rehoboth Beach boardwalk hotels, home to Boardwalk Plaza Hotel and The Bellmoor Inn & Spa; Bethany Beach and southern coastal inns, home to Lighthouse Club Hotel and Addy Sea Historic Oceanfront Inn; and Wilmington and Dover, home to Hotel du Pont and Bally's Dover Casino Resort. Boardwalk Plaza Hotel holds a 4.6 rating across roughly 1,100 reviews, with one guest calling the staff "20 out of 10."

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Explore Delaware's Top-Rated Hotels

Rehoboth Beach anchors Delaware's Atlantic coastline as its largest and most established beach town, built around a classic boardwalk and a walkable downtown. Bethany Beach sits just south with a quieter, more residential coastal character. Further north, Wilmington and Dover give Delaware's hotel scene a genuinely different, corporate and historic urban feel.

Within that spread, Rehoboth Beach's hotels lean boardwalk-resort style, Bethany Beach and the southern coast favor smaller boutique inns, and Wilmington offers historic corporate hotels tied to the state's DuPont heritage. This guide profiles the 10 highest-rated hotels across those three regions.

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How We Choose These Hotels

We evaluated every hotel against four things: guest rating and review volume, the hotel's category and market positioning, what the location actually offers for a specific type of trip, and whether the amenities held up under current guest feedback. Ratings and review counts reflect Google's aggregated guest score and were checked in September 2026.

We cross-checked each property's town and setting against its official site, and weighed service consistency alongside guest sentiment rather than rating alone. Nightly rates shown are directional based on current listed rates, so confirm the current number on the hotel's own site before booking.

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Delaware's Top 10 Hotels At A Glance

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Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk Hotels

Boardwalk Plaza Hotel

• Address: Rehoboth Beach, DE
• Category: 4-star traditional beachfront hotel
• Rating: 4.6 out of 5 across roughly 1,100 reviews on Google
• Standout feature: one guest calls the staff "20 out of 10," and this Victorian-style hotel sits directly on the boardwalk with dining and a pool
• Best for: families wanting Delaware's highest-rated direct boardwalk hotel

The Bellmoor Inn & Spa

• Address: Rehoboth Beach, DE
• Category: 4-star upscale spa hotel
• Rating: 4.5 out of 5 across roughly 596 reviews on Google
• Standout feature: this upscale property offers two pools and a full-service day spa just a block from the boardwalk
• Best for: couples wanting a spa-focused stay near the Rehoboth boardwalk

The Bay Resort Waterfront Hotel

• Address: Rehoboth Beach area, DE
• Category: 3-star waterfront hotel
• Rating: 4.2 out of 5 across roughly 486 reviews on Google
• Standout feature: this hotel offers waterfront rooms and an outdoor pool overlooking the bay rather than the ocean side
• Best for: families wanting a quieter bayside alternative to the main boardwalk hotels

Cambria Hotel Rehoboth Beach

• Address: Rehoboth Beach, DE
• Category: Modern boutique beach hotel
• Rating: highly rated among Rehoboth Beach's newer hotels
• Standout feature: this contemporary property sits just steps from the boardwalk with modern design throughout
• Best for: couples wanting a modern, design-forward alternative to Rehoboth's classic hotels

Henlopen Hotel

• Address: Rehoboth Beach, DE
• Category: Beachfront high-rise hotel
• Rating: highly rated among Rehoboth Beach's beachfront hotels
• Standout feature: this is one of the few high-rise beachfront hotels in Rehoboth Beach, offering elevated ocean views
• Best for: travelers wanting oceanfront rooms with elevated views over the boardwalk

Atlantic Sands Hotel

• Address: Rehoboth Beach, DE
• Category: Beachfront conference hotel
• Rating: highly rated among Rehoboth Beach's larger hotels
• Standout feature: this hotel sits directly on the beach at the foot of Rehoboth Avenue, the town's main strip
• Best for: groups and families wanting a large beachfront hotel near the town's main attractions

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Bethany Beach And Southern Coastal Inns

Lighthouse Club Hotel

• Address: Bethany Beach, DE
• Category: Luxury beachfront hotel
• Rating: highly rated among Delaware's luxury beach hotels
• Standout feature: this upscale beachfront property offers a quieter, more residential coastal setting than Rehoboth Beach
• Best for: couples wanting Delaware's most upscale beachfront stay in a quieter town

Addy Sea Historic Oceanfront Inn

• Address: Bethany Beach, DE
• Category: Historic oceanfront Victorian inn
• Rating: highly rated among Bethany Beach's historic inns
• Standout feature: this restored 1902 Victorian inn sits directly on the Bethany Beach oceanfront
• Best for: couples wanting a historic, quieter beach stay away from Rehoboth's boardwalk crowds

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Wilmington And Dover

Hotel du Pont

• Address: Wilmington, DE
• Category: Historic corporate luxury hotel
• Rating: highly rated among Wilmington's historic hotels, with a 4.5 rating cited by major booking platforms
• Standout feature: this landmark 1913 hotel was built by the DuPont family and remains Wilmington's most decorated address
• Best for: business travelers wanting Delaware's single most historic luxury stay

Bally's Dover Casino Resort

• Address: Dover, DE
• Category: Casino resort hotel
• Rating: highly rated among Dover's resort hotels
• Standout feature: this resort sits near Dover International Speedway, popular during race weekends
• Best for: travelers wanting a casino resort stay tied to Dover's racing events

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Delaware Hotel Taxes And Fees

Delaware has no state sales tax at all, and it also does not charge a statewide hotel occupancy tax, making it one of the lowest-tax states in the country for lodging. Some beach towns, including Rehoboth Beach and Bethany Beach, may apply a local accommodations tax or fee on top of the room rate, so the exact charge can vary by municipality. Resort fees are also common at larger beach properties like Boardwalk Plaza Hotel and Atlantic Sands Hotel, billed separately, so confirm the exact combined rate and any resort fee directly with each hotel before booking.

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Choosing The Right Base For Your Trip

Families wanting direct boardwalk access should choose Boardwalk Plaza Hotel or Atlantic Sands Hotel in Rehoboth Beach. Couples wanting a spa-focused or quieter stay should pick The Bellmoor Inn & Spa or Lighthouse Club Hotel in Bethany Beach. Business travelers should choose Hotel du Pont in Wilmington for Delaware's most historic urban stay.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the top 10 best hotels in Delaware?

Boardwalk Plaza Hotel, The Bellmoor Inn & Spa, and The Bay Resort Waterfront Hotel lead Delaware's Rehoboth Beach cluster, each holding ratings above 4.2. Hotel du Pont in Wilmington rounds out the list for travelers wanting Delaware's most historic stay.

2. Where should I stay in Delaware?

Rehoboth Beach is widely considered Delaware's best base, home to top-rated hotels like Boardwalk Plaza Hotel and The Bellmoor Inn & Spa. Wilmington is a strong alternative for business travelers centered on Hotel du Pont.

3. What is the best place to go on vacation in Delaware?

Rehoboth Beach is Delaware's top vacation destination, offering the state's highest concentration of highly rated boardwalk hotels. Bethany Beach is a close alternative for travelers wanting a quieter coastal stay at Lighthouse Club Hotel.

4. What is the nicest part of Delaware?

The Rehoboth Beach boardwalk is widely considered Delaware's nicest area, anchored by hotels like Boardwalk Plaza Hotel and The Bellmoor Inn & Spa. Bethany Beach is a close alternative for a quieter, more residential coastal setting.

5. What are the best beach hotels in Delaware?

Boardwalk Plaza Hotel and The Bellmoor Inn & Spa are Delaware's top-rated beach hotels, both holding ratings above 4.5 in Rehoboth Beach. Lighthouse Club Hotel in Bethany Beach is a strong alternative for a quieter luxury beachfront stay.

6. What are the best hotels in Delaware for couples?

The Bellmoor Inn & Spa is Delaware's top-rated couples pick, offering two pools and a full-service spa in Rehoboth Beach. Lighthouse Club Hotel in Bethany Beach is a strong alternative for couples wanting a quieter luxury setting.

7. What is the best historic hotel in Delaware?

Hotel du Pont in Wilmington is widely considered Delaware's most historic luxury hotel, built by the DuPont family in 1913. Addy Sea Historic Oceanfront Inn in Bethany Beach is a strong alternative for travelers wanting historic charm directly on the beach.