Henlopen Oceanfront Hotel

The beach access is convenient, and you can walk there without hauling your things in a cart. The hotel sits near the quieter end of the beach, with little traffic. A lake nearby is a nice place to walk the dog or sit outdoors on a pleasant day. The boardwalk, cafes, and restaurants are a 10-15 minute walk away. Umbrellas are available to rent, though the 2025 price is now $20. Parking was the biggest problem. There aren’t enough spaces for all the guests, and if you return after 10 pm, you may have to park on the street. Street parking is free overnight, but you need to move the car in the morning or start paying. The spaces are tight too, especially if you have an SUV, and several guests complained about parking during our stay. The room was dated, with thin walls that let in noise from outside. There was barely any table space for making coffee, and our coffee maker didn’t work. The bathroom was much smaller than any hotel bathroom we’ve had before. Despite the website calling it a “luxury bathroom,” it felt basic, with an old shower and little room to move. Some staff were pleasant, while others seemed completely disinterested. The TV often had weak or no signal. I was very dissatisfied.

The staff were friendly and professional, and our freshly renovated room was very clean. Having both a fridge and microwave was handy. The AC was extremely loud, though. After a night of listening to it roar, we left the balcony door cracked with the screen shut. My parents had an oceanfront room and didn’t mention a noisy AC. We brought a smaller car after reading other reviews, and parking worked out fine. I was glad we did. A few tables in the courtyard and beneath the overhang at lobby level would be a nice addition.

The suite had plenty of space, two balconies, two nice TVs, comfortable beds, and a shower with great pressure. Check-in went smoothly, and the front desk woman was friendly and professional. The location is convenient, right on the boardwalk and across from the park and a lovely walking area. Parking was available, but the spaces were very tight. The sofa and chairs were awful, with no support, and felt about 50 years old. The AC units made high-pitched whistles and rumbling noises much of the time, making it hard to sleep. Honestly, I was only comfortable sitting in my car on the drives to and from the hotel.

For a long weekend by the beach, it was fine as long as you don’t expect too much. The location was great and parking easy, while service was good for the limited offerings onsite. The rooms could use renovations, and the very loud AC was hard to ignore. Housekeeping only swept with a broom instead of vacuuming, so the floors stayed sandy.