Holiday Inn Express Bethany Beach, Bethany Beach

Guest staff,....where are you? Inaccesible and striving to be below average. Dreary, damp, and uncomfortable.

The rooms stank of mildew and mold and the windows didn't open. Advertised as "one block from the beach" but beach views and access are blocked by hideous black high rises. Management was friendly, but guest services are almost non-existent. Entire place is airless, charmless, sunless, and all-round depressing. Breakfast was absolutely vile and inedible, the glasses in the room were dirty, and we were not supplied with regular coffee in the room. One of the worst hotel values I've ever experienced.

I'm glad the DC reviewer had a better experience, but I stand by my comments. The service at this hotel did not measure up to what we've encountered at comparable chains. And yes, I was upset. My husband and I were polite when housekeeping skipped our room the first day, but when we were stonewalled and the problem occurred again the next day, we grew terribly frustrated. We were stunned that the staff member would insist we caused the problem, which just wasn't true. All we wanted was a clean room, which didn't seem too much to ask. Yes, the restaurant recommendations were very helpful and the hotel is nice, but the service was below par. Fortunately, we found the morning front desk staff more accommodating and willing to make adjustments. I hope others enjoy their stay at this hotel, but we will not return.

This hotel has been a favorite of our family's for many years. Why? Because the service is outstanding, in particular, the front desk staff. I agree that they may be understaffed and overworked, but they always have a smile and are more than willing to spend extra time to give restaurant recommendations (always on target and very honest-whether good or bad), stop what they are doing to get us those little extra items that make a stay more pleasant. I was actually in the lobby when the above reviewer was making a scene over the housekeeping issue. The front desk manager tried extremely hard to be understanding and helpful. I was surprised she was able to maintain an air of professionalism in the face of the belligerence and abuse of "Reston reviewer". Although a little expensive, well worth the money. Please don't put much credence into her review of the hotel. Will be returning again and again!!!!

Bethany Beach is beautiful, and the location of this hotel is great. Unfortunately, the service is worse than we've encountered at any other hotel chain. Housekeeping skipped our room two days during our four-day stay. When we reported it, the front-desk management just shrugged her shoulders. The first day all she could offer was clean towels after blaming us for the oversight -- "You must've had your privacy sign on the door" (not true). The next day, housekeeping changed our towels but left without making the bed (even though we were due to get clean sheets) or cleaning the room. This time the front desk did have an on-call housekeeper to send up but again acted like it was our fault. She offered no apologies. Further, she said she was told that our privacy sign had been on our door at 3 p.m. the day before, which was absolutely untrue. When housekeeping at another hotel overlooked our room, management was most apologetic and said it would not charge us for the room that day. The breakfast here is indeed complimentary, but it's a real feeding frenzy. The size of the breakfast room is woefully inadequate for the number of people it serves. Food is in short supply, and counters are littered with crumbs and spilled juice. Also, there's no microwave to take the chill off the muffins, brought out straight from the fridge. The feeling we got from our encounters with staff here is that they are overworked and guests should make allowances for that. This is not what we expect from a company whose business is to make people comfortable. The focus should be on making things pleasant for the guests, not the staff.

Horrible, horrible customer service even from the management. Everything wrong from reservations to billing. Would not recommend to anyone. This was a vacation nightmare.

Bethany Beach is the best in Delaware, We had a great time there I like everything about the place, Plus the beach was close and very clean too we will sure to return next year

Our vacations usually involve renting a small cottage on a lake. Last June we opted for the ocean and hotel. This hotel provides a fair price with a good breakfast. The best item as that you could walk just a few blocks to the free beach. There is drug store and restaurant/bar next door. The town has a nice little shopping district and family friendly boardwalk. More towns and boardwalks, jet ski rental and boat excursions are not far away. Delaware does not have a sales tax, but we found gas $0.25 cheaper in Maryland (less than 10 miles away). As oppose to a cottage it was nice to come back to a clean room with fresh linens. The outdoor pool was never busy during our stay an indoor pool would have been nice during poor weather. Staff was friendly. One issue is that the hallways were quite warm - need more AC. Everyone in the hotel ate breakfast so it was crowded and some items ran out. We plan to return in 2007.

location and convenience to the beach area. it's right near the major roads in and out of the Bethany area without getting stuck in the in town mosh of people walking, biking and driving inattentively. Bethany was a much better place before they put up the bay bridge to allow more access from the DC area. However, if you're visiting, don't buy a place in Bethany. Stay at the Holiday Inn Express. And don't forget to go home when you're finshed with your visit to DE.

We loved where it was located. It was just right. The people who worked there where very helpful and nice dealing with. We will continue to stay at this hotel for future trips.