Rehobath/Bethany Beach
 

My family and I love renting houses in the OBX, but would like to go to the Delaware beaches this summer. We'd like recommendations for renting a beach house:
Which is a good rental company; a good area in which to rent; or ideally even a property name/address.
Thanks

It all depends on your style and what you like. Rehoboth is more civilized than Bethany and Lewes is the most civilized. It sort of like Hyannis is Bethany, Dennis is Rehoboth and Harwich is Lewes ...sort of....but I must tell you it is hot, humid and oppressive in lower DL in August...I'd always take Cape Cod over slower lower Delaware any summer day!

delaware vs. obx. there are many more house rentals at obx. I would say Bethany is the most laid back and would be my choice. there is a lot of outlet shopping in rehoboth.

Disagree with previous poster. Having lived in both New England and MidAtlantic areas, Cape Cod also can see it's share of hot, humid days. What makes a huge difference to me is the water temps. The ocean off Cape Cod (even in July and August) can be pretty chilly, while the ocean off the MidAtlantic Coast is much warmer.

If you are used to swimming in the OBX area where the ocean is quite warm in the summer, just know the further north you travel from the OBX, the cooler the water will be.

Can't help with name of a reliable rental agency in Delaware as I preferred Cape May, NJ. Check with the Chamber of Commerce for whatever town you decide upon.

Also, take into account the best houses are usually booked long in advance as some families rent the same place year after year. And having rented a few summers in the OBX myself, will also say you tend to get a lot more for your money down in North Carolina than you do in the MidAtlantic states when you are talking about amenities and space. I loved the OBX, it was just too far of a drive to go every year.

The water temperature can still be pretty cold in Delaware in the summer. I prefer the beaches in southern North Carolina. As for Cape Cod, aren't there iceberg sightings in the summer.

We've enjoyed several vacations at the DE/MD shore. We used CBVacations.com (a coldwell banker co.) for rentals in the past. They may have been bought out by Long & Foster. If you google the names, you'll probably come up with their website. Living in NY, a highly staxed state, an appealing thing is DE is the lack of sales tax on so many things. I would stay away from Dewey Beach, DE unless you like the feel of HS and college spring break at the beach. the rest of the towns are fine. Bethany is very family oriented, less to do, quieter. Rehobeth has a lively downtown and boardwalk area. Big gay population during the summer if that would be a plus or minus to you.

No way that Rehoboth is more civilized than Bethany. My experience was that Rehoboth had a more active singles scene and that Bethany was all families.

We used resortquest for Bethany. They had houses and also condos. You can view pictures on the web. We were very satisfied with the property and the service.

We have spent three weeks in Sept/Oct for the last fifteen years at Wilson Dunes on the northern edge of Dewey. Three bedroom condo on the beach. Wonderful. Great food in Rehoboth and it is a perfect walk up the beach from the condo for breakfast for us 'older' vacationers. Long and Foster are the rental agents.

We always use Jack Lingo Realtors in Rehoboth. They have rental properties in Bethany and Lewes as well. We've never had any problems with them and I've found their rates to be reasonable.

How big is your group? What size house are you looking for? I can give you the info on the house we've rented for years (in Rehoboth), but it's only a 2/3 bedroom. This year we booked a 5 bedroom, which I can give you the info on, but we haven't stayed there yet, so I can't give too many details/guarantees.

I'm a big fan of the DE beaches...I think they're a lot cleaner, nicer and quieter than some of the other east coast beaches. That's just MHO, though!

Thanks for all the replies. I live in the DC area and am familiar with the Delaware beaches and OBX. We've never rented in Delaware, but have had great luck in OBX. Would like to go to Delaware because it's closer. Would like info on good areas to rent (We are a family of 4 who likes quiet beaches). If I were going to give advice on OBX for example, I would say Carolina Dunes in Duck is preferable to Whale Head in Carolla. Similarly, I would recommend Twiddy Properties over Resortquest. I hope this helps in understanding the type of advice I'm looking for. Thanks.

SuCo - would you share the info on the 2/3 bedroom house you've rented in the past in Rehoboth? I"m exploring a possible trip to DC for a few days and then heading to the beach for a few days of R&R.

We are returning to DE for the 6th year this summer and we always stay in Fenwick Island at Fenwick Towers. It is very family oriented and you are only 15 minutes to some action, right between Rehobeth and Ocean City.

blueslipper,

I'm sorry...I just saw your post! It may be too late, but here's the link to the house we've stayed in:

http://jacklingo.com/vacation_rental...tm?propid=9886

If that doesn't work (I'm terrible at posting links sometimes), it's 141 Henlopen Ave in The Pines at Rehoboth on jacklingo.com

The house is two bedrooms (one queen bed, one single bed) with a loft (double bed) and a window bed in the living room (large single/small double - 2 people will fit snuggly). It's small, but cute in a quiet, safe neighborhood that's a 5 minute walk to Rehoboth Ave. It also has a great screened in porch where we spent most of our time. I don't know if it rents for less than a week though. Good luck!

Bethany is the best for my family. We've been coming here since '97, with one trip to Duck, NC. Rehobeth has some great action, a lot of funky restaurants, busy, big gay population, very busy.

Bethany is all about family and fitness.... lots of tennis, great basketball in the mornings at the center of town (also volleyball), biking.. and really nice beaches. It's quiet at night.

Rent a house, or go to Sea Colony and inquire about renting a condo. Other posters have the right links regarding realtors to see. We've gone at the last minute and haven't had a problem finding a condo, etc due to last minute cancellations.