Canalside Inn In Rehoboth Beach, Delaware: A Pet-Friendly Pleaser

Ultra-clean and stylish

Hidden behind a row of trees, it could be easy to miss the Canalside Inn as you drive in on Rehoboth Beach’s main drag. This quiet location is perfect for adults who don’t mind being 15 minutes-walk from the beach. What the inn might lack in the distance to the beach it makes up for in comfort and quiet.

Perfect for Fido

With new owners, the inn now offers 13 pet-friendly, recently renovated rooms. All of the rooms boast exceptional decorating and layout. The Queen rooms, while the smallest, are so well planned it feels more like a stay in a trendy studio apartment than a hotel room. As you enter, notice the closet in front of you with two terry cloth robes, a small fridge, an iron, and of course, hangers.

Next to the closet is a built-in chest of drawers with a coffee set, ice bucket, a few local magazines and guide publications. Above the chest of drawers is a cabinet with real wine glasses, water glasses, and room for any food or snacks you might have brought with you. The heat pump is efficient at warming up the space in colder months. The beds are on the firm side but relatively new and comfortable. Four pillows take up residence at the head of the bed, catering to most guest’s soft or firm preferences. The light green and blue colored walls make this feel like a beach house and the tasteful artwork completes the ocean ambiance.

Best room for pet owners

The corner and ground-floor rooms are perfect for pet owners who bring their dog as just outside the room is a doorway leading to stairs on the end of the hotel. After a short walk of less than a minute, you will find a suitable path along the canal for your dog to stretch her legs and do what dogs need to do. Even though all rooms are pet-friendly, guests without a dog in tow will love this quiet location. For those bringing a dog, fees are 49 USD for up to two dogs, and three dogs are allowed with permission from the management.

As rooms go, a standard king room adds more space than a queen room, (450 sq ft/41.80 sq m), a sitting area containing a daybed, and French doors that open to the outside front deck. Standard king rooms are located on the first floor and second floors. Bathrooms are spotless and feature a tub/shower combination with good water pressure and plenty of hot water. The bathrooms have been upgraded with environmentally-friendly bulk soap, shampoo, and conditioner dispensers. For those who like to enjoy the outdoors, guests have use or a fire pit and lounge area on site. Canalside Inn also has a small pool, hot tub, and BBQ for guests to use.

Close to everything

I asked the new owners what some of the most significant changes they made were and was informed: “We transitioned over to contactless hospitality mid-2020. No cards or keys are required. All guests will receive a text and email regarding their reservation. We pride ourselves on our texting capabilities for easy service. Guests can immediately enjoy their updated rooms or head straight to the new outdoor lounge area without checking-in at the lobby.”

At breakfast time, they serve Swell Joe coffee at the main floor office. Just around the corner from the Inn is a delicious breakfast restaurant appropriately named Egg. Plenty of other breakfast, lunch, and dinner restaurants are within a 15-minute walk of the Canalside Inn.

One of the best reasons to stay at Canalside Inn is the location. Most everything in town is a short walk away and the visitor’s center is less than a five-minute walk from the hotel. Since parking is limited in town, it’s a bonus to be able to leave your car at the hotel and walk to the shops and restaurants.

Another change the new owners have made is they added a complimentary shuttle bus available Memorial Day through Labor Day. Take the day to relax at the beach without worrying about where to park or finding where you left your car, making it a more relaxing visit.

Special place for your special event

Consider having your special event or retreat at the Canalside Inn. The Inn can accommodate various events like parties, family gatherings, or retreats with three flexible meeting spaces. Bryan Deptula, the co-owner, has a Ph.D. in Leadership and Management. Bryan has hosted corporate retreats teaching ideas and techniques at the Inn and other locations.