The story of Mar Bella Boutique Hotel & Spa starts in 1979 when the main structure was built as a home for a local resident and his family. Back then, the home was considered “out-of-town”, just a house on a country back road surrounded by corn and alfalfa fields. In the mid-1980’s, the pool and additional structures were built, and the property was converted into a popular bed-and-breakfast, which operated until 2013. After the B&B closed, the property sat vacant for many years.
David and Vana discovered the property in 2021 as they were searching for a small boutique hotel to restore and operate, with the goal of providing delightful beach stays for couples coming to Rehoboth Beach. The former B&B seemed like a perfect opportunity for them, so combining David’s handyman skills and Vana’s green thumb and eye for decor they got to work on restoring the property to its former glory.
They made a list of all the things they loved about Rehoboth Beach, and started working hard to incorporate them into their new hotel, which they named “Mar Bella” (a poetic combination of Spanish and Italian, meaning Beautiful Sea). They focused on renovating common areas and upgrading all the guest rooms to modern standards with new furnishings and unique coastal themes for each room. They worked on energy efficiency, upgrading appliances, reviving the gardens and installing solar power. But mostly, they focused on building the serene and rejuvenating environment and amenities that would be the foundation for the positive energy of the Mar Bella experience.
Finally, in April of 2022 Mar Bella opened its doors to its first guests. Since that day many hundreds of people have enjoyed the cleanliness and tranquil comforts of Mar Bella and the lovely beach towns that surround it. The couple continue to expand and improve the hotel, adding a self-serve market, and in-house spa, aiming to provide incredible beach experiences to all who stay with them. David and Vana welcome you to join them at Mar Bella to start your Rehoboth Beach adventure!
