Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty: Bethany Beach

This home was absolutely beautiful with gorgeous sunrise views from the rooftop deck. Well located close to the beach and close to town. The big kitchen and large table was great for cooking and dining together and we spent many joyful hours on the lovely screen porch. The four king bedrooms and three twin rooms made it easy for couples and family to share. The code lock was a small detail with a large impact—we did not have to carry keys. Whenever we had a question, the agent was very responsive and kind.

7/22/24: In response to PenFed BH’s politely phrased rebuttal claiming that “turn days are quite hectic, and if things are missed”, why did the agent speaking with my husband and I over the phone the very first evening of our stay state that “the rental hadn’t been occupied in over a week, so perhaps the owner and/or his family has been staying in the unit” as a possible explanation? A week with a vacant unit doesn’t align with your alleged “hectic turn days” that may lead to missed cleaning procedures.

Additionally, my email reply with pictures (the same ones attached to this review) was confirmed through Microsoft Outlook as sent to Trina on July 17 at 1:39 pm. We have no idea why they were “not received.”

Re: your closing statement noting that you “don’t claim to be perfect”, we absolutely do NOT expect perfection. We understand that unanticipated situations sometimes arise. Yes, your company did “react to our guest complaints in a very timely manner” that first evening. However, NO other attempts to follow-up via phone, in-person, or email communication regarding our stay during our entire visit was made by your company. Nor was there any type of reparation, conciliatory gesture, or compensation offered to us aside from the initial one where you asked if we would like to have the cleaners come back (which we respectfully declined over the phone and clearly stated to the agent at that time why it wasn’t needed, due to the hour plus time we had already spent cleaning the unit ourselves).

Based on the above, we find it difficult to understand how you are able to define your response as “doing your best to rectify the situation.” For that reason, we are no longer able to give your company our the rental owner the benefit of the doubt as we stated initially. We are now changing our rating review to two stars instead of three. We will NOT in good conscience recommend this rental or your agency to others.

This house is beautiful! We have been vacationing in Bethany for ten years, and this is one of our favorite homes we have stayed in so far. It definitely gives that at home feeling. We stayed as a party of eight, four adults and four teenagers. There was ample room. One of the best features is the screened-in porch. We loved gathering there first thing in the morning and also at night before bed. We really have nothing super negative to say, except that we did have to clean up some left behind dirties, but we were able to resolve that on our own and it did not upset our stay. Definitely would love to rent again, if the dates match up for next year.