New restaurant, renovations coming to Bethany hotel

The 112-key Ocean Suites Bethany Beach, Residence Inn is finalizing renovations under the ownership of EOS Hospitality ahead of this summer season. | DBT PHOTO COURTESY OF EOS INVESTORS

BETHANY BEACH — EOS Hospitality will unveil a refreshed Bethany Beach Ocean Suites Residence Inn by Marriott this summer, finishing renovations of the assets it acquired two years ago.

The multi-million-dollar renovations of the Bethany Beach Ocean Suites will be unveiled in May 2023, and will include newly-designed guest suites, meeting rooms and an event hall. Representatives for EOS declined to clarify how much the project cost.

New additions also include a saltwater pool with a retractable roof so guests can use the pool in sunshine and rainy days.

The hotel will also include a 164-seat Italian restaurant, Via Sophia by the Sea. The venue will include dishes with locally-sourced ingredients, fresh-from-the-boat seafood and pasta and breads. Via Sophia by the Sea will also feature live entertainment three nights per week. The concept was born in Washington, D.C., in 2019, wth the idea of a modern Italian osteria.

EOS Investors LLC, a private 7-year-old firm founded by Jonathan Wang, bought both Bethany Beach Ocean Suites and  the former Holiday Inn Express Bethany Beach in 2021 for a combined $44 million. It was added to EOS’s previous Delaware investment, the Bellmoor Inn and Spa in Rehoboth Beach.

The Via Sophia by the Sea brand is part of the EOS portfolio, it was developed by Senior Vice President of Food and Beverage at EOS Investors Albert Rothman, EOS Hospitality Regional Director of Food and Beverage Joe Palminteri, and executive chef Colin Clark. The Bethany Beach location will be the third Via By Sophia location, with a second opening in Kennebunkport, Maine, last year.

“We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to take Bethany Beach Ocean Suites to new heights of hospitality,” Bethany Beach Ocean Suites General Manager Kevin O’Leary said. “This makeover will bring new energy to the guest rooms and social spaces. Along with the new signature restaurant Via Sophia by the Sea, which will become one of the most sought-after restaurants in the area, these enhancements will perfectly position the hotel for its next iteration.”

Last year, EOS finalized a similar renovation project at the former Holiday Inn Express Bethany Beach, now rebranded as Hotel Bethany Beach. That renovation included updated windows, new furnishings and upgraded bathrooms.