Bear
1 verified property · Delaware ·$97–$97/night ·avg $97 ·3.6/5 avg ·verified May 2026

Bear City Hotels with a
Jacuzzi in the Room

Bear is an unincorporated I-95-corridor community in New Castle County that sits between Newark and New Castle along Pulaski Highway (US-40) and the Christiana Mall commercial spine.

Bear's verified stays

1 properties

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Where to stay

Best areas in Bear for a hot tub stay

Not every area in Bear hits the same vibe. Here's where each verified property actually sits, and what each pocket feels like at night.

Pulaski Highway (US-40) / Christiana Mall

On Pulaski Highway near the I-95 / Route 1 / DE-273 interchange and 5 minutes from Christiana Mall, the Best Western Plus Newark/Christiana Inn (3.9, 556 reviews) is Bear's single hot-tub-search hotel — a 3-star pet-friendly value hotel with shared hot tub in TripAdvisor amenities, free breakfast, fitness center and free parking. Subratings 4.0-4.3 with location (4.3) strongest and rooms/value (both 4.0) softest. Recent candid flags include a 1-star mold and AC complaint and a wet-dog room-smell that required a room change, balanced against a 5-star Eric-front-desk praise and repeat-guest nods. Best for Christiana Mall shoppers, University of Delaware sports weekend overflow, ChristianaCare family visitors and I-95 corridor road-trip layovers wanting a mid-range value hotel with a shared hot tub soak.

Things to do in Bear

Beyond the hotel room

Christiana Mall is the anchor attraction 5 minutes north of the hotel — Delaware's largest tax-free shopping mall, a regional draw thanks to the state's no-sales-tax rule. Anchor tenants include Nordstrom, Macy's, Target, Apple and the Cinemark Christiana IMAX. The mall parking lot and surrounding Christiana strip carry Iron Hill Brewery Christiana, Cheesecake Factory, Maggiano's and dozens of chain restaurants, so dinner options are close in.

University of Delaware campus is a 10-15 minute drive west into Newark for Blue Hens football at Delaware Stadium (September-November), basketball and lacrosse games, and Main Street Newark dining. UD graduation weekends in May and December fill Newark hotels; Bear becomes the cheaper overflow. ChristianaCare medical complex is about 5 minutes north on Route 273 — Delaware's largest hospital system and a driver of family-visit and medical-conference stays.

Wilmington Riverfront is 15 minutes north via I-95 for Blue Rocks minor-league baseball at Frawley Stadium (April-September), the Delaware Contemporary museum and Riverfront restaurants. Historic New Castle is 15 minutes south for Colonial-era brick streets, the Green (New Castle was Delaware's first capital), Battery Park on the Delaware River and the New Castle Court House Museum. Delaware Park casino and racetrack is 15 minutes north for slots, table games and thoroughbred racing (spring-fall meet).

Brandywine du Pont estates — Hagley, Winterthur, Nemours — are 20-25 minutes north via I-95 or Route 52 for gardens, decorative-arts museums and the Louis XVI mansion. Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square PA is 30 minutes north for the Pierre du Pont conservatory and the Christmas holiday-lights display. Spring peaks du Pont gardens, summer runs Blue Rocks baseball and mall summer sales, fall fills for UD Blue Hens football, winter is Christiana Mall Black Friday and holiday shopping.

Make a night of it

Pair your soak with an unforgettable evening

A hot tub stay in Bear isn't just about the soak — it's about what you do before you slip in. These pairings turn an ordinary night into a story you'll repeat.

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For couples

Why a Bear hot tub suite works for romance

For couples, the Best Western Plus Newark/Christiana Inn offers a shared hot tub, free breakfast and free parking at a mid-range value price — a functional I-95 base, not a romance splurge. Book expecting a solid 3-star value hotel with a shared soak rather than a boutique inn. For a Delaware in-room-jacuzzi or historic-B&B romance property, drive 25 minutes south to Odessa for the 5.0-rated Miller-Dunham House B&B (Delaware's top-rated stay), 15 minutes south to New Castle for the Colonial-era historic town cluster, or 90 minutes south to Rehoboth Beach for The Bellmoor Inn & Spa or the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel oceanfront. A shared hot tub after a Christiana Mall shopping day is the correct expectation here — not a private in-room soak.

Many of the Bear properties below offer extras on request — champagne service, rose-petal turn-down, or late check-out. Mention your occasion at booking; most front desks try to help.

Side by side

All Bear hot tub hotels

Sorted by guest rating. Hover (or tap) any row for the standout feature, then click through for full photos, sub-ratings, and pros/cons.

Hotel Price Rating Tub Standout
Best Western Plus Newark/Christiana Inn $97 - $99 3.6 / 5 Jacuzzi in Room 3.9 rating (556 reviews)

On the map

Where the Bear hot tub hotels are

1 verified property with coordinates. Click any pin for the hotel name, rating, and a link to its full page.

Getting here

How to reach Bear

Bear sits directly on Pulaski Highway (US-40) in New Castle County just off the I-95 / DE-1 / DE-273 interchange between Newark and New Castle. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is about 35 minutes north via I-95 and is the preferred flight-in for Delaware Valley visitors; Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) is about 65 minutes southwest for connecting flights. Wilmington Amtrak Station on the Northeast Corridor is about 20 minutes north for Acela Express and Northeast Regional service to New York (90 minutes), Philadelphia (25 minutes), Baltimore (45 minutes) and Washington DC (90 minutes). The Best Western Plus at 875 Pulaski Highway is about 5 minutes to Christiana Mall and the I-95 / DE-1 interchange, 10 minutes to the University of Delaware in Newark, 15 minutes north to the Wilmington Riverfront and Delaware Park casino, 15 minutes south to historic New Castle, and 20-25 minutes north to the Brandywine du Pont estates. An interstate rental car is recommended — Bear is highway-strip, not walkable, and the Christiana strip stretches across multiple parking lots and access roads.

When to visit

Bearseason by season

Hot tub stays read differently in February than they do in July. Here's what to expect across the year — temperatures, signature events, the local vibe, and how rates move.

Spring

Temps
45-72F, cool to warm
Events
UD graduation weekends May, Blue Hens spring sports, Brandywine du Pont estate gardens peak, Winterthur Point-to-Point steeplechase
Vibe
Garden-tour season, corporate travel steady on weekdays, UD grad weekends fill Newark and overflow into Bear
Rates
Steady mid-week corporate; UD graduation weekends and Winterthur Point-to-Point spike

Summer

Temps
68-88F, warm humid
Events
Beach-weekend I-95 traffic to Delaware beaches, Christiana Mall summer sales, Blue Rocks baseball, quieter mid-week corporate
Vibe
I-95 beach traffic on Fridays and Sundays, mall shoppers steady, quieter mid-week corporate travel
Rates
Mid-week corporate soft; weekend beach-transit lifts rates

Fall

Temps
45-75F, comfortable
Events
UD Blue Hens football home games September-November, Brandywine fall foliage on the estates, Winterthur Yuletide launch November, Blue Rocks playoffs
Vibe
Blue Hens football weekends fill Newark and overflow into Bear, corporate travel firm, du Pont estate day-trippers
Rates
Football Saturdays and Winterthur Yuletide launch weekends firmest

Winter

Temps
25-45F, cold
Events
Christiana Mall Black Friday and holiday shopping peak, Longwood Gardens Christmas nearby, Winterthur Yuletide tours, quiet January-February
Vibe
Mall holiday shopping crowd, quiet Amtrak weekdays, Newark U winter break, corporate travel base
Rates
December holiday-shopping weekends spike; January-February softest of the year

Tub types, explained

What's the difference between a jacuzzi, whirlpool, and soaking tub?

Jacuzzi

Technically a brand name, but used generically for any jetted tub. In hotel listings, "jacuzzi suite" almost always means a private in-room tub with built-in air or water jets. Heat is usually preset; jets are user-controlled.

Whirlpool

Functionally identical to a jacuzzi — water jets circulate heated water for a massage effect. The term is more common at Marriott, Hilton, and Wyndham brands. Most "whirlpool suites" hold two adults comfortably.

Soaking tub

Deeper than a standard bathtub, usually 18–22 inches, but with no jets. Common in boutique and luxury hotels — quieter, more spa-like, and better for a long hot soak than the jet-driven hum of a jacuzzi.

Hot tub

In strict use, a standalone heated tub holding 100°F+ water. In hotel marketing, often used interchangeably with jacuzzi or whirlpool. A genuine in-room "hot tub" with full thermostat control is rare outside cabin-style resorts.

Every listing on this page specifies which type you'll find in the room. We list only properties with the tub in your room — not in a shared pool area or the lobby spa.

Expand your search

Nearby Delaware cities

View all Delaware →

Rehoboth Beach

13

13 verified hotels with private in-room tubs.

— Anchorage Motel
— Atlantic Sands Hotel & Conference Center
— Avenue Inn & Spa
Explore Rehoboth Beach →

Dover

8

8 verified hotels with private in-room tubs.

— Best Western Galaxy Inn
— Comfort Inn & Suites Dover
— Hilton Garden Inn Dover
Explore Dover →

Newark

7

7 verified hotels with private in-room tubs.

— Courtyard by Marriott Newark-University
— Days Inn by Wyndham Newark Wilmington
— Four Points by Sheraton Newark Christiana
Explore Newark →

Dewey Beach

2

2 verified hotels with private in-room tubs.

— Gold Leaf Hotel
— Hyatt Place Dewey Beach
Explore Dewey Beach →

Lewes

2

2 verified hotels with private in-room tubs.

— Hyatt House Lewes Rehoboth Beach
— Sleep Inn & Suites Rehoboth Beach
Explore Lewes →

Harrington

1

Featuring Quality Inn & Suites Harrington with luxury amenities.

— Quality Inn & Suites Harrington
Explore Harrington →

Weekend getaways

Tub stays a short drive from Bear

If you've got two nights instead of one, these regional destinations make easy add-ons. Each has its own collection of verified hot tub hotels on our site.

Newark, DE

~10 min west

7-hotel University of Delaware and Christiana Mall cluster on I-95 with Courtyard, HIE Suites, Springhill Suites and Staybridge.

Explore Newark, DE →

Wilmington, DE

~15 min north

The Westin Wilmington on the Christina River Riverfront walking to Blue Rocks stadium and DE Contemporary.

Explore Wilmington, DE →

New Castle, DE

~15 min south

Historic Colonial town on the Delaware River with Fairfield Inn & Suites on North DuPont Highway.

Explore New Castle, DE →

Odessa, DE

~25 min south

Miller-Dunham House B&B 5.0/79 historic-town top-rated Delaware stay.

Explore Odessa, DE →

Watch

Bear hotel videos

KENSINGTON HOOD BEAR DELAWARE WALKING TOUR

A DRIVE THRU BEAR, DELAWARE - NEW CASTLE COUNTY

Route 40 Diner | Hidden Gem | Day Trip | Bear, Delaware

Bear Delaware USA (Residential area) Part 1/2

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Does the BW Plus Newark/Christiana Inn have an in-room jacuzzi?

No — it has a shared hot tub in TripAdvisor amenities but no in-room jacuzzi advertised. For a Delaware in-room-whirlpool or historic-B&B romance property, drive 25 minutes south to Odessa for the 5.0-rated Miller-Dunham House B&B or 90 minutes south to Rehoboth Beach for The Bellmoor Inn & Spa.

How close is the hotel to Christiana Mall?

About 5 minutes north via Pulaski Highway (US-40) and the I-95 / Route 1 exit. Christiana Mall is Delaware's largest tax-free shopping mall — anchored by Nordstrom, Macy's, Target and Apple with Cinemark Christiana IMAX and dozens of chain restaurants.

How is the BW Plus Newark/Christiana Inn's condition?

Solid 3.9-rated 3-star Best Western Plus with subratings 4.0-4.3 (location 4.3 strongest, rooms and value both 4.0). Recent candid flags include a 1-star mold and AC complaint and a wet-dog room-smell that required a room change, balanced against a 5-star Eric-front-desk praise. Book expecting a mid-range highway-strip value hotel, not a boutique.

How far is Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)?

About 35 minutes north via I-95. PHL is the preferred flight-in for Delaware Valley visitors. Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) is about 65 minutes southwest, and Wilmington Amtrak Station on the Northeast Corridor is about 20 minutes north.

Is the BW Plus pet-friendly?

Yes — pet-friendly rooms are advertised in TripAdvisor amenities. Confirm pet fees and any room-type restrictions at booking. The BW Plus also has free parking, free breakfast, fitness center and a shared hot tub.

For Christiana Mall shopper Is the BW Plus Newark/Christiana Inn close to Christiana Mall?

Yes — about 5 minutes north via Pulaski Highway (US-40) and the I-95 / Route 1 exit. Christiana Mall is Delaware's largest tax-free shopping mall, anchored by Nordstrom, Macy's, Target, Apple and the Cinemark Christiana IMAX. The BW Plus offers free parking and a shared hot tub for a soak after a shopping day; free breakfast covers the morning. Delaware's no-sales-tax rule makes Christiana a regional shopping destination on Black Friday and December holiday weekends — book early for that peak.

For University of Delaware sports overflow Is Bear a good UD football weekend base?

Yes when the Newark hotels sell out. The BW Plus is about 10-15 minutes east of the University of Delaware campus and Delaware Stadium — a short I-95 or Route 273 drive to Blue Hens football, basketball and lacrosse games. Bear typically runs cheaper than Newark itself for UD Homecoming, graduation and rivalry weekends, and offers free parking, free breakfast and a shared hot tub for a post-tailgate soak. Book early for graduation May and December and football Saturdays September-November.

For ChristianaCare medical visitor Is the BW Plus close to Christiana Hospital?

Yes — about 5 minutes north via Route 273 to the ChristianaCare medical complex, Delaware's largest hospital system. Bear is a common family-visit base for extended patient stays because it runs cheaper than Wilmington itself while sitting on the I-95 / Route 1 interchange for easy freeway access. Free parking, free breakfast, pet-friendly rooms and a shared hot tub cover the daily rhythm of a hospital-visit stay. Ask about ChristianaCare hospital-rate blocks at check-in.

For I-95 road-trip layover Is Bear a good I-95 mid-corridor layover between New York and Washington DC?

Yes for a mid-range value stop. The BW Plus sits directly off the I-95 / DE-1 / DE-273 interchange in northern Delaware — about 90 minutes south of New York City, 25 minutes south of Philadelphia, 60 minutes northeast of Baltimore and 2 hours north of Washington DC. Free parking, free breakfast, pet-friendly rooms and a shared hot tub cover a highway-stop overnight. Christiana Mall's dinner options are 5 minutes north. Set expectations for a 3-star value hotel — not a luxury Westin — and the shared hot tub soak makes it a nicer layover than a plain interstate motel.

For In-room jacuzzi couple Does the BW Plus Newark/Christiana Inn have in-room jacuzzis?

No — the BW Plus has a shared hot tub in TripAdvisor amenities but no in-room jacuzzi or in-room whirlpool tub advertised. For a Delaware in-room-jacuzzi or historic-B&B romance property, drive 25 minutes south to Odessa for the 5.0-rated Miller-Dunham House B&B, 15 minutes south to New Castle for the Colonial-era historic town cluster, or 90 minutes south to Rehoboth Beach for The Bellmoor Inn & Spa, the Avenue Inn & Spa (shared indoor pool and hot tub) or the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel oceanfront. The BW Plus is a functional shared-soak value base, not a romance splurge.

For Amtrak Northeast Corridor commuter Can I use the BW Plus as an Amtrak base?

Yes but plan on a 20-minute drive north to Wilmington Amtrak Station on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Wilmington is a busy Northeast Corridor stop with Acela Express and Northeast Regional service to New York (90 minutes), Philadelphia (25 minutes), Baltimore (45 minutes) and Washington DC (90 minutes). A Wilmington Riverfront hotel (The Westin) is closer to the station itself; Bear works if you need cheaper mid-range value and don't mind the 20-minute drive. Free parking makes leaving a car at the hotel during a rail day trip easy.

Why trust us

Hand-verified. No AI filler.

Every hotel on this page has been personally verified to have a private, in-room hot tub or jacuzzi — not a shared pool tub, not a bathroom soaker, not a spa amenity you have to book. We cross-check three sources for every listing: the hotel's own room photos and descriptions, recent guest reviews on TripAdvisor and Google, and direct confirmation from the hotel where unclear. We don't take payment for placement, and we don't generate listings with AI. If a hotel's tub status changes or a property closes, the page updates the next time we re-verify the city (Dothan was last checked May 2026).

Last verified · May 2026