Bewitched & BEDazzled: Hollywood Themed Bed & Breakfasts

It was the dolphin who caught my eye during a springtime walk in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. She looked gorgeous dressed up as a mermaid with flaming red hair, big blue eyes, ruby red lips and a strand of pearls around her thick neck and her mere presence was a silent proclamation that the house she called home was as unique as she was.

Above the front door of the blue and white cottage was a sign saying, "Bewitched: Bed & Breakfast" and to the side was a metal poster with a picture of Samantha, the good witch from the 1960s Bewitched TV show, flying on a broomstick. Three additional words were hung around the front door: Discover, Dream and Believe, implying that all visitors need to do is use the full powers of their imagination to make their dreams come true, especially when on vacation in a magical inn like this.

I pulled my camera out of the bag (I always take it with me on my walks through this beautiful seaside resort as I never know what delights I might find) and started taking photos, already sensing there was a unique story about this B & B that I would want to write. A woman was working in the side yard and I asked if she was the owner. Lucky for me she nodded that she was and when I told her I was a Hub Pages freelance writer and would like to do an online story about the inn she was gracious enough to take me on a personal tour.

Her name was Inez Conover and she and her partner, Aquila Harris are co-innkeepers. Inez's work ethic is such that it didn't matter that she'd been up since 6 AM and it was now 5 pm on Friday the 13th. Weekend guests were scheduled to arrive within the hour, yet she took her time showing me around, telling stories about her 13 years running the twin bed & breakfasts which are named Bewitched and BEDazzled.

Inez explained that the inns share the same compound which includes a 4000 square foot deck with hot tub, lounge chairs and tables with umbrellas, but they have different Hollywood themes for their décor.

One of the most unique things about the inns are that they are dog friendly, and well behaved dogs are welcome to stay in their owner's room unattended for up to 4 hours at a time. The dogs can run free in a small fenced in dog run when their owners are sitting in a shady area that's inside the fencing.

If you were a fan of the classic Bewitched show that aired on ABC from 1964 to 1972 or the movie which came out in 2005, you will love staying in this B & B which has vintage 1960s décor including memorabilia, photos, books and furniture based on the character that each room is named after.

There's the Darrin I for fans who loved the first Darrin actor, Dick York. And the Darrin II for those who preferred Dick Sergeant, the actor who took over the role in 1969 after the first Darrin/Dick developed back problems. Trivia: Dick Sergeant had originally been offered the part but had to turn it down due to other contract obligations.

And there's the Aunt Clara room named after the aunt who bungled most of her spells. This room was my favorite because it was bright, airy and sunny. Trivia: Aunt Clara was played by the actress, Marion Lorne.

The Tabitha character was played by real life twins Erin & Diane Murphy from 1966-68 after which time Erin took over the role completely until the show ended. Trivia from Inez: "Erin has stayed at the Bewitched B & B and slept in the Tabitha room." Least anyone doubt the veracity of that claim, Inez has a photo of the adult Erin sitting in between the two innkeepers with her arms wrapped around them.

Other rooms include the Endora, named after Samantha's mother (played by Agnes Moorehead), the Uncle Arthur, named after Samantha's prankster warlock relative (played by Paul Lynde) and the Esmeralda, Samantha's accident-prone yet lovable aunt played by Alice Ghostley. The Kravitz room is named after the nosy neighbors and has a pair of old fashioned binaculars hanging from a peg in the wall.

Each room has its own looseleaf book lovingly compiled by the innkeepers which has trivia about the actor or actress that it's named after. Some rooms also have biographies of their namesake and some have signed photos on display.

Of course, you don't have to be a die hard Bewitched fan to enjoy your visit but being one heightens the fun of staying in this charming B & B. Guests often make small talk by bringing up trivia facts and I'm including a fun trivia quiz in this hub to test your knowdledge of basic facts. Don't worry if you get a low score- no one else will be able to see it.

Those who love classic movies will prefer to stay at the BEDazzled Bed & Breakfast which is in its own cottage.

BEDazzled celebrates the Golden Age of Hollywood when studio stars like Judy Garland and Clark Gable dazzled movie goers with Oscar worthy performances in the Wizard of Oz and Gone With the Wind .

As in the Bewitched B & B, the rooms in this inn are furnished with period pieces reminiscent of the actor or actress which they're named after and photographs, biography books and memorabilia abound.

For instance, the BEDazzled living room has a fireplace and dozens of photos of famous movie stars such as Marilyn Monroe and Betty Davis. It's the perfect spot to sit and chat with other guests about your favorite classic movies or to watch them on the big screen TV.

My favorite room in BEDazzled was the Clark Gable Star Room for several reasons. It opened directly onto the deck and was just steps away from the outdoor hot tub. Also, it's décor was manly and since many men (including my husband) balk at staying in bed & breakfasts, it's the ideal setting to entice a reluctant lover/spouse into a romantic weekend adventure in a charming inn. What man wouldn't want to fantasize about being as handsome, virile and successful as the scandalous Rhett Butler and play Rhett to his lover's Scarlet?

I've been a big Clark Gable fan ever since my first big screen, technicolor viewing of Gone With the Wind . No, it was not the original release (I'm not that old) but Gable's portrayal of Rhett Butler made my heart flutter and was even better than the way I'd imagined Rhett when I read the book. Ah...just thinking about him carrying Scarlet up the red carpeted staircase makes me feel woozy.

But it's time for me to come back to reality and finish this article. Since Gone With the Wind was one of the most viewed movies of all time, I'll use it as the basis for the BEDazzled Trivia Quiz. I'm guessing the ladies will score high on this one (though I'm sure there will also be quite a few men who know the answers).

Hope you have enjoyed this article and the trivia quizzes.

For information about rates, room availability and specials visit the Bewitched & BEDazzled Bed and Breakfast website at:

1. Rent a bicycle, especially if it's the off season when you're still permitted to ride it on the boardwalk all day long.
2. Rent a scooter. You'll look really cool riding through town on one of these.
3. Walk down Rehoboth Blvd four blocks until you reach the boardwalk. You'll pass many shops, boutique stores and restaurants.
4. Attend a free concert at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand during the summer season.
5. Walk or bike to nearby Silver Lake to see the Rehoboth Gazebos in spring, summer and fall.
6. Get frozen custard a Kohr's Custard Stand.
7. Dine at Victoria's Restaurant on the boardwalk and enjoy delicious food and spectacular ocean views.
8. Purchase tickets to a concert at the Celebration Theatre.
9. Plan your visit so it coincides with one of Rehoboth Beach's free festivals that are held throughout the year.
10. Visit the Rehoboth Beach Museum.