The Best Hotels to Book in Wilmington, Delaware

The Inn at Grace Winery sits on 35 acres or 14ha of beautiful land
The Inn at Grace Winery sits on 35 acres or 14ha of beautiful land | Courtesy of The Inn at Grace Winery / Expedia
Nick Dauk

Delaware may be a smaller state, but the hotels in Wilmington prove that size doesn’t matter when it comes to a relaxing vacation. This riverside city is home to or near Nemours Estate, the Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library, waterfront cafes and more. Within minutes, you can be at the beach, in the forest or visiting wineries. Here’s our pick of the best hotels in and around the city – bookable on Culture Trip.

Hotel du Pont, for a romantic stay in downtown Wilmington

Hotel

A classic king room at the Hotel du Pont
Courtesy of Hotel du Pont / Booking.com

Hit the reset button on romance, and give your love a night of grandeur in the landmark Hotel du Pont. Insist on two nights in a luxury suite, where wearing a robe could be considered overdressing for the occasion. In the morning, let Spark’d Creative Pastry + Coffee get the two of you energized for another eventful day. Downtown Wilmington is perfect for exploring on foot; afterward, return to your room for another cozy night in.

Hyatt Place Wilmington Riverfront, for views of the Christina River

Hotel

A simple but comfortable king room at the Hyatt Place Wilmington Riverfront
Courtesy of Hyatt Place Wilmington Riverfront / Booking.com

Settle for nothing less than riverfront rooms when choosing hotels in Wilmington. Hyatt Place is an arm’s length from the Jack A Markell Trail, tempting you to walk hand in hand with the Christina River wherever it leads. If you’re feeling a little shy, you can get a bird’s-eye view of the Riverfront neighborhood from your guest room. After having a few drinks while watching the river flow, you’ll be following it all the way to Hoots Hollow.

Brandywine River Hotel, for historical charm near Longwood Gardens

Hotel

The king fireside jacuzzi suite at the Brandywine River Hotel
Courtesy of Brandywine River Hotel / Booking.com

Staying at the Brandywine River Hotel in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, is like laying your head down on a history book. This 18th-century inn is surrounded by museums, offering you the chance to dive into the art, local legends and wartime history of the area without hardly getting your car out of first gear. Though it’s one of the oldest hotels in the area, it hasn’t aged a day when it comes to charm and quaint hospitality.

The Inn at Montchanin Village and Spa, for a pampering stay near Winterthur Museum

Inn

A superior room with an exposed stone wall at the Inn at Montchanin Village and Spa
Courtesy of The Inn at Montchanin Village and Spa / Booking.com

The Inn at Montchanin feels so far from the city thanks to its Brandywine Valley backdrop and secluded spa. To awaken pores you didn’t know existed, book a single kiwi and pomegranate hydrating facial. The 19th-century antiques in your guest room look just as polished as you’ll feel (maybe they’ve spent some time in the spa, too). Mull over the other ways the spa menu can keep you revitalized for another century over a glass of red at Krazy Kat’s.

The Inn at Grace Winery, for delicious food and wine

Cottages

A pet-friendly cottage at the Inn at Grace Winery
Courtesy of The Inn at Grace Winery / Hotels.com

While Wilmington has great hotels, the Inn at Grace Winery in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, has, well, a winery. Choosing a cottage or a room in the manor house is like choosing a red or a white; while each has its unique differences, both will leave you blushing with bliss. Some of the cottages are child- and pet-friendly.

The Westin Wilmington, for luxurious rooms on the riverfront

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A guest room with a king bed at the Westin Wilmington
Courtesy of The Westin Wilmington / Booking.com

You’d be wise to let the Westin welcome you to Wilmington. It’ll send your luggage straight up to your river-view room while you wait for an order of deviled eggs at River Rock Kitchen. Freshen up, then hop on the complimentary shuttle to see the best of the city, including stops at the Delaware Contemporary, the Delaware Art Museum or anywhere else within a 5mi (8km) radius.

The Inn at Swarthmore, for an art-centric experience

Hotel

A double queen room with floor-to-ceiling windows at the Inn at Swarthmore
Courtesy of The Inn at Swarthmore / Booking.com

Even if you’re not an alumnus, it’s hard not to get into the school spirit when you stay at the Inn at Swarthmore. All suites overlook either Clothier Field or the main campus arboretum, though what will catch your eye first is the artwork throughout the hotel, from the guest rooms to the communal spaces. Every piece of beautiful art is by talented alumni or current students at Swarthmore College. The campus bookstore is connected to the hotel – pick up a university sweatshirt before leaving.

Fairville Inn, for understated elegance in Brandywine Valley

Hotel

A carriage house room at the Fairville Inn
Courtesy of Fairville Inn / Expedia

Consider the Fairville Inn your private retreat on 5 acres (2ha) in the Pennsylvania hills. Small details, such as delicate chandelier lights hanging from a soaring ceiling and fresh flowers, give each room in this 19th-century house an understated elegance. For a more intimate affair, the Springhouse warms you up with a fireplace in every room, a deck overlooking the gardens and not a single soul in sight, save for the few guests you may run into on the way to breakfast.

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