The Best Places to Stay in Wilmington, Delaware, and Pennsylvania's Brandywine Valley

While Wilmington, Delaware, and the adjacent overall Brandywine Valley may not be as familiar to frequent travelers as nearby Philadelphia, the region is still worth a visit for anyone interested in destinations offering fantastic dining, world-class shopping and loads of historic charm. Likely most well known as a key landscape in the Revolutionary War, the area now offers ways for visitors to interact with area history, enjoy James Beard award-winning dining experiences and shop tax-free.

But before you can really enjoy all of the above, you'll need to find a place to stay. Here are four great picks for travelers considering a visit.

Hotel du Pont is a rare find in the Wilmington area, which is more so filled with chain hotels.

This property, however, is entirely unique, with its location in downtown, Gilded Age style and rich history. The hotel was once the DuPont Company's headquarters, but now offers gorgeous luxury guest rooms and suites. Amenities include multiple on-site dining options, valet parking, courtesy downtown transportation, WiFi, an on-site spa and 24-7 fitness center.

Photo courtesy of https://www.hoteldupont.com/

For something a little simpler, but still with a historic setting, and a location outside the hustle and bustle of Wilmington, head out into the Brandywine Valley, to the Brandywine River Hotel.

The property offers Colonial-style decor, a variety of guest rooms and suites (some with jacuzzis and fireplaces) and pet-friendly accommodations, too. When you're ready to explore the surrounding area, you’re just a short drive away from local wineries, Colonial architecture and one of Chadds Ford’s most famous attractions, the 400-acre Longwood Gardens.

Photo courtesy of https://www.brandywineriverhotelpa.com/gallery.htm

A similarly charming and historic small property, the Inn at Whitening Farm in West Chester, Pennsylvania, is another good pick for a Brandywine Valley romantic getaway.

The 1700s farmhouse features just 10 intimate guest rooms, surrounded by rolling farmland and picturesque gardens. Amenities include access to a spring-fed pool, a stocked fishing pond, wine cellar and tennis courts. Guests are served a three-course breakfast daily, in the 1796 hay barn, though other breakfast options are available for guests with dietary needs or who are particularly early or late risers.

Established in 1714, Wild Wisteria B&B certainly knows the business of hospitality.

Stop into this Brandywine Valley property in Chadds Ford and choose from six guest rooms, each of which features its own historic touches. The bed and breakfast positions you perfectly to explore nearby parks, Chester County's more than a dozen historic covered bridges, multiple golf courses, vineyards and restaurants.

Need More?

Looking for more tips and ideas as to what to do when you’re in the Wilmington, Delaware, or Brandywine Valley region? The Discovery Map guide to both locations breaks down everything you need to know about where to stay, what to do, where to dine, where to shop and more. You can also check out our quick recommendations for where to eat and drink in the area, where to shop and the top three things to do, if you only have a limited amount of time on your itinerary.