The place to stay in Delaware for over a century  has been the HOTEL DUPONT in Wilmington  and with the presidency of Joe Biden who has lived in the city for most of his life, it is enjoying a new day in the limelight. Its Impressive history includes having hosted 10 US Presidents and countless celebrities in culture and the arts as well as leaders of the corporate world. With its new owners, the Buccini/Pollin Group,  it has been  enhanced with a star chef/partner heading up its signature restaurant, an addition of a noteworthy spa, food hall/incubator,  refreshed guest rooms and suites, and a “new” Playhouse Theater. We spent several days there and felt pampered, steeped in history, and, at the same time, at home.  In case you missed it, here’s Part 1 on things to do in Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley.

It’s little known that one of the founders of Wilmington’s landmark HOTEL DU PONT, T. Coleman du Pont, went on to found the iconic Willard Hotel in Washington D.C. and the Waldorf Astoria, among others. January 15, 1913, saw its opening and a team that took the best talent from other leading hotels at time.  At the time of its opening, the hotel cost $1 million, a lot considering Wilmington only had 80,000 residents. But then, as now, the city had special importance because of its prime location between Washington ,D.C. and New York City, with Philadelphia enroute and good transport by train, major roads and the Delaware River.

The powerful du Pont Company also drew all the financial types.

For exploring Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley, it enjoys an ideal location. It’s downtown, which though just eleven blocks long to the waterfront, is home to the performing arts venues which you read about last time. It’s also near Little Italy with its comfort food eateries – from crabs and subs to fried chicken and BBQ. 

A fifteen minute drive away is northern Wilmington and bordering Pennsylvania with most of the major attractions, from Winterthur to Longwood Gardens, and the haunts of the Bidens. The center of the hotel is its lobby ,which is more a sitting room with leather couches you sink into, and look up into the carved and painted mahogany ceiling, imagining the French and Italian artisans of the day working their wonders, and tuxedo clad managers catering to the whims of a “who’s who”.

Dining at the HOTEL DUPONT in Wilmington

Down the hall is Le Cavalier restaurant, a grand redo of the original Green Room into a contemporary French brasserie. Find twenty foot high ceilings  and oak paneled walls and ceiling, beautiful mosaic floor,  and a chic backlit bar that pops.

Chef-partner Tyler Akin whose impressive credentials include a long list of accolades and awards for him personally and for his restaurants,  offers a contemporary twist on brasserie food. It calls on his experience with Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian food that is exciting, and need I say delicious? We had the pork porterhouse with sauce charcuterie and Aleppo pilaf, a steak tartare with Castelvetrano olives and grilled potato bread, and uber fresh lobster tails with champagne vinegar. Next time I’d like to try the mussels with Marrakesh spice, merguez sausage, cilantro and mint and the gnocchi parisienne with caviar, jumbo lump crab and lemon beurre blanc.

For a quick, casual meal or snack head off to Wilmington’s only food hall, the hotel’s DECO, with a curated selection from local restaurateurs.

 

More History at the HOTEL DUPONT in Wilmington

When you’re there, ask to see the Gold Ballroom. Besides the fact I had my high school prom there and went to numerous events growing up, it’s a small, ornate jewel .  It was here that Kamala Harris broadcast during her campaign. Biden, too, has a history of events here dating back to the launch of his senatorial campaign.

Had it been open when we were there, we would have taken in one of the plays at the newly renovated Playhouse Theater.

End your day at the Italian inspired Currie Day Spa & Salon for men and women with its state of the art beauty and spa equipment. What I especially liked was the fully reclining chair for a shampoo that also has a bubble that’s a sauna for the head and the infrared sauna. Want a mani or pedi? Pass the door that was part of a bank vault.

After a day’s outing, you’ll feel very comfortable in the guest rooms and suites. They’re  spacious and well equipped. My favorite feature were the Lavazza coffee machines that I now prefer to my Nespresso machine (that’s saying a lot).

Service is friendly and professional. Rates now start at $369. For more information on the Hotel DUPONT in Wilmington go to:  https://www.hoteldupont.com/

42 W. 11th Street Wilmington, DE 

T.302.594.3100