Hotels

There are countless charming inns and bed-and-breakfasts in the area, and one of the very best is the Inn at Montchanin (Rte. 100 and Kirk Rd., Montchanin, DE, www.montchanin.com [1]). Ideally situated for visiting Winterthur, Nemours, and Hagley museums and estates, the award-winning inn was once part of the Winterthur estate. Today, it offers every modern convenience in its elegant yet cozy rooms and suites.

The village-like setting offers loads of character, and the on-site fine-dining restaurant, Krazy Kat’s, offers quality, creative cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The 28 rooms start at $179 a night, and special packages are sometimes offered online. The inn was named “the world’s best hotel for under $250” by Travel + Leisure magazine.

For a more rural experience, stay at the
Sweetwater Farm Bed & Breakfast (50 Sweetwater Rd., Glen Mills, 610/459-4711, www.sweetwaterfarmbb.com [2]). It’s not easy to find even though it’s just a short drive from the sights of Chadds Ford [3]—and that’s exactly the point. A few remote country roads lead to the sprawling 50-acre estate, and you can’t see another property from the grounds. There are seven rooms in the main stone house and seven additional private cottages. Rooms offer every amenity, including refrigerators and fireplaces, and some have oversized whirlpool tubs.

The main house has a pool table and comfortable sitting areas, along with a dining room where a gourmet breakfast is served each morning. Owned by the nephew of Grace Kelly, the property oozes charm and grace, just as she did. Pictures of the Kelly family, as well as the cast and crew of M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village (who stayed here while filming) can be seen in the main house. Rates start at $135 weekdays and $160 weekends.

The Brandywine River Hotel (Rtes. 1 and 100, 610/388-1200, www.brandywineriverhotel.com [4]) offers a convenient resting place from which to explore the many nearby sights. Rooms are quite nice, if a bit more like a typical hotel, and rates start at just $129 per night.