Renovated Boutique Hotel in Colonial Lewes

Zebra-striped rugs, handcrafted Thai elephant statues, and a roaring fireplace adorn the lobby of the boutique Hotel Rodney. Nestled amid day spas, antique stores, and restaurants in quaint downtown Lewes, Delaware, the building has been a landmark since it was constructed in 1926. Recent renovations have brought the 20-room hotel into the 21st century.

Executive and deluxe rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs and iPod clock radios as well as traditional design elements, including refurbished antique dressers and hardwood floors. The spacious bathrooms feature black-marble tile, roomy showers, and wide mirrors. Deluxe rooms with queen beds are slightly larger than executive rooms, though both options overlook either 2nd Street or the rooftop garden.

Downstairs you’ll find a WiFi-equipped business center and a fitness room. At the 24-hour reception desk, guests can rent bicycles to tour Lewes's historic streets (weather permitting). Hotel Rodney recently opened a new restaurant, The Rose & Crown, which offers craft beers and a menu inspired by British pubs.

Lewes, Delaware: Colonial-Era Village on Scenic Delaware Bay

The quaint town of Lewes, Delaware, was first settled by the Dutch in 1631 and embodies colonial America in its architecture, landscape, and attractions. The city is home to Delaware's oldest standing building—a 17th-century home—as well as various restored 18th- and 19th-century residences. The Lewes Historical Society hosts walking and shuttle tours of 13 preservation sites. Most tours take place in the summer and fall; snag a detailed map from the chamber of commerce to embark on self-guided tours throughout the year.