4 Best Hotels in Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania

With a classic stone house at its center, this historic property with multiple buildings—part of William Penn's land grant to the Hemphill family—carves out a tranquil 35 acres of Brandywine Valley countryside, including a winery. Among the rooms in the 1734 Quaker farmhouse (part of the main house) is the Dormer, once a hospital for the Underground Railroad. Rooms in the elegant 1815 Georgian addition have high ceilings and traditional furnishings; some have fireplaces. Of the 11 "cottages," which are in three buildings, most have kitchens and fireplaces. Both fun and relaxation are bountiful here, thanks to the on-site winery (tasting room is generally open Friday through Sunday; tastings sometimes take place in larger Vineyard Barn) and an honor bar, billiards room, library, fitness room, bocce court, and outdoor pool. Breakfast is served in the dining room or on the outdoor patio, both of which overlook the resident horses and goats.

The owners of the Bookhouse Hotel in Kennett Square transformed this former B&B in a handsome mid-19th-century Italianate brick house 1½ miles from downtown West Chester into a cozy retreat (with books and bookshelves throughout) that nicely mixes antiques, stylish modern furnishings, and updated bathrooms in the individually decorated rooms. Some rooms are larger than others (a couple have fireplaces), and the color schemes range from pastel hues to deeper colors; all but one (the Darlington Suite, named for the original owners) have a literary theme, like Jane's Room (for Jane Austen) and Alice's Suite (for Alice in Wonderland). The grand library and parlor rooms on the first floor provide elegant but comfortable places to relax, as do the wraparound porch and patio in the shady grounds. A refrigerator and microwave are shared by guests. Check-in and the concierge service are contactless, but the hotel team can be called or texted for assistance.   

Centrally located halfway between Longwood Gardens and Winterthur, this three-building B&B on well-tended grounds sets itself apart from others with bright, uncluttered rooms stylishly furnished for modern but still traditional tastes in white, cream, and light gray with mostly wood floors. Besides the 1823–37 main house, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, the inn has a more recently built carriage house and a springhouse. The main house has a living room with a fireplace, a hospitality room with snacks like popcorn and cookies, and a room with tables for breakfast. Guest rooms in the carriage house and springhouse have decks; those in the latter have a sweeping view down to the pond on the extensive grounds. The Fairville's excellent breakfast includes a choice of three entrées, such as seasonal frittatas, blueberry compote pancakes, or yogurt parfait bowls.

Just 2 miles from Longwood Gardens, this family-run, countryside bed-and-breakfast on 13 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds and gardens offers more amenities than most and has plush, traditionally furnished rooms and suites in four buildings separate from the main house. Whitewing Farm was originally the home of Russell and Bertha Pippen (he was a vice president of the DuPont Company), and today this romantic mini-resort is run by several generations of a family who enjoy helping guests explore the area. Rooms generally reflect comfortable country style with pretty prints and dark wood furnishings, but some have upgraded to more modern, neutral decor. It's good to check the website's property map for each room's location. An outdoor pool, a tennis court, and a pond for fishing provide reasons to linger on-site, and breakfasts in the 1796 Hay Barn are a major event with three courses such as a French toast soufflé and lemon blueberry ricotta pancakes. The B&B ofers a number of special packages, some special dinners or picnics.