A Chic New Hotel Just Opened in Wilmington, Delaware — With the City's First Rooftop Bar

With its many historic sites, beautiful riverfront, world-class museums, and picture-perfect natural setting, Wilmington, Delaware, entices travelers seeking small-town charm (it has about 70,000 residents), buzzy restaurants, and a vibrant cultural scene. And the city's latest hotel, which opened this month, will certainly add to its allure with out-of-town guests.

The Quoin, an eclectic 24-room boutique property by Philadelphia-based hospitality company Method Co. and Delaware real estate developer The Buccini/Pollin Group, is now welcoming guests in Wilmington's historic downtown. The property occupies the former Security Trust & Safe Deposit Company Building, an early 19th-century four-story Victorian Romanesque brownstone. But don't expect a hotel experience rooted in nostalgia.

The Quoin (pronounced kɔɪn as in "corner" in French — a reference to the hotel's location) layers modern interiors and minimalist Shaker-style furniture over a Victorian-inspired color scheme and ambiance to create its offbeat look. Each of its guest rooms and suites has a unique layout with original features such as arched windows and moldings, vintage rugs, luxury king-size beds, custom furniture, and a curated collection of artwork, including photography by David Burnett. Bellino bed linens and Aesop toiletries complement the in-room amenities.

"Our design inspiration came from a variety of sources, from psychedelic rock to '70s furniture to art nouveau," Daniel Olsovsky, Method Co.'s creative director, told Travel + Leisure. "But, I would say our biggest inspiration would probably be the earthy colors and forms found in the nature of this region, which can be found throughout the floral motifs in our fabrics and wallpapers and the soft, organic lines of our furnishings."

Olsovsky worked with Philadelphia-based Stokes Architecture to make the property feel more "residential and homey" and avoided décor elements that may be perceived as too "contemporary and austere."

Nowhere is this more evident than the hotel's signature eatery, The Quoin Restaurant & Bar, where patrons are welcomed in a spacious dining room outfitted in cozy mohair banquettes, white oak table tops with antiqued brass bases, and spindle armchairs. Here, chef Ed Pinello has curated a selection of wood-fired fare inspired by the cuisines of Southern France and Northern Italy.

The hotel also introduces Wilmington's first rooftop bar with views of the courtyard and the steeple of Wilmington's Old Town Hall. Another highlight of the food-and-beverage program at The Quoin is the cocktail lounge: Simmer Down, which now features a custom mural by Philadelphia-based artist and illustrator Reverend Michael Alan.

"We are strong believers that Wilmington is one of the greatest cities in the United States and hope that any draw our hotel's restaurant and bars bring will help showcase all the treasures of this area," Olsovsky added.

A lobby coffee bar, a separate indoor-outdoor event space, and a gym with Peloton and Technogym equipment are also available to hotel guests.

Nightly rates at The Quoin start at $350, and you can book your stay here.