10 Unique Places To Stay Around the Delaware River Towns
Table of Contents
Stories and photos by Jeanine Consoli (unless otherwise indicated)
The Black Bass Hotel
The Black Bass Hotel, located in the scenic town of Lumberville, PA, holds a special place in American History. Legend has it that George Washington was turned away by the proprietor who was loyal to the crown. A Tory stronghold during the Revolution, It is one of the oldest inns in the country and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the Black Bass has 9 beautifully restored suites, many with views of the Delaware River. 8 suites are above the tavern, and across the street is a pet-friendly cottage named the Baxter Suite. The restaurant at the Black Bass prepares an international menu and is open for brunch, lunch, and dinner. The dining rooms range from an elegant space with river views to a rustic stone tavern. It offers a relaxing retreat in stunning surroundings. The restaurant is one of my favorites.
3774 River Road Lumberville, PA www.blackbasshotel.com
1740 House
After purchasing an 18thCentury farmstead, Harry Nessler had a vision for a country inn with a twist. He wanted to create a premier establishment based on the concept of a high-end motor lodge. Each room in this unique property has a river view, and some accommodations have private patios or decks. Just six miles north of New Hope, PA, 1740 House boasts 24 guest rooms with modern amenities, and a light breakfast served each morning. This gorgeous location sits right on the water and is the Pennsylvania landing point for a pedestrian bridge that links to Bull Island Recreation Area. On Bull Island, there are hiking trails, a dock to launch kayaks and canoes.
3690 River Road, Lumberville, Pa www.1740house.com
The Inn at Bowman’s Hill
The Inn at Bowman’s Hill sits on a 5-acre estate just a few miles from the center of the vibrant town of New Hope, PA. Named by Forbes and TripAdvisor as one of the top 10 most romantic B & B’s in the nation, the Inn makes it their mission to exceed expectations. The location is tucked away and provides visitors a place to relax in a stunning park-like setting. In season there is a heated pool with lounge chairs and a misting station. There is an outdoor hot tub to enjoy, especially in the evening for stargazing. The 8 lush guest rooms and suites provide in-room amenities like featherbeds, spa-like bathrooms with jetted bathtubs, and heated towel racks. The Inn offers options for in-room massages with romantic touches like champagne and strawberries. The full English breakfast is served in your room on your own patio or delivered while you lounge in bed. If you prefer you can eat by the pool in summer or in the main dining room where a fire burns during the colder months. Natural wonders are just down the road at the Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve.
518 Lurgan Road, New Hope, PA www.theinnatbowmanshill.com
River House at Odette’s
The River House will open in the spring of 2020 and provide travelers a luxury experience steps away from the Delaware River. The new building sits on the former site of Odette’s, a lively cabaret that was a renowned part of the vibrant social scene in New Hope, PA. When it makes its debut, the River House will offer 38 luxury guest rooms and suites with public spaces that exude an edgy yet elegant vibe. Along with curated fixtures, fabrics, and spa-inspired baths in guest rooms, the complex will feature indoor and outdoor dining and a chic bar. A two-story piano and entertainment lounge will offer live music. An open concept event venue will provide the perfect setting for a wedding with seating up to 200 guests. A private rooftop bar requires a password for entry – reminiscent of prohibition days. Once inside, the rooftop offers sweeping views in a 70’s club-like atmosphere.
274 S. River Road, New Hope, PA www.riverhousenewhope.com
The Lambertville House
The Lambertville House is a cross between a historic inn and a boutique hotel. It has been an inn since 1812 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. While renovated, the charm of the original property is still intact. With 26 different rooms and suites, and a carriage house across the street, the accommodations are comfortable and offer gas fireplaces or private balconies. Since it is situated right in the heart of Lambertville, the location allows access to the best boutique and antique shopping in the area mere steps from the hotel. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily and offers a prix fixe dinner on Monday evenings. The front porch is a popular spot to dine and offers fantastic people watching on bustling Bridge Street. New Hope, PA, is just a short walk across a bridge that spans the Delaware.
32 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ www.lambertvillehouse.com
Bucks County Cottage on the Delaware
Emily and Alfred Glossbrenner offer a genuinely private get-a-way in the form of a tiny cottage built to look like a Colonial Williamsburg-style home. The cottage, which provides 750 feet of living space, sits on a larger property along the Delaware River in Yardley, PA, and boasts river views. Once rented, the area is entirely yours for a weekend or longer. The cottage is ideal for a couple or small family and has a queen-sized bed with a crocheted canopy and matelassé spread in the main bedroom, and a twin-sized bed in a smaller room off the kitchen. A corner fireplace is available to use in colder months, and the sunny eat-in kitchen has all the equipment anyone would need to create meals or snacks. Yardley, a charming river town, is within walking distance, and the other incredible river towns are just a short drive away.
699 River Road, Yardley, PA www.buckscountycottage.com
Chestnut Hill on the Delaware
For 38 years, Rob and Linda Castagna have been welcoming guests to Chestnut Hill, their Victorian B & B perched on a hill above the Delaware River in Milford, New Jersey. The atmosphere is bucolic with an emphasis on relaxation. Guests are invited to immerse themselves in a quiet place with incredible views from sunrise to sunset in every season. Built in 1860, the grand Victorian home has 5 unique rooms and suites available in the main house and an all-suite cottage next door outfitted with fully stocked kitchens and loaves of signature cinnamon raisin bread waiting for your arrival. The Castagna’s hospitality and warmth are evident in the special touches guests experience around the house. If the weather is right, Rob will take you out for a complimentary river cruise on Chestnut Hill’s own pontoon boat.
Photo credit – Paul Bartholomew for Chestnut Hill
63 Church Street, Milford, NJ www.chestnuthillnj.com
Ringing Rocks Family Campground
Ringing Rocks Family Campground is a 5-minute drive away from Ringing Rocks State Park and is a full-service facility. There are slots for RVs, tents, and cabins to rent, each with a grill and a picnic table. Campers have access to showers, laundry, and a camp store. A full list of organized recreational activities is available. Ringing Rocks has a game room, horseshoe pits, and a heated swimming pool for all their guests to enjoy. The summer rates are listed on the website for a tent/RV slot or for cabins. The proximity to other nearby activities is ideal as Nockamixon State Park is just a 15-minute drive from the campground. Nockamixon has trails for biking, hiking, and horseback riding. There are dedicated picnic areas and docks for boating and fishing.
75 Woodland Drive, Upper Black Eddy, PA [email protected]
The National Hotel
The National Hotel is a luxury boutique hotel that has undergone an extensive renovation. The spacious guest rooms are well-appointed and offer all the charm of a historic hotel with modern touches. The original building (which dates back to 1833) was a stagecoach stop and brothel whose visitors included Buffalo Bill Cody and Annie Oakley. It was expanded to its current form in the 1890s, and the space is now a contemporary dining room and bar. The restaurant specializes in unique flavors and fusions, including the small plates options on the menu. Ingredients are sourced locally, and the cozy bar serves delicious craft cocktails. The lower level, the Rathskeller, is a live music venue and gathering spot for visitors and locals. The resident ghost who visits room 304 is friendly and very curious about visitors and new technology.
31 Race Street, Frenchtown, New Jersey [email protected]
Woolverton Inn
Nestled on a 10- acre country estate sits a stately stone manor home dating back to 1792. The Woolverton Inn is ultra-luxurious and was selected by B&B.com as one of the top 10 B & B’s in the United States. The rural property (surrounded by 300 acres of preserved farmland) is at your disposal during your stay that begins with a gourmet country breakfast served on the front porch, the dining area, or in your room if that is your preference. In the afternoon from 3-6 pm, refreshments including teas and lemonade cookies, nuts, and tarts are served. There are 14 beautifully decorated rooms, suites and separate cottages on the property. The suites and cottages are all appointed with 5-star amenities, including robes, plush cotton towels, jetted tubs, and two-person showers. The superb personalized service, combined with the proximity to the Stockton Market, Lambertville, NJ, and New Hope PA, make this a relaxing and restorative place to unwind. The property makes for a stunning wedding venue or corporate retreat.
6 Woolverton Road, Stockton, NJ www.woolvertoninn.com
Jeanine Consoli is a freelance travel writer, photographer, and foodie based in Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania. A retired elementary school teacher, she used her summers to feed her passion for travel and kept journals of all the destinations she explored. Today, Jeanine is working as a writer full-time. She loves uncovering the history and understanding the culture of each location, including the local flavors of each unique place. She has traveled extensively in the United States and Europe and is excited to keep adding to the list, finding unique sites that are off the beaten path both at home and abroad.