Key facts
- Hotel Du Pont was built in 1913 by Pierre S. du Pont in Wilmington, Delaware.
- The hotel features Italian Renaissance Revival architecture and Gilded Age-style furnishings.
- It was originally part of the Du Pont Company's headquarters complex.
- Notable spaces include the Le Cavalier restaurant and the Gold Ballroom.
- The hotel has hosted numerous notable guests, including US presidents.
- Former President Joe Biden announced his Senate bid at the hotel.
The Hotel Du Pont, a historic landmark in Wilmington, Delaware, was built in 1913 by businessman Pierre S. du Pont. Designed to impress executives and industrialists, the hotel showcases Italian Renaissance Revival architecture and Gilded Age-style furnishings, with artisans from Europe contributing to its opulent design. It cost $1 million to build, equivalent to approximately $33.6 million today. The hotel has served as a hub for business leaders and a luxury destination for over a century, retaining original features like marble mosaic floors and ornate ceilings. Notable spaces include the Green Room, housing the French brasserie Le Cavalier, and the Gold Ballroom. The hotel has hosted numerous famous guests, including 13 US presidents, and is where former President Joe Biden announced his 1972 Senate bid. Prince Rainier III and Grace Kelly's engagement is also believed to have been finalized there. The hotel was expanded in 1918 and now offers four tiers of rooms, with starting rates at $599 for classic rooms and $1,913 for suites. The current owner is the Buccini/Pollin Group, operated by PM Hotel Group.