Best Dover Hotels for “First State” Fun in Delaware

Jennifer Keller Avatar

New to Dover? Walk the historic center of town and soak up the atmosphere! Photo credit: City of Dover

Whether Dover is your destination for a trip spent visiting historic attractions in “The First State,” or it’s a stop on your itinerary as you head to the Delaware beaches, Dover hotel options are plentiful. From the first capitol building in the United States, to a world-class museum of American art, to the speed and thrills of Dover International Speedway, you’ll want to know the best hotels to stay in. We’ve got you covered!

Need to crash after a day at the races at Dover International Speedway? Legs tired after dancing all day at the Firefly Festival? Historic site and museum fatigue setting in? One of the accommodation choices from our curated list will fit your needs.

We’ve listed your options by neighborhood location and/or amenities needed!

You’ll find many cheap hotel options that still offer high value and quality stays. 3-star hotels comprise the bulk of Dover’s hotel choices, which means you’ll find many options that deliver great value and reasonable prices.

Taking in the races? Here for Firefly? Let the fun begin! Photo credit: Mike Baker for the Delaware Tourism Office

North-to-Central Dover

The majority of national chain options are located on North Dupont Highway, just north of Dover’s city center. With all these options and nearby attractions, you’ll be able to play and rest well too.

Attractions on North Dupont Highway include:

Sleep Inn hotel pool
This cheery hotel offers just what you need—an uncomplicated and restful stay! Photo credit: Sleep Inn and Suites

Sleep Inn and Suites

1784 N Dupont Hwy.
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 265-0304

The “simply stylish guest rooms” and modern amenities at Sleep Inn and Suites give you just what you need with no superfluous frills. Outdoor pool and laundry facilities on site make this a very family-friendly (and pet-friendly!) option.

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Holiday Inn hotel pool
Nighttime pool time is always a perk. Photo credit: Holiday Inn Express and Suites

Holiday Inn Express and Suites

1780 N Dupont Hwy.
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 678-0600

If you’re trying to rack up some IHG Hotel points—or cash them in!—or are simply a big fan of Holiday Inn Express hotels, this choice won’t let you down.

  • Chic lobby and outdoor pool offer both eye-candy and body-comfort.
  • Guest rooms and common areas newly renovated.
  • Hot breakfast with signature cinnamon rolls on the side.

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Comfort Suites Dover DE exterior
Comfort Suites provides a warm and – you guessed it – comfortable atmosphere. Photo credit: Comfort Suites

Comfort Suites

1654 N. Dupont Hwy.
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 241-0078

Suites bring a lot to the table: more space, sofa beds, in-room safe, refrigerators and microwaves. Some suite options even include a 2-person hot tub and whirlpool bath! Plus, they’re not skimping on breakfast here—full buffet and waffles. Sorry, no pets allowed.

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Hilton Garden Inn Dover lobby
Bright and colorful common spaces bring the garden effect. Photo credit: Hilton Garden Inn

Hilton Garden Inn

1706 N Dupont Hwy.
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 674-3784

Ok, three huge pluses here: Indoor pool (if traveling in fall/winter/spring), on-site restaurant open 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. (room service option too) and lobby/common area decor. Sometimes, I don’t care about indoor decor, and sometimes I want my chain hotel experience to feel less cloistered or routine. This hotel delivers that extra touch.

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Hampton Inn Dover pool and suite
Turquoise upholstery similar to lovely pool water — coincidence? I don’t know, but it sure is inviting! Photo credit: Hampton Inn Dover

Hampton Inn

1568 N Dupont Hwy.
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 736-3500

I’m a bit partial to Hampton Inns because I often use our local Hampton during the winter for a staycation and indoor pool reprieve from the cold. This Dover location offers updated, stylish interiors, full breakfast, enjoyable patio areas and an outdoor pool delight.

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Bally’s Dover Casino Resort (formerly Dover Downs Casino)

1131 N Dupont Hwy.
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 674-4600

Getting away for a couple’s trip? With the girls? With the guys? To the races? To Firefly Music Festival? Then Bally’s Dover Casino Resort can be your one-stop-shop for entertainment, dining, spa services and more. Be sure to check out their current hotel deals.

450 square-foot rooms offer restful downtime when you’re taking a break from the tables or when you’re done sightseeing for the day. Need to add some oomph to your self-care? Check out Bally’s gorgeous Balinese-inspired spa.

Have the kids with you? A visit to The Sugar Factory is in order!

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Comfort Inn & Suites lobby
With a home-style touch, this hotel offers a great option for a prime location. Photo credit: Choice Hotels

Comfort Inn & Suites

764 Dover Leipsic Rd.
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 401-4627

Adjacent to Bally’s, this location of Comfort Inn & Suites gives you all of the easy access to the casino or speedway grounds without having to stay in the casino. With cozy decor and muted tones, you’ll get to relax and unwind after seeing the sights of Dover.

Need a relaxation nudge? Check out the indoor pool and hot tub, or cozy up with a book in the hotel library!

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Residence Inn lobby
Spacious common areas—indoors and outdoors—offer plenty of room to chill. Photo credit: Residence Inn by Marriott

Residence Inn by Marriott

600 Jefferic Blvd.
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 677-0777

Lots of awesome perks at this Residence Inn location—indoor pool with lots of light, spacious lobby, non-cramped fitness center and lovely outdoor patio and fountain/fire area. The suites are freshly decorated, with lots of room to move, rest and play.

Need a place for the kids to get moving? In addition to the pool, the hotel has an outdoor mini-basketball court!

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Fairfield Inn suite
Clean and updated rooms in a “less can be more” hotel. Photo credit: Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott

655 N Dupont Hwy
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 677-0900

Renovated in 2017, this hotel is a great option if you don’t need a lot of extras (e.g. pool) and aren’t traveling with pets (no pets allowed). Still offering standard amenities like free hot breakfast, free WiFi and fitness center, you’ll have all the basics needed for a great stay.

Staying for a while? Onsite laundry and dry-cleaning available!

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Red Roof Inn & Suites

652 N Dupont Hwy
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 730-8009

Sometimes it can be the little things that make a difference when you book a hotel. My little treat happens to be having a mini-fridge in the room so I can store fresh food for myself and my young child. (And, this no-frills Red Roof has a fridge in every room!)

What’s your go-to amenity? Chances are, several of these hotels will have it!

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Wyndham Garden

561 N Dupont Hwy
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 487-0234

If you’re really needing to keep costs low—and especially if you need a pet-friendly hotel with a good location—then check out the Wyndham Garden. But it’s a good idea to peruse recent Tripadvisor or Booking.com reviews. As of autumn 2022, reviews were quite negative.

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Central Dover to Historic Downtown Dover

These hotels offer great proximity to the renowned Biggs Museum of American Art and the center of historic Dover—First State Heritage Park and the Old State House.

Need some outdoor nature time? Check out nearby Silver Lake Park or Pickering Beach is a fifteen minute drive to the east!

Days Inn exterior
Can’t go wrong with an icon! Photo credit: Days Inn by Wyndham

Days Inn by Wyndham

272 N Dupont Hwy.
Dover, DE, 19901
(302) 241-0439

Perhaps synonymous with cheap hotels, Days Inn still has what you need. And, why not save some money so you can go to Bally’s Casino for a roll of the dice?! Or, maybe the economical stay lets you extend your trip by a day or two. More money in the pocket is never a bad idea.

With pet-friendly rooms, free wifi, on-site laundry facility and a modest fitness center, you can get your basic travelers’ needs covered at Days Inn.

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Home2 Suites exterior
New hotel with lots of interior color-pop and amenity value. Photo credit: Home2 Suites

Home2Suites by Hilton

222 S Dupont Hwy
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 674-3300

Less than a mile from the Old State House and Biggs Museum of American Art, this contemporary option is your best bet for a nice stay with walking-friendly routes to nearby attractions.

The added bonus of kitchen-included suite availability makes Home2Suites a fantastic choice for families and anyone who wants to cook fresh food while traveling.

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Dover Garden Suites

315 Martin St.
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 883-2417

Within walking distance to the Old State House and historic downtown attractions is this lovely non-chain option, Dover Garden Suites. Almost literally a home-away-from-home, you can enjoy coffee on your private patio or stroll the gardens for fresh air.

  • Fully furnished, home-like suites with multiple amenities: jacuzzi tub, master bath AND extra 1/2 bath in living room, mini-refrigerator, wet bar and private patio
  • Real fireplace in each unit
  • Washer/dryer in each unit
  • Gardens and barbeque grills available for guests
  • Secured, fenced parking

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South Dover

If your travels take you south of historic Dover towards Dover Air Force Base, you have several options for accommodations, with convenient highway access.

Mainstay Suites exterior
Apartment-style suites set this option apart from others. Photo credit: Mainstay Suites

Mainstay Suites

201 Stover Blvd.
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 678-8383

This suites-style hotel “combines the perks of hotel living with the comforts of home. We provide the amenities you need to maintain your lifestyle during a longer stay.” With free breakfast, fitness center and fully-equipped en suite kitchens, this is a hotel that lives up to its own description.

  • Pet-friendly
  • Laundry facilities onsite and dry cleaning service available
  • Afternoon tea

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Microtel suite
Multiple room configurations available, like these spacious suites! Photo credit: Microtel Inn & Suites

Microtel Inn & Suites

1703 E Lebanon Rd.
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 674-3800

While I’d disagree with the hotel website’s claim that they offer “Brilliant Amenities,” there is plenty to love about this accommodation option. With a modest price point and spacious suite-style rooms, you can overlook the meager fitness room and focus on other things like “What do we do with all that money I’m saving on the hotel room?”

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Galaxy Inn suite
Enjoy Best Western comfort and style across from Dover Air Force Base! Photo credit: Best Western Galaxy Inn

Best Western Galaxy Inn

1700 E Lebanon Rd.
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 735-4700

Note: As of autumn 2022, this Best Western is undergoing extensive renovations. Please call for updates before booking. Hopefully they’ll retain their great outdoor pool and courtyard hotel vibe!

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Dover Hotels by Amenity

Like I said before, for some trips, I have a “go-to” amenity that I just need to have covered. Here’s a list of some that may be important to you while staying in Dover:

Outdoor pool:

  • Sleep Inn and Suites
  • Holiday Inn Express & Suites, an IHG Hotel
  • Hampton Inn Dover

Indoor pool:

  • Hilton Garden Inn
  • Bally’s
  • Comfort Inn & Suites
  • Residence Inn
  • Home2Suites

Pet-friendly (may have small fee; please check with hotel):

  • Sleep Inn and Suites
  • Holiday Inn Express & Suites, an IHG Hotel
  • Hilton Garden
  • Hampton Inn
  • Comfort Inn & Suites
  • Residence Inn
  • Fairfield Inn & Suites
  • Wyndham Garden
  • Days Inn
  • Home2Suites
  • Mainstay Hotel

Free continental breakfast:

All, though quality ranges!

Beyond the standard amenity award goes to: Hilton Garden Hotel for made-to-order hot breakfast.

On-site restaurant:

Hilton Garden Inn

Laundry facilities available:

  • Sleep Inn & Suites
  • Fairfield Inn & Suites
  • Days Inn
  • Dover Gardens
  • Mainstay Hotel

Free wifi, fitness center, business center, free parking:

These are now standard amenities at chain hotels, but quality varies, especially for fitness centers. Best to check with the particular hotel you are considering if this is an important feature for you.

Don’t Forget! Day Trips from Dover

A stay in Dover puts you in easy driving distance to other great Delaware attractions:

  • Harrington, Delaware and The Delaware State Fair
  • Moby Hook National Wildlife Refuge
  • Rehoboth Beach and the boardwalk
  • Wilmington and Brandywine Valley museums and gardens

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