Virserius Studio inspired by Provence, France for Hilton Wilmington/Christiana’s renovation

In northern Delaware, the Hilton Wilmington/Christiana is in the middle of a $7-million repositioning project.

The 270-room hotel, owned and operated by Meyer Jabara Hotels (MJH), is designed by Virserius Studio. The first phase of the project is now complete, with all guestrooms, corridors and “Club on 4” executive lounge receiving new floor-to-ceiling improvements.

The rooms were incorporated with the new Quantum MT RFID BLE electronic door locks from durakaba so that guests can use their smartphones as room keys, and new 47-inch flat-screen TVs from LG with 60 HD channels.

Inspiration for the guestroom and bath design came from the Provence area of France. The color palette includes blues, greys and cream tones. While original casegoods remained, new softgoods colors reflect natural elements of the French countryside. Rooms now have white bedding; shadow-box artwork framing books on local history; blue wing-backed chair or sofa bed; and textured vinyl headboards that resemble pony hair. Use of casegoods was minimalized to make rooms appear larger, and rod closets were replaced with organizational shelving.

The same color palette was applied on the corridors that also have floral photographs positioned from floor to ceiling as an architectural interpretation offset by a pixilated damask wall vinyl.

The "Club on 4" executive lounge includes an open kitchen, herringbone-pattern flooring with inset carpet and a multi-level counter that can double as a breakfast or cocktail bar. It can accommodate up to 36 guests, and floor-to-ceiling floral wall art is used again as an architectural element. The Club on 4 overlooks an herb and vegetable garden adjacent to the pool.

Phase II of the project is underway, with all public spaces receiving a facelift, including The Hunt Club lounge, Brasserie Grille, lobby, meeting space, and executive offices. The Hunt Club lounge is being transformed into a gastropub. Updates to the hotel’s fitness center were also already completed.