Destination of the Week: River House at Odette's

Photo courtesy of River House at Odette's

This week, we spotlight River House at Odette’s, a 36-room riverfront boutique hotel in New Hope, Pennsylvania, reimagining the former home of Odette Myrtil’s iconic cabaret. We spoke with Nick Downs, General Manager, about how the property preserves its spirited past while reflecting New Hope’s creative energy through design, dining, and guest experiences.

River House stands on the former site of Odette Myrtil’s lively cabaret. How have you preserved that spirited legacy while reimagining the space as a refined riverfront retreat?

Intended to serve as a stopping point for fishermen along the Delaware River in the late 1780s, the original River House was a well-known and bustling hub, with a reputation as the stomping ground of New Hope’s background. In 1961, long-time New Hope resident Odette Myrtil transformed the building into Chez Odette, solidifying the historic location as a spirited and social hotspot. In order to honor and preserve the history of Odette’s within the fabric of the newly designed hotel, salvaged elements such as artwork, menus, books and writings and a chandelier dating back to the 1900s are incorporated throughout the property. We have live music like the original Odette’s. The space used often as a wedding venue features iconic love letter wallpaper of Odette’s writing, surrounding the space with her voice and presence. 

New Hope is known for its artistic energy and creative community. How does the hotel reflect that vibrancy in its design, dining, and guest programming? 

River House at Odette's was designed with the history of New Hope in-mind including its architectural design and interiors. Each of our 36 guest rooms reflect a unique wallpaper, tiling and furnishes, giving a fresh feel while looking out to the Delaware River or mountainside. Our programming is designed to immerse guests in the energy of the area - programs like our new exclusive Fonthill Castle experience (providing guests private tours of the treasured Bucks County chateau, a National Historic Landmark). On-property programs like Riverside Reading, which provides guests with complimentary reads from our local bookstore partner Farley’s Bookshop, encourages a retreat-like atmosphere, allowing guests to relax on balconies overlooking the River. 

With 36 rooms overlooking the Delaware River, intimacy is part of the experience. How do you balance boutique exclusivity with the buzz of the Piano Lounge and ROOF rooftop bar?

Our membership can be very intimate with exclusivity to our restaurant for members and guests. While our ROOF membership exceeds 700 member (currently on a waitlist), our members enjoy the discreet, relaxing atmosphere of the hotel. Set atop River House and overlooking the Delaware River, ROOF is exclusive for members and guests, with cocktails and bites reminiscent of Odette’s heyday. The view and experience is unlike anything else in Bucks County.

Odette’s Restaurant is described as a “love letter” to the site’s history. How does the culinary concept weave storytelling into the dining experience?

Odette's Steakhouse menu provides a blend of dishes and cocktail creations showcasing the creativity of Odette Myrtil, while the balance of live musicians, surrounding mood lighting and the stunning river views sets the stage for a lovely dining experience. 

Located just 40 miles from Philadelphia, River House is both an escape and an easy getaway. What kind of stays are you seeing most and why does the property resonate for those occasions?

The blend of our guest type at River House is ideal - our proximity to Philadelphia and other large NE cities makes the hotel a perfect spot for quick getaways and solo retreats while also an excellent option for corporate meetings and events. Our Be Our Guest program features thoughtful touches to make cherished memories for years to come for families with kids of all ages. Families have space to spread out as they retreat to the private hotel Guest House, accommodating up to six people with two separate bedrooms, two private bathrooms, cozy family room and kitchen, expansive green space for play and balcony with stunning river vistas.

Storybook-inspired welcome gifts, milk and cookies at turndown, game and movie nights in the Guest House, and curated tips for local adventures in New Hope and Peddler’s Village all make for the perfect ‘home away from home’ getaway.  And, of course, the destination, location, setting and guest experience makes River House a coveted wedding and celebration location.