Boutique Hotels with Local Character

Kimpton Cardinal Hotel
This Art Deco landmark inside the historic R.J. Reynolds Building pairs polished guest rooms with an on-site restaurant, The Katharine Brasserie & Bar, and a Rec Room with bowling and a spiral slide. The pet-friendly Cardinal also offers a College Tour Package with breakfast to go for up to four people—a handy option for prospective students and families.

Historic Brookstown Inn
brick, timber beams, and lofty ceilings give this former 1837 cotton mill a character all its own. Its 71 individually styled rooms come with a complimentary hot Southern breakfast and an evening wine-and-cheese reception. Near downtown’s southern edge, Brookstown puts you a short drive from WSSU, while a courtyard offers space to relax between campus visits.

Hotel Indigo
Located inside the historic Pepper Building on Fourth Street, the boutique Hotel Indigo 75 rooms feature local art, plush bedding, and spa-style showers. Downtown restaurants, shops, and nightlife are just outside, while Sir Winston Restaurant & Wine Loft makes dinner or a nightcap easy without leaving the hotel. Pets are welcome, too.

Familiar Names with Added Perks

Winston-Salem Marriott 
The downtown Marriott pairs contemporary rooms and suites with a spacious health club and Butcher & Bull, its onsite steakhouse and bar. Part of the Twin City Quarter, it's connects directly to the Benton Convention Center and puts guests within an easy walk of Fourth Street restaurants, shops, and nightlife. Other perks include a spacious fitness center, daily hot breakfast, valet parking, and pet-friendly rooms.

Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown
Complimentary hot breakfast, an outdoor pool, and suites that sleep up to six make this downtown Hampton a good fit for families. Kaleideum is next door, while Fourth Street’s restaurants and shops are an easy walk away. City views, an on-site bar, and pet-friendly rooms round out the perks.

Courtyard by Marriott Downtown
The Courtyard’s prime Fourth Street location puts downtown dining, shopping, and entertainment just steps away. Head upstairs to Top of Fourth—the city’s only hotel rooftop bar—for drinks and skyline views. The hotel also features an indoor pool, fitness center, and The Bistro, with Foothills Brewing next door and Bookmarks, Design Archives, and Chill Nitro Creamery nearby.

Smaller Inns & Intimate Stays

Summit Street Inns
Two neighboring historic homes in the West End share 10 distinctive guest rooms, stained glass, original fireplaces, and garden spaces. Part of Winston-Salem Historic Inns, Summit Street pairs period character with modern comforts and a complimentary breakfast.

The Shaffner Inn
A sister property to Summit Street Inns, about a mile away, The Shaffner offers eight rooms in a 1907 Tudor Revival home. A grand staircase, carved oak paneling, and original fireplaces set the scene, with a complimentary breakfast and easy access to Salem Parkway.

The Zevely Inn
This 1844 bed-and-breakfast offers 12 individually decorated rooms in historic Old Salem, a short drive from WSSU. Some have working fireplaces, and all have private baths. A complimentary freshly prepared breakfast, coffee, tea, and evening cookies add a welcoming touch to this quiet retreat.

Well-Rated & Wallet-Friendly

Hawthorne Inn & Conference Center
Overlooking Salem Parkway, Hawthorne offers spacious rooms and suites, an outdoor pool, and a fitness center. A breakfast buffet is available for an additional charge, while pet-friendly rooms and free parking add to the value.

Fairfield Inn & Suites Downtown
Less than a mile from campus, this popular option makes visits easy with spacious rooms and suites, complimentary breakfast, and in-room microwaves and refrigerators. Local art gives the lobby a sense of place, while a terrace fireplace and fitness room offer places to unwind. The on-site Lasso Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse makes dinner distinctive and convenient, too.

Holiday Inn Express (Miller Street)
This familiar name sits a mile west of downtown and less than 3 miles from WSSU. It is also convenient to one of the city’s prime retail areas, Thruway Shopping Center, and offers easy access to Salem Parkway for trips to campus. Complimentary hot breakfast, in-room microwaves and refrigerators, and an outdoor pool cover the essentials.

Explore More

With more than 5,500 hotel rooms across Winston-Salem, there is a stay to fit nearly every style and budget. Beyond the properties featured above, dozens of additional hotels sit within about 15 minutes of campus, including options near Hanes Mall and along University Parkway. Explore our Places to Stay section for more options.