The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel occupies one of the most important buildings in North Carolina. The Reynolds Building, completed in 1929, is an Art Deco tower that served as a prototype for the Empire State Building, and for decades it was the headquarters of the tobacco company that made Winston-Salem rich. Turning that landmark into a hotel was a statement about the city's new identity, and the result is the most distinctive place to stay downtown. You walk in beneath the building's famous Deco details and enter a world where historic bones meet modern boutique design, with a lobby and public spaces that feel more like a gathering place than a hotel foyer. The location is its second great advantage. From the front door you can walk to the Arts District, the Innovation Quarter, the craft breweries, restaurants and the Dash ballpark, and Old Salem is a short ride away. For visitors who want to experience the city on foot, there is no better base. Guests also benefit from the brand's boutique approach, which typically emphasizes personality in the design, attentive service and a social atmosphere in the lobby and bar. Rooms are modern and comfortable, set within the historic structure, and the building's architecture means that room shapes and layouts can vary, so ask when you book if you have a preference for a particular floor or view. The hotel suits couples, design-minded travelers and business guests who want character rather than a generic box.
Staying in a landmark gives you a story to tell. The Reynolds Building has long been a symbol of the city, and the surrounding blocks include other historic towers and warehouses that reflect the tobacco-era boom. In the morning, step outside and look up: the proportions and setbacks of the tower, the metalwork and the stonework show why architects admire it. A walking tour of the downtown buildings, or the Twin-City Trolley Tour, will give you more context.
The hotel's position makes it convenient for several kinds of trips. Leisure travelers can build a weekend around the Arts District's restaurants and galleries, the Craft Draft Crawl and the Kaleideum museum if they have children. Business travelers will find the Innovation Quarter, with its research and technology tenants, nearby. Wedding guests and event attendees can often walk to venues. Drivers should ask about parking arrangements, which in downtown hotels often involve a garage or valet and an additional fee, and confirm details before arrival.
Dining and drinks in the building and on the nearby streets make it easy to stay in the neighborhood for the evening. Because the tower is in the middle of the city, noise from late-night activity can reach lower floors on busy weekends, so request a higher floor if you are a light sleeper.
Book early for major events, such as university graduations and holiday weekends, and check for seasonal packages. If you want a hotel that is part of the city's story rather than just a place to sleep, this is the strongest candidate in Winston-Salem, and a good contrast with the quieter historic inns near Old Salem.
Why stay here
- ✓Housed in the 1929 Reynolds Building
- ✓Art Deco landmark architecture
- ✓Downtown Arts District location
- ✓Walkable to breweries and restaurants
- ✓Lobby bar and social spaces
- ✓Air-conditioned modern rooms
- ✓Business and event facilities nearby
- ✓Short ride to Old Salem
Good questions
What is the building?+
The Reynolds Building, completed in 1929, an Art Deco tower that served as a prototype for the Empire State Building.
Is it walkable to attractions?+
Yes. The Arts District, Innovation Quarter, breweries and many restaurants are within walking distance.
Should I ask about parking?+
Yes. Downtown hotels often use garages or valet with a fee, so confirm details when you book.
