Kimpton Cardinal Hotel

The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel in Winston-Salem, United States, a Michelin Key Selected property, consistently receives high praise for its distinctive charm, excellent amenities, and prime downtown location. Housed in the historic 1929 R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company headquarters—a building that served as the architectural inspiration for New York City's Empire State Building—the hotel blends Art Deco elegance with modern boutique luxury.

Overall Rating & Sentiment

The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel boasts an impressive overall rating of 8.8 out of 10, with many guests describing their stay as excellent. It is often lauded as the #1 hotel in Winston-Salem by publications like US News & World Report. The general sentiment is highly positive, with guests appreciating its exceptional value, top-notch facilities, pristine cleanliness, convenient location, and outstanding staff performance.

Key Highlights

Guests consistently highlight the hotel's unique character and extensive offerings. Its historic Art Deco design, evident from the preserved "RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company" letters on the exterior to the metal-plated elevators and playful Founding Fathers embroidered on floor rugs, creates a memorable ambiance. A standout feature is the lively recreation room in the basement, complete with a two-lane bowling alley, basketball court, ping pong, foosball tables, and even a spiral slide for adults. The daily complimentary wine social from 5:00 to 6:00 PM is a much-loved institution, fostering a convivial atmosphere. The hotel is also notably pet-friendly, welcoming four-legged companions without additional charge or restrictions, and even offering "loaner goldfish" for guests. Its central location in downtown Winston-Salem is repeatedly praised for easy access to the city's vibrant attractions.

Room Quality

The rooms at the Kimpton Cardinal are described as meticulously designed, pristine, and exceptionally comfortable. Guests can expect luxurious finishes, including buttery soft Frette linens, and a calming color palette featuring cream, black, blue, and browns, often accented with pops of hot pink or turquoise. Unique design elements such as lamps suspended by ropes and elegant grey wood armoires concealing mini-fridges and seersucker robes add to the boutique feel. Many rooms feature large windows, providing ample natural light and views of downtown or even the historic J.R. Reynolds smoke stacks, with multiple layers of window coverings for privacy. King Suites offer spacious separate seating areas with pullout sofa beds. Bathrooms are often well-appointed with spa showers, soaking tubs (in some suites), and luxury bath amenities by Atelier Bloem, with a conscious effort towards sustainability by partnering with Clean The World.

Dining Experience

The hotel's on-site restaurant, The Katharine Brasserie & Bar, named after R.J. Reynolds' wife, offers a celebrated dining experience with a menu that blends traditional French cuisine with Southern ingredients. It serves three meals on weekdays and brunch on weekends. Guests have lauded dishes such as Baked Escargot, Roasted Duck Breast, Oeuf Mimosa au Foie Gras, and Steak au Poivre. Breakfast options include good coffee, Croque Monsieur, and Belgian waffles, with complimentary coffee available in the lobby lounge each morning. The bar area is considered inviting, serving an array of libations, and there's an outdoor patio with heaters for al fresco dining. While the food quality is generally high, some guests have noted that the meals and drinks can be on the more expensive side.

Service & Staff

Staff performance is highly regarded, with an impressive rating of 8.4, and is often cited as a key reason for positive stays. Guests frequently report dedicated, attentive, and exceptionally hospitable service, which is both friendly and professional. One front desk manager, Letia, was specifically praised for her five-star attention to detail. However, some guest reviews have indicated inconsistencies in staff assistance and service quality. Employee feedback provides a mixed picture, with some praising friendly colleagues and good management, while others report issues with poor management, lack of communication, and feeling unappreciated. There were also serious allegations from one former employee regarding management conduct.

Location & Accessibility

The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel boasts an "unbeatable" and "excellent" location in the heart of downtown Winston-Salem, earning high ratings of 8.8 to 9.3 for its accessibility. Guests appreciate easy access to the city's vibrant culture, rich history, diverse local cuisine, and numerous arts attractions. The hotel is within walking distance of many unique restaurants and boutique stores. For transportation, valet and overnight parking are available for an additional fee, with discounted parking offered for those dining at The Katharine. The hotel also provides cruiser bikes for guests to explore the city.

Value & Pricing

Many guests find the Kimpton Cardinal Hotel to offer "exceptional value for money," especially for an upscale property. The average room price is approximately $235, which, while higher than the city's average, is seen as justified by the elevated experience. Standard room rates typically range from $144 to $362 per night. While the room rates are generally well-received, some patrons have expressed that the cost of food and drinks at the hotel's establishments can be expensive. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available for IHG Rewards Club members, otherwise, a daily fee applies. Valet parking costs $28 per night.

Common Complaints

While largely positive, some recurring criticisms include occasional dissatisfaction with cleanliness issues, despite overall high cleanliness ratings. Inconsistencies in staff assistance and overall service, along with amenities not always functioning as expected, have been noted. The quality of breakfast was a concern for a few guests. Furthermore, some rooms have been reported to have a constant hum from the hotel's ventilation or air conditioning system, which could be disruptive for light sleepers.## Kimpton Cardinal Hotel, Winston-Salem: A Comprehensive Review

The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel in Winston-Salem, United States, a Michelin Key Selected property, consistently earns high marks for its distinctive charm, impressive amenities, and strategic downtown location. Housed within the historic 1929 R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company headquarters—a building that notably served as the architectural inspiration for New York City's Empire State Building—the hotel masterfully blends Art Deco grandeur with contemporary boutique luxury.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel holds an impressive overall rating of 8.8 out of 10, often being celebrated as the #1 hotel in Winston-Salem by sources like US News & World Report. The prevailing sentiment among guests is overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting its exceptional value, state-of-the-art facilities, immaculate cleanliness, convenient location, and outstanding staff performance.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about the hotel's unique character and extensive offerings. Its rich Art Deco design, evident from the preserved "RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company" signage on the exterior to the stylish metal-plated elevators and whimsical embroidered portraits of Founding Fathers on hallway rugs, creates an unforgettable atmosphere. A significant draw is the lively basement recreation room, featuring a two-lane bowling alley, basketball court, ping pong, foosball tables, and even a spiral slide. The daily complimentary wine social, held from 5:00 to 6:00 PM, is a beloved tradition that fosters a convivial environment. The hotel is also exceptionally pet-friendly, welcoming animals of all sizes and breeds without additional charge, and even offers "loaner goldfish" for guests missing a companion. Its central downtown Winston-Salem location is frequently praised for providing easy access to the city's vibrant attractions.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at the Kimpton Cardinal are consistently described as meticulously designed, pristine, and profoundly comfortable. Guests can anticipate luxurious finishes, including sumptuously soft Frette linens, and a soothing color palette of cream, black, blue, and brown, often accentuated with vibrant pops of hot pink or turquoise. Distinctive design elements such as lamps suspended by ropes and elegant grey wood armoires that discreetly house mini-fridges and seersucker robes contribute to the boutique appeal. Many rooms boast large windows, offering abundant natural light and views of downtown or the historic J.R. Reynolds smoke stacks, complemented by multiple layers of window coverings for privacy. King Suites provide spacious separate seating areas, often including pullout sofa beds. Bathrooms are typically well-appointed with spa showers, soaking tubs (available in some suites), and luxury bath amenities by Atelier Bloem, with the hotel's commitment to sustainability highlighted by a partnership with Clean The World.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's on-site culinary gem, The Katharine Brasserie & Bar, named after R.J. Reynolds' wife, offers a celebrated dining experience. Its menu cleverly infuses traditional French cuisine with Southern ingredients, served for three meals on weekdays and brunch on weekends. Guests have enthusiastically praised dishes such as Baked Escargot, Roasted Duck Breast, Butcher's Block, Oeuf Mimosa au Foie Gras, Five Spice Duck, and Steak au Poivre. Breakfast options include excellent coffee, Croque Monsieur, and Belgian waffles, with complimentary coffee also available in the lobby lounge each morning. The bar area is described as inviting and well-stocked, and an outdoor patio with heaters allows for al fresco dining. While the food quality is generally very high, some guests have noted that the prices for meals and drinks can be quite expensive.

5. Service & Staff

The staff performance at the Kimpton Cardinal is highly regarded, with an impressive rating of 8.4, often cited as a primary reason for memorable stays. Guests frequently commend the dedicated, attentive, and exceptionally hospitable service, which strikes a balance between friendly and professional. One particular front desk manager, Letia, received a five-star rating for her exceptional attention to detail. However, a few guest reviews have indicated occasional inconsistencies in staff assistance and overall service quality. Employee feedback, while often positive about colleagues and environment, also reveals mixed sentiments regarding management, citing issues with communication and a lack of appreciation in certain instances.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel boasts an "unbeatable" and "excellent" location in the heart of downtown Winston-Salem, earning high ratings between 8.8 and 9.3 for its accessibility. Guests appreciate the ease of access to the city's vibrant cultural scene, rich history, diverse local cuisine, and numerous arts attractions. The hotel is within comfortable walking distance of many unique restaurants and boutique shops. For transportation, valet and overnight parking are available for an additional fee, with discounted parking offered for those dining at The Katharine. The hotel further enhances accessibility by providing cruiser bikes for guests to explore the city.

7. Value & Pricing

Many guests consider the Kimpton Cardinal Hotel to offer "exceptional value for money," particularly for a luxury property. The average room price is approximately $235, which, while higher than the city's average of $135, is generally perceived as justified by the elevated experience provided. Standard room rates typically range from $144 to $362 per night. While the room rates are largely well-received, some patrons have noted that the cost of food and beverages at the hotel's establishments can be expensive. Complimentary Wi-Fi is extended to IHG Rewards Club members, otherwise, a daily fee applies. Valet parking costs $28 per night.

8. Common Complaints

While the Kimpton Cardinal Hotel generally receives glowing reviews, some recurring criticisms exist. These include occasional reports of dissatisfaction with cleanliness issues, despite otherwise high cleanliness ratings. Some guests have noted inconsistencies in staff assistance and service quality, as well as amenities that were not functioning properly. The quality of breakfast has been a point of concern for a few visitors. Furthermore, a notable complaint for some rooms is a constant hum emanating from the hotel's ventilation or air conditioning system, which could potentially disturb light sleepers.

Sources

1. sometimeshome.com
2. hotel-scoop.com
3. michelin.com
4. agoda.com
5. booking.com
6. youtube.com
7. globaltravelerusa.com
8. misadventureswithandi.com
9. indeed.com
10. kayak.com
11. indeed.com