Tucked just minutes from downtown, the Graylyn Estate in Winston-Salem is more than a luxurious hotel. It’s a living storybook and heartbeat of the city, replete with stone walls, manicured gardens, and grand staircases. Once one of the state’s most significant private homes, it now offers any visitor its rare blend of history, elegance, and warm Southern hospitality.
Former president and chairman of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, and his wife, Nathalie Lyons Gray, originally built this estate in the 1930s. Their vision was ambitious and led largely by Nathalie: a stately Norman Revival-style manor complete with hand-carved paneling, ironwork and art imported from Europe, and cutting-edge (for the time) technology such as an electric dumbwaiter and a telephone system with intercoms in every room. After Bowman’s untimely death, the estate passed through several incarnations and even underwent a devastating fire. This was all before being lovingly restored and reopened as a boutique hotel and event venue. Plenty of the original bones, from tile and tubs to furniture, remain, making Graylyn feel like a rare opportunity to stay in a museum.
Today, Wake Forest University owns and operates the estate, and its profits go to fund scholarships and academic programs. The main house rests amid formal gardens, centuries-old oaks, and winding walking paths. Guests can stroll past a reflecting pool, relax by the fire in one of the estate’s many cozy nooks, or borrow a complimentary bicycle to explore the grounds. All 55-acres are perfectly manicured and maintained, and locals often jog, walk their dogs, or simply enjoy the beauty of this unique place that is clearly central to Winston-Salem’s spirit.
Where History Sleeps in Style
Inside, the Graylyn Estate in Winston-Salem is a delightful mix of opulence and comfort. Each of the 85 guest rooms is uniquely decorated, often with those original furnishings. I stayed in “Aunt Polly’s” former room. It was both spacious and cozy with a beautiful marble fireplace and a luxurious bathroom. Aunt Polly, the real family member, was responsible for helping to raise the Gray children. Now, there are homages throughout the estate, not just with the room, but with “Aunt Polly’s Paloma” on the cocktail menu.
You’ll find these thoughtful nods throughout the hotel. Interested guests can take it as an invitation to dive deeper, which plenty of the hotel’s staff are happy to assist with. The Butler Tour really allows you to dive in. A staff member with expertise on all elements of the home will show you each hidden gem that Graylyn contains, from Bowman’s personal office to the indoor pool room and tucked away staff staircases.
You can also dine on-site. Enjoy breakfast in a sunlit room where large windows overlook the gardens. And don’t pass up dinner, which leans heavily on local ingredients. Downstairs, you can find the Grille Room, a full bar that also serves bites in a more relaxed setting.
Graylyn also plays host to weddings, corporate retreats, and cultural events, yet never loses its intimate charm. No matter what’s happening on the grounds, it’s easy to imagine the Grays themselves sitting by the fireplace, sipping sherry, surrounded by the elegance they so carefully curated. The staff, many of whom have been with Graylyn for years, treat guests more like returning family than one-time visitors.
There’s a gentle, transporting quality to staying at Graylyn. It’s due in no small part to the quiet whispering of another era at nearly every turn. Modern life seems to pause here, allowing time to unfurl more slowly.
Whatever the reason, Graylyn isn’t just a place to stay—it’s a place built to remember.
