By: Caroline Kilgallen
https://www.tripadvisor.com/HotelsList-Winston_Salem-Downtown-Hotels-zfp11071.html
As downtown-Winston Salem develops as a spot for entertainment, meetings, conventions, and events, the number of hotels downtown has increased to meet the demand of overnight visitors. Hotel developers have responded to this demand, with five new hotels opening since 2016 with over 120 rooms in each hotel.
The developments and growth of downtown answer the question of why people choose to stay downtown during their visit; downtown hotel accommodations offer convenience and ease for visitors seeking the local offerings.
Hotel companies saw the pattern of development in downtown Winston-Salem and wanted to be a part of it. With newer hotels such as the Cardinal Kimpton, Courtyard Marriott, Hampton Inn and Suites, and Hotel Indigo, visitors have been able to enjoy overnight accommodations while being within walking distance to their downtown event or location of choice. The Cardinal Kimpton’s opening in 2016 was largely due to Kimpton’s recognition of the growing downtown community of Winston-Salem. Similarly, Hotel Indigo emerged in 2019 in order to put to use a historical building in downtown Winston-Salem, while also celebrating the area’s revitalization and recent growth.
“People aren’t coming to our downtown just because we have hotels. It’s the growth of downtown that has driven people to stay at our hotels,” said Richard Geiger, President of Visit Winston Salem. Geiger notes that while individuals may appreciate the accommodations downtown, they are coming to Winston-Salem for other offerings and are staying at downtown hotels for convenience.
Recent downtown Winston-Salem visitor,Austin Smith commented on a Facebook group question that he and his wife chose to stay at the Cardinal Kimpton on 4th street last June. Smith explained that “we decided to stay there rather than an Airbnb because we wanted a central location… staying downtown is usually a good bet when visiting a city.”
The recently developed downtown hotels are near several dining establishments. Since 87 percent of visitors, according to Geiger’s research, seek to experience downtown dining, they are often motivated to book hotel accommodations that are convenient to the downtown restaurant scene.
“I’m staying at the Marriott on 4th street this week because I have a few meetings I need to attend, but also I want to be close to the restaurants and coffee shops! I’m excited for my dinner at Sir Winston tonight and I know I’ll want to grab a coffee at Camino in the morning. It’s nice to be able to just walk to these spots,” Marriott guest Leigh Pollard said.
Another recent visitor of downtown Winston- Salem, Andrew Charles, communicated to a Winston-Salem Facebook group that “people come in for business and the downtown hotels provide a safe, efficient way for people to walk to restaurants, bars, and clubs. It’s easy to say that hotels have always been there, but it’s about answering the question of why.”
“There are several things in Winston-Salem that are driving people to the hotel market, such as wineries, sporting events and conventions” Geiger notes.
Christie Kuzma, a Charlotte resident but frequent visitor to Winston Salem, always stays at the Marriott on Cherry Street and observes that it’s always “really busy whenever I’ve stayed there. I think that last time I was there they hosted families for a dance event in Winston-Salem.”
There are multiple reasons that visitors are drawn to Winston-Salem. Geiger’s research supports that a primary need for downtown hotel rooms is for corporate and business travelers.
Geiger’s research explains that business travelers tend to make up a considerable percentage of downtown hotel occupancies as they want to be close to the locations of their meetings and professional events. Visit Winston-Salem’s website outlines that downtown has multiple spaces for professional gatherings and meetings, including the Benton Convention Center which is notably used for large business meetings and conferences.
