Kimpton Cardinal Hotel

I write reviews because I read reviews for almost every place I visit, as well as the services and products I use. Consumer assessments contribute to my hypothesis :0) I read the Kimpton Cardinal wasn’t necessarily in a scenic area—we’ve stayed at properties with better views, but the artistic interior and building history made up for it! It was like being in an art gallery, with all the brass, gold, and designer architecture. As native New Yorkers, it was fascinating to stay in the building that served as the prototype for the Empire State Building. The building also features a bowling alley and other recreational activities. We received a warm welcome and send-off from staff like Lydia/Lena (I apologize for not remembering her name; she is an African American woman with long braids and a bubbly attitude!). Some residents live on the upper levels. We requested a room away from the train line, so it was quiet. The room was spotless, spacious, with a comfy bed, and plenty of amenities (no microwave). We visited a restaurant in the area, but there is one onsite (The Katharine Brasserie & Bar). We will explore the neighborhood on our next visit. We had a wonderful stay!

We had our wedding lunch and stayed at the Kimpton Cardinal, and everything was wonderful from start to finish. The staff were so adaptable and genuinely wanted to meet us where we were with our plans. It’s such a cool, historic building if you’re looking for a space with character and charm. They offered so many great options for how to host our lunch — we ended up choosing the 20th floor, which was perfect. Every staff member we interacted with, from Kelsey during the planning to everyone we met during our stay, was amazing. Highly recommend!

Checked in on a Friday, front desk staff was friendly, room was clean, when requesting items to the room there we a couple of miscommunications in which I had to call down twice for a shower cap, waited for a while and then ended up having to go down and just ask for one. Then asked for a hair dryer and curling iron and got a hair straightener instead. No big deal. Location wise- it’s certainly very historical and cool but also got some characters walking around nearby. Can’t complain just say that I got a few interesting shows in for free. A little mad that they downplayed the game room they have downstairs. Once we found out there was a bowling alley in the basement we went and enjoyed it on our last day before check out. We did not get to eat a thing at the hotel but I will say that I was surprised that they didn’t offer very many casual dining options (like even kids options would have worked) through room service. We ended up using uber eats twice when we would have totally enjoyed not having to leave our room. Valet staff was attentive and didn’t put a scratch on our car but they did move my seat. (But I’d rather they move my seat than scratch my car). Also weird side note- there was only one robe in our room that slept 4. We were a party of 2. Would have expected at least 2 robes in each room.

Hotel and amenities are amazing Katharine bar & restaurant is wonderful. We enjoyed cocktails at the bar. Sinner and then met business colleagues for coffee & breakfast. Fitness and Rec room is phenomenal Looking forward to returning.

Excellent customer service. Shout out to the valet who brought my phone from the car before I even realized I had left it in there. Lobby and room decor were fitting for the price, and an overall excellent atmosphere. Slightly slow elevators on occasion, but not unacceptable.

Had a great stay at the Kimpton while attending my best friend’s wedding. Dave at the front desk is incredible!! Helped me with a last minute wedding emergency and was friendly, calming and polite while I was an anxious mess. The hotel is beautiful and hope to stay here again.

The room we got was very small with barely enough room between the desk and bed to use the chair. The AC shut off at midnight no matter what making the room extremely hot. I was excited for the game room and all the options only to find the bowling alley was broke the entire week we were there. The arcade game was broken beyond use, and the basketball was flat. The hotel restaurant was good but very over priced, 39.00 for Risotto that was good but nothing special. 1 person in my group had some one come in the room multiple times with the do not disturb sign up. Over all would not recommend.

Our experience at the Kimpton was night and day from the other IHG hotel down the street. The staff were extremely pleasant, professional and accommodating. Our room was well equipped and clean and the amenities (including happy hour, game floor and restaurant) make it absolutely worth it. Will definitely be visiting again!

Friendly staff, nice room and great bar! Everyone was very friendly and accommodating. The free wine (and beer) hour was terrific!

Christmas decor was gorgeously laid out as always and pleased to say the valet was amazing too. Kindness is free, you don't have to be unprofessional to guest to communicate. Two rude and strained encounters with the same associate checking in really left us exhausted and disappointed in the communication style and approach.

First time staying at this hotel, but was excited b/c we stayed at an amazing Kimpton the night before in VA. Unfortunately this hotel did not live up to my Kimpton hopes - lacking service, rooms in disrepair. The hotel is located in the heart of downtown, not far from Wake Forest if you're there for a visit/tour. Valet was fine - congested area but they made it work. Check-in was okay - friendly..ish. Were unable to put our room next to our friends but that was no big deal. Went to the room to get settled in and was surprised by the quality/disrepair of the room. Both beds had several rips in the duvet, hair in the bathroom, rust in the shower, big cracks in the sink, room signage was dirty. Kind of grossed me out that they were so lacking on their upkeep. Got a text from Kenya at the front desk about 1/2 hr after getting into the room asking how everything was so I let them know there about issues of cleanliness and disrepair. Crickets.....they never called, wrote back, followed up. All of these issues, including the lack of follow-up simply point to poor management/leadership. Whomever is in charge of the employees is not doing a good job. There was a "happy hour" in the side room sitting area in the evening, which was fine. Nothing exciting and no vibe. Didn't eat at the hotel - ventured out instead. The one really cool thing about the hotel was the rec room, which is downstairs. Really awesome area to hang out in the evening before/after dinner. They have a small basketball court, couple bowling lanes (not as good as real bowling but still fun), pool table, foosball, shuffle board and ping pong. It's really a neat area that would be enjoyable to adults, teens, families. Unfortunately parents seemed to be dumping their little ones off there to play. Aside from a slide (not sure if it's there as a novelty or for kids who are there with parents), it wasn't really a little kids unsupervised type place. At least 3 sets of kids (all under 10yo) came running down the stairs while their parents left saying "behave yourself". At that point ping pong balls were all over, paddles were all over, the kids were screaming and it was no longer fun. I would NOT recommend this hotel to others or return next time I'm in the area.

Hotel has no concept for service or etiquette. Staff at reception and bar were rude for no reason. Had really bad attitude. The food was good at the restaurant, note we ate in the lobby so I can't comment on service. The restaurant manager - name is "CT" is a poor version of Dwight from the "Office" full of excuses and could not manage simply requests for cutlery or plates for dinner. Ate out of paper boxes. Would I return- no it is overpriced for the poor experience. So if you are ready to pay 300 a night, lug your own bags and being treated rudely go for it.

Bad bad bad. Do not try to work for this company. It's all a waist of time. They don't make you feel valued or heard. The whole process it's broken from top to bottom. People from the home office do not care who you are and how long you are waiting to hear for an answer. I have worked for many hotels and I have been through so many hiring process but never experienced anything like this. I REPEAT, THIS IS A COMPANY with a lot of turmoil, with no empathy or care for others. HOTEL is poorly rated from a guest stand point as you can see on yelp but also how it's managed within. Go else where to eat, stay or work. This company has no sense of professionalism whatsoever. PLEASE I INVITE YOU TO READ ALL OTHER COMMENTS ON YELP AND SEE THE TRUTH.

Super deceptive in terms of pricing...the way they charge stuff to the room was not explained at all and then they charge you crazy amount of money for it. Sucks.

Overall, the rooms are comfortable and the service is great. Room service food was good too. We paid almost $100/night extra for a Premium Exterior View and ended up with a view of the back of a parapet wall and some office windows across the street, so be careful about paying extra for a view. I talked to the front desk about it and was told I should have said something sooner and offered 10% off my room service. The surrounding block or two are office buildings, not a tourist feel, if that's what you are looking for.

I haven't stayed in every hotel in Winston-Salem, but of those I have, this one is my personal favorite. The rooms are very nicely decorated, the beds and bedding are super comfortable and the staff could not be nicer. I love that it's in a historic building that served as a model for the Empire State Building as well. Parking is in a garage nearby, but there is valet service. There is also a really nice French bistro style restaurant on the first level.

We just spent 4 nights at the Kimpton Cardinal while on a soccer boondoggle, and the stay was exceptional. The property features unique architecture and art deco flourishes that really made the stay unique. Our room was exceptionally-clean, and all furnishings were upscale and very comfortable. The air conditioner kept our room perfectly cool, and we never heard a single sound bleed through from other rooms. WIFI and working spaces worked flawlessly on the day I had to spend "in the office". My only complaint about the room would be the lackluster view, which was due to an unlucky room assignment in that regard. My son and his teammates absolutely loved the underground recreation center, and they put in some serious hours lifting weights and shooting baskets. This was one of the coolest rec amenities I've ever seen at a hotel. Parking was a little weird, but it turned out to be very good and affordable compared to most downtown hotels. The area is phenomenal with wonderful food, drink, and entertainment options short walks away. We barely needed a car. Just tread carefully around the bus station after dark. Finally, service, from the front desk to the Katharine, was befitting a luxury property. We absolutely loved everything and would happily stay here again.

Very nice renovation of the old RJR building into Kimpton hotel and condo. Stayed for two nights while on business in the area. Bed was comfortable and nice. Room was stylish and good enough internet for streaming meetings. Everything worked. Nice bath. Big windows. Plenty of plugs and lamps. Vallet and reception on point. Only negative is pandemic cutback related as restaurant is only room service until dinner and shorter hours. Coffee is not as good as other Kimpton hotels. I will stay again.

This upscale hotel is conveniently right in downtown Winston-Salem in a beautiful, historic art deco building. The valet service was quick and polite with no issues, and the hotel itself is stunning. Our room was extremely clean and no detail was overlooked. The mini fridge was fully stocked with liquor and mixers, and there was a drawer full of snacks. The bed was comfy, the a/c was cold, and the bathtub/wet room was our favorite part. Well, second favorite part. The best part was the room service from the Katharine Brasserie downstairs. Everything from breakfast to dinner to dessert was outstanding. This hotel is a destination unto itself!

Mold. Mildew in bathroom Not clean Our view was worse , HVAC roof view for a very expensive price

What a classy hotel in downtown Winston-Salem! It's at a great locations just walking distance from bars and restaurants! The I side of this hotel is one of a kind! They have an indoor basketball court, an amazing gym, a gaming room and a nice lounge area with a big screen TV. Very cool and unique hotel!

The Hotel double charged me and refuses to refund me. This is what happened.... I made an online reservation. I also did an online check-in. When I arrived at the hotel I gave the person at the front desk my name. For some reason they gave me a brand new reservation and a brand new check in. I assumed I was just getting the keys for my online check in. When I noticed the double charge. I called the hotel and they said that because the old reservation had been checked in online and never cancelled, they can not refund me. I don't understand why the front desk would give me a new reservation. They had my name and ID. Shouldn't that be enough to look up an online reservation? As for the room itself. It was decent. However, a dirty maid rag was left on the floor. The bathroom floor also felt sticky as if it was sprayed with some sort of cleaning spray but never wiped up.

I love this hotel. My team stays here when we're all in town for work. The staff are super friendly and helpful. The rooms are very clean. The basement adult playground is fantastic. There are always pets in the lobby. I've only been here in the summer, so there are times when the sheets feel damp at the end of the day. That's because NC in July is humid like a rain forest. I also recommend calling ahead for directions to the correct parking garage. Otherwise you could find yourself on an adventure in a bit so great part of downtown. Better yet, use valet especially late at night. Overall, I'd stay here on a non-work trip anytime.

Checked into the Kimpton this week for a work trip and ended up at another hotel down the street. I booked for the boutique and luxury experience. I was disgusted with the level of cleanliness in the rooms. If I could see this, what could I not see? Pricy does not always mean clean... and luxury is a term that is used loosely at the Kimpton. I checked in and the first room had toothpaste slung across the walls. There were food crumbs all over the phone, and piles of dust and hair in the armoire. I called the front desk; she came to provide me keys after 20 minutes of waiting in my dirty room for her to arrive. She gave me new keys, and the 2nd room was worst than the first. I was disgusted at this one. There was an abundance of pubic hair on the toilet seat, which accompanied the feces in the bowl nicely. There were no tissues in the dispenser and there was a white creamy spatter on the shower glass. I called again she and her manager came back up. He started to inspect the toilet, and in a way implied the hair might be mine. After assuring him it was not mine, he told me the spatter was water, I then told him it was not water; I said that water was clear not creamy white. He explained the design of the glass shower was going to show smears and spatter because it was so close to the sink. I agreed, however not when a new guest arrives should there be leftover from the prior guest. He and the front desk lady went to get a 3rd set of keys and then to view the room prior to me arriving in it. He was gone for a while, I tossed in the towel as it had been an hour of this nonsense. I went to another hotel and I was pleased (the Marriot). There was no offering of compensation and even charged me the full amount after being told It would not be charged; so, I get to deal with that as well. Do yourself a favor - in this case ... just don't. It looks cute and they have nice décor, but the staff and housekeeping are not up to par.

Hotel- Kimpton Cardinal Hotel (Winston-Salem, NC) Date- 30july2021 - 1aug2021 (2 nights) Overall: 5/5 Excellent. We always enjoy coming to this property. The staff and restaurant are excellent, and although the building itself is a bit older, features like the basement recreation room and expansive fitness center more than make up for the shortcoming. I always look forward to my next visit. Rewards Club Recognition- 5/5. Excellent. We were verbally thanked for our loyalty, and our room was upgraded. We were offered either 600 Welcome amenity points or the $10 Raid-the-bar credit, which could be used toward the restaurant or toward the 'bodega,' which contains the usual minibar items at the front desk. A 4pm late checkout was proactively offered for our tier of loyalty. The social password was good for a small bag containing a soda, a small whiskey, some popcorn, and a coffee bean treat. A dessert and bottle of wine was present in the room as our 'Inner Circle Welcome Amenity.' We felt like genuinely valued customers at this property. Staff- 5/5. Excellent. Letia and Justin consistently deliver a great experience when we are at this property. The two of them, in particular, always address us by name and are eager to ensure we have everything we need to make our stay successful. I always feel we are in good hands when I arrive and see them. Property Appearance & Maintenance- 4/5. Very good. Exterior- 4/5. Very good. The entrance is well branded, and the valet area is clean. Interior- 4/5. Very good. The edifice itself is older, but the upkeep is very good. The lobby is clean and inviting. All elevators and lighting were functional. Select baseboards in the hallways could be cleaned up, as could some of the spots on the carpeting. Accommodations- 4/5. Very good. We were assigned a one-bedroom king spa suite, and we were very happy. The view looked out at the old Reynolds Tobacco smokestacks, which was very nice. We have been in rooms on other corners of the building, but this view was the best we have had yet. The room was as advertised on the chain and hotel websites. The bed was comfortable, but the pillows were a bit flat. The extra pillows and coffee maker we had requested were not in the room, but the front desk eagerly had them delivered as soon as we reminded them. The bathroom was spacious and inviting. Housekeeping- 5/5. Excellent. The room was very clean. Bedding was in good condition, and the bathroom was pristine. The carpet was clean and in reasonable repair; very few stains were present. All toiletry items (shampoo, conditioner, soap, toilet paper, facial tissues, etc.) were all provided in a supply adequate for the length of our stay. Pool/Gym- 5/5. While there is no pool at this property, the fitness center is expansive, and there is a recreation room in the basement. While you won't be making a splash, you can play basketball, foosball, pool, ping pong, go down a slide, or even go bowling. One of two bowling lanes was out of service, but everything else functioned well. Breakfast/Meal Options- 5/5. Excellent. In addition to the bodega set up at the front desk, the Kimpton signature social/wine hour proceeds as usual from 5p until 6p in the lobby, and complementary coffee is available in the mornings. The restaurant is open for breakfast (or brunch on the weekends) and dinner. The food is stellar. Love the escargot at this restaurant. Laundry- not evaluated. A laundry bag and pricing sheet were present in the closet, and pricing was appropriate. Computer/Printer/WiFi- 5/5. Excellent. The WiFi signal was strong throughout the hotel, and streaming was smooth and uninterrupted. Other- Pandemic Operations: staff members followed the Kimpton Approach to Clean and IHG Clean promise advertised on the hotel website. Staff members who were visible or customer facing wore masks over the nose and mouth while inside the building, and sanitizing stations and social distancing markers were present.

Well, Kimpton Cardinal has stepped up their game from my last visit one year ago. I had to check it out to see if the previous issues were do to Covid and I believe they were. The place is spotless, fantastic service with a smile and delicious food. I travel quite a bit for work and I raise my score to five stars, good job!

After a couple unremarkable hotel stays recently, the Kimpton Cardinal restored my faith! Seriously, there was so much I loved about this hotel. Housed in the historic Reynolds Building, it's smack dab in the middle of downtown, nearby plenty of restaurants and bars. Besides the regal entry and lobby, the rooms are a very nice size with all the amenities you need. Combine that with complimentary wine hour and a basement with a SLIDE, pool, shuffleboard, basketball court and BOWLING LANES, there's so much fun to be had! The Katharine is the restaurant downstairs and it's super convenient for any meal and also room service. I ordered Caesar salad and French onion soup one night and it was actually delicious (and delivered quickly!). The bed itself was so comfy and very hard to leave in the mornings. I've always liked the Kimpton shampoo and conditioner offerings, especially how they're in big bottles. The room also had a mini bar fully stocked with snacks and drinks, including local offerings. I went to the gym one morning. It's really big and has so much equipment to play around with. The treadmills are a little outdated but worked fine enough. They also have Peloton bikes, if you're a cycler and into those, as well as towels and headphones! There's valet for $22 a night or you can park in the church parking garage behind the hotel. While I was there for the weekend, I didn't have to pay. I would stay here again no questions asked!

Visit date 12/21/2019 - would I stay again?? The answer is at the bottom.... This a is very nice elegant upscale hotel. I don't know the history of this hotel but Im sure this hotel was build in the 1950's (just guessing) the first hint is the building frame and its heavy golden door upon entering. The staff at check-in was very nice, helpful and friendly. Very welcoming!! ROOM PROS: The rooms are really nice! The beds was comfortable! And I love the shower! ROOM CONS: We found hair (and it did not look like hair from a someone head either) and a dead bug on one of the bed when we first got in the room. We was talking to another guess and he had a problem with room cleanness before as well. The front desk staff give us a free glass of wine and another room. The room( both of them) had a old smell to it (as soon as we got off the elevator you could smell it) INSIDE: REALLY NICE Decor! The restaurant and bar was AWESOME!! The bar have TV and hour seafood bar! Downstairs they have a WHOLE GAME ROOM... with the a bowling ally, games, more TV's and a basketball court perfect for kids. This hotel is VERY PET FRIENDLY! Good for pet lover and pet owners. I have NEVER stayed at a hotel and seen that many guest with dogs. I thought this was a doggie hotel. It had me thinking what kind of bug was that on our bed?? Having that many dogs they need to be A+ with cLeaning!!!!!!! So would I stay again? No I would not! This is a nice hotel but to be honest it's just way too many pets for me and like I said cleaning is a MUST ESPECIALLY WITH ALL THEM PETS!

So here's the thing, I would have given the hotel 5 stars, it's a great location, it had an awesome bar and game room for all ages, however, I got a case of bug bites all over my body! I informed the hotel staff and they claimed to check the room and found nothing however when I went back none of the sheets were disrupted and there were no signs that any thing had been checked. They eventually switched my room on the last night of stay. Be careful for fleas, bed bugs or whatever else thy could have caused by bites! Also the shower only has a half door and water gets everywhere!

It all started with the front door, very responsive to our needs and valet service was excellent throught our stay. Check-in was simple and efficient, front entrance definitely makes a statement! Room was very clean, turn down service - loved it - also liked the views too. We forgot a couple items, they sent some up to our room right away, thanks! Having The Katharine restaurant and bar was awesome, a little expensive but we are right downtown too. Food was awesome, drinks excellent and service was very good. Everyone we came in contact with was very customer service oriented, someone has done a good job training and supervising their people. Overall stay was very nice, we'd do it again.

Such a nice place and very cozy. They do welcome fur babies. So you know we had to stay here. It wasn't my first time here, all the more reason I had to revisit. Again, the view was a little subpar. Our window faced a HVAC unit and a parking garage across the street so nothing really amazing there. The customer service always gets me though. From the front desk to valets. They really know how to help out. I'd call the valet to bring my car up before I get down to the lobby and it's already there. I could call for more pillows or towels and within 5-10 minutes it would arrive. My stay was hands down, one of the best hotel stays I've had in a long time.

I stayed at the Kimpton Cardinal Hotel for a family wedding. I didn't stay with the wedding party room block, but i did ask to be near some of the family staying there if possible. (They did accommodate me on a floor near other family members). The room was perfect! Very big, two Queen beds. Beautiful bathroom, two robes, an iron and ironing board. I thought the beds were very comfortable and slept great. The staff were very pleasant & helpful with questions regarding the area. However, when calling down to the front desk to ask for more towels or toilet paper, etc.. they never followed through. During my stay housekeeping would not clean your room until you were checked out. I even asked if I could leave for the day and pay for someone to clean my room. Numerous times I had to ask for more towels or toilet paper. There was a wonderful housekeeper on my floor and anytime I saw her she'd ask if I needed anything. I thought that was very nice, especially since she's busy cleaning all these empty rooms that people just left. The game room: absolutely wonderful. It was so nice to take my son (4) down to the game room and let him burn off energy. All of the amenities in the game room are free. Bowling, basketball, pool table, so much fun! There's also a gym in the basement too. Overall, I really enjoyed this hotel and thought it was nice and comfortable.

We decided to spend a night here, check out what the old RJR Building had become, and to grab an evening meal at Katharine's. We arrived a little after 5 PM, pulled to the curb at the Valet Parking area, and they took care of everything else - unloaded the car, took everything to our room, and did everything but unpack for us. We registered, went to the big area just past the desk that they refer to as their "Living Room", for a complimentary glass of wine and some soft music - really nice and relaxing! We headed up to our room on the 4th floor, and when we entered, we were blown away! Our room was huge, and beautiful - it was a Double Queen Studio, 450-500 Sq Ft, packaged at $219. There was an small entrance way a with stand alone clothes chest, and a small seating area to the far right with a couch and a large screen TV on the wall facing the couch. The center of the room contained two attractive queen size beds, each loaded with pillows, with another large screen TV opposite. The bathroom area was also huge, with the largest tub I've seen in a hotel (small people would require a flotation device), and a very nice shower area. The beds were very comfortable, and the room was incredibly quiet, it was as if we were totally alone in the building. Both the tub and the shower were nearly perfect. The only negative was that we had to pay $12.99 for WiFi (and even then could only get one computer to connect), that's just gouging for a hotel of this type! Just a note: apparently there is no automatic check out with a bill slipped under the door - bit of a pain in the old tush! All in all the positives very much out weighted the negatives. This is one of the most attractive hotels in the state!

Beautiful hotel! I probably would have appreciated my stay more if I was an IHG member, but for the couple of nights I was in town, it was a pleasant stay. I worked out in the fitness center in the basement (which was a little remote and kind of creepy now that I think about it) and a giant glass mirror actually un-adhered from the wall and almost fell on top of me while on the treadmill. Thankfully my reaction time was quick enough to spare me an emergency room visit and a law suit against IHG. However, I didn't feel like a couple complimentary beverages were an appropriate means for making up for a situation that put a guest's safety in jeopardy.

I took advantage of a Kimpton Karma offer which included a food/beverage credit to check out this renovation of the old RJ Reynolds building. Kimpton has worked their design magic again and made a wonderfully chic, modern space in the lobby area, while still keeping the art deco metalwork in the elevator space. Check-in staff was super-helpful and perky and confirmed my rate package right up front. (There is valet parking, and also a pay-as-you-go lot behind the building on Church St. The rates said $9 per day in the lot, but when I left, all the gates were open and no one was staffing the booths, so I ended up parking there for free. Don't tell.) I had a corner room (tall windows on two sides, so lots of light, but the blackout drapes were good). It was a Spa King, so it had a large freestanding tub with a separate shower, but all enclosed in the same tiled space. The room was sleek and comfortable, with a tall armoire housing plenty of hanging space, plus a nicely-stocked minibar. There were lots of the little details that make Kimpton properties so distinctive, such as one nightstand that appeared to be suspended from ropes in the ceiling and bathroom wallpaper with a light stenciling of the hotel's namesake bird. It would have been nice if the chair had an ottoman, but that's a quibble. Also, the only ice machine is on the second floor. My only other real issue was that the water in the tub and shower didn't get really hot. It was OK for a quick bathe, but probably too tepid for a long soak in the tub. Had a good experience at Katharine, the bistro which takes up most of the lobby area. They make a great filet with a nice outer crust and butter-soft inside. There are plenty of local businesses in walking distance. I enjoyed an afternoon stop at Small Batch Beer quite a lot, and an evening stop at Tate's Craft Cocktails a little less so (perfunctory bartender, drinks too sweet for me).

Checking in is made effortless by the well run valet service out front of the hotel. Your bags will be unloaded and carried inside while you head through the heavy brass doors into the chic lobby. I found the front desk to be helpful through my entire stay! Check in was quick and I was up in my room in no time. I ended up needing an extra robe and towels at different points and both times they were quick with response times. The rooms have a Calvin Klein vibe. Very modern with masculine touches like leather pulls for handles on the dresser and armoire. The bed linens felt fresh and clean. It was the kind of hotel room I felt totally comfortable walking around barefoot in. Having a gorgeous restaurant (the Katharine) attached doesn't hurt! I felt completely safe staying here during this pandemic. My two best girlfriends all desperately needed a night away from being "locked down" for so many months now and had a great time staying here. I can't wait to stay again soon!

So what y'all wanna do? Wanna be bowlin' ballers, shot callers, sprawlers? Then, stay here! I mean, half of this property is basic plated in gooooooold. *In my Goldmember voice* Seriously though, this has got to my one of the most expansive and impressive Kimpton properties that I've stayed at. We're talking spawlin' ballin'. Outside of the complimentary access to a private bowling alley, basketball court and adult playroom (now, now keep it rated G) the the property is spotless and stylish. Imagine kind of like a sophisticated and refined modern man/woman-cave with contemporary accents. The restaurant and bar on the property are top notch as well. Plus the staff here is the absolute most welcoming and helpful. Every time I enter the lobby, I'm greeted with the most sincere warmth and enthusiasm, which definitely makes you feel like a home away from home. And the price is right! (But then again, you're a ballin'!)

If you have never stayed at a Kimpton Hotel you must! And the Cardinal did not disappoint. The building is the original location for RJ Reynolds corporate offices. I believe the building was constructed circa 1920 and Kimpton team did all they could to keep to the original style of the building, if not the original flooring, millwork, etc. now let's talk decor - the rooms (no photo sorry) are well appointed, all with views, 14' + ceilings, offering plenty of natural light and the colors of navy with kelly green (although dark) are balanced by the crisp white bedding. The overall aesthetics of the hotel are just lovely.

The Kimpton Cardinal is quite an amazing place - yes, there were some glitches during our stay but the staff totally made up for any issues. First thing you should know - this is a pet/dog friendly hotel, so if you have allergies you may wish to stay somewhere else even though they supposedly have floors/rooms where no pets are allowed. Outside the historic Reynolds building, a valet wearing a snazzy, summery outfit took care of our vehicle. When you the enter the lobby, your first impression is class, composition and great sense of style. To the left - Katharine Brasserie, an excellent restaurant - straight ahead, gorgeous Art Deco shiny silver elevator banks - to the right check in and a lobby seating area lush with fabrics and texture. The hotel had just opened recently (this past summer) and were experiencing glitches with the electronic room key system - the entire system had to be rebooted and maintenance was resetting each door from a laptop. The room we were assigned was a work of art - a large corner room with a décor that managed to encapsulate classic and modern at the same time. The bathroom even had a window, beautiful fixtures and Kohler faucets. We received a welcome platter with nuts, snacks, fudge and a greeting card. The downside was my kids and I both began sneezing, itching, getting watery eyes; eventually one of them had their eyes swell almost shut and had a little trouble breathing (Benadryl to the rescue). There had obviously been a dog in the room at some point (we had requested a no pet room). The front desk quickly moved us to another room on another floor that was supposedly "dog free". It was still very nice, but much smaller than and not nearly as grand as the other. Interestingly enough after moving and going to get on the elevator, someone with a dog in a carriage (I kid you not), got on the elevator. Hey, wait a second - I thought this was a no pet floor????? Each night we were there, there is a soiree/happy hour of sorts in the lobby. A very nice assortment of hors d'oeuvres and wine, all complimentary. The amenities go on and on - sign up for Karma Points and your first $10 from the mini bar are free. There are bikes in the lobby you can borrow, if available. Then once you explore the underground regions - the gym has an amazing set up and assortment of equipment. Did I mention the half basketball court? The pool table, ping pong table or jukebox? How about the two bowling alleys with self-setting pins? What about the one story slide you can go down to get there? All the staff were accommodating and friendly and handled the room move pretty well. Other than being perhaps a little too pet friendly, we had a good visit. My only suggestion would be to make sure that pet vs non pet areas are more strictly maintained for those of us with allergies.

Okay hotel. Great rooms. Good service. The bar and restaurant is great. Seriously inferior technology. When I travel I expect smart tvs or streaming capabilities.

Stayed there November 2017. Normal business trip, checked in, had dinner, went to bed. I was infected with BED BUGS within 20 minutes. I had to fly home and get treatment immediately. After the incident, the hotel never apologized !! Settled out if court $$$ @Christine T - Not sure what room number. Not only will I never stay at any Kimpton Property -I will never go back to that Hick State !

This is an outstanding hotel. And my only complaint was that my stay was too short. Friendly staff, great location and astounding facilities. The Art Deco building is stunning, the decor and amenities were impeccable. The room was quiet and comfortable. They have coffee and tea in the sitting area off the lobby in the morning. And probably the truly best hotel gym I have ever seen. Plus, they had touring bikes (and helmets!) available to use, free of charge. I enjoyed my stay and hope to get back one of these days!

WOW!!! Amazing atmosphere. I will absolutely recommend this place to anyone I can. We ate at the Katherine & Deann and Cameron were the absolute best. Thanks for a wonderful night.

Ok, I had a nasty earache and migraine starting when I got here so I may be kind of crabby. My profile requests a quiet room and I told the desk clerk I wasn't feeling well so wanted to be sure my room was quiet. And it's Wednesday so not a high volume night. First room they gave me had dirty sheets at the door so I called to see if the room was actually ready. They said they would move me. I didn't ask to be moved. I just wanted to know if it was clean. So they moved me to a pet floor. I love dogs and love that hotels take them. When I travel with my dog I expect a more run down room and some not so great smells. Our wonderful pups have accidents sometimes. But I don't have my dog with me and have a heightened sense of smell with my migraine. So I complained. So they gave me another room complete with the noise from a generator. Yep that's posted below. I had seen good reviews and maybe it's just the desk clerk but I won't be back.

The only hotel with a bowling alley in basement along with a b ball court, football, shuffleboard, pool table and ping pong table. Upon check in, there's a bowl of doggie treats for your pooch. Diffused cucumber water in the relaxing lounge area. The cool hip Art Deco/retro vibe when RJ Reynolds was king of the land. Busy restaurant which I did not partake. Rooms had sliding barn doors and luxurious soaps and shampoos. If I could come back I would. Valet parking $22.

I stayed here with my boyfriend valentines day weekend when there was a power outage. The building is gorgeous. The hotel rooms are nice and it felt super luxe. The Hotel restaurant was EXCELLENT. However, the whole trip was completely ruined because the one thing we wanted after dealing with the power outage was a hot shower.... THERE WAS NO HOT WATER!!!!!! I tried to take a warm shower several times. Even in the MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT (no seriously I set my alarm to wake up and try to take a hot shower). We had to take freezing cold showers. The luxurious feels we got from our stay were instantly diminished by that one necessity being completely inaccessible. We complained to the hotel and they gave us a slight discount but truly not enough to make our stay worth it. NO HOT WATER?!!!! Ridiculous.

The Cardinal is a great option in Winston Salem, specially if you are traveling with a dog. It is a member of the Kimpton Hotels. The historical Art Deco building, once the RJ Reynolds headquarters has been remodeled with modern design, preserving the building's character. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. The bathrooms are luxurious with marble floors and high end hardware. The highlight is the entertainment areas. They have a two lane bowling alley, a basketball court, ping pong, foosball, a pool table, a tube slide from one floor to another. The gym is also much better than most hotel gyms. The adjacent restaurant, Katharine, is a brasserie with a traditional menu with some local highlights. We ate there one evening and also ordered breakfast in bed one morning. What really makes me want to come back and be loyal to the Kimpton brand is their pet friendliness. They don't charge pet fees or deposits, and are fully prepared to welcome furry guests. They brought a dog bed and bowls to the room. Have dog treats at check in/lobby. The restaurant has a dog friendly patio as well. Well done!

We stopped here for a quick lunch! We had taken our boat so we docked and walked over here, we were immediately seated. And I was surprised they were acting like it was a five star luxury restaurant!! Amazing service! Amazing food! And an amazing x5 view! This building is ADA compliant because they have an elevator!

Aesthetically beautiful but worn out and not clean. This is my 3rd time staying here. When it was first opened it was immaculate. Last time I was here about 1.5 years ago it was showing wear and definitely not as clean. I thought maybe they were changing management. Came back again because it truly is a beautiful hotel. Same thing worn out and not clean. My daughter got the robe out of the bag and there was hair and makeup on it. Last stay for us. I've stayed in other Kimpton's that were well worth the money.

Update from 2 stars to 3 "The" financial issue was 100% on Expedia... still think it can be sooo much better but right now morale everywhere is tough and they are doing the best they can. Tough time, lots of potential I would stay again now knowing how messed up reservation and payment system is..

Room type: King Premium (not the King Suite). King bed, walk-in shower with separate soaker tub. Tl;dr: Hotel had a great aesthetic, staff was friendly. Bathroom was great, but overall room was just adequate or a little below. Glad we stayed, but the improvements that need to be made combined with the price point would prevent us from staying again. Early 30s millennials, if that helps put this review into any perspective for you. Hotel: Cool 1920s/30s art deco vibe in the lobby and hallways. Layout of the first floor gave it a busy feeling, but in a nice communal way and not in a congested way. In the morning there's a complimentary coffee bar downstairs, a nice touch. Despite this freebie, the place ultimately gives you a feeling of being nickel-and-dimed that is unattractive. See more below. Staff: Check-in/out staff were very warm and welcoming. Dining: We ordered in-room breakfast from the in-house hotel restaurant, The Katharine, as a splurge. On a separate occasion we'd eaten at the Katharine and both of us had gotten sick (Salmon Benedict for both of us), so we avoided any egg dishes this time. We both ordered the waffle ($15), which was good, if not a bit overly sweet and too scant on the strawberries, and a small pitcher of coffee ($8; serves 4 cups). The real problem here is that they charge a 20% service fee AND a $5 delivery fee. There was no "pick-up" selection on the in-room ordering card, though again we were looking to treat ourselves so we wouldn't have opted for it had the option been there. We would normally tip 20% on a bill anyway, so one of the surcharges needs to go, and it should really be the delivery fee. Calling it a "delivery" to go from the lobby to the third floor and just off the elevator is a stretch. The fee is undeserved. Room: Immediate impression was that the room was a bit small, but it did have everything we needed, if only everything worked as intended. Cleanliness was a B+. Potato chip remnant on one side of the bed and old travel lotion bottle on the floor under the bathroom vanity. Bathroom was otherwise, thankfully, spotless. The biggest disappointment about the room was its view. In a building with floors into the double-digits, we expected to be on an upper floor with a nice city view. Instead it seems they did a disservice to guests paying a premium for non-standard rooms, since we were only situated on the third floor and the one window looked directly into an office building where people were working. We kept the curtains closed. The rest of the issues discussed below should not go unmentioned, but such a poor view is definitely one of the more egregious complaints I have. Bed - Note that although a king bed is provided, it is a weird extended California king mattress. So, it's narrower than a standard king, which we noticed right away and at first made us believe we'd been given a room with a queen bed; and it's also cartoonishly long. I'd gladly trade the extra length for the missing width that I expect from a king size mattress. Pillows didn't have much structure and just kind of sank under you. Bathroom - Oversized in the best way. Half of the bathroom is a splash room with shower and separate extra deep soaker tub in the middle. This was honestly the reason we chose this room, since most hotels are doing away with tubs, and they certainly don't offer something this luxurious. The bathroom garners major points for the room where it is otherwise very lacking. Amenities - Severe missteps abound. Room temperature continued to rise throughout the day, up to 75deg, despite air conditioning being set in the upper 60s. Other reviews mention similar issues with the A/C, which is partly to be expected in an old building retrofitted with air conditioning. It's still not acceptable, though. The minifridge, likewise, probably did not get below 50deg, rendering it mostly useless. There are USB charging ports at bedside and built into the desk below the television. None of them worked. There were also two USB ports in the alarm clock, which fortunately did work. The television leaves a lot to be desired. Standard hotel cable with channel and movie packages available for purchase. No options to log into streaming services or cast from your device. TV is against the wall and surrounded by a frame, preventing you from plugging in any stick-type streaming devices (Fire, Roku, etc.). Remote needed multiple button presses to get a response. For the lack of a decent window view, the television needs a real upgrade to 2022. The hotel does have wi-fi available. If you're a member of their rewards program (free to join), wi-fi is free, though we didn't test it out. If you're not a rewards member, the cost is a steep $16. Overall, the look of the hotel is fun and the staff are inviting. The King Premium bathroom is what we were mainly after. But the shortcomings of nearly everything else are what tank this hotel. We're glad we had our stay, but we likely won't be back.

As a fellow hotelier in the industry, I Visited the Cardinal during a trip to Winston to see what a Kimpton hotel was like....oh boy, did I like! The hotel was fantastic- everything they offer to their guests blew me away. The decor inspired me for some home decor projects I need to get started on. At the end, sales managers, Freida and Chris, treated us to a delightful cocktail. I was in the mood for a beer but she insisted to try one of their cocktails. You can see the passion of their bartenders from the moment they step from behind the bar and walk to your table. That same passion was exactly what I tasted in the drink, which was indescribably perfect. Cheers to the team at the Cardinal!

I haven't stayed here but my coworkers have and I've had the pleasure to explore this crazy, beautiful place. The staff is super accommodating when checking in and polite (and they are pet friendly!) When you are a guest, you can attend a free wine and apps in the evening. There is a secret room, which you should absolutely visit. It has a slide to get down to the bowling alley, basketball court and hang out area. BYOB and have a night in! There is also a lounge room where you can play poker or watch a game. Bonus: eat in the restaurant at the front of the hotel or grab a Cheerwine Old Fashion (my personal fav) at the bar! One day, I'll do a stay-cation and rent here but until then, I'll keep hitting up the bar and playing in the rec room when my friends are staying!

The Kimpton is a beautiful Hotel downtown Winston-Salem. Built in 1926 it was actually designed by the architect that built the Empire State Building. It was formerly the RJ Reynolds tobacco company headquarters. The hotel has Friendly service. Beautiful rooms and the beds are incredibly comfortable. They have an excellent bar in the lobby. We spent way to much time there, lol. They have free wine in the lobby from 4 to 6 pm. You have the option to valet which I highly recommend. If you love history you will love the Kimpton.

Requested an early check-in which the front desk manager assured would be no problem. 5 hours later...my wife and I find ourselves missing our Valentine dinner reservation due to hotel related issues, as apparently their room service had not cleaned the rooms! Then, after securing the premier "Spa Room", we find that there is NO HOT WATER! No hot water at all...had to take a cold shower to prep for dinner, and then the following day, STILL NO HOT WATER! Needless to say, huge disappointment and the spa/garden tub was not used! Seems to be a nicely renovated older hotel with utility and staff issues! As an update, days after checking out I was reimbursed for the continued issues that we experienced on our stay, so it appears that management are attempting to do the right thing.

The hotel is beautiful and the rooms are tastefully done. The former HQ of Reynolds Tobacco is iconic. Unfortunately, there was no outdoor dining, no balcony to have a drink, smoke a cigar. No coffee service in your room, no room service - and the best they did was tell you to come to the front desk to get a small cup of dubious coffee. if you're not going to provide first class service - don't charge a first class price. Very disappointed in the conflict between value and price. Other than that - very nice.

The Kimpton Cardinal, named after the state bird of North Carolina, is a beautiful boutique hotel located in downtown Winston-Salem in the RJ Reynolds building. The RJ Reynolds building is the inspiration for the Empire State Building and was built in 1929. The Twin City still shows signs of the tobacco heritage as you look out the hotel window and see the large smoke stacks with the Reynolds name on them. The Kimpton hotel opened in 2016 and occupies the first 6 floors of the building and the remaining floors are now being turned into apartments for lease. As soon as you step into the Kimpton Cardinal, you will see the gold plated ceiling of the lobby and the Art Deco style architecture. The Katharine Brassiere (named after RJ Reynold's wife Katharine) is situated on the left with a bar and then an open dining room. The restaurant is French with a Southern influence and the idea stems from the couple's trip to Paris. We had drinks at the Katharine bar and it was hopping on a Saturday night with locals and hotel guests and a great place to come have a cocktail, watch a game, or sit on the patio. Jillian was our bartender and made some mean cocktails and the War of Roses was my favorite. The check-in area is on the right side of the entrance and it is a sleek counter with fresh flowers and helpful staff. The Wine Lounge is also situated on the right of the lobby and this is where the Kimpton happy hour takes place from 5-6pm. The decor in this room is like something out of a home design magazine with Tom Ford books, feathers, monogram chairs, and goldfish swimming in bowls. Everything works and is a fun place to unwind and have a glass of wine with fellow guests. Check-in was a breeze and I highly recommend signing up for the Karma Rewards program from Kimpton. The rewards program gives you a $10 credit to use in the mini bar or bar and other perks. The hallways in the Kimpton are very masculine with dark blue paint, rowing paddles on the walls and heavy plaid designs. Even the ice machine is hidden behind a wooden blue door so that is blends in with the design. The rooms are very modern with a gorgeous walk-in shower and white tiles, comfortable bed and pillows, flat screen TV and closet with amenities like robes, umbrellas and even a yoga mat. The mini bar is also tucked in the closet and you use your key from check in to open the mini bar. The room was also very quiet and you do not hear much outside noise from the street at all. I especially love the big bottles of shampoo and bodywash from Atelier by Bloem. I have never seen full-size bottles like this and you have the option of purchasing them. The service at the hotel is top-notch. I saw a water spill on the stairs and within minutes, someone was cleaning it up. The happy hour from 5-6 is also a way to meet the manager on duty and Amy was really sweet and kept the wine flowing for the guests. The staff is also very put together with their blazers and trendy outfits and I was extremely impressed with the Kimpton way. I had such a fantastic stay that I definitely want to come back and also see where the other Kimpton properties are. Thank you for a fabulous time!