Winston-Salem has plenty of shiny, new glass-and-steel boxes where you can sleep. But honestly, most of them feel exactly the same whether you’re in North Carolina or North Dakota. If you actually want to feel the texture of the South—the literal, rough-hewn brick and 19th-century pine under your feet—you end up at the Historic Brookstown Inn Trademark Collection by Wyndham.
It's a weird, beautiful hybrid.
Part living museum, part boutique hotel, and part upscale dormitory, it sits just on the edge of the Old Salem historic district. It isn’t just "old-fashioned." It’s an adaptive reuse project that saved the 1837 Salem Manufacturing Company from becoming another pile of rubble. This was the first mill in the entire South to install electric lighting. Today, it’s where you go when you want a glass of wine in a parlor that feels like it’s seen a few things.
The Ghost in the Machinery
Let’s get the spooky stuff out of the way first because everyone asks. Yes, people say it's haunted.
The fourth floor is the center of the "Sally" legend. Back when the building was a cotton mill, the top floor was used as a dorm for the women working the looms. The story goes that two women got into a fight—who knows what about, probably something that felt like life or death after a twelve-hour shift—and one shoved the other down the elevator shaft.
Guests have reported hearing screaming or waking up to find a woman standing at the foot of their bed. Whether you believe in ghosts or just over-caffeinated imaginations, the atmosphere on that floor is undeniably thick. The ceilings are twenty feet high in some places. The hallways are long. The original brick walls are so thick they seem to swallow sound.
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If you're looking for the full experience, request Room 401. It's the supposed "hotspot." Even if Sally doesn't make an appearance, you’re still sleeping in a room with hand-stamped brick and massive wooden beams that were harvested before the Civil War even started.
What It’s Actually Like to Stay There
The Historic Brookstown Inn Trademark Collection by Wyndham isn't for people who want a sterile, "modern luxury" experience. It’s for people who like character.
You’ve got 70 guest rooms, and basically, no two are identical. Because the building was originally a mill, the architects had to work around the existing structure during the 1984 renovation. This means you might get a bi-level suite with a staircase leading up to a lofted bedroom, or a massive studio with windows so large they look like they belong in a cathedral.
The Perks (The Real Ones)
Most hotels give you a "complimentary breakfast" that consists of a soggy muffin and some questionable juice. This place does it differently.
- The Breakfast: It's a full Southern spread. We’re talking buttermilk biscuits, gravy, eggs, and bacon.
- The Wine and Cheese: Every night from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., they hold a reception in the Parlor. It’s free. It’s a great way to meet other travelers who are also trying to figure out if they just heard a ghost.
- Cookies and Milk: This is the kicker. At bedtime, they put out freshly baked Otis Spunkmeyer cookies and cold milk. It’s a small touch, but it makes the place feel less like a Wyndham property and more like your grandmother’s house—if your grandmother lived in a massive industrial complex.
The Industrial DNA of Winston-Salem
The Fries family built this place in 1837. They were the movers and shakers of Salem long before the Hanes or Reynolds names became synonymous with the city. Francis Fries supervised the construction of the original brick building, which served as a textile mill until the mid-1900s.
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It wasn't always a success story.
The mill went through several owners and even functioned as a flour mill (Wachovia Flour Mills) for about 50 years. During the 1970s, the building was mostly used for storage. It was falling apart. The fact that it exists now is a bit of a miracle of the "Brookstown Rehabilitation" project.
The designers didn't just slap a coat of paint on it. They kept the original pine floors. They kept the exposed columns. When you walk into the Cotton Mill Lounge, you can still see the remnants of the building’s past life. The bar is dark and swanky, usually playing vinyl records, giving off a jazz-club-meets-factory vibe. It’s one of the best spots in the city for a quiet cocktail.
Planning Your Visit: The Logistics
The location is basically perfect if you want to see the city. You’re right next to the Winston-Salem Visitor Center and a short walk from the Old Salem Museums & Gardens. If you’re here for a wedding, the Arista Mills Room and the outdoor courtyard—which is lined with cherry blossoms—are top-tier venues.
Wait, what about the price?
It’s surprisingly affordable. Because it’s a 3-star property under the Trademark Collection, you aren't paying five-star resort prices, even though the rooms are often larger than what you’d find at a luxury hotel.
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A Few Nuances to Keep in Mind
- Walking: The layout can be a bit confusing. Some guests have complained that they got lost trying to find their room because the signage is a little sparse.
- The Doors: There’s an exit-only door near the parking lot that catches people off guard. If you go out that way, you have to walk all the way around the building to get back in.
- Modern vs. Old: The bathrooms have been updated with granite and marble, but some of the furniture in the rooms is "historic reproduction." It’s meant to look old. If you want ultra-modern minimalism, this isn't it.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Stay
If you’re heading to Winston-Salem and deciding whether to book the Historic Brookstown Inn Trademark Collection by Wyndham, here is the move:
Book a bi-level suite. The extra space and the decorative fireplace make it feel like a genuine apartment rather than a hotel room. It’s worth the slight upcharge.
Check the calendar for Old Salem events. Since you’re within walking distance, try to time your visit with one of their "Cobblestones to Cocktails" events or a seasonal market. It rounds out the historic theme perfectly.
Don't skip the reception. Even if you aren't a big wine drinker, the Parlor is where the staff usually shares the best stories about the building's history. It’s much more than a happy hour; it’s basically an informal tour of the property’s heritage.
Ask for a room with a garden tub. Not all of them have one, but the ones that do are massive. It’s a great way to decompress after a day of walking the brick-paved streets of Old Salem.
The Brookstown Inn isn't perfect, and it isn't trying to be. It’s a place that wears its history—including the scratches on the floor and the ghosts in the halls—with a lot of pride. In a world of generic travel, that's worth a lot.