For over ninety years, Graylyn Estate has been a timeless symbol of American elegance in Winston-Salem. This exceptional hotel offers a rare glimpse into a world of refined luxury, where history, beauty, and unforgettable charm invite you to escape the ordinary and experience life as a Gray.
Story by Colleen Thompson
I’ve just arrived in Winston-Salem, but the medieval stone castle before me—its towering turret, multi-flued brick chimneys, and weathered stone facade—feels more like Normandy. Two butlers stand ready, and with a synchronized flourish, they swing open the heavy wooden, French double doors, straight from the 15th century. Passing through the ornate stone archway, I step into the Manor House foyer, and the enchantment begins.
The Gilded Backstory
For a single day, I crown myself the "Lady" of the Manor, a title that transports me effortlessly into the heart of 1930s glamor. The space around me is steeped in the opulence of a bygone era, where every corner whispers of the Gilded Age’s splendor—an age defined by its extravagant luxury. It’s a time when the world seemed impossibly captivating, and no other decade has quite rivalled its allure. Franklin D. Roosevelt sat in the White House, while the sweet, brassy notes of Duke Ellington's "It Doesn't Mean a Thing (If You Ain't Got That Swing)" belted from radios across the nation. Greta Garbo and Joan Crawford graced the silver screen, epitomizing the era’s mystique, while Clark Gable’s iconic charm left women breathless. Men in sharp suits puffed Camel cigarettes from long, slender holders, and champagne flowed in an endless stream, adding to the intoxicating atmosphere of the time.
It was against the backdrop of an era defined by opulence and escape that Graylyn Estate came into being. In the early 20th century, it became increasingly fashionable among the wealthy to abandon their grand urban residences in favor of tranquil country retreats. One such visionary couple were Bowman Gray, the president and later chairman of R.J. Reynolds, and his wife Nathalie Lyons Gray. Recognizing the charm of rural solitude, they acquired 87 acres of farmland from the R.J. Reynolds company and set their sights on crafting a permanent sanctuary for their family of four.
To bring their ambitious dream to life, they turned to a young architect, Luther Snow Lashmit, whose talent and vision would shape what would become a lasting symbol of American luxury and refinement. Lashmit’s design—a sprawling 46,000-square-foot Norman Revival-style manor—was as bold and grand as the couple’s aspirations. After three years of meticulous construction, Graylyn Estate was completed in 1932, a stunning monument to architectural beauty and a statement of affluence that would capture the imagination of all who saw it.
When finished, it stood as the second-largest home in North Carolina, surpassed only by George Vanderbilt’s legendary Biltmore Estate. Graylyn was not just a home; it was an embodiment of the Grays' pursuit of elegance, their desire to blend the best of old-world European craftsmanship with the rugged charm of the American South. A retreat built not just to shelter, but to inspire, to awe, and to affirm the ambitions of those who created it.
Opulence Steeped in History
The Graylyn is now an 85-room luxury boutique hotel and a Historic Hotels of America member. It has welcomed guests from Presidents Ford, Carter and Bush to Oprah Winfrey and Brooke Shields. In the 1970s, after changing hands several times, the estate was purchased by Wake Forest University. The sprawling Manor House was repurposed as dormitories for the university's students. However, in 1980, a devastating fire damaged much of the third floor of the Manor House, threatening the property’s legacy. Restoration efforts were launched, and by 1984, The Graylyn Estate was reopened to the public as a luxury hotel. Today, the estate is still owned and managed by Wake Forest University, with proceeds from the hotel benefiting student scholarships, ensuring that The Graylyn’s legacy of philanthropy and education continues for future generations.
Every element and detail is an outpouring of Nathalie Gray's love of different hemispheres, eras and travel. Dark wood-panelled rooms, high gloss varnished furniture, heavy brocade fabrics, and ornate wallpapers combine whimsically with stone walls, arches, medieval tapestries, and a contemporary Georgian Revival style. The result is an atmosphere that feels both timeless and alive with history. Every room seemingly holds a thousand stories. With so much to discover—hidden nooks, ancient secrets, and architectural wonders—it's no surprise that Butler Tours of the estate are not just encouraged, but essential. My own tour with resident historian, Kathleen Hutton, was nothing short of priceless. Her wealth of knowledge unlocked the stories of the Grays, illuminating the estate’s hidden corners and uncovering fascinating details that I would have surely missed on my own.
The circular blue slate staircase steals the show for me. A true marvel of early 20th-century engineering. The staircase’s graceful curve is crowned by an ornate chandelier suspended within a brick beehive turret, its wrought iron balustrades winding upwards in intricate, delicate patterns. It is an unforgettable feature, embodying the elegance and ingenuity of the estate in one stunning design.
Stay Like Lady Gray
Each of the 13 guest rooms on the 2nd floor of the manor house is uniquely decorated, offering a stay that is both luxurious and steeped in history. I had the pleasure of staying in The Lady Gray Suite, a sun-drenched haven where elegance and warmth seamlessly intertwine. Upon entering, I was greeted by the sweet scent of fresh-cut roses from the estate’s gardens, arranged thoughtfully in a vase on the antique writing desk. A handwritten welcome note, accompanied by a leather-bound journal, invited me to document my stay in this extraordinary place. The room’s centerpiece was its two majestic Queen-size mahogany poster beds, each draped in luxurious white linens with a high thread count. Intricate drapery and valances framed the windows, while a gleaming white marble fireplace added a touch of timeless sophistication. Yet, the real showstopper was the expansive bathroom—a masterpiece in its own right. A carved mottled-marble bathtub stood like a work of art against the backdrop of a hand-painted gold floral design, embedded on pale pink wall tiles creating a serene and indulgent retreat within the retreat.
A Taste of Elegance
Executive Chef Chris Fulk, who recently joined the estate from Quanto Basta, has created a classic fine dining menu focused on locally sourced ingredients and would undoubtedly receive an approval nod from Lady Gray. The neoclassical formal dining room, nicknamed the Dogwood Room, with its white linen service and opulent surroundings, is the perfect setting for a memorable dining experience. I opted for the chef's pre-fixe menu of fried green tomatoes, an age-grilled filet with a cabernet demi-glaze and finished with a decadent crème brûlée.
The next morning I enjoyed breakfast in the Persian Card Room, perhaps the most historical and storied room in the Manor House. When the Grays visited Constantinople to buy Turkish tobacco for Reynolds Tobacco's Camel cigarettes, they returned with hand-painted and embossed wall panels from an ancient mosque originating in Damascus. These panels now adorn the walls and ceilings of the breathtaking Persian Card Room. It is rumoured to have been The Grays's favourite room, where they played bridge and entertained friends. On this sunny Fall morning, it seems an appropriate place to enjoy my eggs bennie and sip freshly brewed coffee as I scour the wooden panels for ancient inscriptions.
Graylyn Estate is not just another hotel; it's a gateway to a world of wonder and fairy-tale escapism. From the historical tours that unveil the secrets of the Grays to the culinary delights that pay homage to the family's legacy, every aspect of the estate offers a unique and enchanting experience.
Don't Miss
"Mrs Gray's Butterscotch Cookies" are served daily alongside lemonade and sweet tea. in the lobby of the Manor House. Every day, the chef faithfully recreates Nathalie's recipe for sugar cookies with butterscotch chips, a culinary homage to the Grays' Scottish terriers, Butter and Scotch.
The Koi Pond on the terrace is the perfect spot for a pre-dinner glass of something sparkling.
The Ice Cream room on the 2nd floor is essential for a late-night visit. Mr Gray loved ice cream, which is now available 24/7 for guests to enjoy.
The whimsical Atlantis Room, once the indoor swimming pool.
For more information or help planning a trip to Graylyn Estate VisitWinstonSalem.com