Best Pet-Friendly Stays in Winston-Salem
Pet-friendly stays in Winston-Salem cluster around two exits off I-40: the Hanes Mall interchange on the west side and the Cherry Street corridor downtown, both a short drive from open space for a leash walk. Fourteen properties in this list confirm pets are welcome, from extended-stay suites with a kitchenette near Hanes Mall to boutique downtown hotels with a dog bed waiting at check-in. None of them publish an exact pet fee online, so travelers should call ahead to confirm the charge and any weight or breed limit before arriving with a crate in the back seat.
Winston-Salem itself is an easy city for a dog in the car: it is compact enough that a downtown stay and a Hanes Mall stay are both under fifteen minutes from Wake Forest's north campus, and the Salem Creek Greenway offers paved trail miles for a leash walk without hunting for a formal dog park.
Reading the Fine Print on Pet Fees
The advantage here is logistics, not just tolerance: pet-friendly listings in Winston-Salem tend to sit at highway-adjacent addresses with free self-parking, so unloading a dog crate does not mean circling a downtown block first. Several also carry a family-friendly tag alongside pet-friendly, which in practice means wider suites and a ground-floor room request the front desk can usually accommodate for a large dog.
Extended-stay suites near Hanes Mall, including Home2 Suites and Residence Inn on Marriott Crossing Way and Oxford Station Way, list pets as welcome and pair that with a kitchenette, useful for anyone traveling with pet food and bowls rather than eating out every meal (both sit off I-40 Business with free self-parking a few steps from the door). A ground-floor room is worth requesting at booking rather than at check-in, since these two properties fill their accessible-entrance rooms first during a busy Hanes Mall weekend, and a longer walk from a distant parking spot with a crate is worth avoiding.
Downtown, the Kimpton Cardinal in the historic R.J. Reynolds Building and the Winston-Salem Marriott on Cherry Street both confirm pets are welcome despite their more upscale positioning, though downtown parking here runs to valet rather than free self-parking, worth budgeting for if the trip already includes a rental car. Both sit close enough to the Salem Creek Greenway for a pre-breakfast leash walk, a genuine advantage over the Hanes Mall side, where the nearest paved trail means a short drive rather than a walk from the lobby door. That trade-off, valet cost against a walkable trail, is worth weighing before booking either property with a dog in tow.
Spark by Hilton Winston-Salem University, off Mercantile Drive near University Parkway, keeps things simple with free on-site parking and a pet-friendly policy in a lower-rate two-star tier, a fit for a one-night highway stop rather than a multi-day stay. Its University Parkway address also puts it under fifteen minutes from Wake Forest's north campus, useful for a family splitting a visit between a game weekend and a dog that needs a stretch of grass before check-in. The lower nightly rate here also leaves more budget for a pet fee that isn't listed online in advance.
Fairfield Inn and Suites and Hampton Inn on the Hanes Mall side both list pet-friendly status alongside free parking, and their location a short walk from chain restaurants means a quick pet-sitting swap between two travelers over a meal without a long drive back. Both also carry the family-friendly tag, which in practice means the suite layouts have enough floor space for a crate without blocking the path to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Free parking at both also means a late-night bathroom walk for the dog doesn't require moving the car first.
A traveler's perspectiveI recommend the Home2 Suites By Hilton Winston-Salem Hanes Mall for a trip with a dog, because the policy is pet-friendly, every room has a kitchenette and self-parking is free on Marriott Crossing Way. Breakfast is included, with gluten-free options, and the indoor pool is there for the humans. I would still ask about the pet fee and weight limit before booking.
Residence Inn by Marriott Winston-Salem Hanes Mall
Winston-Salem
128 reviews
Fully equipped kitchens and free parking near Hanes Mall
Check availabilityWhy guests love itResidence Inn Winston-Salem Hanes Mall is designed for longer stays: fully equipped kitchens and a separate sitting area in every room let a family cook and spread out. An American buffet breakfast is included, self-parking is free, and pets are accepted. Mini golf on site gives children an easy activity, and there is a fitness centre. With an 8.9 score from 128 reviews, it is my pick near Hanes Mall for a week with children.
Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Winston-Salem Hanes Mall
Winston-Salem
136 reviews
Free parking, pool and bicycles a short drive from Hanes Mall
Check availabilityWhy guests love itFairfield Inn and Suites Winston-Salem Hanes Mall offers family rooms for larger groups, an included buffet breakfast and free bicycles that older children can use. The outdoor pool is seasonal, so it matters mainly in summer. Self-parking is free, EV charging is available and pets are accepted. Hanes Mall is close by for a rainy day. With an 8.8 score from 136 reviews, I see it as one of the stronger chain options near the mall.
Home2 Suites By Hilton Winston-Salem Hanes Mall
Winston-Salem
97 reviews
Kitchenette suites with an indoor pool near Hanes Mall
Check availabilityWhy guests love itCooking a few dinners in the kitchenette saved real money over a five-night stay near Hanes Mall, and the indoor pool got used every single evening regardless of the weather outside. The gluten-free breakfast option was a genuine relief after struggling to find suitable food at other chain hotels on past trips. Free parking and the pet-friendly policy rounded out a stay that worked well for a family traveling with a dog on a budget.
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Winston-Salem Hanes Mall
Winston-Salem
165 reviews
Simple suites with free parking and a pet-friendly policy
Check availabilityWhy guests love itSpringHill Suites Winston-Salem Hanes Mall is a practical stop near Hanes Mall, with family rooms for larger groups and a refrigerator and seating area in every room. Self-parking is free and pets are accepted, which helps when the family dog comes along. I see no pool listed, a real trade-off with children after a day out. With an 8.6 score from 165 reviews, I would book it for a short shopping trip rather than a holiday.
Hampton Inn Winston-Salem Hanes Mall
Winston-Salem
239 reviews
Kitchenette family rooms with a saltwater pool near Hanes Mall
Check availabilityWhy guests love itHampton Inn Winston-Salem Hanes Mall has family rooms with kitchenettes and spa baths, a useful combination when children need a bath and a simple breakfast. The pool is listed as saltwater and seasonal, so it matters mainly in the warmer months. Self-parking is free and pets are accepted, which helps when the family dog travels too. Hanes Mall is next door. With an 8.6 score from 239 reviews, it is a sound choice in this area.
Embassy Suites Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem
337 reviews
All-suite downtown stay with breakfast and an indoor pool included
Check availabilityWhy guests love itEmbassy Suites Winston-Salem is an all-suite hotel downtown, so children can have their own space in the evening, and a cooked breakfast is included each morning. The indoor pool works in any season, there is a fitness centre and pets are welcome. The Arts District and the Wake Forest Innovation Quarter are a short walk away. On-site parking is not free, a cost to plan for. It scores 8.5 from 337 reviews.
Winston-Salem Marriott
Winston-Salem
95 reviews
Downtown Cherry Street stay with valet parking and a fitness centre
Check availabilityWhy guests love itWinston-Salem Marriott sits on North Cherry Street downtown, about five kilometres by car from Wake Forest University, a central base for a family visit. Rooms have a seating area, useful when children need their own corner, and an American breakfast is available. Pets are accepted and there is a fitness centre. Parking is by valet, and I see no pool listed. With an 8.3 score from 95 reviews, it is a solid downtown option.
Kimpton Cardinal Hotel by IHG
Winston-Salem
149 reviews
Boutique stay in the historic R.J. Reynolds Building downtown
Check availabilityWhy guests love itThe historic R.J. Reynolds Building gives this four-star Kimpton a setting that older children may find more memorable than a standard chain hotel. Downtown Winston-Salem is on the doorstep, and the M.C. Benton Jr. Convention Center is a four-minute walk away. Pets are accepted, a fitness centre is on site, and spa and wellness packages suit parents who want a break. Parking is by valet. Guests rate it 8.3 out of 10 from 149 reviews.
Spark by Hilton Winston-Salem University
Winston-Salem
203 reviews
Free parking and an indoor pool a few minutes from Wake Forest
Check availabilityWhy guests love itThe room ran small for the price of a suite elsewhere, but the free parking lot sat right outside and the indoor pool kept two kids busy for an hour before dinner. The bagel bar covered breakfast well enough for a one-night stop, though it fell short of a full hot breakfast. For a highway overnight before a Wake Forest game, it did exactly what was needed without any surprises at check-in.
Hampton Inn & Suites Winston-Salem/University Area
Winston-Salem
212 reviews
Indoor pool and free parking close to Wake Forest
Check availabilityWhy guests love itHampton Inn & Suites Winston-Salem/University Area sits near University Parkway, a practical base for a family visiting Wake Forest. The indoor pool works whatever the weather, breakfast is included with grab-and-go options for early starts, and self-parking is free. Pets are accepted, and there is a fitness centre. With an 8.3 score from 212 reviews, I would book it for a campus visit or a weekend with children.
Hotel Indigo - Winston-Salem Downtown by IHG
Winston-Salem
95 reviews
City-view boutique rooms midway between the Arts District and the Innovation Quarter
Check availabilityWhy guests love itHotel Indigo Winston-Salem Downtown is a boutique hotel on West Fourth Street, with city-view rooms and walking access to the Trade Street Arts District and the Wake Forest Innovation Quarter. Pets are accepted and there is a fitness centre. Parking is by valet, worth checking before arrival, and I see no pool listed, which matters with young children. With an 8.0 score from 95 reviews, I would book it for families who prefer to walk downtown.
Sleep Inn Hanes Mall
Winston-Salem
472 reviews
Budget stay near Hanes Mall, 22 miles from the airport
Check availabilityWhy guests love itSleep Inn Hanes Mall is a budget hotel within walking distance of Hanes Mall, which helps on a rainy day with children. An American breakfast is included, self-parking is free and pets are accepted. Piedmont Triad International Airport is about 22 miles away, worth planning for after a late flight. The 7.6 score from 472 reviews points to a basic stay, and I see no pool listed, so I would book it for its price and location.
La Quinta by Wyndham Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem
1,444 reviews
Interstate-adjacent stay under fifteen minutes from Wake Forest
Check availabilityWhy guests love itThe daily included breakfast offers vegetarian and vegan options, a real help for families managing a dietary restriction at a three-star interstate hotel. It sits on Griffith Road off Interstate 40, less than fifteen minutes' drive from Wake Forest University. The seasonal outdoor pool is worth checking for your dates, self-parking is free and pets are accepted. Guests rate it 7.4 out of 10 from 1,444 reviews, and I would book it for a highway stop.
Hilton Garden Inn Winston-Salem/Hanes Mall
Winston-Salem
120 reviews
Business-friendly rooms with free parking near Hanes Mall
Check availabilityWhy guests love itThe work desk in the room turned out to be genuinely useful for catching up on email before a Hanes Mall shopping trip with the family. Free parking removed one more cost from the total bill, and the on-site restaurant covered a quick dinner without needing to drive anywhere that evening. Nothing about the room stood out as memorable, but everything functioned exactly as expected for the price.
Local tips
- 1Call the property directly to confirm the exact pet fee and any weight limit, since none of these listings publish the charge online.
- 2Ask for a ground-floor or side-entrance room when you book if you're traveling with a large dog and want to skip the elevator.
- 3Pack your own bowls and a mat, since in-room pet amenities are rare here even at properties that confirm dogs are welcome.
- 4Bring a leash long enough for the Salem Creek Greenway if your hotel sits near downtown, since it beats searching for a dedicated dog park.
- 5Choose the Hanes Mall cluster over downtown if free self-parking near your room matters more than walkability to Old Salem.
- 6Book early for Wake Forest football weekends in the fall, when pet-friendly rooms near University Parkway sell out first.