Best Pool Hotels in Winston-Salem
Seventeen hotels on this list confirm a pool on site, split fairly evenly between indoor pools that stay usable through a humid Piedmont summer and seasonal outdoor pools that close by early fall. Two properties, both Holiday Inn Express locations, list two swimming pools rather than one, a detail worth checking if a family group needs more than one lane free after a day at Old Salem. Most of these pool hotels sit off I-40 near Hanes Mall, with free self-parking a short walk from the pool deck, though a handful of downtown addresses keep an indoor pool too.
The city's pool hotels split into the same two geographic pockets as everything else here: Hanes Mall on the west side, where free parking and an outdoor pool suit a family driving in for a weekend, and downtown or university-area properties with indoor pools that hold up better against variable Piedmont weather.
Indoor Pools Beat the Piedmont Humidity
A pool matters more in Winston-Salem than it might elsewhere, since the Piedmont's summer humidity makes an afternoon swim a genuine break rather than a bonus, and an indoor option keeps that option open even on a rainy visit to Old Salem or a Wake Forest football weekend when outdoor plans fall through.
Embassy Suites Winston-Salem on North Cherry Street runs an indoor pool alongside a fitness centre, and its downtown address puts the pool within a short walk of the Arts District once the swim is done (parking here runs on-site rather than free self-parking). The suite layout also means a family can dry off and change without everyone crowding a single standard room, a small but real advantage over the limited-service properties nearby, and breakfast is included rather than a separate charge each morning. Evening drinks in the lobby before dinner rounds out a day that started with a swim and ended a short walk from Trade Street.
Home2 Suites By Hilton Winston-Salem Hanes Mall and Hampton Inn & Suites Winston-Salem/University Area both list indoor pools paired with free parking, useful for a rainy-day swim without paying for valet or hunting for street parking near downtown. Both sit close enough to I-40 Business that a family driving in from out of state can be in the pool within minutes of pulling off the highway, without a detour through downtown traffic first. Extended-stay kitchenettes at Home2 Suites also mean a swim can be followed by a home-cooked dinner rather than another restaurant stop.
Holiday Inn Express Winston-Salem by IHG and Holiday Inn Express Winston-Salem Medical Ctr Area each confirm two swimming pools on site, an unusual amount of pool capacity for a limited-service property and worth checking if traveling as a larger group. Both also keep nightly rates below the downtown boutique hotels, so the extra pool space comes without a matching jump in price, a rare combination worth booking ahead of a summer weekend. Free WiFi and a simple breakfast round out both properties without pushing the nightly rate closer to the downtown boutique tier.
Courtyard Winston-Salem Downtown keeps an indoor pool despite its Fourth Street address, letting downtown guests skip the drive to Hanes Mall entirely for a swim after walking Old Salem (parking runs to valet here, budget accordingly). Its central location also means a pool afternoon can be followed by dinner in the Arts District on foot, no second drive required, which is rare among the pool properties on this list. The fitness centre alongside the pool also gives business travelers a full workout option without leaving the building between meetings, a genuine convenience on a tight downtown schedule.
A traveler's perspectiveI recommend the Hampton Inn & Suites Winston-Salem/University Area for a pool that works in any season, because its pool is indoors and free self-parking sits off Summit Square Court near University Parkway. For a family that wants more room in the water, I would look at the two Holiday Inn Express locations here that list two swimming pools.
Hampton Inn & Suites Winston-Salem Downtown
Winston-Salem
418 reviews
Downtown stay with vegetarian breakfast options and a sun terrace
Check availabilityWhy guests love itHampton Inn & Suites Winston-Salem Downtown has family rooms and one of the higher guest scores in the city, 9.0 from 418 reviews. Breakfast includes vegetarian and vegan options, helpful when a family's diets differ, and the sun terrace is a pleasant spot in the morning. It sits on North Cherry Street downtown, and parking is by valet, worth checking before arrival. I would book it for its central location and its consistency.
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.
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.
Holiday Inn Express Winston-Salem by IHG
Winston-Salem
282 reviews
Two swimming pools and family rooms off Peters Creek Parkway
Check availabilityWhy guests love itHoliday Inn Express Winston-Salem has two swimming pools, an asset for families, and family rooms that suit a group travelling with children. It sits on Peters Creek Parkway, away from downtown and closer to the highway, so a car is needed for most outings. Parking is on site and free, and there is a fitness centre. The 8.6 score from 282 reviews is good for its category, and I would book it mainly for the pools.
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.
Holiday Inn Express Winston-Salem Medical Ctr Area
Winston-Salem
353 reviews
Two pools near the medical center, with breakfast included
Check availabilityWhy guests love itHoliday Inn Express Winston-Salem Medical Ctr Area is close to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, a sensible base for a family whose trip revolves around appointments. Two swimming pools give children something to look forward to, an American buffet breakfast is included, and parking is on site. There is also a fitness centre. It is a simple hotel, but an 8.5 score from 353 reviews points to a dependable stay.
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.
Courtyard Winston-Salem Downtown
Winston-Salem
243 reviews
Indoor pool and walkable Arts District access on Fourth Street
Check availabilityWhy guests love itCourtyard Winston-Salem Downtown has an indoor pool, which is not a given downtown, and a West Fourth Street address within walking distance of the Trade Street Arts District and Old Salem. Free bicycles let older children explore a little further. Parking is by valet, worth checking before arrival, and there is a fitness centre. With an 8.4 score from 243 reviews, I would choose it for families who want to leave the car parked.
Hawthorne Inn & Conference Center
Winston-Salem
1,063 reviews
Downtown conference hotel with free parking and Old Salem within walking distance
Check availabilityWhy guests love itHawthorne Inn & Conference Center is a three-star hotel downtown, roughly fifteen minutes on foot from Old Salem, the restored Moravian town that makes a natural family outing. An American buffet breakfast is included each morning, and parking is on site, a real convenience downtown. The large conference and event space means some weekends will be busier than others. With an 8.4 score from over a thousand reviews, I see it as a reliable base for a short family visit.
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.
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.
Courtyard Winston-Salem Hanes Mall
Winston-Salem
227 reviews
Restaurant and pool stay a short walk from Hanes Mall dining
Check availabilityWhy guests love itCourtyard Winston-Salem Hanes Mall sits on Westbrook Plaza Drive beside Hanes Mall, handy for a shopping day or a rainy afternoon with children. The restaurant and bar on site save a drive at dinner, and chain restaurants around the mall add easy options. The outdoor pool is seasonal, so I would not count on it outside summer. Parking is on site, and there is a fitness centre. It scores 8.1 from 227 reviews.
Comfort Suites Hanes Mall
Winston-Salem
661 reviews
Suites with a kitchenette a short drive from Hanes Mall
Check availabilityWhy guests love itComfort Suites Hanes Mall sits off Interstate 40 next to Hanes Mall, about a ten-minute drive from downtown Winston-Salem. For families, the included continental breakfast and the microwave and refrigerator in every room keep meals simple. The outdoor pool is seasonal, so it matters mainly in summer, and self-parking is free. There is also a fitness centre. With an 8.1 score from 661 reviews, I see it as a practical base for shopping and day trips to Old Salem.
Courtyard Winston-Salem University
Winston-Salem
109 reviews
University Parkway stay with a pool, restaurant and free bicycles
Check availabilityWhy guests love itCourtyard Winston-Salem University sits on University Parkway near Wake Forest's north campus, practical for a family campus visit. The restaurant and bar on site save a drive at dinner, free bicycles give older children something to do, and self-parking is free. The outdoor pool is seasonal, and a breakfast-to-go option helps on early mornings. An 8.0 score from 109 reviews makes it a fair, convenient choice.
DoubleTree by Hilton Winston Salem - University, NC
Winston-Salem
157 reviews
Highway-adjacent stay twelve minutes from Wake Forest by car
Check availabilityWhy guests love itDoubleTree by Hilton Winston Salem - University sits off University Parkway near Highway 52, about twelve minutes' drive from Wake Forest University. For families, the outdoor pool, a buffet breakfast and free self-parking cover the basics. The building is older, with more character than new construction but a less polished feel, which the 7.8 score from 157 reviews seems to reflect. I would book it for a campus visit by car.
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.
Local tips
- 1Check whether the pool is indoor or outdoor before booking in fall or winter, since most outdoor pools close seasonally by early October.
- 2Ask about pool hours at check-in, since limited-service hotels often close the pool earlier than a full-service property would.
- 3Choose a Holiday Inn Express location if your group needs two pools rather than one, since both flagged locations confirm this.
- 4Pick the Hanes Mall cluster for a pool trip with free self-parking, since several downtown pool hotels charge for valet instead.
- 5Bring your own pool towels as a backup, since limited-service properties sometimes run short during a busy weekend.
- 6Book a downtown pool hotel like Courtyard Winston-Salem Downtown if you want to swim without driving out to Hanes Mall after a day at Old Salem.