GRAYLYN HOTEL & RESTAURANT

The second largest private property in North Carolina after the Bitlmore Estate, Graylyn is not only a luxury hotel, it is a huge estate that houses an imposing main building with a French castle feel and several outbuildings, a swimming pool and tennis courts.
The property was built in 1932 by the Gray family who made their fortune from the sale of cigarettes and particularly Camel. The family bought part of the land in Reynolda's estate across the road to build their dream home. Unfortunately, the father died a few years after they moved to Graylyn and his wife eventually donated the property to the city's medical school. A little later, his younger son bought it back and also made a donation, this time to the University of Wake Forest, which still owns Graylyn.
After using the premises as dormitories and classrooms, among other things, the University eventually restored the property, partially damaged by a fire in 1980, to become a conference centre and hotel. In addition to its unusual history, it is the architecture of the property that makes it unique. The family who travelled a lot in Europe imagined a house at the crossroads of their adventures on the other side of the Atlantic. Falling under the spell of France and particularly of Brittany and Normandy, they imagined an exterior inspired by French castles. The interior is a heterogeneous blend of all the destinations and styles that have left their mark. The dining rooms and various rooms alternate between medieval Norman, Georgian, French Baroque architecture.... In the basement, the bar has been designed in a keep style and on the ground floor, the library is a replica of a room in a Parisian hotel, the wooden panels that cover it are the original panels taken from the room in question.
As for decoration, there are also various objects brought back from their travels everywhere. And if all the rooms can be visited, sometimes giving the impression of walking around in a museum, Graylyn makes it a point of honour for her guests to feel at home. All rooms are therefore accessible, guests can explore the different rooms, play pool in the game room or sit in one of the library's chairs. The inner courtyard is also an ideal place to rest and enjoy the calm and view of the imposing stone building.
The more classic rooms are located in the main house, mainly on the ground floor and first floor, the cottages, bungalows and The Mews rooms are a little more modern. The famous Oprah Winfrey is said to have slept in the suite of The Mews.
And to enjoy the place even more, the restaurant offers lunches and dinners served according to the number of visitors and the season, in the patio, or in one of the dining rooms and other rooms of the house. Chicken fillet and wolf are particularly popular. The menu also includes a selection of simpler dishes such as sandwiches and burgers, available in the bar area in the basement or in the restaurant area.