Do you want to visit Greensboro in North Carolina? You should consider the Proximity hotel. The Proximity and its sister hotel, the O.Henry are often at the top of the ‘best Greensboro hotels’ list. You’re a discerning client who is looking for more than star ratings and amenities. You’re curious to find out if Proximity really is that special. You want to know if the Proximity is really that special (yes!) ).
Join us to go beyond the rankings, hype, and show you a truly unique hotel that redefines style, service, and sustainability.
Submerge Yourself in Sustainable Style
You know that your stay at the Proximity Hotel will be extraordinary the moment you enter the lobby. It could be the warm welcome you receive from every employee-owner. (Quaintance Weaver Restaurants and Hotels is 100% employee owned through an Employee Share Ownership Plan). Maybe it’s Proximity’s industrial chic design with its artistic steel stairs and natural yet modern vibe. The hotel is named after the Proximity Mill, a mill from the 1800s. The hotel has many special touches that make it feel like a home away from home.
It’s not necessary to know that the Chip Holton art or furniture from North Carolina is local to understand that you aren’t in a hotel chain. The “Honest Drinking Bars”, located on each floor, and the friendly staff will ensure that you have everything you need to enjoy your stay. This includes a large selection of magazines, and fresh air constantly circulating in your room.
A Bedroom That’s More Than “Just a Bed”
We loved, love, loved the ‘Magi Bed,’ which Proximity created. It had a comfortable mattress and plenty of pillows that looked like down, Egyptian cotton bedding, and a fiberfill blanket. But there was more.
The large windows in the room provided ample natural light. Chromecast enabled us to stream movies and shows from the HD TV. Even the amenities were appealing with AVEDA products, Counter Culture Coffee and Harney & Sons Teas. The hotel thought of every detail, from USB plugs to storage hooks.
Get a Getaway Package
Proximity Hotel has a range of getaway packages. There are many packages that have a romance theme, such as ‘Wink, Wink Romance,’ ‘Sustainable Romance,’ ‘Endless Honeymoon,’ and AARP Member. You can also send an e-mail or call their Romance Advisors to discuss creative ways of creating a unique sweet or intimate romantic experience. They can create a package that combines two of Greensboro’s most famous inventions: Wrangler Jeans and Vicks VapoRub.
The Passion and Pleasure 2 Night Getaway included bubble bath turndown, food credit and a Kama Sutra Gift Package. The concierge coordinated the turndown service to coincide with the O.Henry Afternoon Tea that we purchased using our food credit. Greensboro is known for disappointing Red Coats in the past. I don’t think the Brits approve of tea time being mixed with romance. We had a wonderful two-night stay in Greensboro thanks to the many hotel amenities, green spaces, and biking.
Proximity Hotels Sustainability
We at Coleman Concierge believe you should always travel sustainably and make the most of your travel dollar. We loved the fact that Proximity is the first LEED certified green hotel in America. They use 41% less electricity than a conventional hotel, thanks to solar and geothermal power, regenerative lifts, natural lighting and an efficient design.
Sustainability initiatives extend beyond energy efficiency. In the initial construction of the hotel, recycled materials were used extensively. This prevented over 1,535 tonnes of waste from going to landfills. Every day, they make sure their guests breathe clean air. They do this by reducing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), using eco-friendly cleaning products, and installing the latest passive air recirculation systems to bring fresh, outside air directly into each room. It’s no wonder that they are considered the Greenest Hotel of America.
Proximity Hotel – Print Works Bistro
Print Works Bistro at the Proximity Hotel features many sustainable practices. Two of our favorites are creekside dining on the restored waterfront, and local produce and food products made by artisans. This love and care was evident in the food and presentation. This may be why they are often the most popular restaurant in Greensboro according to OpenTable, and consistently top the Best Brunch list.
Ed, who has been a friend of the family since he was 4, invited us to dinner. We had the crispy schnitzel chicken with local corn, carrots, arugula and heirloom tomatoes, goat cheese salad and honey-tarragon dressing. He said that the trout was delicious. While catching up with our friends, we enjoyed the classic and modern versions French bistro and European cuisines. The wine list had over 70 choices.
O.Henry Afternoon Tea
Greensboro residents love to take tea at O.Henry’s Social Lobby. Our concierge booked the activities and we didn’t know how popular this place was. She made us make a booking, even if it was for Monday afternoon. You should make reservations in advance for teas at weekends, and especially during the week. O.Henry is a sister property to Proximity, so make a tea booking when you check-in, or even better, book online on the O.Henry Tea Page.
She said that we should also try the traditional Scones. They were the best scones we’ve ever had. It was like a croissant and a butter cookie had a delicious, sweet baby. The tea we ordered for two was filled with enough sweet and savory treats to make a complete meal. It is a must to stop in at O.Henry for tea on your next visit to Greensboro.
Dinner at Green Valley Grill
The Green Valley Grill restaurant is located in the O.Henry Hotel which is a sister property to Proximity. Enjoy Mediterranean and European flavors on a wood-fired grill and rotisserie. The bar offers 500 wines and craft beers as well as artisanal cocktails.
The concierge suggested the delicious parmesan-crusted lemon-garlic chicken with herb-goat cheese. We had to have the Frozen Nut Irishman Chocolate Cake with Irish Cream Mousse, English Toffee Crushed, creme anglaise and chocolate sauce. The food was delicious and sophisticated without being pretentious.
Walker Street Walkabout
Walker Street is about two miles from the Proximity Hotel. Here you’ll find local restaurants such as Lindley Park filling station, Emma Keys Hamburgers, Sticks and Stones wooden-fired pizzeria, and Common Grounds Coffee Shop.
We chose to have lunch at Lindley Park Filling Station. This was an old gas station that had been converted into a restaurant. The restaurant showed pride in their locality by naming the specialty sandwiches after nearby streets. We chose the Lindell Burger with Brice Street Roast Beef – yumm!
Going Downtown
No one would have imagined that downtown Greensboro, a city of art, restaurants and green spaces, would exist thirty years ago. Southside, an area of seven blocks, was revitalized, and this sparked a trend that spread throughout the heart of Greensboro.
Families are playing in LeBauer Park, and Center City Park. Art lovers flock to the Tanger Center. Boutique shopping, restaurants and craft breweries are all available. What excited us most was the Downtown Greensboro Greenway. The loop’s four miles are 75% complete, and the final mile is scheduled for completion in 2023. The Lake Daniel Greenway connects this urban bike gem to the Proximity Hotel and the O.Henry Hotel. You don’t need to drive to explore downtown.
Borrow A Bicycle
The greenway system is accessible without a car, but riding a bicycle makes it more enjoyable. The Proximity Hotel offers a limited amount of bicycles, and helmets can be rented at the front desk. These machines won’t allow you to keep up with a peloton, but they will let you enjoy the outdoors. These bikes are more than enough for a 5- to 10-mile ride along the greenway. The front desk can even provide you with a map of the trail and current conditions.
Ride a bike to Lake Brandt
The central North Carolina biking area was the focus of our summer 2022 North Carolina trip. Greensboro was our first choice for the Proximity hotel, but we also found a beautiful 30-mile ride between the Greensboro Arboretum and Lake Brandt. We’re working on a piece that will describe the route in detail. You’ll need your own bike for this ride, as it’s too heavy to fit on the Proximity house bikes.
You start at Greensboro Arboretum, and then work your way along a series of parks until you reach the bike lanes located on Westridge Rd. The bike lanes will take you to Yadkin Atlantic Greenway which leads to Lake Brandt. While on the route, make sure you check out the closed streets in Greensboro County Park. Also, bike the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. This is one of my favorite rides to do in central North Carolina. It’s close enough to Proximity Hotel so that you can start right from the hotel lobby.
Last Thoughts about Staying at Proximity Hotel
Greensboro was not on our agenda. We only knew that we would spend some time at Proximity, and then explore the city. That was all we knew.
We were so impressed with the front desk’s suggestions and assistance in booking for O.Henry, that our dance cards were soon filled. The warm welcome we received every day, and the little touches that were added throughout our stay was also appreciated. It felt like a home away. We wish every hotel was as good as the Proximity.