The Poinsett Hotel, now known as the Westin Poinsett Hotel, is a historic landmark located at 120 South Main Street in downtown Greenville, South Carolina. Completed in 1925, it stands as one of the city’s earliest skyscrapers and a prime example of Beaux-Arts architecture.​

Architectural Features

Designed by New York architect William Lee Stoddart, the Poinsett Hotel is a 12-story steel-framed building with a distinctive L-shaped façade. The structure is divided into three sections:​

• Base: A four-story section featuring tall arched windows and a wide cornice.​
• Shaft: The unadorned middle portion of the building.​
• Capital: The uppermost section, highlighted by a decorative frieze, denticulated cornice, and a balustraded parapet.

The hotel originally boasted 210 guest rooms, each with a private bath, along with a ballroom, convention hall, dining areas, and retail shops. ​

Named after Joel R. Poinsett, a South Carolina native and U.S. Secretary of War, the hotel replaced the earlier Mansion House, a resort hotel built in 1824. The Poinsett Hotel was constructed at a cost of $1.5 million, funded in part by local investors who sold shares to residents. Despite initial financial struggles, the hotel gained prominence under the management of J. Mason Alexander, who emphasized exceptional customer service. By 1946, it was recognized as the best medium-sized hotel in the nation. ​

After declining in the mid-20th century, the hotel was closed in 1987 and fell into disrepair. In 1997, developers Steve Dopp and Greg Lenox acquired the property and, with the support of tax credits and federal rehabilitation funds, invested approximately $20 million in restoration. Reopened in 2000 as the Westin Poinsett Hotel, it has since become a AAA Four-Diamond property and a member of Historic Hotels of America. ​

Hotel Amenities

Today, the Westin Poinsett Hotel offers a range of amenities, including:​

• Spoonbread Restaurant: Serving a variety of dishes in a historic setting.​
• Lobby Lounge: A bar offering drinks and light fare.​
• Joel’s Java: A café serving breakfast items and coffee.​
• WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio: An on-site fitness center.​

The hotel also provides accessible features, valet parking, and meeting spaces. ​

 Address: 120 South Main Street, Greenville, SC 29601​