Quick Links
- The Bygone Era Of Motor Inns And Lodges
- Saratoga Springs’ Spa City Motor Lodge
- Highlands North Carolina’s Mountain Top Motor Inn
- The Starlite Motel: A Retro Retreat Within the Catskills
- A Texas Classic: The Shady Villa Hotel
- The Modern Hotel And Bar Is A Boise Standout
There’s something magical about going for a road trip—striking the road and accumulating the miles using the purpose of seeing and stopping; delighting in the open road and also the commitment of what lies ahead. The most planned itineraries have surprises in store—after all, who knows what roadside attraction may catch one’s eye on the way, capturing the road-trippers imagination with its kitsch, or ensnaring the imagination having a snippet of forgotten history?
And, without a doubt, the motor inn is really a distinct part of the American road trip lore: pop-up properties that once dominated the landscape, these pull-in places have, through the decades, been rendered nearly obsolete through the ubiquitous, widespread accessibility to chains promising affordable accommodations and a comfy spot to catch some zzz’s before moving further in the future.
The Bygone Era Of Motor Inns And Lodges
The mid-20th century was the heyday of these roadside wonders, as more and more people hit the street over the country’s expanded highway system—Route 66 entered the American consciousness, a catalyst for the desire to get on the road and see where it requires you. Even though these motor inns, lodges, and mom and pop motels started to disappear within the late 20th-century instead of easily searchable and bookable lodgings with convenient use of highways and Wi-Fi, recently, there’s been reasonable resurgence from the roadside motel: a revival of sorts that aims to recapture the vintage magic and motel memories of yore, a chance for road-trippers to once again pull-in and remain the night time before once more headin’ on the highway a la “Born To Be Wild."
Fittingly, this latest crop of motels and motor inns offers a new undertake the classics—revamped and remodeled to become more than just a stop on the way, a number of these re-imagined 21st-century gems aim to be a roadside attraction in and of themselves; beyond basic testaments to a bygone era designed to (re)capture the imagination from the modern-day road warrior. Several of the newest and finest types of this retro road trip trend; a listing that will make any intrepid traveler excited hitting the street come july 1st.
Saratoga Springs’ Spa City Motor Lodge
Anyone road tripping with the Hudson Valley may have their share of wonderful upstate NY lodgings to choose from, however, the Spa City Motor Lodge in downtown Saratoga Springs offers guests a great time from the past using their modern take on the motor lodge. Formerly the Saratoga Downtowner Motel, the property was transformed into a hip, vintage masterpiece; the very first in a series from Bluebird by Lark Hotels; whose aim would be to “revive the classic American roadside inn”—and here they've succeeded using their boutique spot in the actual heart of beautiful Saratoga Springs. Rates begin with $76 and up/night
Highlands North Carolina’s Mountain Top Motor Inn
This off-the-beaten-track getaway may be the antithesis of the budget chain hotels situated right off the highway—to get to the secluded Skyline Lodge is itself an adventure that is definitely worth the trek. Situated high on a mountain top in scenic Highlands, NC, the Mountain Top is a mid-century marvel designed with a distinctly An artist flair; rustically luxe, this renovated time traveler from the 1930s is the best retreat, an upscale re-imagining that’s so much more than a mom and pop motel. rates from $249 and up/night
The Starlite Motel: A Retro Retreat In The Catskills
A Kerhonkson, NY gem straight out of the 1960s, the eclectic motor inn vibes from the Starlite Motel, despite its retro oeuvre, transcends time—and it is equally in your own home in the 21st century because it could be in the movie “Easy Rider.” A traditional motor inn layout having a modern twist, this super comfy spot at the foot from the Catskills harkens back to a time when motor lodges were king and also the roads of America were magical highways full of adventure around every corner. And with an onsite canteen, an outdoor pool, and outdoor spaces intended for socializing, this cool lodging is so much more than the usual place to stay the night time. Rates start at $200 and up/night
A Texas Classic: The Shady Villa Hotel
Miles upon miles of massive, wide-open Texas skies and meandering road trip-ready roads are the setting for the Lone Star State classic The Shady Villa Hotel. Welcoming visitors for more than 150 years to this scenic stop smack dab in the middle of Texas, the Shady Villa offers being “an architectural time capsule”—and with cook reason. A location where the past and the present co-exist amid a sprawling mid-century motor inn, this iconic rentals are the suburbs standout that embraces its heritage whilst attracting another generation of guests with its eclectic funky vibes which are delightfully retro. Rates start at $89 and up/night
The Modern Hotel And Bar Is A Boise Standout
Like many motor inns of yore, the Modern Hotel and Bar was born in the 1920s. Now, over A century later, the current iteration is really a reinvigorated and reanimated motel that’s a virtual homage to its historic past—a family-owned, trendy destination in the middle of Boise. Packed with charm, hospitality, and quirky perks like an in-room film festival showing short films nightly, the current Hotel and Bar is really a campy revival from the mid-century classics that once dominated the American landscape. Rates start at $178 and up/night
The rise from the American motel and its historic beginnings through the early and mid-20th century is a love letter to the allure of the road trip. The liberty of packing up and striking the road had a distinctive appeal for all those looking for adventure—a convention that continues to this day. And at the heart of these retro road trips is really a revival of mom and pop roadside inns of history re-imagined to welcome guests with their vintage flair and eclectic appeal; time-traveling treats that hope to reclaim a bit of yesteryear, here in the near future.
