Old Roadside Motels Are Surprisingly Cool Again

For over 100 years, this roadside motel has been a part of trips across America. It all started in 1925 with Milestone Mo-Tel in San Luis Obispo, California. The words “Motor Hotel” did not fit on the roof of the building, necessitating a shortened name.

By 1964, there were more than 60,000 motels spread across the country. As families began experimenting with road trips, motels (often called motor lodges or motor courts) offered safe, affordable, and easily accessible places to rest for a night.

As interstate highways drew traffic away from state highways and hotel chains began to gain popularity, roadside motels would fall out of favor with travelers. The shift in consumer preference has left many American cities with abandoned or demolished motels. Worse yet: those that survived were believed to be gathering places for drug addicts or even frequent crime scenes.

But something interesting happened around 2020. Motels began to emerge as a unique opportunity for people to find housing while investing in a sustainable business.

Hannah and Dan Korman purchased the Siesta Motel in 2023. The motel’s iconic cactus neon sign has been a fixture near downtown Durango, Colorado since the 1950s. The couple used their experience as former AirBnb hosts to breathe new life into the aging property while preserving some of its history.

“One of the things we’ve loved the most is adding those little personal touches that make guests feel at home,” says Hannah. “When we bought the motel, the idea was to bring some of the same warmth and intention to the classic roadside motel model: keeping the nostalgia, but elevating the experience.

Some of the updated touches included bedside charging ports, mini-fridges and microwaves, dimmable lighting, pillow-top mattresses with premium bedding, sound machines, and local coffee in every room.

Bringing old motels into a modern world

For the Kormans, the most difficult part of renovating the Siesta Motel was updating its plumbing and electrical. Every new motel owner I spoke with had similar challenges and obstacles to overcome when starting the renovation process.

At the Miami Motel in Canandaigua, New York, owners Valarie and Dennis Calkins joked that their renovation efforts would rival the plots of the TV comedy. Schitt Creek. In the popular streaming series, a family transforms the town’s rundown motel into a charming and successful business – with plenty of drama along the way.

Among the many strange and unusual quirky quirks of the Calkins’ 28-room property was a sophisticated radio system that allowed the operator to broadcast directly into any of the rooms. Despite all the renovation headaches, Valarie notes that the biggest challenge was rewriting the stories locals had told about the place for years.

While visiting the Finger Lakes region last fall, I stayed at the Miami Motel and found it to be a wonderful experience and posted about it on social media. My post went viral, mainly because of locals who doubted my experience and even made fun of it. Most reviewers didn’t know the place had been gutted and was actually rated the best motel in the area with rave reviews on travel sites like Trip Advisor.

As I traveled across the United States for Bill on the road I found more and more of these motel conversions. Along Virginia’s famous Blue Ridge Parkway, I discovered Tuggle’s Gap Roadside Inn. The roadside motel, opened around 1940, was purchased by a father/son duo in 2021 and breathed new life into it.

In addition to new heating and cooling systems, each unit was equipped with high-speed internet, smart TVs and renovated bathrooms. They also added the option of a cooked-to-order homemade breakfast for guests.

In the rural town of Mann’s Choice, Pennsylvania, the Lincoln Motor Court was another surprising gem. Not only have its 12 tiny cottages been renovated, but the property now hosts local concerts and events. It’s a great starting point for budget-conscious travelers looking to explore Bedford County’s historic covered bridges.

On a recent trip through central California, I stayed at the Farmhouse Motel, another renovated property located in the town of Paso Robles. Farm opened around 1947 and is considered the oldest accommodation option in the area.

A family operation for many years – the motel was recently purchased by the Nomada hotel group as the original owners decided to retire. The company, which focuses on historic properties in the area, took two years to completely gut and revitalize all 26 rooms. Each was individually decorated and now included luxury Italian linens, high-end artwork, and access to large shared fireplaces.

Finding the right motel for your road trip

While many motels are being renovated and available for your next road trips across the United States, not all of them are quite ready for prime time.

Before booking a stay, be sure to check recent reviews from previous guests on reputable review sites. You can also use apps like Instagram and TicTok to search for renovated properties in the area you’ll be visiting. Most new homeowners are only too eager to share their updates and renovations on social media!

With a little research and a little luck, you’ll find some real gems that will make your road trip even more special and maybe even save you a few dollars along the way!

To find out more about Bill On The Road or purchase his travel books, visit billontheroad.com and follow his Yahoo profile for more travel stories.