home as well as the ease and luxury of a hotel. Early in the 20th century, as Americans began using the country’s brand-new highways, Wayside Motel Inn Harbor began to spring up to serve these passengers. Many of these old houses have undergone retro-chic renovations, fusing their old-world beauty with contemporary conveniences.
1. Skyview – Los Alamos, California
This five-acre, roadside motel from 1959 has been renovated with contemporary fixtures and facilities. Flat-screen televisions, Nespresso coffee makers, high-speed Internet, pillowtop beds with down comforters and Italian Frette sheets, indoor fireplaces in certain rooms, and private patios are just a few of the amenities found in the 33 air-conditioned guest rooms. The Norman restaurant serves food all day long and has a fully equipped bar. This is a great starting point for exploring the Santa Ynez Valley’s local tasting rooms, antique shops, art galleries, and restaurants because it is surrounded by farms, ranches, and vineyards.
2. Stonewall Motor Lodge – Stonewall, Texas
The Stonewall just underwent a makeover with cutting-edge technology. It was constructed in 1964 to house the reporters, Secret Service personnel, and celebrities who visited the neighboring LBJ Ranch. On the three-acre property’s twelve renovated ground-floor rooms, four private cabins, and five RV sites, visitors may arrange their trips to the region’s more than 75 wineries, breweries, restaurants, and other attractions. From the rooftop observation deck, take in the sunset, or relax in front of the barn’s television while enjoying a nice drink.
3. The Plaza, New York
The Plaza is without a doubt the most well-known hotel in New York; it first opened its doors in 1907 and was designated a landmark in 1969. Great films like “Funny Girl,” “The Great Gatsby,” and “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” as well as the 1950s “Eloise” children’s book series were filmed on the 20-story building on Fifth Avenue and Central Park South. Among the prominent guests were Liza Minnelli, Eleanor Roosevelt, Miles Davis, and The Beatles. Each month, a public tour of the hotel’s interior is led by an architectural historian.
4. Presidio Lodging
The old Presidio Lodging Hotel has been transformed into a cozy, cutting-edge, and stylish basecamp. The hotel features a contemporary room with a stunning view of the city, the bridge, the bay, and the forest. The park has been renovated, making it the ideal location to enjoy the outdoors. Additionally, the Presidio Lodging Hotel features a lovely space for gathering with loved ones and dining. It includes one extremely lovely room with a lovely view of the region around the golden gate bridge. A central air conditioner and free internet are available in every section of the hotel. The hotel is surrounded by beaches, forests, and hiking routes, so staying here will be a fantastic experience. The hotels include a lovely lawn and 42 rooms.
5. The Local – St. Augustine – St. Augustine, Florida
The former Island Shores motel in St. Augustine has been renovated by owners Leila and Adam to reflect its peak in the 1950s, with the addition of app-based self-check-in/check-out and keyless entrance. The Neighborhood, St. Augustine. The 20 air-conditioned, non-smoking rooms have a classic aesthetic and a lot of coral and tropical elements. A cable TV, a microwave, a refrigerator, and a safe are provided in every room. 10 The Local is a recently updated roadside motel on the route to the beach that Rob Taylor of 2TravelDads calls “a nearly forgotten roadside motel on the way to the beach, the Local is freshly updated and perfect for a vintage, PINK Florida vacation between historical St Augustine and beautiful beaches.”
6. Anvil Hotel, Jackson, Wyoming
Jackson Hole offers some of the best skiing in the state, as well as access to the wild landscapes of the Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. The starting point is the outdoorsy community of Jackson, where the 49-room Anvil Hotel, a renovated 1950s motor lodge brimming with mountain charm, reopened in 2017. The cast-iron beds in the Shaker-style rooms have thick, custom-designed wool blankets, and visitors are encouraged to hang out in the common areas. The lobby, which also serves as a hip version of the General Store, has a wood-burning stove and coffee from the town roastery, and the on-site restaurant, Glorietta, offers wood-fired Italian dishes and cocktails from NYC’s Death Co. The hotel can also help you create your own experience from a list of activities including snowmobile and snowshoeing.
Final Thoughts
As they search for a different kind of travel experience, more and more Roadtrippers and daring travelers are staying at quirky hotels. These traditional lodgings have a variety of amenities, including tiki bars, large pools, coastal fire pits, renovated vintage trailers, bathhouses, yurts, and rooftop wine tasting. In search of a top-notch spa, live entertainment, food trucks, and weekend brunch? You’re insured by hotels.