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With an uncertainty about the country falling into a recession and the fear around air travel, it’s not surprising that stateside road tripping is soon-to-be back in style. From taking a long weekend away near where you live, to piling your family into a stylish RV for a cross country road trip to camping (or glamping) out in the wilderness, you’ve got plenty of options for an unforgettable domestic vacation if you stay stateside this year. And as you’re planning, consider booking one of these iconic American roadside hotels, which range from modern motels to historic resort spas
The humble roadside motel (a portmanteau of the words “motor hotel”) has had a major makeover—perhaps due to our love of nostalgia. Motels originally popped up all over the United States once long-distance driving became doable thanks to the construction of the country’s highways. A traditional roadside motel looks like one long, single-story building of connecting rooms with the doors facing a parking lot (think the Bates Motel from the thriller Psycho). They’re often thought of as dirty or cheap (again, thanks Bates Motel), but with this nostalgic resurgence—and some glam renovations—these lodgings have become destinations by themselves.
Today, you can find seriously beautiful roadside hotels all over the country. There are some that lean into the motel nostalgia and have been decked out in decor from decades past. Others have reimagined historic homes as luxe spas retreats, full of stunning decor. Below, we’ve picked out the nine most beautifully designed roadside hotels you should seriously consider visiting this summer—or any time after that. Happy driving!
Just off Route 23A in upstate New York, you’ll find Scribner’s Catskill Lodge. This 38-room bespoke hotel was built in the 1960s as a Dirty Dancing-style resort. Today, it’s been renovated to welcome what the website calls “urban explorers,” designed with a warm, elevated interior. Escape to the outdoors with delicious meals, excellent accommodations, and access to amazing nature trails at your fingertips.
Designed in a more classic roadside motel style with charmingly dated midcentury decor, the New South Motor Inn is a true motor hotel. It was constructed in the 1950s and has rooms you can drive right up to. Staying in this hotel will surely be a treat, thanks to the combination of modern amenities and historic style.
Off the North Coast Highway, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, Hotel Joaquin awaits your arrival. Not your average roadside hotel, it offers a refreshing pool, luxurious in-room massages, and an aesthetic that's a playful combination of St. Barths, 1950’s Southern California beach culture, and timeless Mediterranean style.
For a more playful roadside hotel, find the Americana Motor Hotel off iconic Route 66. This fun motel captures the aesthetic of a traditional roadside lodging with drive-up rooms, bold colors, and a carefree spirit. It also has a pool in the front, lawn activities galore, bikes and telescopes for exploring, and chargers for repowering your electric vehicles.
If you’re driving along Route 66 in rugged Northern Arizona, stop by the High Country Motor Lodge. The retreat offers vintage style with contemporary amenities and was designed with wellness in mind. There’s plenty to do on-site, from stargazing to relaxing in Arizona’s first Nordic spa.
At the corner of U.S. Highway 64 and Main Street in Highlands, NC, you’ll find Old Edwards Inn & Spa. A Relais & Châteaux property that’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this spa retreat boastss to its beautiful architecture, relaxing amenities, and stunning surroundings. It’s nestled alongside the Blue Ridge Mountains, so your outdoor activities will be as grand as your indoor options.
Just a few minutes drive off Carters Creek Pike rests Southall Farm & Inn. This roadside hotel sits on 325 acres of land a bit outside Nashville, and everyone who stays there is encouraged to reconnect with nature and immerse themselves in the surrounding farmland. With a healing spa and restaurant that offers fresh, seasonal fare using ingredients that were farmed just steps away, this retreat is a destination itself.
Nestled in the Vermont countryside and off the Royalton Turnpike is Twin Farms, a pristine roadside estate and another ultra-luxe Relais & Châteaux property. Each of the 28 rooms is different, but you can expect to find beautiful artwork, cozy but luxurious bedding, and stunning architecture in each space. Not to mention, you get to wake up in the bucolic countryside each morning you’re there.
If you’re looking to recharge, make your way to Wildflower Farms, an Auberge resort and spa just 90 minutes from New York City in Gardiner, NY. As the name suggests, this roadside hotel sits in an 140-acre meadow of native wildflowers. There, you’re encouraged to unwind and reconnect with nature while taking advantage of the Thistle spa, pool, hiking trails, gorgeous interior and farm-to-table feasts they call “Progressive Dining Experiences”.
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