It may be nostalgia, it may be intrigue, or simply curiosity—but I love roadside motels. Sadly, I’ve never slept in one. And, since the market has changed so much, I probably never will.
Driving across the country along the old standard U.S. Highways, I’ve passed many roadside motels offering cheap rates, air conditioning, and HBO. Slowly, they are dying away as the hotel chains own the market. I believe that there is something special about the roadside hotel. They are locally owned and operated. Typically, they have an inexpensive dinner attached. And they also promise a lot of personality. They seem to make the stay a little more personal—unlike the cookie-cutter mass-produced hotels of today.
Several years ago, when our kids were little, we stayed in a chain of hotels every time we travelled. Every room was the exact same as the one before. The kids knew exactly where to put their shoes and their belongings. Every night was the same. The roadside hotel offers something a little different…adventure—something out of the norm.
One day, I hope that I will travel along and see a nice hotel on the side of the road. It doesn’t have to be expensive or new—but it does need to look cared for and safe. This is a dream I have.
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Photo by Nicolas Cool on Unsplash