Following World War I, more and more Americans began to travel along major routes such as the now famous Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica. It was then that the earliest motels began to spring up. By 1935, there were nearly 10,000 lodging facilities serving the needs of auto travelers.
Be sure to note the weather before you pack. You wouldn't want to be stranded in a snow storm when all you packed were shorts, or in a heat wave when all you brought were sweatshirts!
In the early days of cross-country motor travel, there were few if any accommodations along American roads and so people just pulled off the road and camped. The advent of the American motel soon met the need for convenient lodging.
The term “motel” was coined in 1925, which was a combination of the words “motor” and “hotel.” Although the term was popular for many years, it did not enter dictionaries until after World War II.
The world’s smallest hotel is located in Copenhagen, it measures 8 feet by 10 feet, has a double bed, minibar, bathroom, and flat screen television. However, do not plan to check in on a whim, there is already a six-month waiting list.
In 1950 there were 50,000 motels in the United States. They served half of the 22 million US vacationers, but would surpass hotels in consumer demands only one year later.
While the features you’ll find at a hotel may have changed over the years, the general location of most motels has not—right next to the interstate, an attraction, or a busy thoroughfare. This makes it really easy to find the motel and to get where you need to go quickly.
Driving to the motel on your next road trip can cause some serious damage to you car’s tires if you don’t properly prepare them for the extended drive. Before embarking on your road trip, visually inspect the tires for any punctures and then fill them with enough air to reach the recommended PSI rate.
During the big motel boom after WWII, most motels were privately owned. To make things easier for travelers, many joined motel associations. Members could refer customers to other motels in the association while they traveled, so travelers could be sure of consistent quality.
Did you know that a 1904 survey conducted in the United States reported that 93 percent of the 2,151,570 miles of road in the U.S. were unpaved? This was in the period prior to motels, where weary road travelers would simply pull over and camp for the night.
Just about every motel room in the country has a working phone, and you may have noticed that a lot of those phones may look very similar. That is thanks to the Teledex Corporation, who introduced phones specifically made for hotel and motel rooms in 1986.
Did you know that motels are actually preferable to hotels when it comes to fire safety? Given that there’s only a single story and outside access to your room, you don’t need to worry about coming up with an escape plan in the case of fire.
The motel concept developed with the growth of the American highway system in the 1920s. As more people began to travel a need arose for cheap, easy access accommodations.
One famous motel along Route 66 is The Wigwam Village Motel, which houses 15 wigwams with a height of 32 feet and a base diameter of 14 feet. Built in the 1930s, this vintage teepee style motel is located in Holbrook, Arizona.
Hotels and motels are different. Motels were originally located on highways as opposed to the urban centers that hotels once favored. Motels also situated their buildings to look outside toward parking lots and the customers’ cars. Hotels historically were not concerned with motor vehicles.
The Vega Motel in Vega, Texas, is famous for having personal auto garages for each guest room. This famous motel sits on Historical Route 66 and has been an icon since 1947.
Sometimes, when you are on your vacation, you go to a nice restaurant and have a bunch of leftovers. Make sure you get a motel room with a refrigerator, so you can keep your food fresh.
Staying connected is important, whether you're traveling on business or pleasure. We can keep you connected while you're on the road so you can share files, photos, or stories of fun. You don’t have to wait to share your stories.
Route 66 motels were the most famous example of the “neon age” in motels. Anything from Western to cowboys and Indians, spaceships, and atomic-age imagery were employed to catch the consumers’ eye. Many of these signs are in place still today.
Even if you’re going to make a stop at the motel at the end of the night, driving for long periods can make anyone exhausted. If you’re traveling with a group, take turns driving, so everyone can get some rest when you check into the motel.
Alta Cienega Motel is a famous motel in West Hollywood, California, most noted for being the living quarters of legendary rock musician Jim Morrison of The Doors from 1968-1970. He stayed in Room 32 of the motel, which still houses his personal items and framed pictures.
You do not have to travel great distances to get away from it all. Sometimes, just gathering up the family and heading for a motel for a night is just the ticket for breaking up the routine and brightening everyone’s mood. When spontaneity strikes, come visit us for a night or weekend.
It is a good idea to call and reconfirm your reservation a few days before arriving, especially if you booked well in advance. The reconfirmation call is also a good time to let us know of any requests or special needs you may have.
Our motel offers the quality service you desire and the comfortable atmosphere you need to enjoy your stay. We offer clean beds and spacious rooms all for a reasonable rate. Call today for more information.
