Stylish motels are making New England motor lodges cool again


New England Journey

A resurgence of retro-style, budget-friendly lodging makes for an thrilling regional journey choice this summer time.

Bluebird Dennisport
Bluebird Dennisport Matthew Kisiday

Lengthy earlier than Airbnb was the favored alternative for locating a long-weekend vacation spot, loads of households throughout New England would hop within the automobile, set out for the coast, and examine in to a motor lodge. These no-frills motels and inns provided vacationers with the fundamentals, inviting them to spend their holidays by the water or at a clam shack — not of their motel rooms.

Now, these mid-century fashionable motor inns are making a comeback, and a handful have just lately reopened throughout New England. A throwback to the summer time highway journeys of yesteryear, the lodges are newly renovated, trendy, and sometimes budget-friendly. Forward, discover 5 motor lodges you may wish to guide a room at this summer time.

York Beach Surf Club
York Seashore Surf Membership – Learn McKendree

What as soon as was the York Harbor Motel and Cottages has turn into the retro-chic York Seashore Surf Membership, which pays homage to a locals’ surf collective that started there within the Nineteen Sixties. Its mid-century Vacationland aptitude extends to its 54 rooms and bungalows, an on-site cafe, a espresso store, and two saltwater swimming pools. The parents on the entrance desk can get you signed up for a surf lesson, although when you’d wish to take it gradual, the ocean views from the entrance garden are simply as fulfilling.

780 York St., York, Maine, yorkbeachsurfclub.com.

Bluebird Dennisport
Bluebird Dennisport – Matthew Kisiday

The Fifties-style umbrellas and garden chairs are what first catch your eye at Bluebird Dennisport, which opened on the Decrease Cape in summer time 2022. Although this sprawling pool space is a stable  hangout spot, the inn is just a 10-minute stroll from the seaside. Every of the motel’s up to date rooms are impressed by dune shacks with pure woods and bohemian rugs and materials, whereas a cluster of cottages on the opposite aspect of the pool make for a traditional prolonged keep on the Cape.

426 Decrease County Street, Dennisport, Mass., bluebirdhotels.com.

Rye Motor Inn
Rye Motor Inn – Courtesy of Doug Palardy

On the Rye Motor Inn, you’ll discover 12 apartment-style rooms inside a Fifties motel. Billed as an “adults-only oceanfront micro resort and boutique swim store,” its choices transcend the usual motel room with totally geared up kitchens in addition to luxe touches within the ensuite loos. The swim store, in the meantime, presents swimwear, skincare, and different equipment fitted to a dip within the inn’s heated pool or on the close by seashores.

741 Ocean Blvd., Rye, N.H., ryemotorinn.com.

The Springs Motel
The Springs Motel – Courtesy of Lindsey Kurowski

Possibly you acknowledge the Springs Motel: The Berkshires hideaway was just lately renovated on season 2 of “The Inn Works,” a present on Magnolia Community hosted by Lindsey Kurowski. Kurowski, additionally the proprietor of the Springs Motel, crammed the motor inn with retro patio furnishings, splashy wallpaper, and different quirky touches to take care of its Fifties allure. Along with its 42 rooms, there are 4 cabins and a pool on the property, to not point out an outside beer backyard full with a classic trailer bar.

94 RT 7 New Ashford, Mass., springsmotel.co.

The Parker Beach Lodge.
The Parker Seashore Lodge. – Matthew Kisiday

A sister property to Bluebird Dennisport, the Parker Seashore Lodge strives to be a extra fashionable tackle the mid-century motel. Opened in 2021, lots of its 48 rooms (and two suites) overlook the central pool, although the lodge is a brief stroll from Parkers River Seashore. Shiny, breezy rooms with up to date coastal decor make for an iconic summer time getaway. The on-site swim store, which presents video games, beachwear, and chair leases, seals the deal.

192 S Shore Drive, South Yarmouth, Mass., bluebirdhotels.com.