Pet-Friendly Old School Motels for Schitt's Creek Fans
I enjoyed Schitt's Creek and had many laughs watching the goings-on at the Rosebud Motel. (The motel featured in the series was for sale, and you'll be able to see the details here.) If you're not getting to Canada to stay at the Rosebud, these nostalgic pet-friendly roadside motels may fit the bill.
Pioneertown Motel – Pioneertown, California
The American West is a place that promises adventures of the open road and of infinite possibilities. Pioneertown Motel dwells in the High Desert of California — a magical land in the Morongo Basin that calls to outsiders, dreamers, and spiritual wanderers. Legend has it that an underground river of gold runs through the area.
Built in 1946 as lodging for movie stars filming westerns, the Pioneertown Motel will take you back in time. The 19 guest rooms are all named after movie stars, and it's said Gene Autry played poker until sunrise in Room #9. Rooms feature king and queen beds, giant cacti, air conditioning, and free wifi. The Canteen, a shared space for guests, is stocked with books, card games, and Canyon Coffee.
Pioneertown has two restaurants, the Red Dog and Pappy & Harriet's (which doubles as a live music venue). Day trips could include Joshua Tree, the Salton Sea, Salvation Mountain, and Palm Springs; of course, you'll probably never want to leave the motel.
Amigo Motor Lounge – Salida, Colorado
Salida is known as the "Heart of the Rockies" and is an almost perfect mountain destination. At 7,000 feet in elevation, you'll love looking at the 14,000-foot snow-capped peaks around you. The climate is mild, and the area has been called "the Banana Belt."
The Amigo Motor Lodge is a newly renovated boutique motel with 60-year-old bones. Modern furnishings with Tuft and Needle mattresses meet minimalist design to create a friendly, casual, and comfortable space. The property has a teepee, hot tub, sunroom and is close to four hot springs. Want to be active? Hiking, biking, rafting, skiing, and dog sledding are all available nearby.
The Thunderbird Inn – Savannah, Georgia
There are plenty of reasons to head to Savannah, and now you'll add retro neon, hot popcorn when arriving, Moon-pies, and RC Cola! In the morning, you'll enjoy the free donuts and coffee too.
Initially built in 1964, The Thunderbird Inn in downtown Savannah features 42 retro-decorated rooms, updated in 2016. This roadside motel is on the National Register of Historic Places. Updated with modern touches, the inn has kept its historical integrity. It's easy to access SCAD Museum of Art, Ellis Square, restaurants, and more with this as your home base.
The Burrard - Vancouver, British Columbia
The 1950s-built and recently renovated Burrard stands out for its amenities (pet-friendly rooms, free bike rentals, locavore café on-site, games, passes to a nearby gym) and location near some of Vancouver's most happening' hoods. In true mid-century spirit, the original neon sign still flanks the front of the building. It offers plenty of opportunities for visitors to meet and mingle.
Lincolnville Motel - Lincolnville, Maine
The Lincolnville Motel captures the retro spirit of a coastal Maine summer. The crisp white cottages accented with turquoise doors lined up side by side with water views. The decor is mindfully minimal, with high-quality details in the spartan spaces. There are no televisions or phones in the rooms, in favor of record players and an extensive book collection.
Outside, you'll find an outdoor swimming pool with a fantastic variety of inflatable animals, lawn games on the field, and charcoal grills for grilled dinners. The motel is seasonal, open from May till October.
Austin Motel - Austin, Texas
The Austin Motel is the type of hotel you'll want to rebook the moment you leave. It's bold, from the neon sign (yes, it's a bit phallic and adds to the charm) to kitschy-cool rooms filled with bold colors and curves. And, should you happen to get bored with doing laps in the hotel's outdoor, kidney-shaped swimming pool, Ladybird Lake – the place to cool off on hot, humid days – is nearby.
The historic Austin Motel sits just south of the Colorado River and Downtown, with Texas State Capitol views. A fun outing would be walking to the famous bat bridge. Part of the beloved South Congress neighborhood, the motel is surrounded by exciting dining, nightlife, and shopping. Easy access to bus lines and Austin's beautiful hike and bike trail connecting to Zilker Park, Barton Springs Pool, and the Barton Creek greenbelt.
Calistoga Motor Lodge and Spa - Calistoga, California
When you picture old-fashioned roadside motel trips and camper vans, the motor lodge will transport you into the past. Designed by New York-based design firm AvroKo and inspired by the Great American Road trip, this classic roadside motel is made even better.
Bonne Belle Motel - Kewaskum, Wisconsin
The Bonne Belle Motel is located in Kewaskum, Wisconsin, The Gateway to the Kettle Moraine State Forest. The Bonne Belle offers 11 clean, modern rooms with cable TV, wireless Internet, coffee, light continental breakfast, in-room microwave, and refrigerator. Queen and full-size beds are available. Located on the Eisenbahn State Trail, a destination for biking and hiking in the summer and snowmobiling in the winter. The property is also very close to Sunburst Winter Sports Park.
Do you have a favorite pet-friendly old school motel or motor lodge? Let us know!