This is a list (and I am adding photos) of a few of the out of the way places we've stayed. Sure, we stay in chain motels, but we prefer the smaller more intimate, mom and pop motels... As with our eatery list there is no star rating system here... if an establishment made the list, consider it comes with our highest recommendation Sadly, some of our favorites are closed or under new ownership so they are removed from the list.
Blue Swallow Motel
815 East Route 66 Blvd., Tucumcari, NM 88401
575-461-9849
http://www.blueswallowmotel.com/
Facebook: Blue Swallow Motel
The Blue Swallow Motel, built in 1939 is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. I admit we rode by a couple of times before hesitantly swinging into the drive. We were greeted with uncommon friendliness by one of the owners, Bill. He immediately (before taking our money) showed us to Room #5 cozied up in the corner of the L-shaped blue line of rooms with red awnings, little patios and garages. We were immediately charmed by both our host and the humble accommodations. Bill is the type who will do just about anything for you. He even offered me the last beer in his fridge. A breakfast coupon, redeemable at a restaurant down the street came with the room. If you are looking for all the modern conveniences, manicured surroundings and sterile trappings of modern chain hotels/motels - this is not the place for you. Those places are up on I-40. The Blue Swallow was perfect for us, clean enough, cozy and quiet and just a tad neglected. It was great. After we settled in and Tim had a quick power nap, we explored the murals of the motel, hanging out with James Dean out front, and Lana Turner, Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe round back. In the garages we hung out with the Easy Rider gang, Dennis Hopper (aka Billy), Peter Fonda (aka Wyatt) and Jack Nicholson (aka George). Once again, our host surprised us by offering to take a picture of us with James Dean. As we were considering a stroll down the street for dinner, half a dozen Iron butt riders rolled up. They had ridden from Alabama over 1100 miles that day and were on the way to the west coast. According to the owner, Bill - the Blue Swallow is a favorite with a good many bikers traveling the remnants of old Route 66. We rested well at the Blue Swallow and will stay there again when we roll through Tucumcari in the future. Update: the Blue Swallow may be under new ownership but looks like while repairs are being made the integrity of the historic place is maintained. We will check it out next time through so it stays on the list for now. Summer 2018
Mecca Motel
3518 West Colorado Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80904
800-634-2442
http://www.meccamotelcolorado.com/
We love the Mecca Motel! It is located in the Old Colorado City/Manitou Springs area of Colorado Springs, CO. It is small but delivers much. First of all, it is an American-owned motel and the owners (Elizabeth and Gary) are about as nice as they can be. Second, it is neat and clean, both outside and inside. Our room, non-smoking with a king bed was roomy enough and immaculate. I'm talking amazingly clean. And, no stale smoke stench. We have stayed in up-scale chain motels that were not this clean. Third, The Mecca also offered WIFI. The TV was small but worked fine. TV in a motel is usually something we use to check the weather and that's about it, no big screen needed for that. Just outside our room (and every room) were two metal chairs, perfect for lounging around on a cool Springs evening. We looked forward to it. We could put The Ride to bed in the parking spot just outside our room and that suited us fine. Just across the street, was Bob's West Side Liquor Store. Tim wasted no time walking across to purchase the evening's libations which we temporarily iced down in one of the room's plastic trash cans. There's a nice pool on site. We didn't care for the restaurant across the street but there are others within walking distance or a short ride. We rested well at the Mecca in August 2010 and booked every summer through 2014 (moved to Texas 2015). Last visit: Summer 2014
Color Country Motel
526 North Main Street, Panguitch, UT 84759
Owners: Lance and Cindy Perkins
435-676-2386
800-225-6518
http://www.colorcountrymotel.com/
Clean, quiet, cozy! One of our favorite stays. I cannot say enough about the owners and the locale. It is just a few miles away from some of the most scenic areas in the southwest like Bryce Canyon and the Grand Escalanate Staircase National Monument and more. If you find yourself in little ol' Panguitch, Utah - just roll in to Color Country Motel and discover how pleasant a stay can be.
http://www.colorcountrymotel.com/
The Last Dollar Inn B&B
Now operating under the name Linda Goodman's Miracle Inn.
315 East Carr St, Cripple Creek, CO 80813
(719) 689-9113
Facebook: Linda Goodman's Miracle Inn
http://www.lastdollarinn.com/
Innkeepers: Chip and Kathy Gregg
Oh my goodness! What a charming place. Gracious, friendly hosts. Cozy, comfortable rooms with private baths. Very clean. The whole house is nicely appointed and decorated with period furnishings. There are several common areas including a roomy parlor, a small TV room, breakfast nook, and outside seating. No a/c, TV or phones in the rooms, but who needs them? We stayed in the cozy and bright Womack room and loved it! Our host, Kathy greeted us with a smile, homemade cookies and a freshly brewed pot of coffee. And the breakfast! Kathy served up what she calls gourmet country but this is not biscuits and gravy Folks. How about croissant french toast, stuffed with cream cheese and smothered with a caramelized banana sauce? How about strawberries and cream waffles? And Kathy calls her egg dishes - egg bakes - sort of like a fluffy quiche only much, much better. All dishes were plated nicely and included a fresh fruit cup. Beverages included plenty of fresh, hot coffee (very important for a guy like Tim) and orange juice. Have you ever had a meal so delicious you contemplated kidnapping the cook? If Kathy comes up missing... 'nuff said. We cannot possibly say enough good things about The Last Dollar Inn. This charming Victorian era brownstone was built in 1898. It has housed a New York businessman (the builder), a bookkeeper for the mines, a brothel (aka Parlour House for Sporting Women), Leland Feitz, local historian, author and museum curator for several years, and Linda Goodman, famous astrologer, mystic and poet. In fact, one of the rooms offered is the Goodman room with her original floral decor. It was converted to a B&B in 1996 and has been under current ownership since 2007. Better yet, it sits just one block off of Main Street/Bennett Ave and is within walking distance of all the casinos, shops, restaurants and the Butte Theater. See the post dated June 25, 2011 for my photos and description of our stay - http://ourharleydays.blogspot.com/2011/06/mini-road-trip-2-day-2-donkey-days.html We are already booked for another stay at the Last Dollar Inn later this year (2011).
The Inn is under new ownership/management since the last time we stayed. There does not appear to be negative reviews. It is such a lovely, historic site it might be worth checking out. I'll let you know if I hear otherwise. Summer 2018
More listings coming soon!
