Transformation is always a good thing. In the hotel industry, a revival boosts revenue, In the case of Rhode’s Motor Lodge in Boone, North Carolina, the renovation is a marvel of what can be when ingenuity, creativity, and preservation collide.

Once a two-story Travelodge on the edge of extinction, this mid-century modern boutique has risen from the ashes and is now open to the public after being brought back to life by Raleigh-based Loden Hospitality. Environmental designer Joshua Gajownik worked with contractors to pull apart the hotel, see what was there, and what could be saved.

Once the Greene’s Court, it was built in 1958 by Thomas Grant Greene and his wife, Ruth. When Thomas passed away, Ruth and her son, Harris, ran the hotel and built the back addition in the early 1970s. Sold years later, the hotel’s structure fell into disrepair.

Today, the 54-room (all facing the Southern sky of the Blue Ridge Mountains) motel is taking reservations from travelers seeking a one-of-a-kind boutique hotel experience in the North Carolina mountains. Rhode’s Motor Lodge and Canteen will offer hospitality with a camp-inspired design for those exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway, Appalachian State University, Grandfather Mountain, Tweetsie Railroad, Sugar Mountain Resort, and numerous other High Country attractions. Centrally located, the lodge leads to every adventure.

Rhode’s Motor Lodge takes its name from the rhododendrons that bloom each spring and early summer on the mountain and its location near the crossroads of NC Highways 321 and 221 and close to downtown Boone. The hotel offers a selection of king, double queen and king with daybed suites featuring rustic, yet nostalgic design. These spaces are a nod to the nostalgia of motor lodges and yet offer refined thoughtful design. Guests will enjoy 300-thread count bed linens and luxury washable wool blankets, as well as custom furnishings, including tree trunk nightstands, pendant light fixtures that nod to tent lights, three-legged camp stools and Rhodes Motor Lodge-branded Coleman coolers for guests to use as an ice bucket or during their High Country outings. More than 38 rooms have balconies where guests can enjoy mountain views. 

Impressive indoor and outdoor spaces offer seating, fire pits, and Adirondack chairs framed with twinkle lights that set the stage for an evening cocktail or a dinner with friends. Most weekends, live music echoes from the outdoor patio off the lobby area. The centerpiece of the main inside area is a terracotta tile fireplace whose space doubles as a lounging and dining area.

Canteen serves breakfast on the weekends and dinner seven days a week, offering modern casual far with a nod to Appalachian ingredients and classic dishes. Coffee is local from hatchet Coffee Roasters while the baked goods are fresh from the oven at Stick Boy Bread. Co. Brunch and breakfast cater to the on-the-go traveler while the dinner menu invites guest to linger and enjoy. Enjoy the Wagyu beef (locally sourced from 4440 Ranch & Cattle Company) burger or the seared trout. The Caesar salad was a marvel (and the perfect combination of classic and a pop of the unexpected); if there’s room, end the night with the signature S’mores Brownie, ensuring a night of sweet dreams. With a small yet ample wine list and unique craft cocktails (I Prefer My Vermouth Uncouth) available, enjoy a nightcap by the firepit.

“At Loden Hospitality, we are always looking for unique older properties in dynamic markets that we think can be repurposed and reimagined in a way that honors the history of the property and the place,” says Russ Jones, president of Loden Hospitality. “That’s exactly what happened here and our job is then to create authentic, unique hospitality experiences to highlight the best of what the High Country has to offer.”

A nod to the past with 21st century amenities and comfort is a travel trend on the rise. Travelers are longing for a slower experience, a nostalgic one that will remind them of yesterday while not missing out on the comforts travelers have come to expect from hotels.

“This isn’t a typical hotel experience,” confirms Christine McDonald, creative director for Loden Hospitality.

Book your stay now for the summer and fall seasons when the world heads to the mountains. Rates begin at $124 (from 250-square-feet to 340-square-feet), and there are packages available for a variety of rooms.

Rhode’s Motor Lodge | 1377 Blowing Rock Road | Highway 321 | Boone, NC | 28607

CANTEEN | Lobby Bar & Public Dining | Menu

Request a visitors guide from Explore Boone.

Restoration of a Motor Court

Photos courtesy Rhode’s Motor Court